\u201cHey, Schrodinger!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly\u2019s voice echoed though the tea room, puncturing his dreams like an arrow through a water balloon. Shards of thoughts fell around him, startling him. Not that he really minded: the dream had been dark, full of something horrible that he had to get away from, even as he couldn\u2019t figure out what it was. He hated dreams like that.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He pulled himself to his feet, feeling his muscles ache as if he really had been running. Dreams like that were the worst.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you okay?\u201d Molly asked, as he came through the door. Her brow furrowed, and she knelt down to stroke his head. \u201cYou aren\u2019t getting sick, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bad dreams,<\/em> he admitted. The running one again.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, ick.\u201d She gathered him in her arms, and he leaned against her, enjoying feeling the beating of her heart against him. Too bad humans couldn\u2019t purr. That was one of their deficiencies, but he supposed the opposable thumbs canceled the lack of purring out. \u201cWould you mind running an errand for me?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Of course not.<\/em> Schrodinger looked up at her. Molly was wearing a dark red sweater today, the color of the poinsettias Aunt Margie had put all around the store. It made her dark hair glow like burnished wood, and her hazel eyes sparkled. She was beautiful. What can I do?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLily, Jack and her new friend Zoey are supposed to help us decorate cookies today, remember? Corinne said she dropped them off at the school to play in the snow earlier, and I was wondering if you\u2019d mind going and collecting them?\u201d She hugged him. \u201cI\u2019ll have hot tea and goodies when you guys get back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sure!<\/em> Even if she didn\u2019t think she believed in Santa right now, Lily and her dog Jack were two of Schrodinger\u2019s best friends.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHang on!\u201d Molly got up and got the scarf Mrs. Barrett had made him. She tied it carefully around his neck. \u201cBe careful, and have fun! I\u2019ll be here when you get back!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will do!<\/em> Schrodinger ran out of the kitchen through the back door, where Aunt Margie had installed a special door big enough for him and Jack to nose open. The Carter Cove Elementary School was only a few blocks from the store, and the day was clear and cold, perfect weather for being outside in. It only took Schrodinger about ten minutes to arrive at the playground, where shouts, barking and happy laughter told him where to find his friends.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily Barrett shared her aunt Molly\u2019s dark hair, but her eyes were as brown as her hair, and they danced with mischief. She wasn\u2019t tall, but she was lean, just like her father, and fearless. Right now, she was hanging upside down on the monkey bars, her glasses threatening to fall right off her face, and her scarf dangling, despite the fact that she\u2019d fallen from those same monkey bars not eight months before and broken her arm. Her matching hat, more of Mrs. Barrett\u2019s handiwork, lay on the ground below.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beside her hung another girl, and Schrodinger assumed this was Zoey Allard, Lily\u2019s new friend. He looked at her with interested. She was an adorable girl, a little taller than her friend, with long brown braids that hung a good foot down from the top of her head. Bright green bows hung from the bottom of each braid, and as she turned, he saw they matched her green eyes almost perfectly. Her smile was as wide as Lily\u2019s and Schrodinger decided he liked her immediately.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The third member of the party was lying on the snow nearby, not underneath the bars, his tongue lolling to one side. Jack was a half-German shepherd, half-blue tick hound mix, bigger than Schrodinger but as gentle as could be, unless Lily was in danger. Then he was 80 pounds of ferociousness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack was the first one to notice him, no doubt picking up his scent on the wind. He jumped to his feet, barking in welcome. Schrodinger!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hi Jack!<\/em> Schrodinger ran over and rubbed noses with the dog. Then he looked over at Lily and Zoey. Hi Lily!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSchrodinger!\u201d she shrieked in glee, and flipped herself off the bars expertly, landing in the snow. She floundered for a moment before she got her feet underneath her, but then she pounced him. \u201cI\u2019ve missed you!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Me too!<\/em> Schrodinger rubbed his cold nose on her face, and Lily squealed in pleasure. Then he looked over at Zoey, who had joined them, her eyes wide. Hi! My name\u2019s Schrodinger! Welcome to the Cove!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Her eyes got even wider, if possible. \u201cYou can talk!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cZoey, this is Schrodinger – he\u2019s one of my best friends in the world,\u201d Lily said, grabbing Zoey\u2019s hand and dragging her closer. \u201cHe\u2019s a CrossCat. He can talk, and he can go onto the Roads without needing a Gate and he knows EVERYTHING!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not everything,<\/em> Schrodinger said, embarrassed. There\u2019s a lot more to learn. But I can do the rest.<\/em> He sat back and offered a paw to Zoey. Nice to meet you.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She took it, awed. \u201cI didn\u2019t know animals could talk!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger cocked his head, and then looked at Jack. She can\u2019t hear you?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The hound\u2019s head hung. No. Lily can, but she can\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I wonder why.<\/em> Schrodinger had never encountered someone who couldn\u2019t hear the dog in the Cove that he could remember. Then again, Zoey hadn\u2019t been born in a CrossRoads town. Maybe it would come to her? He resolved to ask Molly and Drew later.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay. We can translate what Jack says for you,\u201d Lily told Zoey, who brightened up at that. \u201cAnd you can hear Schrodinger! That\u2019s good!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes!<\/em> Schrodinger agreed. Molly said you guys were coming over to help us decorate cookies. She said to tell you she has hot chocolate and goodies.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Goodies?<\/em> Jack\u2019s tail wagged so hard he nearly knocked Lily over. I love Molly\u2019s goodies!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGoodies!\u201d Lily scrambled to grab her hat and shove it onto her head. \u201cCome on, Zoey! We don\u2019t want to miss Molly\u2019s goodies!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She grabbed Zoey\u2019s hand and they tore off after Schrodinger and Jack. They arrived at the store breathless and laughing, and piled into the kitchen in a rush of cold air and snowflakes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly was as good as her word: on the island were two mugs of hot chocolate, and two large soup mugs, one with Earl Grey tea and one with black currant tea. There was also a plate of sandwiches and cookies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone take their coats off!\u201d Molly announced, kneeling down to help Schrodinger. \u201cThere\u2019s room on the hangers for everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once they\u2019d hung up their coats, Lily introduced Zoey. \u201cThis is my new best friend, Zoey,\u201d she announced. \u201cI\u2019m super lucky, because now I have three best friends, just like you, Molly!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou do!\u201d Molly grinned at her niece, then at Zoey. \u201cWelcome to the Cove, Zoey! How do you like it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very neat!\u201d Zoey told her, following Lily to the island, where they both hopped up on stools. Normally Schrodinger would have joined them, but Jack couldn\u2019t balance on the stools, so he stayed on the floor with the hound. Molly put their tea on the ground in front of them, as well as two plates with grilled cheese sandwiches and the special cookies she made for Jack. \u201cI had no idea there would be such interesting people here!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd cats that talk!\u201d Lily chimed in, and Zoey nodded enthusiastically. \u201cShe didn\u2019t think it was true, until she met Schrodinger!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe never had a cat that talked in Evansville!\u201d Zoey told her. \u201cNever.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily shook her head. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine,\u201d she said, and Schrodinger saw Molly try and hide a grin. \u201cAll the animals talk!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, here in the Cove, things are a bit different,\u201d Molly reminded her niece. \u201cWe\u2019re not quite like other people.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI like us,\u201d Lily said, and dug into her sandwich with gusto.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe too,\u201d Zoey said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Me three,<\/em> Schrodinger said, as he and Jack followed their lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <><><\/p>\n Molly watched the four of them eat, their faces flushed with the cold and with excitement. Even Jack and Schrodinger were dancing, hardly able to control themselves. Just as the first day of December should be.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She checked the clock on the wall. They\u2019d made several phone calls the night before, and everyone had agreed that what needed to be done could be done. Now, all she had to do was wait until it showed up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The problem was, she\u2019d never really been good at waiting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To distract herself, Molly had baked up a storm that morning, and the results were currently piled up on trays at the back of the kitchen. Once Lily and Zoey were finished with their lunch, she cleared off the island, wrapped fresh aprons around them, and set out the first tray of cookies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re decorating cookies today for the retirement home,\u201d she announced. \u201cToday, we\u2019ve got snowmen and wreaths to decorate. You two ready?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily and Zoey nodded solemnly. What about us?<\/em> Schrodinger asked, looking at Jack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have something different for you two,\u201d Molly promised him. \u201cLet me get the girls started, and then I\u2019ll show you, okay? I didn\u2019t forget you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger and Jack went back to their tea as Molly put bowls of red hots, mini M&Ms, pastel sugar balls and sugar snowflakes in front of them. Then she handed each girl a pastry bag of icing and walked them through dotting the icing on the wreath cookies, then putting the candies on them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo whatever you want,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat if we do it wrong?\u201d Zoey asked, looking a little intimidated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t,\u201d Molly assured her. \u201cThere\u2019s no wrong way to do it.\u201d She smiled reassuringly. \u201cI promise. You\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOk,\u201d Zoey said, but she still looked dubious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s work together,\u201d Lily told her. \u201cAt least for the first ones.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once she was sure they were okay, Molly turned to Jack and Schrodinger, who were waiting expectantly. \u201cI\u2019ve a very special job for you two,\u201d she said. \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She led them out of the kitchen and up to the second floor of the bookstore, where most of the books were located. Molly looked around for the person that she was expecting, and led them over to a pile of floor cushions. \u201cSarah, they\u2019re back!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sarah!<\/em> Both Jack and Schrodinger surged forward to snuggle up to the young girl, who turned towards Molly\u2019s voice, her face lighting up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHi!\u201d She giggled as they attacked her with tongues. \u201cHow are you guys?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s the job I have for you two,\u201d Molly said, after they settled down. \u201cSarah\u2019s working on a school paper, and she needs help getting some books. Can you two be her legs?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Absolutely!<\/em> Jack said, and Schrodinger nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAwesome!\u201d Molly looked at the tray next to Sarah. \u201cDo you need more tea, Sarah?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank you,\u201d Sarah said politely. \u201cBut maybe in a bit.\u201d She shifted, and felt for the keyboard that had fallen into the pile of cushions when she\u2019d been mugged by the Cat and dog. \u201cReady to get to work, guys?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Definitely!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly left them, secure in the knowledge that the two would help Sarah finish her assignment. Normally, she wouldn\u2019t have needed it, but she\u2019d slipped on the ice two weeks ago, and fractured her foot. The cast, along with her blindness, had made getting around difficult.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The afternoon flew by – once they had confidence in themselves, Lily and Zoey threw themselves into decorating the wreaths, leaving Molly to pipe the decorations on the snowmen. Then she turned them over to the girls, who added mini M&Ms to their fronts and red-hots to their hats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOnce they\u2019ve hardened, we\u2019ll bag them up,\u201d Molly said, admiring their handiwork. \u201cYou guys did awesome!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both girls beamed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, why don\u2019t you guys head out to the wood stove?\u201d Molly suggested. \u201cJack and Schrodinger are hanging out there.\u201d Sarah had stopped into the kitchen about an hour ago to thank Molly, and get a cookie. Her father Jamie, one of the Cove\u2019s police officers, had been with her, and Molly had sent them home with goodies for the rest of the family. It was just the way she was.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they were heading out, Molly heard the front door open, and she glanced at the clock. Just after 4 pm, which meant\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDrew!\u201d she heard Lily squeal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bingo.<\/em> Molly moved the last tray of snowmen to the sideboard and hurried out just in time to see Drew go down to the floor in a pile of fur and Lily. Zoey hung back, clearly uncertain, but both Molly and DC, the current clerk for CrossWinds Books, both broke into gales of laughter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHi!\u201d That was pretty much the only word Drew was able to get out, given that both Lily and Schrodinger were sitting on his chest, tickling him, and Jack was lying across his legs, preventing any sort of escape.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShould we rescue him?\u201d DC finally managed to stifle her laughter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly nodded, wiping tears of mirth from her face. She waded in and picked Lily up bodily (and she wasn\u2019t going to be able to do that much longer, she realized), then said, \u201cJack, Schrodinger, let him up!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You spoil all our fun!<\/em> Schrodinger protested, but they backed up. DC gave Drew a hand up, and then she handed him a huge package.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that?\u201d Molly and Lily asked at the same time, and Drew wiggled his eyebrows at them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026don\u2019t know,\u201d he admitted, making them both giggle again. \u201cIt came through the Gate on a sleigh.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cA sleigh?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Drew nodded. \u201cAnd then, once Luke pulled it off the sleigh, the entire sleigh turned around and went back through the Gate.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho was driving the sleigh? Was it Old Man Winter?\u201d Lily asked, wiggling. Molly let her down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat was the really weird thing,\u201d Drew said. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t anyone driving it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Lily, Jack and Schrodinger all stared at him in awe, but Molly looked over at Zoey, who didn\u2019t look as convinced. Then again, Zoey hadn\u2019t really been introduced to the Cove yet. Molly was looking forward to seeing how she looked after about a week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo why did you bring it here?\u201d Molly said, turning back to Drew.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s addressed to-\u201d Drew paused, and looked at the front of the large package. It was the size of a framed painting, and Molly wondered just what their friends had come up with. \u201cLily Barrett, Zoey Allard, Jack Barrett and Schrodinger Barrett, care of CrossWinds Books.\u201d He looked back down at the three in front of him, and then over at Zoey. \u201cI\u2019m assuming you\u2019re Zoey, since that\u2019s the only name I don\u2019t recognize. I\u2019m Drew.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNice to meet you,\u201d she said a little shyly, coming over to join the others. \u201cWho sent that to us?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, the return address is simply the North Pole,\u201d Drew admitted. \u201cBut there\u2019s only one person who uses that address.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Santa!<\/em> Schrodinger danced around. It has to be Santa!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSanta doesn\u2019t exist,\u201d Zoey said, but she looked doubtful.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He does!<\/em> Schrodinger turned to her. I\u2019ve ridden in his sleigh! So has Drew!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey looked from the CrossCat up to Drew, who nodded. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cReally.\u201d Drew knelt down and held the package out to them. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you open it together? It\u2019s not very heavy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They did. Lily and Zoey held it between them, and both Schrodinger and Jack scratched at the front, tearing the brown paper. It fell away to show a large box that they stared at.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Molly asked, and they turned to show her. \u201cOh, cool!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u201d was an advent calendar, a large one showing a winter scene that looked as if it had been inspired by the Cove itself. A snug cottage nestled in a snowy clearing, surrounded by pine trees. In the foreground, a sleigh carrying two children, a large dog and a large cat was being pulled by reindeer and piloted by a large man dressed in furs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s us!\u201d Lily squealed. \u201cLook, Zoey, it\u2019s us! They even got your braids right!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly leaned over the girls and looked. Lily was correct. One of the girls wore glasses and had short hair, while the other had long brown braids, tied with red and green plaid bows.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow did they know?\u201d Zoey said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Santa knows everything,<\/em> Schrodinger told her, and Jack nodded. He really does.<\/em> He butted his head against her gently. Trust us. You\u2019ll see.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was a card taped to the corner and Molly pulled it off gently. She slipped the envelope open, took out the little card inside, and read out loud, \u201cDear Lily, Zoey, Schrodinger and Jack, I heard a rumor that you were having issues believing in Santa and the magic of Christmas. I hope this helps you to find that belief again, because that is a terrible thing to lose, and I hope to see you soon.\u201d She held it out to them. \u201cIt\u2019s signed S.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWow.\u201d Lily looked at the others. \u201cWow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Zoey said stubbornly. \u201cIt could be the adults.\u201d She peered up at Molly and Drew. \u201cYou two could have done this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Drew nodded. \u201cWe could have. But we didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut how do we know that?\u201d Zoey countered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because they say they didn\u2019t,<\/em> Schrodinger said. And they don\u2019t lie. Besides, I know it\u2019s Santa. I\u2019ve met him.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have too<\/em>, Jack said stoutly, and he nosed Lily. Don\u2019t you remember? He wrote to us! He brought Drew back!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily looked conflicted. \u201cThere was someone who brought Drew back on Christmas Day,\u201d she told Zoey. \u201cHe really did look like Santa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly intervened here. \u201cMaybe we should hang it up, and open the first window,\u201d she said, hoping to head off an argument, since Zoey had a stubborn set to her chin. \u201cSee what it has. This is a pretty thick calendar – I\u2019ll bet there are some cool things behind some of these doors.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d Both Lily and Zoey agreed with that, and brought the calendar into the kitchen, where Drew helped them hang it on the wall. It came with convenient hangers, and there was room on one of the walls before the counter started. It was even at Lily and Zoey\u2019s height. Then the two girls looked at each other.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou go ahead,\u201d Lily told Zoey generously. \u201cYou start.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey looked at the painting, trying to find the first number. It ended up being hidden in a snowman on the edge of the painting, and she frowned. \u201cThere\u2019s no way to open it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly leaned over to look. Zoey was right – although she could see the number \u201c1\u201d in gold lettering, there was no box, no handle – no nothing. \u201cHmm,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat if you just touched it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The girl gave her a doubtful look, and Molly chuckled. \u201cTrust me. I\u2019ll bet it\u2019s magic.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shaking her head, Zoey reached out and touched a finger to the number. Then she gasped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Light flared, and the painting dissolved under her fingertip, in a small box shape. She pulled her hand back quickly, and they all watched as a tiny snowflake drifted out of the hole and floated up, growing in size.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d Zoey breathed. \u201cIt really IS magic.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The snowflake floated in front of her face, and Schrodinger nudged her. Put your hand out,<\/em> he said, when she looked down at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She did, and the snowflake shimmered, then drifted down. As it touched her skin, it flared, and then was gone. In its place was a lovely little snow globe with a three-masted ship sailing into a harbor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the Daughter of Stars!\u201d Lily said, awed. \u201cCaptain Carter\u2019s ship!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was indeed – once she\u2019d pointed it out, they could all see the name of the ship painted on its side. As Zoey tipped the globe to set the snowflakes tumbling, something written on the bottom glinted gold in the light.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly watched her tip it all the way over. \u201cWhat does it say?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWelcome to the Cove,\u201d Zoey read, her eyes wide. \u201cI hope you enjoy it.\u201d She looked up. \u201cIt\u2019s signed S.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cHey, Schrodinger!\u201d Molly\u2019s voice echoed though the tea room, puncturing his dreams like an arrow through a water balloon. Shards of thoughts fell around him, startling him. Not that he really minded: the dream had been dark, full of something horrible that he had to get away from, even as he couldn\u2019t figure out …<\/p>\n