’Twas the night before Christmas, when through Willowcroft town
Not a creature was stirring, even Lockie sat down.
The stockings were hung in Bookworm Haven with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Tammy was nestled all snug in her nook,
With a cocoa beside her and half of a book.
Olivia sorted ribbons in neat little rows,
While visions of first editions danced on her prose.

Mrs. Temperance folded her shawls for the night,
Each stitch warmed by memory, each color just right.
Lockie patrolled with a twitch of his tail,
Protecting the cookies and stealing some mail.

Xander refreshed pages on screens lined with code,
Tracking Santa by satellite over Michigan’s snow.
Wally made his last rounds, then nodded just right,
Old habits still clung, even Christmas Eve night. 

When out near the square rose a soft little clatter,
The sleuths hurried out to see what was the matter.
They crossed through the market, past wreaths trimmed with bows,
Through lantern-lit pathways that twinkled with snow.

The spruce in the centre glowed merry and bright,
Yet someone was rustling beneath it this night.
They crept in a circle, a whispering ring,
Expecting a culprit, a thief, or a fling.

But what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a jolly old figure with twinkling cheer.
No danger, no puzzle, no villainous plan,
Just Santa himself with a mittened handspan.

He straightened his bag with a wink and a grin.
“My friends of Willowcroft, shall we begin?”
He opened his satchel and out came a treat,
For every good sleuth from the end of the street.

For Tammy a notebook as crisp as fresh snow,
For Olivia bookmarks in a neat winter bow.
For Mrs. T yarn in a deep festive green,
Soft as the memories of Christmases seen.

For Wally a thermos to warm his cold beat,
For Xander a gadget that beeped when he sneezed.
And Lockie, of course, got a fish-shaped delight,
Which he batted and chased through the calm winter night.

Then Santa looked down at the lantern-lit square,
At the townsfolk who treasured each other with care.
“You solve every mystery with heart at the core,
So I’m granting you peace for this night and no more.”

He sprang to his sleigh with a laugh pure and bright.
“Merry Christmas, Willowcroft, and to all a good night.”