The Case of the Stolen Star by Nana Ferrell

Author:Nana Ferrell [Ferrell, Nana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Phase Publishing LLC
Published: 2021-10-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

The reindeer barn was enormous and smelled of hay, straw, and clean animals, with a hint of cocoa in the air. Bright wondered why a barn would smell of cocoa. That didn’t make any sense, did it?

As they stepped inside, Merry Ann glanced down at him.

“I’m going to find someone to talk to,” she said. “You stay here and…”

“Don’t touch anything,” Bright finished for her. “But I don’t think I can hurt anything in a barn, Merry Ann.”

His sister smiled as he used her preferred name without stumbling over it.

“You’re right, but try to stay out of trouble, anyway,” she advised as she turned to walk further into the barn.

Bright looked around, fascinated by everything he saw. So many things hanging on the front wall; harnesses, bridles, and ropes of many sizes. On the floor, he saw barrels full of grain with large scoops hanging from their sides.

Along each side of the long barn, there were half-doors that he thought must lead to reindeer stalls. Peering closer, he saw each door had a nameplate attached. Beside the doors, there were bins with brushes and curry combs, as well as various boxes and bags. Bright couldn’t even imagine what might be in those.

He started to move toward the first stall door, but he stopped when he saw something glittering in the straw. He bent over to look closer. Reaching out, he brushed little straw away to reveal a silver button. Without thinking, he raised his camera and snapped a shot.

This time, the sound of jingle bells was much louder. He reached down and picked up the button. He recognized it as one that elflings wear to keep their baby pants on. He hadn’t worn those in a couple of years. That means whoever lost this button is one of the little North Pole elflings, he realized. He wondered if it was the same one who helped himself to the cocoa and fleece.

Bright decided to see if there were any elflings hiding in the barn. He stepped up to the first half-door. The nameplate said “Blitzen.” Carefully standing on his tiptoes, Bright peered inside.

There stood a large, brown reindeer wearing a red harness with silver bells hanging from it. The reindeer looked at him with big, chocolate-colored eyes. He blinked twice, then smiled.

Bright didn’t know whether to be reassured, scared, or amazed. He seemed to feel all of those emotions at the same time.

“Looking for something?” Blitzen asked.

Bright’s eyes widened. Definitely amazement, he decided. That’s what I feel the most. Amazement.

“Cat got your tongue?” the reindeer asked with a chuckle.

“I d-d-didn’t realize reindeer could talk,” Bright stammered. “I’ve lived here all my life, and I never knew that.”

Blitzen chuckled again. “We don’t talk to just anyone, usually only the reindeer keepers and Santa. But you looked like you were searching for something, and I knew I couldn’t help unless I knew what you were looking for.”

“I’m not looking for something, necessarily,” Bright answered thoughtfully. “More like someone… I think.”

“You don’t know what or who you’re looking for?” Blitzen asked, sounding curious.

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