Thursday, December 10

What are you doing? Schrodinger asked, coming into the kitchen.

“Writing out the Christmas cards I bought last month.” Molly got up and shook her head. “Or I would be, if I could remember where I put them.” She sighed. “I swear, I’m losing my mind.”

I can help look, Schrodinger told her, switching his tail back and forth. Do you remember what else you bought?

She closed her eyes and thought for a moment. “We bought them at that craft fair in Portland,” she said finally. “The same one we found those adorable aprons for Lily and Zoey at.”

I remember that one! He bounced a little. We got the wreaths there too!

“That’s right! And I put the wreaths in that room that might one day be a guest room, but just has crap in it now.” She grinned at him. “Which is probably where the aprons and cards are. Shall we go look?”

Let’s! He suited actions to words and bounded out of the kitchen ahead of her. Come on!

“I’m coming!” Molly laughed as she followed him up the winding staircase. It was a gorgeous centerpiece of the hallway, and one of the things that had sold her and Drew on the house. That, and the fact that there were enough bedrooms for any and all children they may have.

Schrodinger darted ahead of her, leading her to the room they had unofficially christened the junk room. It was piled with random boxes, bags, furniture that they hadn’t found a home for, and other things, some of which Molly didn’t recognize still. But she saw the pile that she’d hidden Christmas presents in and hurried over to it.

“You stay there,” she said, and Schrodinger paused. “There might be something for you in here.”

Might be? His ears twitched. Don’t you know?

“I don’t remember,” Molly admitted, as she peeked in bags. “You know I buy stuff all year long. I’ve forgotten some of it, I’m sure.”

Then I won’t look, Schrodinger promised, turning around in the doorway and sitting down, washing his paw resolutely. And I promise I won’t come back later and look.

“Good!” Molly found the bag that she was looking for, finally, and sighed with relief. “Okay, I found the cards. Let’s go and get working on them.”

They went back down to the kitchen, Molly pausing at her bedroom to snag her address book. After putting the kettle on to boil, she put the box of cards and the address book on the table, then asked Schrodinger, “Do you want some tea?”

He cocked his head to the side, considering the request gravely. No, I think I need to go outside for a bit, he said finally. There are some things I need to do today.

“Okay,” Molly said, trying hard to hide her smile. She was fairly certain that those things included whatever he was working on for her Christmas present with Jack. “Will you be home for dinner? I’ve got a Mexican casserole that I’m going to put in later.”

Absolutely! I should actually be home soon, he said. I’m not planning on going far. And he snuggled up to her for a quick hug, then let himself out of the kitchen door.

Molly hummed as she made herself a cup of tea, and then sat down at the table, attacking the Christmas cards. It wasn’t something she managed to do every year, but the task was soothing. Drew was still sleeping upstairs, after being called out the night before to help corral a wandering Road, and it was quiet in the farmhouse. That was probably why she heard the sleigh bells long before the sleigh itself pulled into the yard.

“Ho, Molly! How goes the season?” Old Man Winter shouted, as she stepped out on to the porch. His sledge was decorated, as always, with holly wreaths and large copper bells, and the two reindeer that pulled it shook their heads. He’d brought a snow flurry with him, and it dusted around everything as he came up the steps.

“It goes, Old Man,” Molly said, embracing him and tasting the cold around him. “Come in for a cup of tea?”

“Do you have cookies?” he asked eagerly, and she grinned.

“I think there are some in my cookie jar. Want to come and see?”

“Absolutely!” Old Man Winter said, and followed her in to the warm kitchen, shedding his heavy coat on the way.

“Tea? Or something else?” she offered, heading over to where her cottage cookie jar sat. Currently it was full of orange and vanilla shortbread cookies, and she put a generous helping on a plate that she brought over to the table.

“Tea is good,” Old Man Winter said. “Where are your boys?”

“Drew’s asleep upstairs,” Molly said, pouring him a cup of hot water and making her way over to the tea cabinet. “Schrodinger’s out and about, although he said he wouldn’t be long. Black?”

“Yes, please.” He accepted the cup from her and sighed. “Your kitchen is one of my favorite places, Molly.”

“You know, I couldn’t imagine you saying that a few years ago.”

“True,” Old Man Winter admitted. “I’m glad you showed me the wisdom of my ways.” He looked at her keenly. “Want to talk?”

“About?”

“Whatever’s bothering you,” he said, and when she blinked, he shrugged. “It’s pretty obvious. Spill.”

So she told him about Pavel, and about Tim, and about her own frustration in not being able to fix things.

“That’s one of the things I love about you, Molly,” Old Man Winter said when she’d finished, and put a hand on hers where it sat on the table. “You want to fix everything. But you can’t. The world’s not fair, and not everyone can be salvaged. You’re just going to break your own heart if you try.”

“I know,” she said, and then sighed. “But I don’t know how not to.” Then she shook herself. “So, to what do I owe this visit?”

He shrugged. “I was in the area.”

Molly gave him a disbelieving look, and Old Man Winter laughed. “It’s the truth!” he said, holding up a hand. “I promise! I was in the area, and saw the smoke from the chimney, and thought I’d stop by.”

“Just out randomly causing trouble, then?” she teased, and he grinned.

“Something like that.” He looked at the cards that she’d addressed. “Actually getting them out this year?”

Old Man Winter! I did see the sled! Schrodinger burst into the kitchen, all but vibrating in excitement. Can I have a ride in the sled?

“Of course!” Old Man Winter told him. “Now?”

After I say hi to Pavel, who’s coming up the drive, Schrodinger said. He’s got his sleigh too!

“Let me refill the cookies and put the kettle back on,” Molly said, getting up. “I wasn’t expecting this many guests today.” She pulled two mugs out of the dishwasher, paused, and grabbed a third one, just as Drew came shambling into the kitchen. “Did we wake you, love?”

“No, I’m hungry,” he said, scratching his head and blinking. “Hey, Old Man Winter.”

“Good morning, Drew.” The winter spirit nodded to his former captive. “Long night?”

“Insanely.” Drew yawned widely. “I need caffeine.”

Molly handed him a mug and steered him gently towards a chair. “Sit down, and I’ll start lunch.” She looked at Schrodinger. “Can you get the door for Pavel?”

“Pavel?” Drew said. “Why is Pavel here?” He looked back over at Old Man Winter. “And why are you here?”

“I have no idea, but Schrodinger said his sleigh is coming,” Molly said.

“I was in the neighborhood,” Old Man Winter said at the same time.

I’ll get the door, Schrodinger said, and nosed it open, just as Pavel came up onto the porch. Come in and have lunch!

“I will never say no to lunch,” Pavel said, coming in and doffing his hat. “Especially not at Molly’s.” He nodded to Old Man Winter and Drew. “Looks like you have a full house.”

“It’s just sandwiches, guys. I hope that’s okay,” Molly said, cutting slices of homemade bread and piling them high with roast beef and cheddar cheese.

“Just sandwiches, she says,” Pavel said, taking a seat. “Do you know how many people would kill for some of your homemade bread, never mind a sandwich on it?”

“You flatter me,” Molly told him, setting the plate full of sandwiches in the middle of the table, and then getting the other tea mugs. She refreshed her own, and Old Man Winter’s, then took her own chair. “Don’t wait,” she said. “Dig in.”

For a while, the only sound was people eating. Then, as everyone settled back with fresh cups of tea, Molly looked at Pavel. “To what do we owe this visit?”

“I was hoping you’d help me out,” he said. “I’ve finally convinced my mother to come to the Cove, by way of a land Gate that’s two islands over from her home. But I’m not sure how to show off this lovely town to convince her to stay.” He shook his head. “She’s not wanting to leave the hovel my grandfather left her.”

You lived in a hovel? Did it have a dirt floor? Schrodinger asked, his eyes wide.

Pavel looked at him, and then admitted, “All right, it’s not exactly a hovel, but it’s not a good house. I don’t understand why she doesn’t want to leave it.”

“There must be some good memories there,” Molly said. “It wasn’t all bad, was it?”

“It was for me,” Pavel said. “But no, maybe it wasn’t for her. Not that it matters. Molly, can you suggest some things she may want to do? I’m sure hitting the dock taverns are not part of her interests.”

“Not with you, that’s for sure,” Drew said, chuckling wryly, and Pavel flashed him a wink.

Molly gave them both an exasperated look, and then turned to Old Man Winter. “What do you think? Besides the Carol Sing, of course. That’s Sunday at the bookstore, Pavel. When is she coming in?”

“Saturday,” the pirate replied. “So that would work.”

Old Man Winter stroked his beard. “Lily doesn’t have a dance recital this year, does she?”

“No, sadly. That would have been fun.” Molly thought for a bit. “What does your mother like to do, Pavel? I mean, what interests does she have?”

“I don’t know,” Pavel admitted, after a few minutes. “She knits. And she reads. I think she likes music.” He looked down at his mug sadly. “My grandfather didn’t really give her a lot of time to pursue her own hobbies.”

You could take her around town and show her the lights in your sleigh or carriage, Schrodinger suggested. And maybe take her down to Indi’s cove, so she could see the skaters?

“Those are good ideas,” Molly agreed. “And of course, there’s always walking around the downtown area.” She looked at Pavel. “Why don’t you bring her to dinner on Tuesday? We’re having Nathan and Corrine, and Doug and Tim. That way, she can meet some of your friends, see you aren’t alone here. And that she wouldn’t be alone.”

“That sounds like a family dinner,” Pavel said. “I wouldn’t want to intrude…” His voice trailed off as Molly glared at him.

“You ARE family,” Molly told him, in no uncertain terms. “Don’t you ever forget it.”

“Yes’m,” Pavel said meekly. “What time should we be here? And what can I bring?”

“I’m doing lamb, so why don’t you bring a nice wine,” Molly said, softening a little.

“I can do that.” Pavel drained his mug and stood up. “Thank you, Molly. For lunch, and for everything. I’ve got to get back and finalize on a house.”

“Did you find one?” Drew asked, surprised. “That was fast.”

“Well, I can’t have my mother live on the ship,” Pavel said. “I’m just renting one now, although I have the option to buy. It’s going to depend on if she likes it.” He bowed to them all and headed out.

Molly looked over at Drew. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not. Pavel’s family.” He shrugged. “Like you said.” Then he looked over at Old Man Winter and grinned. “Of course, if you’d invited this old reprobate…”

“I’ve got plans with my own daughter on Tuesday, as you well know, since you were invited, but had this other thing,” Old Man Winter said loftily, then spoiled it by adding, “But I never turn down lamb.”

“Another time,” Molly told him, grinning. “I don’t want to overwhelm Pavel’s mother, and we’ll have Lily, Kaylee AND Ryan with us.”

“You’ll bury her in cuteness,” Old Man Winter said, and sighed. “I should get going too. It’s time for me to meet a man about a snowstorm.”

Once he had gone, Molly picked up her pen and a scrap of paper.

What are you doing? Schrodinger asked her, craning his neck to see.

“Making plans,” she said absently. “I want to make Pavel’s mother’s stay here the best ever, and I’m sure he hasn’t thought far enough in advance to put things in his kitchen.” She paused, and looked at Schrodinger. “Mind running an errand for me?”

Sure! Where?

“To the ship. I want to talk to Cook before I do much more.” She smiled. “Pavel may not be thinking about logistics, but Cook will.”