“Right. I mean, yes, take this left.”

Soon they were at Moors End Farm, wandering through a forest of evergreens of all sizes and shapes.

“Let’s get a really big one for Granddad’s house,” Wink said.

While Wink and Andy concentrated on the tall trees, Christina studied the shorter ones, especially the pines with their wonderful scent. She wanted a tree she could handle by herself, without anyone’s help, and that limited the size. But now that she was here, she knew she needed a Christmas tree in her home. An evergreen tree was a living, spiritual presence. So many nights of her life she had sat in the dark just looking at their Christmas tree with its small, glowing lights, while a deep peace floated over her. Now as she moved among the evergreens, a forgotten sense of anticipation and happiness and hope awoke in her heart. Tears came to her eyes.

She saw one medium-sized tree, an A-shaped, thickly branched tree. “Oh, you’re perfect,” she said.

“Christina!” Wink, all smiles and excitement, raced over and tugged her hand. “Christina! Look what we chose! Isn’t it tall?”

“Goodness! And isn’t it fat! You’ll need to make lots of ornaments for that tree.”

The Christmas tree guy helped Andy tie the big tree to the top of his car. Christina marked the tree she wanted.

“I’d like to pay for this now and come back later with my car,” she told the clerk.

“We’ll help you,” Andy said.

Christina jumped. She hadn’t realized he was so near.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary…”

“No, but it will be easier, and fun. We’ll pick it up tomorrow night. I’ll help you get it in the stand. And for a reward, I’ll take some of those cookies Wink’s been talking about.”

“It’s a deal,” Christina said.

The night was dark and cold as they drove back to town, but the Christmas lights around roofs and porches twinkled like stars. Main Street was breathtaking with its rows of small evergreens wrapped in lights. Andy was driving them to his father’s house—Wink had begged for Christina to help begin the decoration of their tree. Christina was reluctant. She didn’t know if grumpy Oscar Bittlesman would show his face and make a fuss because a stranger was in his house.

But she would be there because of Wink, and surely even unpleasant Oscar Bittlesman had a soft spot in his heart for his adorable granddaughter.

She didn’t need to worry. Janice Harris, the housekeeper, informed them that Mr. Bittlesman had already had his dinner and gone upstairs to his study. And of course Mrs. Lombard was in New York.