It was Tuesday, but Molly had decided that her kitchen at the bookstore was better suited to finish baking the gingerbread pieces than her home kitchen.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides,\u201d she explained to Aunt Margie, who had stopped in to get a cup of tea. \u201cI have everything here already. Why should I schlep it all the way to the apartment, just to bring it back? It doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Aunt Margie nodded. \u201cAnd since Sarah\u2019s here, you are free to work, rather than fill tea pots. I understand.\u201d She looked at the board that covered part of the island. \u201cWhat is that for?\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly pointed to the pile of gingerbread pieces next to it. \u201cFor that.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich will be?\u201d Aunt Margie prompted her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cA castle for the Snow Queen. Which needs to be done for Thursday.\u201d Molly finished her cup of tea and stretched before taking the last two trays of gingerbread pieces out of the oven. \u201cAnd since these are now done, I can get started putting it together.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long do you think it will take you?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea,\u201d Molly admitted. \u201cHopefully, not until Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Aunt Margie laughed and left her to it. Schrodinger was snoozing out in the tea room, which was a good thing. Molly realized that putting together the castle was a bit more complicated than she\u2019d originally thought, and she didn\u2019t need any distractions. By the time Lily, Jack and Zoey showed up and woke him up, she had the first floor and half the second floor put together.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOh wow,\u201d Zoey said, when she caught sight of the gingerbread castle. \u201cYou really are a witch, Molly.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this point, I\u2019m a tired witch,\u201d she confessed, putting the bag of royal icing aside. \u201cAnd this needs to sit and cure.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCure?\u201d Lily said, furrowing her brow. \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly took the discarded bag of icing and piped a little out. \u201cThis is called royal icing,\u201d she told them. \u201cWhen it sits, it turns rock hard and holds everything together. It\u2019s called curing.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCool,\u201d Zoey said. \u201cIt\u2019s like magic.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is,\u201d Molly agreed. She put the icing back in the top of the bag, then twisted it up and put it in the fridge for later. \u201cNow, who wants to find out what the Advent Calendar has in store for us today?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMe!\u201d all four of them chorused, and Molly laughed as they rushed over to the wall to see who could find the number first.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Oh, there it is!<\/i> Schrodinger said, after a few moments. In the tree!<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He pressed the number with his paw, and they all looked anxiously as the snowflake came out. It hovered in front of them, and Zoey held out her hand. Out tumbled a note, and she squinted at it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope you have mittens and scarves,\u201d she read haltingly. \u201cIt\u2019s cold on the ice!\u201d She looked up at Molly. \u201cThe ice? Are we going out on the ocean?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Molly said, her eyes twinkling. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you let me get my warm stuff on, and we\u2019ll see where it leads us?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHurry!\u201d Lily urged. \u201cHurry!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, okay!\u201d Molly laughed and got her coat, making sure she had put her mittens in her pocket. She crammed her hat on her head. \u201cI\u2019m ready!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As if it had been waiting for that, the snowflake zoomed out of the kitchen towards the front door. Molly grabbed Schrodinger\u2019s coat on the way out, knowing he\u2019d want it later.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, it\u2019s Pavel!\u201d Zoey said, as they tumbled out of the bookstore into the street. The dashing pirate captain was leaning against the side of his black sleigh, talking to Drew, a scarlet scarf draped around his neck. \u201cPavel! Are you taking us on another adventure?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI am, lovely lady, I am!\u201d Pavel said, sweeping his hat off and bowing to them. The snowflake swirled around them, and then settled right in front of the horses.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d Lily said excitedly, climbing into the sleigh, and then pulling Zoey up with her. \u201cI can\u2019t wait!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Schrodinger jumped in, followed by Jack, and then Drew helped Molly in. \u201cAre you sure your horses can pull us all?\u201d she asked Pavel, who was climbing up into the driver\u2019s spot.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you doubting my fine steeds?\u201d he said, mock-outraged. \u201cWe\u2019ll show you!\u201d And he slapped the reins against the harnesses, causing the horses to leap forward. Drew, who had been almost in his seat, was thrown back into the pile of blankets, and Lily and Zoey dissolved into gales of laughter.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The snowflake led them down the street and out of town. Drew, once he managed to struggle into a sitting position, put his arms around Molly and asked quietly, \u201cHow\u2019s the castle coming?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bit more ambitious than I realized,\u201d she admitted. \u201cI\u2019ll have it done, but it\u2019s going to take a lot to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you can do it,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd so does she.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly chuckled, and leaned her head back against him. \u201cI should be working on it now, but I was starting to go cross-eyed.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you going to work on it later?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDepends on how tired I am,\u201d she said. \u201cI should, but I\u2019m not going to push it.\u201d She looked up towards the front. Lily and Zoey had climbed up to sit right behind Pavel, and from the looks on their faces, he was telling them some sort of story. Molly couldn\u2019t make out his words, but she could guess. He didn\u2019t have that many stories that were kid-friendly, after all.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The horses turned down a wooded lane, still following the snowflake, and about fifteen minutes later, a lovely winter scene opened up in front of them.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIndi\u2019s!\u201d Lily squealed. \u201cLook, Zoey, it\u2019s just like the gingerbread!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWow,\u201d Zoey said. \u201cIt\u2019s really real.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Indi Sarabian had taken advantage of the natural curve of the gentle ElizabethRiver, named for Captain Carter\u2019s favorite daughter, and put in what had become THE skating destination for the residents of Carter\u2019s Cove and the surrounding realms. Each year, Indi and her family made improvements to the skating rink. This year, Molly saw she\u2019d added an actual warming hut in addition to the bonfire on the shore, and she\u2019d re-lit the bonfire in the rock outcropping in the middle of the cove. The day had been overcast, so the white, blue and green Christmas lights glowed in the evergreen trees that ringed the cove.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pavel helped them out of the sled, and Molly led them over to the original shack, where Indi herself was handing out skates. \u201cHi Molly!\u201d she said cheerfully. \u201cHow many today?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cFive total,\u201d Molly said, and one by one, each of them told Indi their size. She collected skates the way Molly collected tea cups, and they were all in excellent condition. Molly helped Lily and Zoey with theirs, and then let Drew drag her out on to the ice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<><>\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what about Jack and Schrodinger?\u201d Zoey asked, looking at Lily and then at the ice. \u201cThey can\u2019t go out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Lily agreed. \u201cBut Indi\u2019s got them taken care of.\u201d She pointed to the bonfire, where one of Indi\u2019s younger children had brought out a large cushion and put it near the warmth. Immediately, Jack and Schrodinger jumped on it and laid down.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, cool.\u201d Zoey stood up on her skates and walked carefully down to the ice. She stepped onto the frozen surface and pushed off, gliding across the ice as her mother had taught her the year before. Then, as she turned, she saw Lily standing unsteadily by the beach. \u201cCome on!\u201d she encouraged her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m trying!\u201d Lily said, and pushed off. She wobbled her way over to Zoey. \u201cHow\u2019d you get so good at it?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMom taught me.\u201d Zoey took Lily\u2019s hands. \u201cLike this.\u201d She started to skate backwards slowly, and said, \u201cJust let your feet go. Gently. Gently.\u201d They went around once like that, with Zoey holding Lily up so that her friend could concentrate on her feet.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is hard!\u201d Lily said, after one route. \u201cLet\u2019s go sit next to Schrodinger and Jack for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d Zoey led her back over to the bonfire, where Jack and Schrodinger made room for them on the cushion.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You did really good!<\/i> Jack said, nosing Lily on the cheek.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard!\u201d she said again. \u201cZoey\u2019s really good at it, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had more practice,\u201d Zoey said, snuggling in next to Schrodinger. \u201cI bet by the time we leave, you\u2019ll be better than me!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Lily said, leaning back and watching Molly and Drew skate together. \u201cDon\u2019t they look good together?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
They do, <\/i>Schrodinger agreed, putting his head down on his paws and watching them. Drew was saying something to Molly, and she threw her head back and laughed. Zoey thought it was an enchanting sound. Now all we need to do is have him ask her, and we can get moving on some important things. Like planning the wedding.<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOooh, do you really think he\u2019s going to?\u201d Lily said, bouncing on the cushion. \u201cThat would be awesome!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I think it will be soon,<\/i> Schrodinger said. He\u2019s getting ready. <\/i>He sighed. I wish I could get on the ice. It looks fun.<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Zoey was about to answer when she noticed the snowflake. It hadn\u2019t vanished, as she\u2019d thought, but it was hovering near Jack\u2019s head. \u201cLook,\u201d she said, pointing. \u201cThe snowflake is still here.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh,\u201d Lily said, looking over at it. \u201cI wonder why.\u201d She raised her voice a little. \u201cSnowflake, do you have something else for us?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As if it had been waiting for that question, the snowflake dipped low in front of them, and then began to spin. They all held their breaths as it spun, and then it exploded into a veritable storm of glowing snowflakes that hit the ice and formed\u2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cA sleigh!\u201d Zoey said excitedly. \u201cWith skates as runners! Look!\u201d She got up and skated over to the sleigh, and then pushed it back to the others. \u201cJack, you and Schrodinger can get in to the sleigh, and Lily and I can push you around!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The CrossCat and the hound jumped into the sleigh, but Lily looked doubtful. \u201cI\u2019m not that good,\u201d she reminded them.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but you can hold on to the sleigh like this,\u201d Zoey said, demonstrating. \u201cWe can push together. Come on, Lily, come on!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Yes, Lily, come on!<\/i> Jack and Schrodinger chorused. You can do it!<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll try,\u201d she said, surrendering. Zoey skated over and led her to the sleigh. Then, they both grasped one of the handles and looked at each other.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOn three,\u201d Zoey said. She set her toepick in the ice and looked over to see Lily mimicking her. \u201cReady?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lily nodded.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, one, two, three.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On three, they both pushed off, and glided over the ice. \u201cSee?\u201d Zoey shouted to Lily. \u201cMuch easier this way!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right!\u201d Lily agreed, laughing. \u201cThis is fun!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As they pushed Jack and Schrodinger over the ice, Zoey thought it was the best time she\u2019d had skating in a long time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It was Tuesday, but Molly had decided that her kitchen at the bookstore was better suited to finish baking the gingerbread pieces than her home kitchen. \u201cBesides,\u201d she explained to Aunt Margie, who had stopped in to get a cup of tea. \u201cI have everything here already. Why should I schlep it all the …<\/p>\n