“So that was the last one, and they’re all delivered,” Drew said, dropping the order forms on the island. “Sarah said to tell you that you are amazing.”

 

Molly smiled up at him. “She says that every year.”

 

“That’s because you do something amazing with gingerbread every year,” Drew replied, kissing the tip of her nose. “Have you heard from Corrine yet?”

 

“Not yet.” Molly glanced up at the clock. “I’m expecting them soon, though.”

 

As if her comment had summoned them, Molly heard the front door open and Jack came running into the kitchen, followed by Corrine, Lily and a very subdued-looking Zoey. Schrodinger came in right behind them, and went straight for Zoey, butting his head against her thighs urgently. She knelt down next to him and buried her face in his fur.

 

“How’s it going?” Molly asked Corrine quietly, as Lily knelt down next to Zoey and hugged her. Jack hovered nearby, his tail still for once.

 

“It was a rough night,” Corrine admitted. “But they went to sleep eventually. Nathan went with Peter and Donna to look at the house today, and now I’m heading out to get them some things.” She looked at her sister-in-law. “Do you mind watching them for a while? I need to do some running around.”

 

“Not at all,” Molly said. “Do you need me to get anything?”

 

“I don’t know,” Corrine admitted. “The fire chief said it was a total loss, so I’m assuming that they’ll need everything, including a new house. But I think Donna’s hoping they can salvage something.” She shook her head. “This is horrible.”

 

“Agreed.” Aunt Margie had come in while they were talking, and now she said, “I’ve already spoken to some of the shop owners today, Corrine. You tell Peter and Donna to let us know what they need. The Cove takes care of its own, after all.”

 

“I’ll let them know.” Corrine gave Aunt Margie a hug, and then turned to the sad group sitting on the kitchen floor. “I’ll be back in a bit, kids, okay?”

 

“Okay, Mom,” Lily said. “We’ll be fine.”

 

Once she had left, Molly looked at Drew and Aunt Margie, then said, “Are you guys ready to open the Advent Calendar today? Maybe that would cheer you up, Zoey.”

 

“What’s the point?” Zoey cried. “Everything is ruined!” And she got up and ran out into the tea room, with Jack and Lily on her heels.

 

Aunt Margie and Molly started to follow but Schrodinger stopped them. Let us handle it, he said. We’ll get her calmed down. Maybe we’ll do the Advent Calendar tomorrow. And he went out as well.

 

Molly did follow, but only to the doorway of the kitchen. She watched as Zoey threw herself down on the dog bed next to the wood stove and began to sob. Jack and Schrodinger laid down on either side of her, bracketing her, and Lily sat by her head and stroked her hair, saying something to her. Molly couldn’t tell what, but she was touched by the solidarity the little group shared.

 

“Poor kid,” Aunt Margie said, coming up beside her. “This is hard for her.”

 

“Yeah, but she’s got good friends,” Molly said. “And those are worth their weight in gold.”

 

“Very true. Well, I’ve got some more phone calls to make.” Aunt Margie patted her niece on the shoulder and went back out to the front desk.

 

After watching for a few more moments, Molly turned around and went back into the kitchen, where Drew handed her a cup of tea. “You know me too well,” she said wryly, accepting it. “What are we going to do, Drew?”

 

“You’re going to drink your tea, and then you’re going to bake,” he said, picking up his own mug. “Because that’s what you do. And once I’m done with my tea, I’m going to take my day off, and head out to talk to some people, so that we can make sure that the four special people out in the tea room have the best Christmas they have ever had.”

 

“Because that’s what you do,” Molly said, leaning against him. “I’m so glad you came to the Cove, Drew McIntyre.”

 

“So am I, Molly Barrett, so am I.”

 

After he was gone, Molly rinsed his mug, refilled her own, and opened her refrigerator to see what her options were. After pulling out butter, cream and jam, she went to the pantry and gathered up cookie supplies. Baking would soothe her soul.

 

Two batches into the jam thumbprints, Schrodinger came in and hopped up on his customary stool. That smells very good.

 

“Thank you.” Molly dusted off her hands and poured him a cup of Earl Grey tea. “How’s Zoey doing?”

 

She and Lily are asleep. Jack is watching them – he said Zoey had nightmares all night, so neither of them got a lot of sleep. He leaned over and lapped up a bit of his tea. I have a feeling that she’ll have nightmares for a while.

 

“We can hope not.” Molly told him about what Aunt Margie and Drew were doing as she continued to drop balls of dough on the cookie sheet in front of her.

 

We have good friends.

 

“Indeed we do.” Molly pressed each cookie down with the back of a spoon, then switched to her melon baller and put a divot in each. Schrodinger watched as she filled each divot with strawberry jam, and then put the entire sheet in the oven, pulling out the one in there.

 

I should go back to them, he said, finishing his tea and jumping down. I think she needs all of us.

 

Once he was gone, Molly sighed, and went over to the Advent Calendar. She wasn’t sure it would work for her, but it was obvious that something needed to be done. “I know I’m not the one who’s supposed to be looking, but they aren’t able to do this today, and they really need something special.”

 

She scanned the picture, and after a few moments of looking, found the golden 22 floating in a cloud. Molly touched the number, hoping it would work, and waited.

 

The picture crumbled under her touch, and Molly leaned in and whispered, “I don’t know what you can do to help, but please. They need something extra special.”

 

Then she stepped back, and watched as the familiar snowflake floated out. Rather than going towards the tea room, though, it floated in front of her for a moment.

 

“Can you help?” she asked.

 

In response, the snowflake glittered in a variety of colors, and then went to the back door. Molly let it out, and watched it zip away.