“I’m glad Ashley arranged for him to spend a couple of hours with other children his age. Scheduling a play date was probably difficult for her, but socialization is so important. Isolating him most likely affected his behavior. But I understand why she was cautious.”

“She brought him into the store this past week. It was like someone replaced him with a clone.”

“Nah. Consistent discipline.”

And, as Archie would say, “a wee bit of magic,” but I’m not telling Shane or anyone else about my shenanigans with Aidan. What a blunder that was. I walk behind the counter and log in to the cash register after stashing my purse and jacket underneath.

“Your influence probably made all the difference, I imagine,” Shane says.

“She was being a bit of a helicopter mom. But who could blame her with the Baby Nabbers ring snatching the region’s precious children? I’d have wanted him under close watch, too.”

“We’re not out of the woods yet. Did you read the news?”

“No. I was too busy with my final class research. What happened?”

He shoves his hands in his back pockets. “The members of the Baby Nabbers refuse to take responsibility for the kidnappings in Bearsden. They say they never came to Delaware. Alys Morgan suggested they leave the ordinance in place for now. Many of the residents who attended the council meeting were hot under the collar.”

“Huh. But criminals are liars. They don’t want those charges added to their rap sheet. You can’t really blame Alys for erring on the side of caution, though.”

“Perhaps. But the children are home safely with their parents.”

I wince. “Did they say if the kidnappers hurt the kids?”

“The paper stated they were healthy.”

“That’s good to hear. I hope those kids survive the trauma.”

The door dings and Alys Morgan enters wearing a pink wool coat. We wave to the councilwoman as she shuffles to the toy section in her rain boots.

“Her ears must be burning,” Shane says under his breath. “I’ll be in the back unboxing the New Year’s Eve party favor. Holler if you need me.”

“Sure, boss. If I hear a popping sound, I’ll know you’re having an impromptu celebration.”

He grins. “Only if my gal agrees to come.”

“You’re keeping this new lady friend under wraps. Have you told her about…” I glance at Alys, who has an ear turned toward us. “The Fellowship?”

“Not yet, darling. Getting to know her better first.”

“Probably best. Go on. I’ve got the front covered.”

“Thank you much,” he says, strolling into the back.

When I peer over at Alys, she’s picking up the new puzzles for children under age three and examining them with a perfectionist’s eye. After her last visit, I mentioned her displeasure about the lack of toys to the bosses. I mean, we aren’t a toy store. But Jeff found a few items that fit the store’s theme and ordered them for the holidays. I try not to stare, but she is a beautiful woman—and beguiling. Despite her rigid disposition, I wonder how she went this long without snagging a beau. I lock the register and walk over to her.

“May I help you, Ms. Morgan?”

“I can’t decide between these two,” she says. “What wonderful choices the owners have made.”

“Yeah. One of them has a girlfriend with a small child. He had a lot of fun choosing from the catalogue. We’re carrying them special for the holidays since we aren’t really a toy store. If you’re undecided, I could make a recommendation. Who are the toys for?”

Her gaze drops to the puzzles in her hands. “The same two I was shopping for at my last visit to Mystic Sage. My friend’s young children.”

“You’re wonderful to spoil them.”

She smiles at me warmly. “I love them so much I almost consider them my own children. Of course I shower them with gifts. What else am I going to do with my money?”

Well, for a start, she could donate a chunk of the green stuff to the Bearsden Shelter. I doubt she’d miss a few thousand. But her ordinance seemed to pay off, so I’ll give her that.

She glances at me while she inspects the puzzles. “Isn’t your friend having a baby soon? The red-head?”

“Ronnie? Yeah. Right before Yule. So, any day now.”

“I thought she might be close. I didn’t notice her at the most recent city council meetings.”

My best friend was too stressed to attend, but I won’t tell her that. “Ms. Morgan, I was against the curfew. In hind-sight, I admit, you made a wise choice. There were no more kidnappings, and now those criminals are behind bars.”

“I did what I thought was best for the children of our town. Doing my civic duty. Now we can all rest and enjoy the holiday season.” She examines the two puzzles in her hands one more time. “I’m going to buy them both.”

“Wonderful. Bring them to the counter, and I’ll ring you up.”

Jeff enters the store shortly after Alys leaves. I don’t know how to approach him about the magic issue. If he told Ashley about the Fellowship, he wouldn’t say. He wouldn’t have discussed the matter with the coven, either. After all, he’s an Unremarkable.

“Hi, Gwyn,” he says, pulling off his DUB beanie and coat. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” I fiddle with the pens in the skull cup and they slide off the counter—my least favorite pastime. “Shit. If I had a dollar for every time I knocked them over, I wouldn’t have to work at Mystic Sage.”

My boss grimaces. “I’m not sure how to take that.”

I chuckle as I dart around to pick them up. “I’m kidding. Even if I won the lottery, I’d work here for you guys. Once I finish my degree, I’ll need to apply for full-time employment. I’ll miss seeing you and Shane, but I’ll still be a customer.”

“I hope so.” He hangs his coat on a hook. “About Monday…”

“I’m sorry I read through her special book. It was with her references, but I should have asked first. I hope Ashley isn’t mad.”

“No,” he replies, averting his eyes. “She’s just sensitive about the fairy folklore collection.” He motions toward the back. “I better go talk to Shane and ask if he needs help.”

Jeff darts off to the back as a young woman enters the store with a baby in a stroller. He’s acting weird. Did Aidan mention my use of invisible hands?

When I glance back at the customer, I’m surprised to find Jenny Hansen shopping in the holiday corner. Her baby, Daniel, was the first Bearsden child the Baby Nabbers snatched. He sleeps soundly in the stroller, but not for long. An ear-splitting cry from her little one breaks the comfort of the silence. She bends over to assuage her infant son, eventually picking him up and bouncing him in her arms.

“Come on, Daniel. You were sleeping so well. What’s bothering you this time?” She peers in my direction. “I’m so sorry.”

“Never apologize for a baby’s behavior. Their cries are the way they communicate.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Her head bends to the right. “I remember you. You were in the Celestial Gardens the night…”

“Yes. It’s so wonderful to see you reunited.”