Molly and the Midnight Bell

A Beagle Book Club Story
Snow still blanketed the Beagle Farm, soft and white from the Christmas storm that had swept through Cedar Holler earlier in the week. The lights on the farmhouse still twinkled, and the scent of Sierra’s homemade biscuits lingered in the air.
Inside, the Beagle Family was getting ready for New Year’s Eve.
Andy and Mandy helped set out snacks.
Sierra added a log to the fire.
Major Rusty tuned the radio to the local countdown station.
And little Molly… well, Molly couldn’t keep still for even a second.
She paced.
She peeked out the window.
She sniffed every draft from every door.
“What’s gotten into you?” Mandy laughed.
Molly leaned in close, whispering, “What if Comet Jr. comes back? What if Santa Paws sends a message? I swear I smell something magical…”
And before anyone could answer—
WHOOSH…
A soft rush of cold, sparkling air swept past the porch windows.
Molly’s ears perked up.
Her nose twitched.
“I KNEW IT!”
She bolted out the door and slid into the snowy yard.