by Nancy Thayer
“Now let’s go eat!” Wink cried.
“Wait, Wink. I’ve got another present for Christina.”
Andy crossed the room and sat next to Christina. He handed her his present.
Christina peeled away the silver paper to find a small black velvet box. She hesitated before opening it. When she opened it, she gasped. The ring was a beautiful ruby surrounded by diamonds.
She knew her face was flushing as she gazed at the ring.
“I’d like to think of it as a pre-engagement ring,” Andy said softly.
“It belonged to my mother,” Oscar announced, a catch in his voice.
“It belonged to Oscar’s mother?” Christina was dumbfounded. It was true that during this hour in the Bittlesmans’ house, she felt welcome and happy and among friends. It was true that she loved Andy. But wait! Her mind was racing. She tried to slow herself down. “This is an amazing gift, Andy.” She looked into his blue eyes and what she saw there warmed her to the bottom of her heart. “But it’s an heirloom. I don’t know—”
“Oh, Christina,” Wink said, “just take it!”
Christina laughed. “Okay. I will.”
Andy took the ring from its velvet nest and slid it onto Christina’s finger.
It fit perfectly.
Christina burst into tears.
“Mommy, why is Christina crying?” Wink asked, alarmed.
“Sometimes people cry when they’re happy,” Delia told her.
Andy took Christina in his arms. He whispered in her ear, “I love you.”
Janice said, “Wink, she’s probably crying because she’s hungry. I think we should have dinner.” She hurried out of the room.
Oscar rose from his chair. “Come on, Wink, let’s lead everyone into dinner.”
Wink seized her grandfather’s hand. “It’s like a parade!”
After Wink and Oscar came Delia and Jeff, then Christina and Andy. They processed into the dining room. Christina gasped. Janice was lighting candles that stood among a king’s ransom of silver gleaming on the long table. The centerpiece was a long, low, lush mix of red and white roses. Sparkling crystal glasses and silver flatware sat close to white and red china.
Oscar announced that Janice had cooked the food but he had hired several people from a catering staff to help her serve. The room echoed with laughter as they enjoyed the tender roast lamb, buttered vegetables, and wine, and for Wink, bubbling water. When Wink carried in the flaming baked Alaska, everyone clapped and Wink’s face was rosy with joy. A server poured champagne, and Jeff let his daughter taste a sip, and Christina saw how Delia’s face softened as she watched her husband with their little girl.
When the meal finished, Oscar rose. “And now it’s time for my traditional Christmas nap.”
“What a good idea,” Delia said. “Wink, let’s go upstairs. Daddy and I are going to take a nap. You may read or play with your toys, but we’re all going to rest. You’ll stay in your room for an hour.”
“I’ll carry you up,” Jeff said, and lifted a delighted Wink onto his shoulders.
Christina and Andy returned to the living room and stood a moment looking at the tall, glorious tree.
“What would you like to do now?” Andy asked.
“Truly? I’d like to be in my own house with you. It’s silly, but I haven’t given Mittens her present yet, and…”
“And it’s more private,” Andy finished for her.
“Yes.” Christina grinned. “There is that.”
“I’ll get my keys,” Andy said, moving toward the hall.
“Or not,” Christina said. “You could ride over with me.” She paused. “And spend the night.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d like more,” Andy told her.
They shrugged into their warm coats and caps and gloves and hurried out to her car. The town was quiet as if hushed by the snowy day. Christina had left her Christmas tree lights on, and when she pulled into the driveway, she saw Mittens sitting in the window, looking forlorn. They hurried into her house and shed their coats.
“Poor lonely girl,” Christina said, picking up the cat and cuddling her.
She curled up on the sofa into Andy’s arms, and the cat snuggled up to Christina.
“This is the perfect way to get warm,” she said. Lifting her hand, she turned it this way and that, watching the gems sparkle in the light. “Andy, this is a beautiful gift.”
“The first of many, I hope.” He shifted on the sofa, pulling a cushion behind him. “I’m planning to move here in January. I’ve told Oscar I’d like to live with him for a few months to get used to island life in the winter and to let you get used to the thought of marriage.”
Christina nodded and stroked her fingers through Mittens’s fur. The cat purred.
“Andy, is there any chance that if, when, we get married, we could live in this house? It’s a solid house, and it’s large and roomy and close to town…”
“I don’t know, Christina,” Andy said. “It’s a possibility. But you know, I’ve never seen the second floor of this house.”
“Oh, it’s wonderful,” Christina assured him. “Five bedrooms, only one bath, but there’s a fireplace in the master bedroom.”
“Could you show me?” Andy asked with a gleam in his eye.
“Of course,” Christina said. “Let’s go up—”
Someone pounded loudly on the front door. Mittens leapt from Christina’s arms and hid under the sofa. Christina straightened her clothing and went to the door, feeling worried and miffed by the interruption.
“Christina!” Mimi cried.
“Christina!” Harriet cried.
“Christina!” Jacob cried.
The three crowded in to her front hall.
“Is everything okay?” Andy came to stand by her, his hand on her waist, and she was grateful for the comfort. What now? her Inner Christina demanded.
“Look!” Jacob said. Pulling an envelope out of his pocket, he said, “Delia came to my house this afternoon.”
“Delia came to your house?” Christina asked.
“She said her father asked her to deliver this letter to me, and I was to share it with all of you, and you all would get your own letter in the mail.”
“Have you read it yet?” Mimi asked.
“I’ve been tempted, but I waited for you all. I’ll open it and read it now, all right?”
Christina, Harriet, and Mimi nodded.
Jacob began to read. “ ‘To Mimi Mattes, Jacob Greenwood, Harriet—’ ”
“Jacob!” Harriet cried. “Cut to the chase!”
“ ‘Because of the one absorbing hour I spent in Christina’s Toy Shop, I decided that…’ Oh, my gosh!” Jacob was shocked into silence.
“Jacob!” Harriet yelled.
“Sorry, sorry. It’s just such a surprise. Here we go, ‘…I decided that the buildings on the wharf are uncomfortable, cramped, and bitterly cold in the winter and unsuitable for such talented people as you four. Therefore I have ordered my lawyer to draw up papers to lower the rent paid on these buildings by twenty percent.’ ”
“Shut up!” Harriet cried. Leaning forward, she pulled the letter from Jacob’s hand. “Get out of town! That’s really what it says. Twenty percent!” She handed the letter to Mimi. She threw her arms around Christina. “You did it! Thank you! Oh, where’s the champagne? We should celebrate!”
“There’s more,” Mimi said, staring at the letter.
“What?” Harriet cried.
“ ‘If Christina Antonioni tries to talk you out of this, don’t let her. She does not receive gifts easily. Furthermore, this is not a personal gift. This is a business decision.’ ”
Harriet, Jacob, and Mimi stared at Christina.
“I will kill you with my bare hands,” Harriet thre
atened.
“You won’t have to,” Christina promised. “I’m delighted with this letter.”
She looked up at Andy. “Did you know about this?”
“Not the specifics, but the general idea,” Andy said.
“It’s only logical,” Christina said. “Because Oscar managed to stay in the shed for an hour, he learned the condition the sheds are in.”
“Oscar, is it now?” Harried asked, arching one eyebrow.
“Yes. It’s Oscar.” Christina had to bite her tongue to keep from boasting, He’s going to be my father-in-law. Harriet would have to be revived with brandy if she knew that.
“This is a spectacular Christmas present!” Mimi said.
“But this isn’t all because of my challenge,” Christina reminded them. “What does it say in the letter? The sheds are unsuitable for such talented people as we four? I’d say that’s quite a compliment to our caroling!”
“Maybe you’re right,” Harriet said.
“Well, I think it’s wonderful,” Andy told them all. “I’m sure my father was touched by the caroling, and I’m also sure that once he knew the state of the sheds, he knew he should live up to his responsibilities as a landlord and improve your buildings.”
“I agree,” Jacob said.
As if she’d only just noticed it, Harriet said, “Oh, you’re here, Andy. I mean on Christmas Day.” Cattily, she added, “How nice for Christina not to have to be alone.”
And then, because it was true, and wonderful, and because she was only human after all, Christina said, “I’m not sure ‘nice’ does justice to the occasion.” And she flashed her ruby and diamond ring.
Harriet shrieked. Mimi hugged her. Jacob said, “Congratulations.”
Mimi, always the most sensitive one, said, “Okay, we’re leaving now!”
“But, the champagne,” Harriet said.
“We’ll have it at my house.” Mimi politely redistributed her bulk so that she could urge Harriet and Jacob to the door. “Merry Christmas!”
Christina and Andy stood in the doorway waving goodbye to their unexpected guests.
“What a great Christmas present,” Christina said.
“I think you were just about to show me the upstairs of the house,” Andy reminded her with a smile.
“So you’d really like to live here when we”—Don’t freeze now, her Inner Christina commanded—“are married?”
“Yeah,” Andy answered. “I like this house.”
“I like you in it.”
Christina took his hand as they went up the stairs.
They didn’t come down until morning.
This book is for
Ellias
&
Adeline F10
&
Emmett
&
Anathea
acknowledgments
When I started writing Let It Snow, the first sentence flew onto the page exactly as it is now. It was as if I was watching real people, and I knew their names at once.
Wink. I know two people on Nantucket named Wink. One is a beautiful young woman. The other is a charming older man. Neither one is a nine-year-old girl. My Wink showed up on the page entirely and completely herself, and she brought the novel with her.
I’ve always wanted to use the name Christina, after the gorgeous woman with the tumbling dark hair who works in a shop on Nantucket. Actually, I wanted to use her first and last names, but that could get tricky. But my Christina also appeared as magically as Wink, and I just hitched onto them and let them take me into the story.
Okay, it wasn’t all magical. I truly could not have written this book without the help, suggestions, and advice from my brilliant editor, Shauna Summers, and from the ever-quick-witted Meg Ruley and Christina Hogrebe. Now that I think about it, maybe it was magical, because those three women knew exactly what was needed and what to do. Thank you, Shauna, Meg, and Christina.
I realize every day how fortunate I am to be with the Ballantine team. Gina Centrello, Kara Welsh, and Kim Hovey, I send you pots of gratitude. Lexi Batsides, you have always been so helpful, and so quick! Thank you. Allison Schuster and Karen Fink, you’ve done marvels with the publicity, especially during that stretch of time when I wasn’t always conscious or lucid. Really, you two are champions.
I’ve been fortunate to have Madeline Hopkins as copyeditor. Or is it copy-editor? A friend sent me the most marvelous, witty, and helpful book titled (or is it entitled?) Dreyer’s English, about the correct use of punctuation and grammar and all the bits and pieces that make a book comprehensible and enjoyable. If you’re a writer, buy it. If you like to laugh, buy it. But back to Madeline Hopkins—thank you so sincerely and enormously for your careful work. And Jennifer Rodriguez, thank you. You both made a great difference in this book that I care about so much.
Thanks to Sara Mallion, Chris Mason, Alexandra LaPaglia, and more recently Susan McGinnis (who I’ll just quickly mention played Miranda’s secretary in Sex and the City) for all your help with publicity and general stuff.
Jill, Deborah, Martha, Tricia, Janet, Sofiya, Toni, Antonia, Mary, John, and Mark, I prize every moment I get to be with you.
Josh, David, Sam, Tommy, Ellias, Adeline, Emmett, and Annie, you guys are just WOW!
And my husband, Charley—what a miracle that we found each other. In the evenings, when we sit in our comfortable, slightly sagging armchairs, each reading a book while our cat Callie purrs next to Charley, it is heaven.
Finally, I hope my Facebook readers know how precious they are to me. They brighten my life and make my world larger, and more beautiful. Thank you all.
by nancy thayer
Let It Snow
Surfside Sisters
A Nantucket Wedding
Secrets in Summer
The Island House
A Very Nantucket Christmas
The Guest Cottage
An Island Christmas
Nantucket Sisters
A Nantucket Christmas
Island Girls
Summer Breeze
Heat Wave
Beachcombers
Summer House
Moon Shell Beach
The Hot Flash Club Chills Out
Hot Flash Holidays
The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again
The Hot Flash Club
Custody
Between Husbands and Friends
An Act of Love
Belonging
Family Secrets
Everlasting
My Dearest Friend
Spirit Lost
Morning
Nell
Bodies and Souls
Three Women at the Water’s Edge
Stepping
about the author
NANCY THAYER is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including Surfside Sisters, A Nantucket Wedding, Secrets in Summer, The Island House, The Guest Cottage, An Island Christmas, Nantucket Sisters, and Island Girls. Born in Kansas, Thayer has been a resident of Nantucket for thirty-five years, where she currently lives with her husband, Charley, and a precocious rescue cat named Callie.
nancythayer.com
Facebook.com/NancyThayerBooks
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