Page 10 of Sugar, Spice, and Magical Midlife

My heart caught in my throat. Had he been paying attention this whole time? “Why?”

Des shrugged. “Troll would shut down Mama’s bakery.”

Though I didn’t always know what my son was thinking, I was so very grateful for his intervention. Whenever he used his magic, he blew me away with his abilities. I suspected he had more power in his little pinkie than I had in my whole body.

“Thanks, sweetie.” I leaned over him, kissing his forehead, not surprised or offended when he grunted and pushed me away. Des wasn’t always in the mood to accept physical contact. The exception was Puffy, who could snuggle Des whenever he wanted, the only reason I allowed Ethyl to keep the klutzy dragon at the shop.

The back door banged open, and Ric walked through carrying Lenny over his shoulder.

“I’m taking him back to the office,” he said rather gruffly, avoiding eye contact with me.

“Hey, you two,” Ethyl said with an exaggerated wink, seemingly oblivious to the man slung over Ric’s back. “Did I come at a bad time? Maybe I should take Des to the park.”

I scowled at my apprentice. “How long does the love potion last?”

“Love potion?” Ethyl blinked hard, feigning stupidity. “What love potion?”

I wasn’t fooled. Ethyl had to have heard the exchange between Ric and me while she was hiding in the ducts.

“Don’t play dumb, Ethyl.” I waved at Ric, then avoided looking him in the eyes. Two could play at that game. “He knows.”

“Oh.” She scratched the back of her head. “Uh...a few days. Maybe a few weeks.”

“A few weeks!” Ric roared, his baritone so deep it shook the glass bakery case.

“Or months.” Ethyl squeaked then backed away from Ric.

“Months!” His face turned ashen then reddened.

“I made it in a hurry.” She shrugged, playing with the frayed end of her apron string while looking at her feet. “I might have used a tablespoon of siren shade instead of a teaspoon.”

I slapped my forehead with a curse. “Creepy Lenny ate the cinnamon rolls!”

“Oh, dragon balls. I’m sorry.” Then with a snap, she turned back into a six-inch buzzing little brat with a squeal that could shatter glass. Sobbing, she fluttered into the rafters, disappearing into a duct.

This was Ethyl’s usual reaction to stress, miniaturize and then fly away, leaving someone else to deal with her messes.

Ric flashed a sexy dimpled smile. “So it reallywasher?”

“I told you.” I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes at Lenny as he slowly started to move and moan.

“So now what?” Ric scowled at Lenny then shrugged him to the floor.

Lenny fell with athump, moaning louder as he rubbed his ass. “Owie.” His head lolled side to side. “Granny.”

I hovered over Lenny, my breath caught in my throat when his eyes flew open and focused on me.

“How do you feel, Lenny?” I asked, then gagged when the stench of piss and old food hit me like a brick to the head. He had jelly filling smeared across his comb-over and a bull’s-eye that looked like vomit on his shirt.

“I have a boo boo.” His lip hung down in a heavy pout while he rubbed his ear. “Will you kiss it?”

Fighting the urge to vomit, I backed away.

He cupped his genitals, a wicked gleam in his beady eyes. “Down here.”

Ric bellowed so deeply, I knew without a doubt he was a shifter, perhaps a bear or even a dragon. His nose flattened and his eyes turned to yellow slits. Lion. Damn. There was a rumor in the magical world that cats were hot in the sack.

He jutted a foot forward. “You son of a—”

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