EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the seventh chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children.

Right next to Mistletoe Manor was a small diner called Frost and Feast where they fueled up on burgers and fries. The diner was busy, with conversations from each table mixing with the cheerful holiday music playing overhead. The atmosphere was inviting and the food was good, and they left full and content.

The family strolled through the center of town, taking in the sights. Dad wanted to walk past their car, and was slightly dismayed to see it was still an ice-covered lump. But now, a few squirrels had joined the doves on the car’s roof. They looked like they were munching on candied nuts, and their beady black eyes followed Gabby and her family as they moved down the sidewalk.

“I’m not sure if they’re cute or creepy,” Mom commented, peeking over her shoulder at the animals. As if in response, the squirrels fluffed up their tails and nibbled on their food, like they were doing their best to tip the scales toward cute. Gabby smiled at them, and if it didn’t make her feel crazy, she’d swear one of them waved at her.

At the far end of the town square, a small frozen pond served as an ice-skating rink, and dozens of townsfolk were twirling around on the ice. A small stand was serving steaming cups of hot cocoa, piled high with marshmallows, and Noah insisted they all get a cup.

“On the house, of course,” the man behind the cocoa stand said with a wink as Dad tried to hand him money. “What you all are doing for our town is priceless.”

After thanking him profusely, they huddled together on a bench to enjoy their cocoa while watching the ice skaters.

“Everyone looks so happy,” Gabby commented. “Here, and in the diner. They don’t look like…well, like a town that’s losing their magic unless we help bring it back.”

Or a town that might not even really exist, she thought.

Mom laughed, ruffling Gabby’s hair. “A few days ago, I would have bet money that’s not a sentence you’d ever say.”

Gabby snorted. “Very true.”

At the same time, they all spotted Emily waving at them from across the lawn. She gestured for them to follow her.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say our evening is about to get a little more exciting,” Dad said as they made their way toward where Emily stood under a dark street lantern.

“And you’d be right to climb on that limb,” Emily called out, a small smile on her lips. “It’s the perfect evening to ask you to work your magic again,” she said with a wink. “And congratulations, by the way, on completing the Wishing Star Scavenger Hunt! You all did such a marvelous job.”

They met her at the base of a wrought-iron street lantern, its frosted glass panels dark. Around them, dozens of similar unlit lanterns lined the cobblestone streets as far as they could see. For the first time, Gabby realized that she hadn’t seen a single streetlight turn on since they’d been here.

Emily gestured toward the street. “As you may have noticed, all of our lanterns have gone out. Which is unfortunate, because these lanterns are an important part of Merrywood Falls. They represent the lights of joy, gratitude and togetherness, which are essential to keeping the town alive and its magic thriving. But they need more than just candles to shine — they need a special spark of thankfulness to get their lights glowing bright.”

She handed them each a plain red candle. “Your task is simple: light each lantern with joy in your heart, and let the magic of gratitude start.”

Gabby looked down at the tapered candle, then at the seemingly endless array of dark lanterns. “But how do we –“ She cut herself off, seeing that Emily had once again disappeared into thin air.

Read chapter 8 in tomorrow’s newspaper.