Chapter Three
Joy glanced at the clock in Holly Douglas’ home. It was ten minutes to nine. How close did Malcolm plan to cut it? Maybe he was changing from his dark and depressing brown cloak to something more Christmassy. She hoped he could at least change the cloak’s color. If he chose red, he’d look like the wolf dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood. How appropriate. Green, and he would resemblean elf, but since he was easily over six feet tall, he’d look more like Merlin.
Why did he wear a cloak? No other spirit she’d met wore a cloak. Most of them wore what they were used to wearing in life, as she did. She smoothed down her princess cut, Kelly-green velvet dress, with the wide sleeves. It brought out the green tones in her eyes and showed off her waist and calves.
The cute ankle-highmatching boots had been an inspiration, not her own though. That was Mrs. Ferrisletter’s suggestion, one of her old trainers from when she became a spirit guide. As usual, she’d wrapped her hair in a tight bun, a habit from her nursing days.
She looked at Holly, who had fallen asleep in her chair. Poor thing was wiped out from working at her One of a Kind Christmas Shop. The idea of every ornamentand decoration being one of a kind was absolutely wonderful. Though Cameron thought of it, it was Holly that made it happen, according to the file.
Holly was dressed practically in a pair of jeans and a pretty aqua blue sweater with a white snowflake pin that had a special design in the middle, though from where Joy floated, she couldn’t see what it was exactly.
She glanced at the clock again.Two minutes to nine. Where was Malcolm?
The subtle scent of bayberry caught her attention before she felt his presence behind her. She took a deep breath, nervous at how sensitive she was to him. She’d be mortified if he ever discovered she dreamed about him, never mind what those dreams were about.
Slowly, she turned to find him floating just behind her right shoulder, his face almost invisiblein the darkness of his brown hood. Changing had obviously not occurred to him. “I’m glad you arrived in time. I didn’t want to start without you.”
He nodded but didn’t say anything.
She grinned. “Don’t tell me you’re going to play the role of Scrooge’s Spirit of Christmas Future. Don’t you think that’s a bit over dramatic? Not to mention far too English for a Scotsman?”
He turned toward her.“I was simply acknowledging your observation on my timeliness.”
She chuckled. “Now you really sound like an Englishman.”
At his scowl, she turned away, biting her cheek to keep from laughing.
The clock began to strike the ninth hour.
“Shall we?” She looked back at him. Hooking her arm within his, she pulled him forward even as his eyes widened. She was too excited to meet Holly face to faceto care what he thought.
As they stopped in front of their assignment, two things struck her one after the other. The first was that the little design in Holly’s snowflake pin was a fairy and beautifully etched. The second thing was that while Holly was still asleep, the large gray cat sat on its own chair staring at them.
Malcolm leaned in. “That cat shouldn’t be able to see us.”
She nodded,just as surprised as him.
When the grandfather clock stopped chiming, they both stared as the gray cat walked onto the arm of his chair, jumped across the short distant to the other chair where Holly slept and pounced into her lap, effectively waking her up.
“What? Really Mac?” She grabbed him up and as she lifted him onto the arm of her chair, she noticed them. “Oh, hi.” Her gaze flitted tothe clock before coming back to them. “Sorry. I never seem to be able to stay awake for Christmas Eve visitors. You must be Malcolm and Joy.”
Joy smiled. “That’s quite all right. You’ve had a long day, I’m sure.”
“What a beautiful dress. I could never wear something like that.” Holly sat straighter as she looked down. “Oh and I love your boots. I need to find a pair of those.”
“Thank you.”Cameron’s wife was a delight. She seemed very comfortable with them.
Holly turned to Malcolm. “Malcolm, if we’re going to fly away together, you must show me your face. The hood thing is all fine for drama, but we’re on the same team here.”
Joy pursed her lips to keep from smiling.
Malcolm acquiesced to Holly’s request and dropped his hood back, revealing his scruffy chin in profile. Joy’sbody took notice, and she suddenly wished he’d pull it up again. The man was walking sensuality, at least to her.
“Holy crap!” Holly faced her. “Did you know he was this hot?”
Luckily, Malcolm saved her from having to answer that. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Holly. Are you ready for your journey to begin?”
Holly continued to stare at Malcolm.
