“We need to get home to get Wink to bed,” Delia said.

“Yes, and I’ll need to help Oscar,” Janice added.

Andy looked at Christina. “Didn’t you mention something about a midnight church service?”

Christina smiled. “Yes. It’s at ten-thirty.”

“I’d like to go with you,” Andy said.

Of course you would, Christina thought, because I’ve fallen and hit my head and all of this is a dream.

“I’d love that,” she answered.

It took a while for the others to gather their various boots, coats, and gloves. Christina and Andy stood on the porch, shivering in the cold, waving goodbye to Delia, Jeff, and Wink, who sat in the backseat of the Range Rover, and to Oscar and Janice, side by side in the front. Janice was driving. Wink, Christina saw through the window, was talking.

Christina and Andy sat together on the sofa, mugs of hot coffee in their hands, looking at the Christmas tree.

“Christina,” Andy said, “I’ve decided to move here permanently. I’ve told my father.”

“Wow,” Christina said. “How did he take it?”

“He grumbled at first, but I discussed various ways I can branch off from investing into philanthropy. He’s aware he’s getting older, he’s entertained by the idea of giving back, and the novelty of having people like him. He knows he’ll stay here year-round.”

“Does Janice have anything to do with this?”

Andy grinned. “Oh, yes. As you know, she grew up here and knows everything about the place. She took the job of cook and general housekeeper three years ago, and since then, well, with her help, Oscar has mellowed.”

Christina muffled her IC who snipped, If Oscar has mellowed I’m glad I didn’t know him when he was tense!

Andy continued, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they had some kind of really leisurely romance going on. They developed a routine for their daily lives, revolving around meals, and Janice goes with him out to dinner or to movies or plays or to parties in the summer.”

Christina smiled. “Lovely.”

“Yes,” Andy said, “being part of a couple is lovely for most people.” He paused. He cleared his throat. He said, “I’d like to be part of a couple with you.”

Christina couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. She babbled on, as if what Andy had just said was something like I’d like to believe a couple is two, which didn’t make any sense, but she was kind of in a state of shock.

“What about Wink? And Delia?”

“It’s hard to believe but Delia and Jeff have reunited. Jeff flew to the island a few days ago and he and Delia spent some time together walking and talking on the beach. Jeff went back to the city, but he returned this morning. They’ve been acting like teenagers.”

“What about Wink?” Christina asked.