The two sprites float lazily in the Coffee Depot’s holiday blend. They’ve had their fill, and I will need to scoop them back into their container soon. For now, I let them bask in the steam and Sadie’s attention.
“They missed you.” I realize now that the sprite bent on destroying the K&M storefront display was one of Sadie’s. “This one—or maybe this one.” I point. “Tried to warn me.”
“They tried to warn me, too,” she says.
Sadie is sitting at the kitchen table, her chin in her hand. Her salt and pepper curls are tipped in red and green. Tiny replicas of Christmas ornaments dangle from her ears. She’s been baking all day long and her entire house smells warm and alive again. Rich chocolate, something savory with sage and onion, and something else that’s gingery with a lot of bite. No won
