The box was waiting for Molly McIntyre and Schrodinger Barrett when they came back from an early lunch with Molly\u2019s husband Drew. Molly took one look at the barely-suppressed excitement in the faces of the four children and two dogs that were arranged around the table and smiled. \u201cWell, I guess it\u2019s a good thing we didn\u2019t stop at the grocery store,\u201d she said. \u201cThese guys look like they\u2019re going to explode if they have to wait much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that box is what I think it is, I don\u2019t blame them! Schrodinger bounded into the tea room. Come on, Molly! Don\u2019t you want to see what kind of Advent calendar they sent us??<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course I do!\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christmas in Carter\u2019s Cove, Maine, had always been one of Molly\u2019s favorite seasons, but the last few years had definitely been highlights, thanks in large part to the magical Advent calendars from the Cove\u2019s protectors, the Snow Queen and Jack Frost. Now, Molly hurried after the CrossCat, eager to see what this year\u2019s adventures would bring.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been waiting FOREVER for you guys to come back!\u201d Kaylee Barrett said, bouncing in her seat, her brown hair falling into her eyes. \u201cThis came right after you left!\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut we waited to open it!\u201d her older sister Lily added. \u201cBecause that\u2019s what it says.\u201d She pointed to the box. \u201cZette was very specific.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, across the top of the box was written: \u201cTo Lily and Kaylee Barrett, Zoey Allard, Gideon Fable, Schrodinger Barrett, Jack, and Aurora. Do not open until you are all together!\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWow,\u201d Molly said, pulling her coat off. \u201cIt must be very special! I wonder what they have planned for you guys this year.\u201d She draped her coat over one of the chairs and then gestured to them. \u201cWell, what are you waiting for?\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four pairs of hands and one set of claws reached out to the box (Jack and Aurora just watched, of course, since their paws weren\u2019t suited for this), and the tape quickly succumbed to their efforts. There was a slight pause, and then a small wisp of what looked like smoke curled up from the box, to Molly\u2019s slight concern.
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\u201cDid she send us a DRAGON?\u201d Gideon asked, his eyes wide.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I doubt it, Schrodinger said, but even his voice was unsure. Dragons are sentient beings, and you don\u2019t give them as gifts.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut then what is it?\u201d Zoey asked, looking at the others. \u201cWhat else would SMOKE?\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They all shrugged.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe you should look into it,\u201d Molly said, moving over and doing just that. To her surprise, the only thing in the box was a tightly rolled tube. She pulled it out. As she did so, another wisp of smoke curled up and around her, redolent of pine and cinnamon.
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\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Lily asked.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Molly admitted. The tube was a cardboard poster tube, sealed on either end with green and gold wax embossed with jingle bells, snowflakes, and acorns. She cracked one, releasing a bit more smoke, and privately wondered just what the Snow Queen and Jack had decided to do. Although this feels more like Old Man Winter\u2019s style, she thought.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside the tube was a soft roll of fabric. Molly unrolled it and they all crowded around her as she laid it out on the table top, moving the packing materials aside.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, how pretty!\u201d Zoey said, reaching out a finger to gently touch the richly-embroidered scene. Molly could only marvel at the craftsmanship in front of her.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scene was a Victorian house, all decorated for Christmas, one room for each day. Each room had a different theme for the decorations, and they all seemed to move, sparkle, and glow. Now it was apparent where the little wisps of smoke had come from – candles danced on mantels, tables, and chandeliers, and every room seemed to have a fireplace alight.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut how does it work?\u201d Gideon asked, peering closely at it. He frowned.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMagic, of course!\u201d Kaylee said. \u201cDuh.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, I mean, how do we use it?\u201d Gideon replied. \u201cThere\u2019s no windows or pockets or anything for us to open.\u201d He leaned over so close to the tapestry that his nose nearly touched it. \u201cIt\u2019s missing something!\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s that on the bottom? Jack said, speaking for the first time. The pouch?
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Molly saw what he was referring to. A small embroidered pouch hung from the bottom right corner, attached by a green and gold braided cord. She opened the pouch and shook the contents into her hand.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that a cat?\u201d Kaylee asked, as Molly blinked. \u201cIt is! It looks like you, Schrodinger!\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut I don\u2019t understand!\u201d Gideon said. \u201cWhat does that have to do with any\u2026.\u201d His voice trailed off as the little cat stirred, stretched, and yawned on Molly\u2019s palm. It really did look like a miniature CrossCat, complete with the tufts on its ears and Schrodinger\u2019s bright green eyes. Then, as they watched, the cat leaped up and onto the tapestry – and then merged into it.
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\u201cOh my!\u201d Lily breathed, as the cat prowled around the attic, obviously looking for something. The attic was split into three rooms, and the room he landed in was stocked with toys and wrapped boxes. In one corner, a tiny evergreen tree sparkled, covered in silver snowflakes and golden acorns. The floor was covered with a fluffy white carpet that was almost, but not quite, snow, and garlands of snowflakes hung from the rafters. There was no fireplace, but a little candle burned in the one window.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s he looking for?\u201d Zoey said, watching the little cat, who was now deep in a pile of presents, digging for something.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Molly was about to reply when the door to CrossWinds Books blew open, distracting her. She turned to see the Snow Queen, Jade herself, come in, looking unusually upset. She was normally the most serene person Molly knew.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m so sorry, children! I don\u2019t -\u201d And then she gasped as she saw the tapestry. \u201cHow did you get that?\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou sent it to us?\u201d Gideon said, wrinkling his brow. \u201cDidn\u2019t you?\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jade shook her head, shedding snowflakes from her icy blonde hair. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t. I was on my way here to apologize. The Advent Calendar we were working on, that calendar,\u201d and she pointed to the tapestry, \u201cwas stolen from my workroom two days ago. I\u2019ve been looking all over for it.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStolen?\u201d Molly said. \u201cBy who?\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Jade said. She came over to the calendar and laid a hand on the tapestry. \u201cWe had just finished laying the groundwork magic on it and left it to finish overnight. When I unlocked the workroom the next morning, it was gone. Nothing else was taken.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you think it\u2019s safe?\u201d Molly said. \u201cOr should we not do any more?\u201d She ignored the cries of dismay from around her. \u201cJade?\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Snow Queen frowned, obviously concentrating on the calendar. The little cat was still digging in the pile, only the tuft of his tail visible.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t sense anything malevolent,\u201d she said finally, taking her hand away. \u201cI think it should be okay, but keep an eye on it.\u201d Jade looked up at Molly. \u201cWe\u2019ll be doing the same.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYay!\u201d Kaylee and Gideon cheered. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t have been fun without a calendar!\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook!\u201d Zoey said, pointing to the room.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The little cat was pulling something from the pile, moving backwards slowly. As they watched, he got the present free of the pile, and nudged it until it was upright. Then he grabbed the ribbon on the top in his teeth and yanked it open. The box fell apart, and a shower of sparks filled the air. They drifted out of the tapestry and formed the words \u201cWelcome to Christmas,\u201d then reformed into \u201cAre you ready for a mystery?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The box was waiting for Molly McIntyre and Schrodinger Barrett when they came back from an early lunch with Molly\u2019s husband Drew. Molly took one look at the barely-suppressed excitement in the faces of the four children and two dogs that were arranged around the table and smiled. \u201cWell, I guess it\u2019s a good thing …<\/p>\n