Sugarplums Spells & Silver Bells Read online

  Table of Contents

  COPYRIGHT

  TITLE PAGE

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  EPILOGUE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Copyright

  Copyright © Ellen Dugan 2017

  Cover art designed by Kyle Hallemeier

  Cover image: fotolia: bublik_polina

  “Legacy Of Magick” logo designed by Kyle Hallemeier

  Copy Editing and Formatting by Libris in CAPS

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any other form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Ellen Dugan

  All rights reserved to the Author

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Sugarplums, Spells & Silver Bells

  By

  Ellen Dugan

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  To my fabulous crew of beta readers: Becca, Erin, Ro and Shawna. Thanks for your speed reading skills, the notes, and of course for patiently listening to me while I plotted my way through this novella. Thanks to Kyle for the enchanting cover and for bringing Violet to life, and to Mitchell for the editing.

  This one’s for the fans! Happy Holidays and Brightest Blessings!

  Other Titles by Ellen Dugan

  THE LEGACY OF MAGICK SERIES

  Legacy Of Magick, Book #1

  Secret Of The Rose, Book #2

  Message Of The Crow, Book #3

  Beneath An Ivy Moon, Book #4

  Under The Holly Moon, Book #5

  The Hidden Legacy, Book #6

  Spells Of The Heart, Book #7

  Sugarplums, Spells & Silver Bells, Book #8

  Magick & Magnolias, Book #9 (Coming 2018)

  THE GYPSY CHRONICLES

  Gypsy At Heart, Book 1

  Gypsy Spirit, Book 2 (Coming 2018)

  Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

  And behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

  -Norman Vincent Peale

  The Sugarplum Fairy herself could have made no grander gesture.

  -Shana Alexander

  PROLOGUE

  “I don’t care what you think,” I said to my familiar. “I won’t resort to magick to win the holiday decorating contest.”

  Tank, a gray British shorthair, narrowed his bright yellow feline eyes and made a chirping noise that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle.

  I glanced down when he rubbed against my ankles. “This year, Tank,” I said, adding the last of the amethyst ornaments to the main display tree. “We are winning a prize for best decorated shop in the William’s Ford Holiday Happening.”

  “Meow?” Tank tipped his head, sat beside me and began to paw at a silver star.

  “Our Sugarplum Fairy theme is perfect.” I stacked up the empty ornament boxes, carried them to the storage tub, and placed them inside. “When we open the flower shop tomorrow we are going to have our best Black Friday sales, ever. You’ll see.”

  I checked the clock and rolled my shoulders. It had been a long day. It was almost 10 p.m. and my mother and I had been in a holiday decorating frenzy since two o’clock in the afternoon. It had been our family tradition for years. Eat an early Thanksgiving dinner, then dive in and flip the shop to holiday décor on our day off. As florists it was vital to our business to have the store decked out to coordinate with the seasons, since this boosted sales and our seasonal arrangement orders.

  Thanks to our Sugarplum Fairy theme, I was finally able to celebrate the holiday with my favorite color—purple. Some folks would probably be surprised by the untraditional hue...but it would stand out and make us distinctive. I should know, as it’s my signature color. Even my long blonde hair was streaked and dip dyed a soft lavender, and I loved the ombre effect.

  Some folks think that I’m quirky, but I prefer the term unique—thank you very much. Whenever anyone rolls their eyes at me I’m quick to point out that my mother started it all with her choice for my first name.

  I’m Violet O’Connell. Florist, Witch about town, and purple aficionado.

  I’d become full partners with my mother Cora in the flower shop four years ago, and for the past few weeks we’d been slaving away creating garlands, a variety of wreaths, and smaller trimmed holiday trees at my mother’s house. This year’s theme was a closely guarded secret, and our color scheme was purple, white and silver with pops of teal and pink.

  Today, we’d finally hauled everything in and decorated our little hearts out. After my mother had headed home, I was left thinking about a glass of wine and a long hot bath. All I had to do was drag myself upstairs to my own apartment.

  I snapped the lid closed on the storage tote and went to make sure the covering on the front window would stay securely in place until we were ready to unveil the store’s holiday display. I double-checked the lock on the front door and slowly turned back around for a critical assessment of the overall effect.

  It was perfect! A trio of table top sugarplum theme trees in staggered heights, added a faery tale aura to the room. They featured a heavy emphasis on pastel pink and lavender ornaments and were located centrally in the shop. Also, a large white tree dominated our main display window. The eight foot tree was a show stopper. Covered in sparkling silver and deep amethyst glass ornaments the tree was decorated completely around, as it could be viewed from all sides.

  Rich white garlands were draped around the walls of the shop as well. Their swags and swoops were highlighted by twinkling purple and white fairy lights and beautiful shimmering ribbon in silver and metallic plum.

  On the big round table in the center of the display area, silver toned trays were out and waiting for the cakepops, candies and cookies for tomorrow evening. The rest of the table itself was covered with votive cups of mercury glass and glistening vases filled with arrangements of coordinating silk flowers, peacock feathers and metallic holly. A large silk bird with plum colored feathers was tucked into a large central arrangement, and the effect was festive and extravagant.

  I walked over and trailed my fingers along the table. Round glass ornaments in a variety of sizes in silver, frosted white and every shade of purple were arranged or resting in bowls. A trio of sparkly reindeer pranced across the table, and the entire display was guarded by a large wizard nutcracker. He glittered in tones of lilac and gray, and his wizard’s hat added the perfect—and magickal—finishing touch.

  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 put my arm around the little girl who was dancing in place, and smiled for the camera.

  Word went out on Main Street. Within an hour we had children and their parents in a line outside the door, waiting to come in and meet the ‘Sugarplum Fairy’. We were so busy that mom called my brothers and step-dad in to help with crowd control. Kevin, who was home on break from college, ran the register. Mom took orders, and wrapped up poinsettias and flowers, and teenage Eddie kept replenishing poinsettias, or wreaths from the back, or bagging purchases whenever necessary.

  My step-father Karl, a retired fire-fighter, cheerfully worked crowd control and kept the head count inside from exceeding our maximum limit.

  A little before dinner time the crowd had begun to dwindle, and we took advantage of the lull. Karl and Mom refreshed displays and put out more poinsettias. Kevin and Eddie placed the luminaries out front on the sidewalk and lit them. My friend Candice dropped off the cakepops and cookies we’d special ordered from her bakery, and I gave Marie a call, asking her to give me a touch up.

  “I think the makeup got worn off from the hugs of all the little kids,” I said, sitting in Mom’s office with a towel over my blouse.

  “I hear you’ve been quite the sensation on Main Street today,” Marie said.

  “It’s been fun.” My eyes were closed as she reattached one of the eyelashes that was coming loose. “The makeup and hair are amazing.”

  Marie started to reset the makeup with an iridescent powder and a fluffy brush. “You should know, Spirit says: changes are coming to your world.”

  I shut my eyes against the powder. “Tell Spirit that I don’t have time for that during the holiday season.”

  “You’re not going to have a choice, honey.” Marie patted my shoulder, signaling that she was finished.

  I batted my eyes a few times, testing the eyelashes. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Violet.” Marie’s voice was low and amused. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” With a wink she left.

  I didn’t have much time to wonder or worry over her cryptic words. Night had fallen, and the Christmas lights on Main Street blinked to life. The judges would be out on the first night of the festivities, and a whole new batch of shoppers and Holiday Happening attendees had arrived to enjoy the lights, the decorations, and to see all the luminaries up and down the street.

  The rest of the evening passed in a whirl and rush. The judges came in to review the store’s decorations, and I noted some fairly impressed reactions from them. Finally my brothers headed home, and Mom and Karl began to gather up their things.

  My mother stood, wringing her hands behind the counter. “Do you think the judges really liked it?”

  “Cora, relax,” my step-father said, holding out her coat for her. “The store is beautiful.”

  “I’m telling you,” I said, rearranging the last of the sweets on the main table, “we’ve got this contest in the bag. When Kevin ran a report an hour ago he said we’d broken our sales records.”

  “Are you sure you’re alright to stay and close up alone?” she asked.

  “Mom, it’s almost nine o’clock. The crowd has thinned out.” It took fifteen more minutes, but I managed to shoo Mom and Karl out the back door. I locked it behind them and enjoyed the quiet
for the first time in several hours.

  I worked my way up front, straightening as I went. Finally I made it to the front door, opened it and checked up and down Main Street. Sure enough we were down to the last of the die hard shoppers. I took a deep breath, enjoying the crisp, cold air. As I flipped the sign over to ‘Closed’, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye.

  A child stood staring into our shop’s front window. Alone.

  I swung my gaze around. There was no one else close by. “Sweetie, where are your parents?” I asked.

  The child turned and smiled. I could see blonde hair tufting out from under a striped knit cap. “I wanted to see the Sugarplum Fairy,” the child said. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

  “Well, here I am,” I said. “Why don’t you come inside and out of the cold.” I held out my hand and chilled little fingers clasped mine. Get her out of the cold, first, I thought. Figure out who she is, and then call the police...

  I let the door shut behind us, and the child went directly to the table that held the sweets. “Are these sugarplums?” she asked through chattering teeth and grabbed one of the remaining cakepops from the tray.

  “Of course.” I touched the girl’s face and found it icy. “Let’s get you warmed up.” I picked her up, set her on the tall work station and grabbed my mother’s thick cardigan from her chair. I wrapped the child up in it.

  She bit into a cakepop and made a happy sound. “I told my daddy that you were real.” Her voice sounded a little smug, and even though she shivered, my first impression of a poor, frightened, lost child shifted.