She had to start thinking of alternatives for her life. Her shop, and all the Shedders’ shops, were geared toward the tourists visiting Nantucket for a day or two. These people didn’t have cars, and didn’t need them. The town was compact and easy to walk around. For that reason, rent in any space in town was exorbitant. Maybe she and Mimi and the others could find a space they could all share…

Someone tapped on the door. Surprised, Christina saw that it was nine o’clock. She hurried to let the customer in, and for the rest of the morning she was ringing up sales and couldn’t think about anything else.

At noon, the rush of customers slowed, then vanished. Everyone treasured hot lunches on this cold day. Christina was just about to call Mimi to see if the Shedders were having lunch at her shop when she saw Andy walking to her door.

“Merry Christmas, Andy,” she said, letting him in, locking the door behind him, and changing the small plastic OPEN sign in the window for the WILL RETURN IN THIRTY MINUTES one.

“Merry Christmas, Christina.”

Before she could think twice, Andy took her in his arms and kissed her quite thoroughly.

“Wow!” she said when they came up for air. “You’re in a fine mood today!”

Andy grinned. “I’m always in a fine mood when I’m with you, Christina. But wait,” he joked. “There’s more!”

He reached into his breast pocket and brought out an envelope.

“My father wants me to give this to you.”

Christina took a step back. “Is he suing me?”

Andy laughed. “Just the opposite. Open it!”

Warily, Christina slit open the envelope and took out two crisp sheets of paper.

The first one was an official letter from Oscar, stamped by a notary public.

The second sheet was the deed to her shed.

Christina gasped. She read Oscar’s letter carefully.

“Read it out loud,” Andy urged.

“Okay. ‘I, Oscar Ferdinand Bittlesman, do hereby freely and without compulsion, give the deed and title to Building 36A to Christina Antonioni.’ ”

Christina stopped reading and simply stood there, staring at the paper.

“Well?” Andy asked. “Isn’t that great?”

Christina straightened her shoulders and stared Andy in the eyes. “I can’t accept this, Andy.” She handed the papers back to him.

“I don’t understand.”

“Andy, I can’t take ownership of this shed and let my friends lose theirs. They can’t pay ten percent more in rent. It wouldn’t be right.” She blinked back tears.

“I’m sorry,” Andy said. “Father thought this would please you.”

“I’m sorry I’m so prickly,” Christina answered. “Look, I have to focus on my shop now. I need some time to think.”

“Can I see you tonight?”