“The sleigh can fly, so maybe the culprit wanted to use it to fly themselves somewhere,” Amos said. “Add that to the list.”

  “But doesn’t the sleigh require the reindeer to navigate and land?” I asked, thinking about my short-lived time with Lumi at the reindeer sanctuary for the retired flyers.

  “Hmm, didn’t think about that. Cross my suggestion off the list,” Amos demanded.

  The chalk squealed as Wyatt drew a line through the word, and we all cringed.

  I remembered the overwhelming feeling when I stood on the balcony at Clarence’s pub. “I’ll bet it’s got some significant magic involved in it. Maybe someone wanted to have access to the power it contains.”

  Wyatt’s eyebrow raised. “Now, that’s an intriguing notion. And could somebody go check the door?”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Someone’s been knocking for the past minute or so.” The bear of a man pointed a finger at his ear. “Shifter hearing.”

  “If they don’t have a key or can’t figure out their own way in, then maybe they don’t belong here,” Amos groused.

  Vale slid off her chair. “You guys should consider changing the whole speakeasy vibe. Maybe then this place would be full up of others. And who knows what you might hear then?” She padded out of sight towards the hallway that led to the door.

  “If just anybody could come in, then wouldn’t that change everything? I like that this is the one place where I can get a rest from all the holiday stuff,” Rocky complained.

  I patted his arm, forcing myself not to pull back at the odd texture of his thick skin. “If more people came in, it doesn’t mean things would have to change. I just think others might appreciate a break as well.”

  “That’s got to be his choice,” Amos said, jutting his thumb at Wyatt. “But personally, I think it would ruin the whole Humbug vibe.”

  Vale came running back, waving a piece of stationary in her hand. “It was a couple of ladies from the Seasonal Spirit Awards committee. They’ve asked for everyone here to be sure to attend the final organizational meeting tonight.”

  “Why in the world would they want us there?” Amos asked.

  Nutty hurdled himself over to Vale and snatched the card from her. His tail twitched as he read it. “Don’t know. But all our names are on it. And a few others.”

  “Let me read it,” Wyatt insisted. After a moment of perusing the names, he snorted. “This has the name of everyone in town who frequents this place. The plot thickens.”

  “Well, I’m not showing up just because my name appears on a list of those who don’t care about Christmas,” Amos declared, settling into the back of his chair as if he intended to never leave. “And I definitely don’t care about those stupid awards.”

  “The awards,” I muttered under my breath, remembering all the times Wren forced me to listen to how important it was for Holiday Haven to win. “Guys, I think I have an idea.”

  I made my way behind the bar and scooted in front of Wyatt, trying not to let my breath quicken as his body brushed against mine for a brief second. Retrieving the piece of chalk, I scribbled a word on the board in capital letters and underlined it.

  “Spirit? What does that mean?” Vale asked.

  I smiled at my friend. “Remember when we were on the balcony at the pub with the vampire?”

  “Clarence let you watch the processional from his balcony? He’s never let me up there,” Amos pouted.

  “Maybe if you were one of two good-looking girls, you might have had a chance,” Wyatt teased.

  Rocky shushed the both of them and asked me to continue.

  “I felt an overwhelming sense of liking Christmas as the sleigh passed by us. Like I couldn’t wait for it to come,” I explained.

  Vale scrunched her nose. “But isn’t that how everybody feels most days?”

  Wyatt and I answered her at the same time. “No.”

  I tapped the chalk against the board. “I think that’s the sleigh’s greatest value. The Christmas spirit it gives out. And that’s why all of us have to attend the meeting tonight.”

  The others except Vale grumbled and complained. I waited for their protests to die down before continuing. “Listen, if whoever did this wanted to access the magic of Christmas spirit, then he or she will most likely be there.”

  “Oh, I get it,” Vale squealed. “Maybe the culprit is someone who wanted to affect the Seasonal Spirit Awards.”

  “Whoever stole it might be trying to use the spirit that the sleigh gives out. We’ll need to see if anyone gives out a particularly heavy vibe at the meeting,” I instructed.

  Amos tapped his empty glass at Wyatt while he moaned loud and long. “If I’m gonna be forced to open my store and go to this silly meeting, then I’m gonna need some fuel.”

  “How about some of my coffee instead?” Wyatt offered. “We need you at your sharpest.”

  Excitement rushed through my veins. “Okay, then. Sounds like we’ve got a plan. Tonight, we’ll go to the SSA meeting and then convene here afterwards to analyze our findings. Go, Team Humbug!”

  The others murmured a weak response, but I ignored their lack of enthusiasm. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had a clear purpose. Like the puzzle pieces that never seemed to fit finally linked together. I didn’t know what the picture of my life would end up looking like, but at least I had something to work with.

  “How about a drink to celebrate?” Wyatt offered from right next to me.

  An idea occurred to me, and I asked him to wait a second. Concentrating as hard as possible, I called on my magical energies. With my right hand, I created a small block of ice on the top of the bar. I held a picture in my mind of what I wanted. Using the fire power of my left hand combined with my ice magic, I melted and molded until I created a frozen stein complete with a handle and ready to chill a tasty beverage.

  “Ha!” I exclaimed, dancing around in triumph. “I don’t know why I was sure that would work, but it did!”

  “Way to go, Rory!” Vale clapped her hands in glee. “Can you make me one, too?”

  In less than ten minutes, every single Humbug had an ice glass of their own, including Amos. Wyatt poured the drinks and then held his high in the air. “Let’s do this right this time. Go, Team Humbug!”

  The others followed his lead and clinked their frozen mugs together. I floated on air, high on the success of my magic and my ability to coordinate the ragtag group of misfits. Placing my hand over my heart, I tried to keep it from beating out of my chest.

  Wyatt put his arm around me and drew me close. “Just remember this feeling right here and now.”

  I snuggled into his solid side. “To cheer me up on a bad day?”

  He leaned his head towards mine and whispered in my ear, “Nope. So that maybe, when you fulfill your deal with Mrs. Claus, you’ll consider staying put.”

  Chills ran all over me, and all I could manage was a weak nod. Thinking about my future would only dampen my current buzz. For now, I needed to stay focused on the next step of attending the Spirit Awards committee meeting and narrowing down the suspects.

  Chapter Nine

  Who knew there would be so many people who took the Seasonal Spirit Awards seriously? I expected to find about thirty or so participants at the meeting. Instead, almost the entire town was in attendance, making my plan of the rest of the Humbugs infiltrating and observing a little less effective.

  I encouraged my small team to spread out and see if they could spot anyone who was more enthusiastic than others. Vale and I stuck together while Nutty bounded off and disappeared into the crowd. Amos agreed to mingle but refused to be personable while doing so. His grimace and general demeanor caused many people to steer clear from him.

  Wyatt chuffed at the frustrating man. “My grandpappy would say he’s about as useful as a steering wheel on a mule.”

  Despite my frustration, I chortled a little. “At least he showed up sober.”

  “We hope,” the big bear of a guy added.

  “I’ll position myself by the refreshments. Lots of people will visit there, plus it’s in the back where I’ll fit,” Rocky volunteered.

  His large frame lumbered towards the multiple tables overflowing with all kinds of baked goods I recognized from Yuletide Yummies. Since Wren had given me a forced day off after my “unfortunate incident” of being taken to jail, I wasn’t aware of her providing all the refreshments for the meeting.

  Wyatt placed a warm hand at the small of my back. “I should go infiltrate as well.”

  Every part of me wanted him to stay by my side, but I forced myself to remain focused. Swallowing down my selfish desire down, I nodded. “Remember, we’re looking for those who are supercharged with spirit.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He saluted me first before winking and walking away.

  I took a little pleasure in watching his backside leave, and Vale caught my intense scrutiny. “Got a thing for bears, have you?” she teased.

  My cheeks flamed to life, and I started to protest. But why deny what I clearly felt? “Yes. Yes, I do.”

  My shorter friend squealed, ignoring my urges for her to hush. “Ooh, I knew you two would make an interesting couple.”

  “We’re not an anything right now. More like…friends with a possible option to upgrade,” I mused, giving too much brain power to the thought. “Besides, I’m not even sure he likes me that way.”

  “Oh, he likes you,” Vale assured me, hooking her arm around mine. “I’m just so happy for you.”

  I stopped her from jumping up and down. “You’ll get us very unwanted attention if you keep doing that,” I warned. “Now, try to contain yourself and go see what you can find.”

  She tapped the side of her nose a couple of times to indicate our secret. “Got it. But don’t think we won’t be talking more about you and him later on.”

  I stuck my tongue out at her like I had the first day we met, and she returned the gesture before giggling and waving her fingers at me. Left alone, I wound my way through the crowd.

  I thought due to my semi-arrest, most people would try to stay away. Instead, I got pulled into several conversations. I guess my short time behind candy cane bars made me more popular. It took a little finessing to avoid giving too many specifics, but I utilized my own trendiness to try and detect any extra Christmas spirit floating around the different groups.

  Wren tapped the microphone at the front and cleared her throat. “If everyone would please take their seats, I’d like to get this meeting started.” She surveyed the entire crowd with a sickeningly sweet smile that disappeared when she caught sight of the throng around me.

  I made my way to a row in the back and sat between Wyatt and Vale, eager to hear about their findings. Unfortunately, Wren had a long agenda she wanted to get through, so the meeting droned on and on far longer than we anticipated.

  “And I encourage everyone to make sure you vote in every single category and not just the one in which you entered. Of course, we’re all under the honor system for not voting for ourselves nor just for our friends.” Wren extended her arms out wide. “If all goes well, this will be the best Seasonal Spirit Awards we’ve ever had. And then we’ll be in contention for the best town award.”

  Thunderous applause exploded throughout the crowd in front of us. Several people whooped and cheered while others stood up in solidarity.

  Wren surveyed the audience with a wide grin. “Who’s going to win the best town?”

  “We are!” shouted most of the people.

  I shielded my ears and leaned close enough to Wyatt so he could hear me. “So much for trying to narrow this down to a solid list of suspects. Everyone in here is full of Christmas spirit.”

  “I don’t know,” he said, looking at those sitting in front of us whipped into a frenzy. “This doesn’t feel quite right. Then again, I’ve never participated before, so maybe it’s pretty normal.”

  Everyone chanted, “Holiday Haven! Holiday Haven!” They stomped their feet on the floor until the whole place shook.

  Wren held up her hands and waited for the din to die down to a quiet murmur. “I want to thank each and every one of you for helping us be the absolute best town in the North Pole. And when I bring that trophy home to dear old Holiday Haven, I hope you will remember all the sacrifice and work that it took.” She brushed a finger under her eye as if wiping away a tear.

  Vale tugged on my arm. “She’s going to be a beast to work with during the whole SSAs.”

  “You’re not kidding,” I agreed.

  “Please feel free to take any of the refreshments that are leftover home with you.” Wren pointed at the back of the room. “And for those who received a special invitation to tonight’s meeting, I ask that you remain in your seats, please. Thank you, one and all.”

  Vale, Wyatt, and I stayed put while others around us filed out into the main aisle. With a keen eye, I waited and watched to see who was left after almost everyone else filed out of the room. Nutty perched on Amos’s shoulder and Rocky still maintained his position in the back by the decimated refreshments area. But a few others, including Clarence and a couple of gnomes with their long beards and pointy hats, remained.

  Wren maintained her dazzling smile until the last of the stragglers left the room. Once we were left alone with her, she dropped the niceties and got down to business.

  “Now, your names were added onto our special list because when we were inspecting the town, we noticed that none of you have added any decorations to the exteriors of your homes or places of business.” My boss looked down her nose at each of us. “And I would like to find a way to rectify that problem.”

  “What we do at our own places is our business,” Amos stated.

  Wren sniffed once. “Except when it jeopardizes a major category of the Seasonal Spirit Awards. How can our fair town win if so many domiciles are barren of any sign of seasonal joy?”

  Clarence looked around at the rest of us before standing up. “I, for one, do not understand why I am here. Whet Your Wassail always has greenery hung outside of it.”

  “Precisely, Mr. Griswold. You have done nothing more than your usual fare. And that just won’t do.” The owner of Yuletide Yummies approached him. “We need bows and twinkle lights. Red and green festooned over as much property as possible. A few evergreen swags and a wreath on the door are the bare minimum.”

  “It’s far more than I’m willing to do,” Amos protested.

  “Yeah, yeah, me neither,” my roommate added, shaking his fluffed-out tail at the unpleasant woman.

  Wren clutched her hands into fists, and I leaned forward in absolute interest to see how she would handle direct opposition. As far as I’d observed at work, she did not do well with those who didn’t say yes or jump at her every command.

  “Mr. Pine, you barely even keep regular store hours,” my boss complained. “While I was willing to overlook some of your transgressions in our small community due to the loss of your dear Mabel, it is high time that you took up the mantle that she carried with great aplomb for many years.”

  Amos stood up, and Nutty clung to the back of his jacket. “Don’t speak of my Mabel like my loss is something that can be glossed over by hanging up tinsel.”

  “That isn’t what I meant—”

  “And as far as your Spirit Awards go,” he continued, turning to face her. “I hope you remember that there are far more important things in this world than trophies.” His bottom lip quivered a little, but he covered up the show of weakness by growling at the woman in charge and stomping out of the room without another word.

  The rest of us squirmed in discomfort while Wren tried to regroup. “I apologize,” she uttered.

  “We’re not the ones who need to hear those words from you,” Wyatt said with his arms crossed over his chest.

  My boss cleared her throat. “Well, all I am trying to do is encourage those of you with a clear lack of spirit to make an attempt this one time a year. I have heard the term Humbug used for those of you who turn your noses up at those of us with an abundance of Christmas spirit. Would you rather not be rid of such a moniker once and for all?”

  “It should be the right of every individual to participate or not,” Wyatt pushed as he stood up. “You’ve made your request, and now we get to decide whether or not to comply.” He held out his hand to me.

  I let him help me up out of the chair, and Vale joined me. The others took their cues from us and also rose to leave.

  “Vale and Aurora, I expect much more from the two of you as my employees,” Wren barked out in desperation.

  I tugged on Wyatt to stop before addressing the thinly veiled threat. “Ms. Wren, I will continue to do my job with the same enthusiasm I have provided since my first day.”

  “As will I,” Vale said in solidarity.

  “I do not question your participation, Miss Sugarplum. Your parents have raised you right in appreciating everything Holiday Haven has to offer. But I would be careful of where your loyalties lie,” Wren cautioned. “It would be a shame if your family’s reputation were to be tarnished by who you choose to hang out with. Or perhaps you could use your influence to encourage those you claim as friends to do the right thing. Just think about it.”

  I headed out hand-in-hand with Wyatt followed by the other stragglers at the end of the meeting. As we approached the back of the room, Rocky waited by the door and ducked through it right before us. We all drew in deep breaths of the frigid evening air to clear the confusion and irritation from our systems.

  “Well, that was fairly unpleasant,” Clarence declared as he approached us. “I felt quite like a little schoolboy being called to the front of the class for disobedience.”

  “And I like your understated decorations,” I said to the vampire. “I don’t think doing anything over the top is what’s going to win or lose any prizes.”

  “Precisely,” he agreed with a sigh. “Oh well, you are all welcome to come back to my pub for some cheer. And by that, I mean some of my Holid-Ale.”