\u201cJust snow flurries,\u201d Drew assured Molly as he stopped into the bookstore on his way to the Station. \u201cNothing like the storm last week.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cGood,\u201d Molly said, holding up an empty tea mug in suggestion. \u201cOr don\u2019t you have time?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI always have time for you,\u201d he told her, shedding his coat and hanging it up on one of the hangers. \u201cBesides, how often do I get your undivided attention here? I\u2019m not going to miss this.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly laughed and filled the mug up. \u201cCaffeinated or no?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, please. I\u2019m on until almost midnight.\u201d Drew stretched. \u201cWith the Snow Queen\u2019s ball on Saturday, we\u2019re all pulling long shifts this week.\u201d He accepted the mug, warming his hands on the ceramic as she dropped one of the raspberry black tea bags he preferred into it. \u201cStill not going to tell me about your dress?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNope,\u201d Molly said, grinning. \u201cYou can know that the color is emerald. That\u2019s all you need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cEmerald.\u201d He sipped his tea and eyed her. \u201cYou are going to look stunning in emerald.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly preened a little. The dress WAS stunning, and she had Lai to thank for it. She\u2019d spotted it when she was shopping in Bangor and had texted the photo to Molly, who had begged her to buy it. She couldn\u2019t wait until Saturday night to wear it. \u201cFlattery will get you food, but not more information,\u201d she told him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was worth a try.\u201d Drew grinned. \u201cBut I\u2019ll take a sandwich before I go.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She pulled two slices of the herb bread she\u2019d made a few days before, and buttered both sides before she put them on the cast iron griddle pan. \u201cI\u2019ve got roast beef and cheddar today,\u201d she told him. \u201cHow does that sound?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDivine.\u201d As she made the sandwich, Drew looked over at the Advent Calendar on the wall. \u201cSo, how\u2019s the calendar working out?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLike a charm.\u201d Molly felt just a bit smug about that. \u201cNot only has it worked on Zoey and Lily, but you didn\u2019t see what happened yesterday after you left.\u201d She layered cheese and roast beef on one of the toasted slices of bread, and flipped the other slice on top, then pressed the sandwich down. \u201cCorinne managed to get Donna to talk to Santa.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNo way!\u201d Drew gaped at her. \u201cSeriously?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSeriously.\u201d Molly pulled the sandwich off the grill and put it on a plate, then cut it and handed it to him. \u201cAnd she thought the decorations we left were amazing, by the way. I forgot to tell you that yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cGood.\u201d Drew dug into the sandwich. \u201cSo, what\u2019s on the schedule for today?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to start working on gingerbread houses.\u201d Molly indicated the pile of order forms on the island. \u201cThey aren\u2019t going to make themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many do you have to do this year?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She picked up the forms and counted. \u201cForty-five,\u201d she said. \u201cNot too bad. It\u2019s definitely doable.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Drew\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cForty-five gingerbread houses? In how many days?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly shrugged. \u201cThey\u2019re due to be delivered Sunday, the day after the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are amazing,\u201d Drew said, draining the rest of his tea and finishing his sandwich. \u201cAnd unfortunately, I have to be off.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cShould I wait up for you? Or are you going to stay up at the Station?\u201d She hoped it would be the first, but knew it was a possibility that he wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t wait up,\u201d he said, but then chuckled. \u201cI have a key, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And with that, he dropped a kiss on her lips, grabbed his coat and the bag of goodies she\u2019d had made up for him, and headed out the door.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly heaved a sigh, and refreshed her own tea cup. Then she cleaned up his dishes, promised herself that in January, they\u2019d take a week to enjoy one another\u2019s company, and went back to her order forms.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Most of the orders were simple houses, but there were a few that were going to be a bit more complicated. She pulled out Sarah\u2019s order – the little blind girl had asked for a gingerbread sleigh this year, complete with marzipan presents in a sack. Normally, Molly wouldn\u2019t have taken on such an intricate piece on Christmas, but it was for Sarah, who was one of her and Schrodinger\u2019s favorites. And really, it wouldn\u2019t be too bad, she realized, as she started sketching the piece out on the bottom of the form. More fiddly than anything, and the marzipan would take care of most of it. She went to investigate how much marzipan she had.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMolly, Molly, Molly!\u201d Zoey and Lily called out as they came into the kitchen, snowflakes melting on their hats and mittens. \u201cIt\u2019s snowing!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I heard!\u201d she said, coming back out into the main kitchen from the pantry. \u201cBut Drew said it was just flurries! Was he pulling my leg?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
No,<\/em> Schrodinger told her, shaking off the flakes. It\u2019s flurrying in bursts, that\u2019s all.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAh, gotcha.\u201d Molly grinned at them. \u201cYou guys ready to work today? We\u2019ve got gingerbread to cut out!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely!\u201d Lily said, nodding. \u201cBut we have to do the Advent Calendar first!\u201d She looked at the others. \u201cRight?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Right!<\/em> Jack agreed, wagging his tail eagerly. Let\u2019s find the number!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily and Zoey hurriedly shed their coats, and hung them up carefully before they all went in front of the Advent Calendar. \u201cWhere do you think it might be today?\u201d Zoey whispered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Lily said. \u201cIt could be anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly continued to go through the orders, pulling out another two orders that were multiple houses. In all, she had five that were either multiple houses, or a little more complicated. One family had asked for a Nativity scene, and she couldn\u2019t remember if she\u2019d done that before.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHere it is!\u201d Lily sang out suddenly, and she touched the door of the cottage. The square of painting crumbled, and they all watched as the snowflake popped out. \u201cWhat are we going to do today, snowflake?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In response, the snowflake dipped in front of her, but didn\u2019t land on her outstretched hand, or drop anything. Instead, it floated over to the door leading out into the tea room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome on!\u201d Zoey said, and they followed it out into the tea room. Molly, curious despite herself, followed them to the doorway and watched.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The snowflake danced and dipped on a breeze that none of them felt, and led them over to Mr. Dorr and Mrs. Dorr, who were at their normal table. Mrs. Dorr was still working on one of the blankets for the upcoming fire kittens, and Mr. Dorr was reading. But it was obvious they were waiting for the four who approached them. The snowflake wheeled above them, and then burst into sparkles of light.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You have something for us to do?<\/em> Schrodinger asked politely, and then hastily introduced Zoey to them. Sorry.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello,\u201d Mrs. Dorr said, smiling at them. \u201cYou\u2019re fine, Schrodinger. And yes, we do have something for you to do.\u201d She set down her knitting and reached into the large bag they\u2019d brought in with them. \u201cIt\u2019s a very important thing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We\u2019re good at important things!<\/em> Jack wagged his tail excitedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe are!\u201d Lily and Zoey chorused, nodding. \u201cWhat do you need us to do?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Dorr brought out a large wrapped box that she handed to them. \u201cBe careful,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a little heavier than it looks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily and Zoey each took a corner. \u201cWho is this for?\u201d Lily asked her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very special delivery for Molly,\u201d Mr. Dorr said, and their eyes widened. \u201cDo you think you can deliver it for us?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh yes!\u201d Lily and Zoey nodded. Then, with Jack and Schrodinger following closely behind, they walked slowly over to Molly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is this?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSomething for you!\u201d Lily said, and Zoey added, \u201cYou should open it now!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly took the package, which was heavier than she\u2019d first thought, and brought it into the kitchen. There was nothing on the outside of the box to suggest where it had come from. And knowing the Dorrs, it could have been from anywhere. And from anyone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOpen it!\u201d Lily begged. \u201cI need to know what\u2019s inside!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Me too!<\/em> Schrodinger said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly laughed. \u201cOkay, okay!\u201d She slid her finger under the snowflake-patterned paper and lifted one flap, then pulled the edge and let it fall away. Inside was a plain box that she lifted the lid off of to reveal\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOooh,\u201d she said, lifting out the pattern. \u201cLook at this!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was a castle. A full set of pieces to create a gingerbread castle, something she\u2019d always wanted to do but never had the time or the nerve to freehand. Taped to the first piece of the pattern was a creamy vellum envelope that she opened. Inside was a matching card that she read silently, then said, \u201cWow, guys, our day just got a little more interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat does it say?\u201d Zoey asked, bouncing from foot to foot. \u201cWho sent it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly cleared her throat and said, \u201cDear Molly, I realize this is last minute, but I was hoping that you would be able to help me out. I would like to have a castle made for Thursday, so you and your young helpers can bring it out to me when you join me for tea. I will be happy to pay extra for the rush delivery, and the pattern is yours to keep. Please let Lucille and Stephen know – they will let me know. Yours, Jade\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOOOOOOH!\u201d Lily shrieked in glee, and grabbed Zoey\u2019s hands to spin her around the kitchen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s Jade?\u201d Zoey asked, breathless.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Snow Queen!\u201d Lily told her, before Molly could answer. \u201cWe\u2019ve been invited to tea with the SNOW QUEEN!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d Zoey asked again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Snow Queen,<\/em> Schrodinger told her. One of the most powerful magic users around. She protects the Cove, and she\u2019s really cool.<\/em> He looked at Molly. Can we do it, though? Is it possible?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly looked at the pattern, and then at the pile of orders on the table. \u201cIf we\u2019re going to get this done, it\u2019s going to take a lot of work,\u201d she warned them. \u201cAre you willing to help me?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily and Zoey stopped spinning. \u201cWe\u2019ll help!\u201d Lily said stoutly. \u201cWe can do a lot!\u201d Zoey nodded. \u201cI know we can do it, Molly!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maybe the Trio can help as well?<\/em> Schrodinger suggested. I think they\u2019d come over.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly looked from their expectant faces to the pile of orders, and then back again. \u201cYes, I think we can,\u201d she said finally, putting the card down and reaching for her phone. \u201cGo ahead and tell them yes, and I\u2019ll see what we can do to call for some backup.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Luckily for her, both Noemi and Sue agreed to come over and help, and Lai offered to help on Wednesday. \u201cI\u2019m booked today, sorry,\u201d she said regretfully. \u201cBut I can come after work.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome on over,\u201d Molly said. \u201cI\u2019ll be here late tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Lai asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe got a special rush order for a gingerbread castle from Jade,\u201d Molly said, and Lai whistled. \u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better get busy. I\u2019ll bring dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a peach,\u201d Molly said, and hung up the phone. Then she looked down at the expectant faces in front of her. \u201cOkay, here\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She handed out aprons to Lily and Zoey, and Sue as she walked in the door. Then she started the two girls rolling out large sheets of the gingerbread dough she\u2019d already made.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat can I do?\u201d Sue asked. \u201cWant me to start cutting out houses?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cActually, I want you to take Schrodinger and Jack and go look through the pattern pieces,\u201d Molly said, indicating the pantry. She had a large box of patterns that she\u2019d collected over the years. \u201cI need not only the general house pieces, but I think we did a Nativity, and I know I\u2019ve got an arch in there somewhere.\u201d She grabbed the order forms again. \u201cI think that\u2019s all we need – oh, and the trees and the books. The library loved the book pile last year, and ordered it again.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill do.\u201d Sue led Jack and Schrodinger back into the pantry and settled herself down with them on the floor. Molly turned back to the castle pattern again, wondering if she was insane to attempt this. Then again, I have wanted to attempt this\u2026 The finished castle would be almost three feet across and almost two feet high, and she realized that the boards she usually built the houses on weren\u2019t going to be up to this task. She picked up her phone again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill\u2019s Lumber, Tessa speaking! How can I help you?\u201d The voice on the other end was light and pleasant, and Molly smiled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHi Tessa, it\u2019s Molly Barrett.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMolly! How are you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood, thanks. Hoping you guys can help me out.\u201d She quickly explained to Tessa what she needed and then said, \u201cDo you think you could cut it and I could have someone pick it up?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure, not a problem,\u201d Tessa told her. \u201cWe\u2019ve got that kind of wood here, and it won\u2019t take the guys more than two minutes to cut it. When do you want to pick it up?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have Lai pick it up after work,\u201d Molly said, and pulled out her debit card. Then, after thanking Tessa, she called Lai and asked her to stop by the lumber yard on her way over.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That taken care of, Molly cleared off part of the counter and took one of the rolled-out pieces of dough. She floured the counter, laid the dough out and set the first of the castle pieces down on it. Then, taking one of her trusty xacto knives, she began to trace out the pieces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMolly, I\u2019ve got the entire Nativity, as well as the houses,\u201d Sue said, coming out of the pantry after about thirty minutes. Molly looked up from the tower she was cutting out. \u201cAnd I found a sleigh too – is this what you had in mind?\u201d She held up the pieces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPerfect!\u201d Molly said, happy she wouldn\u2019t have to freehand that one as well. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you take these and figure out how many of each piece we\u2019ll need?\u201d She handed over the pile of order forms. \u201cThat way, I know how many to cut out.\u201d Then she turned back to the castle and continued to cut pieces out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger hopped up onto one of the stools to watch her. Are you sure you can do all of this without going insane?<\/em> The quiet question, full of concern, touched her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I can handle it,\u201d she said, smiling at him. \u201cYou just might be eating takeout for a few nights, while I get things done.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His ears perked up at that. Chinese food?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d she said. \u201cLai\u2019s bringing something tonight – it could be Chinese.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It turned out to be pizza, but he was fine with that too. By the time Lai came in with dinner and the board from Will\u2019s, the entire castle had been cut out and gone into the oven, Zoey and Lily had rolled out all the gingerbread dough, and Sue had made a list of exactly how many pieces of each shape they needed. The Nativity was cut out and baked, as was the sleigh, and they\u2019d started on the house pieces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMan, you guys have this down to a system!\u201d Lai said admiringly. \u201cWhat do you need me for?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMoral support and wine,\u201d Noemi said, and Lai obliging handed over the bottle she\u2019d brought.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly surveyed the progress. \u201cYou guys rock,\u201d she said, accepting a piece of pizza from Sue. \u201cTomorrow, I\u2019ll put the castle together. Wednesday, decorate the castle, and then start putting houses together.\u201d She nodded to herself. \u201cThis is totally doable, because you guys really helped out. Thank you so much!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was fun!\u201d Lily said, and Zoey nodded. \u201cWill we get to help decorate?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t see why not,\u201d Molly said. \u201cI have over fifty to decorate – I\u2019ll need the help!\u201d She smiled at them. \u201cBut not tonight. I think you guys have done enough tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh good,\u201d Zoey admitted. \u201cMy arms are tired.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMine too!\u201d Sue said, chuckling. \u201cWe rolled out and cut a lot of dough!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ll finish this up tonight,\u201d Molly told them. \u201cAnd then, tomorrow, I can bake up the ones that I don\u2019t get to tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure they\u2019ll be okay?\u201d Zoey asked her. \u201cThey won\u2019t go bad?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d Molly grinned at her. \u201cTrust the kitchen witch. They\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cJust snow flurries,\u201d Drew assured Molly as he stopped into the bookstore on his way to the Station. \u201cNothing like the storm last week.\u201d \u201cGood,\u201d Molly said, holding up an empty tea mug in suggestion. \u201cOr don\u2019t you have time?\u201d \u201cI always have time for you,\u201d he told her, shedding his coat and …<\/p>\n