Sorry it’s so late, guys!  But my computer finally let me in, so here it is!

Thursday, December 11

Do you think he’ll make it? Schrodinger asked, trotting back and forth with Molly and Sue as they loaded the car with cookies, gingerbread houses and other decorations. The Carter’s Cove Daughter of Stars Elementary School had hosted a Christmas craft sale for the last couple of years, and this time, Molly felt sure that she had enough of everything to keep the eager shoppers happy.

“For how long?” Sue teased, when she voiced this thought. “Ten minutes?”

“Longer than that, hopefully!” Molly laughed, looking over the massive amount of boxes piled in the back of Drew’s truck. He’d loaned her the vehicle for the day, driving off in her Jeep to work with a picnic basket of goodies for his coworkers.

Now, she looked at her watch, then squinted through the brilliant sunshine down the street, looking to see if Jack was on his way. He had said he was coming to help her and Sue at the craft fair, but as the minutes ticked by, she wondered if he’d decided not to show.

Maybe he forgot? Schrodinger said, sitting down and cocking his head up at Molly.

“Maybe.” She checked her watch again. “We have enough time to grab a cup of tea and wait for him. If he’s not here in 20 minutes, you can go to Pavel’s ship and see for me, would that be okay?”

Of course! Schrodinger said.

“Then tea,” Molly said, leading the way back in to the kitchen through the pantry. She snagged more tea on her way through – they each had a mug waiting for them on the island in the kitchen, so she took two Christmas tea bags and an Earl Grey bag.

While she poured the tea, Sue went into the fridge and pulled out cheese and ham scones. “We should eat now,” she reminded Molly. “We’re going to be too busy later, especially if Jack doesn’t show.”

“If Jack doesn’t show what?” Jack asked, strolling into the kitchen from the tea shop. Molly heaved a mental sigh of relief and went to get another mug as he looked at them.

“If you didn’t show up,” Sue said, grinning and handing him a scone. “We were wondering if the thought of hordes of small children had frightened you off.”

“Hordes?” Jack looked at her warily. “Molly didn’t mention hordes.”

Schrodinger bumped his head against Jack’s calf. -Don’t worry,- he assured the spirit with the air of one who has seen and survived everything. -Just don’t get between them and the food, and you’ll be fine.-

Molly and Sue laughed at the look of panic that crossed Jack’s face.

“They’re teasing you, Jack,” Molly said, putting the mug in front of him. “There will be a lot of people there, but they’re nice. The Christmas Craft Fair puts everyone in a good mood.”

After finishing their tea and snack, Molly, Jack and Schrodinger piled into the truck, while Sue opted to take her own car. “That way, we can each head home afterwards,” she said.

“Home, or to Luke’s house?” Molly teased, and Sue blushed, but didn’t say anything.

Jack peered out the window as they drove through town. “It’s changed so much since the last time I was here,” he said thoughtfully. “I hadn’t realized how much it would grow.”

It’s been three hundred years, Schrodinger reminded him. Things change.

“It doesn’t feel like that long,” Jack said. He pointed to the statues at the center of town. “Funny, I wouldn’t think they’d put anything there.”

“Why not?” Molly asked. “Those are to commemorate Captain Carter and his fellow captains.”

“That’s where the raiders slaughtered a dozen women and children they’d captured,” Jack said darkly. “They probably put the statues there because nothing would grow there again. Ever.”

Molly shuddered and averted her eyes. “I could have lived happily not knowing that,” she admitted. “But at least the statues are pretty.”

“True. Better than bare earth.” Jack continued to look at all the buildings and the decorations. “This town does love its holiday season, doesn’t it?”

Why shouldn’t they? It’s a wonderful time of the year! Schrodinger said. And Santa comes!

Jack was going to say something else, but then Molly turned off the main road and went up to the school, and he and Schrodinger stared in awe.

The lack of snow hadn’t deterred the school from decorating any more than it had Mal at the Station. While he had gone for lights, the school teachers and students had banded together to create a miniature village of wood and plaster. They covered the lawn leading up to the school itself: a church that looked Father Christopher’s, with a star perched on the tip of the steeple glowing gold and silver; a couple of different farms with animals in their yards, wreaths on the doors and ribbons on the cows and horses; a skating pond with children whizzing around, and even a snowball fight. Molly wondered idly how they had managed to get the snowflakes to hover in mid-air.

Magic, of course! Schrodinger said.

“I know, but I wonder who,” she clarified, sliding into a spot. “That’s not a simple spell.”

“Old Man Winter mentioned that he was helping Lily and Zoey with a school project,” Jack said. “Could that be it?”

“Probably,” Molly agreed. “Only they would ask one of the most powerful spirits of winter to help them decorate their school.”

What good is unlimited power if you can’t help your friends? Schrodinger said. I’m sure that’s what he thought, too. Old Man Winter loves Zoey and Lily.

“They do have him wrapped around their little fingers,” Molly said, as they all piled out. Sue had parked her car nearby and was waiting for them.

It didn’t take long to unload – Molly had packed the truck carefully, so it was in order to be set up. Jack and Sue carried boxes, boxes and more boxes into the school’s gym while Molly unpacked the trays and stands for everything she’d brought. Having learned her lesson from the past two years, this year she’d rented four table spaces, rather than two, and created an elaborate tablescape that she’d practiced at home, so she knew exactly where everything went. As the boxes continued to come in, Molly spread a roll of glittery white cotton over the tables and arranged the collection of gingerbread houses, sleighs and trees that she and the others had created in to a winter wonderland. There were lights, of course, twined around the various confections and powered by clever little batteries hidden in the fluff of the “snow,” and Molly had worked with Aunt Margie to find all the little figures that the older woman used to collect to round it out. Carollers walked along a street of gingerbread houses decked with wreaths, and skaters moved over a lake of pale blue ice. There were horses attached to the gingerbread sleighs, and in between everything, there were crystal vases of lolly pop cookies in the shapes of snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas ornaments and dreidels. The tableau was bookended with two risers with cupcakes and scones on it, dusted with sparkling colored sugar in green, gold, red and silver.

“Is everything going on the table?” Jack asked, as he brought in yet another box.

“No.” Molly shook her head. “Most of it is actually to replenish the table as things sell. We got wiped out last year early, so I’ve been baking for about a month for this.” She surveyed the table with satisfaction. “And there are a few special orders in there too.”

“Will it all sell?” he said a bit skeptically.

“Not only will it all sell, but she’ll have orders for more,” Sue said, bringing in a basket that she hefted and looked to Molly for direction on where to put. Molly took it from her and set it down at the end of the table. “Molly’s goodies are in big demand.” She looked at the table. “I definitely think if you do more than this next year, you’ll have to get another couple of helpers. We’re maxed as it is.”

“Are you sure you aren’t overestimating this?” Jack said. “I mean, they’re just children, aren’t they?”

Molly started to say something, but the doors opened, and answered Jack for her as people streamed into the gymnasium. All four of them retreated back behind the table as the gym filled rapidly, and the happy babble of people enjoying themselves rose in the air.

For the next two hours, Molly kept Jack and Sue busy keeping the treats stocked on the table while she dealt with the special orders and answering questions. Jack, for his part, seemed to enjoy himself, even if he was a little wild around the eyes for some of it. Mostly, people ignored him, focusing on the display and the treats. Molly’s houses had been ordered before the fair, and as each one was picked up by its buyer, she had another one to put in its place. The cookies, cupcakes and scones went fast as hungry children and adults alike refueled before heading to other tables.

Finally, there was a lull, and all three of them sagged into chairs. Schrodinger had gone off with Zoey and Lily at one point to look at the other tables, but Molly, Jack and Sue enjoyed the little bit of quiet.

“Sue, can you reach that cooler without getting up?” Molly asked, pointing to a small red cooler she’d stashed under one of the tables. “It’s got goodies for us in it.”

“Not sugar, I hope,” Jack said, then added hastily, “Not that your cookies aren’t good, Molly. I didn’t mean that. But there is a LOT of sweetness on this table, and I’m just not used to it.”

She laughed and once Sue had dragged the cooler out, handed him a Babybel cheese round and some crackers. “Nope, no sugar. Just protein, some sandwiches if you want, and tea.”

“Bless you,” he said, accepting the snacks. “Tea does sound good. I’m beginning to understand why you like it so much.”

The snack perked Molly up, and she looked out over the crowd, which was starting to pick up again as a second wave of shoppers came through. There was still one special order waiting behind the table, which was starting to look a little bare.

“Molly, Molly, did you bring it?” The voice floated out of the crowd, and Molly spotted Sarah, holding onto the end of Schrodinger’s tail gently as the CrossCat led her over to the table. “Did you bring it?”

“Of course I did!” Molly said, reaching back for a box. She brought it out in front of the table and kneeling in front of her. “Just like you ordered.”

Both Jack and Sue came out to join them as Molly opened the box gently. Inside was a cozy kitchen: Molly had created the entire room out of gingerbread, from the ovens and stove to the great table with all the various foods for an amazing Christmas dinner. There was a fireplace with stockings hung from it along one wall, and a large Christmas tree in the corner. Sarah ran delicate fingers over all of it, her face alight with joy.

“Oh, Molly, it’s perfect!” she said finally. “Just what I wanted! Do you think Daddy will like it?”

“I think he’ll love it,” Molly told her, closing the box again. “Are you ready to take it now?”

“Not yet,” Sarah said. “Mom said she’s on her way, and she’ll take it, so it doesn’t get broken.” She turned towards the table. “Schrodinger, tell me what the table looks like!”

Molly went back behind the table as the CrossCat led the little blind girl over to the table, telling her everything that was on it. Jack watched them, an indecipherable expression on his face.

When Sarah got next to him, she stopped, and reached out with curious fingers. “I don’t know you,” she said softly, her fingers on his sleeve. “Are you new to the Cove?”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here,” he told her. “I was last here long before you were born, child.”

“I’m Sarah,” she told him. “My dad is a policeman here. Who are you?”

“I’m Jack,” he said. “I’m a…a friend of Molly’s.”

Molly hid a smile at that. Jack had become an acquaintance, yes, but now, seeing him with Sarah, he was on his way to being a friend. Then again, she thought ruefully, anyone who can handle this madhouse is a keeper.

Agreed, Schrodinger said, as he started to lead Sarah away. But she stopped and turned back to Jack.

“She does love you, you know.”

Jack blinked. “Molly? We aren’t THAT good of friends.”

Sarah laughed. “No, Molly loves Drew. But the lady you worry about? She does love you.”

Jack watched the child and CrossCat melt back into the crowd. “How did she know?”

“Sarah? Just because she’s blind doesn’t mean she can’t see in other ways,” Molly told him. “And I’d take her words to heart. She’s very rarely wrong.”

“Is that why her parents haven’t fixed her eyes?” Jack asked.

“Fixed her eyes?” Molly shrugged. “There’s nothing to fix. She’s perfectly happy, and she’s fine. Not everyone has to be the same, you know.” She cocked her head at Jack. “Do you think she’s broken?”

“No, not now.” He gazed out at the crowd, but his eyes were far away, and Molly wondered what he was actually seeing.