“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 threatened.

“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.