Baskets and containers of duplicate ornaments that we’d decorated with were stacked strategically around the sales floor, within easy reach for the customers. Poinsettias in white, pink and red, Christmas cactus, and pots of amaryllis, had been added wherever we had an open space. Our decorated holiday wreaths and swags were ready for purchase, as were a variety of Yuletide tchotchkes and accessories. We were filled to the brim and ready for the holiday rush.
“No other shop on Main Street is going to come close to this,” I said, feeling a bit smug. This year the O’Connells are bagging the prize. No witchcraft necessary.”
“Meow,” Tank added his opinion.
“It’s not about the prize money, Tank,” I reminded him, making a small adjustment to an arrangement of ornaments. “It’s the bragging rights. The other merchants on Main Street love to wave that ribbon for best decorations around, and by the goddess this year it will be ours.”
The only thing left to do was to hang the shop’s wreath on the inside of the front door. I picked up the large flocked wreath, which chimed as I lifted it. On closer inspection I realized that not only had my mother covered it with silver and shiny lavender ornaments, she had also worked little silver bells into the design as well.
“Hmmm...” I paused. While I wouldn’t resort to using witchcraft to win the contest, I could certainly enchant the shop for a little extra prosperity. “Let’s do a little spontaneous magick,” I said to myself. “It can’t hurt to ensure the store’s success. And it will help impart a little holiday magick and cheer on all who enter.”
I placed the heavy wreath on the interior metal hanger, and considered my options. “If I time the magick to start now, and run until the twenty-fourth of December, I could enchant the entire holiday shopping season.”
Happy with my plan, I straightened the wreath slightly on the door, lifted my hands, and focused my energy. “Sugarplum spells and silver bells that merrily do ring; peace, prosperity and joy, my magick will now bring. Bless all who enter with happiness, light and cheer; If you need some joy and magick in your life, my call you will hear.”
I closed my eyes and envisioned my magick swirling clockwise around the store. Faster and faster the energy spun. I continued to hold that spiraling magick in place, and then closed up the spell. “As I will it, so now must it be. This spell’s magick ends at midnight on Christmas Eve.”
I flung my hands into the air and the magick dispersed up and out into the ether. Satisfied with the casting, I brushed off my hands, clicked off the lights, and prepared to leave.
***
Blissfully unaware of what I’d unleashed, I marched up to my apartment and tumbled into sleep. While that impromptu Sugarplum spell began to manifest in ways even I would have never imagined.
CHAPTER ONE
The William’s Ford Holiday Happening would officially kick off at noon on Black Friday. Knowing what retail insanity awaited me, I slept in that morning and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before prepping for the biggest retail day of the year. I kept the television and radio off, wanting to enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasted.
In keeping with our holiday theme, I had decided to dress up this year for our official open house in the shop. My friend Marie Rousseau had come over and worked on my hair and makeup. When she was all done, I barely recognized myself.
Marie was a true artist, and the makeup was elaborate and theatrical. My lips had been painted in a dark mauve. She had exaggerated the arch of my eyebrows and did the eye makeup in shades of silver, deep plums and pink. The false eyelashes she’d glued on felt a little weird, however they made my blue eyes appear enormous. Miniature rhinestones sparkled above my cheekbones, and Marie teased my hair for height at the top and braided one side away from my face.
“It’s sort of Viking princess meets gothic Sugarplum Fairy,” I decided, studying my reflection.
Delighted by the results, I zipped up some flat-heeled boots over my black leggings and cinched the ebony lace top around my waist. The top had mulberry trim, flowing lace sleeves, and was perfect for my costume. I grabbed my sheer fairy wings, slid the elastic straps over my shoulders, and left Tank snoozing away in middle of the sofa.
Once I slipped in the back door of the shop I did a final check in the bathroom mirror, pulled the wings higher, and strolled out onto the sales floor.
My mother glanced up from where she was putting out some sugar cookies for the afternoon shoppers and started to grin. “Violet, that’s wonderful!”
“Marie outdid herself.”
“I’m going to want pictures,” my mother warned me, reaching for her cell phone.
“You always want pictures.” I rolled my eyes and studied the customers that were crammed into the shop. A preschool aged little girl was whining and tugging at her mother’s hand. The child looked about thirty seconds away from a full blown melt down, but when she spotted me, she gasped and froze.
“Mama.” The child’s voice was reverent. “It’s a fairy.”
My mother and I exchanged a knowing look, and she passed me a cookie. I walked over to the child and knelt down to her level. “Hi, I’m Violet,” I said, handing her a cookie. “What’s your name?”
Tantrum forgotten, the little girl was gobbling her cookie and grinning from ear to ear a moment later.
“Would you mind if I took a picture of you with my daughter?” the young mother asked.
“Sure.” I
