Oscar flapped his hand, as if the evening meant nothing. “I’m sure we’ll be talking again,” he said, and just like that, he morphed from stiff but likeable curmudgeon to rapacious landlord.

Wink left the room, holding her mother’s hand. Oscar followed.

“I have to go, too,” Christina said.

“I wish I could drive you home,” Andy told her as they went into the hall where Janice stood holding Christina’s coat.

“I drove here myself,” Christina reminded him. She wanted to kiss him good night, but Janice Harris was obviously determined to watch what happened next. “But I wish you could drive me home, too,” she added in a softer voice, letting her eyes meet Andy’s.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” Andy told her.

Christina smiled. She turned to Janice. “Thank you for the delicious meal, Janice.”

“You’re more than welcome,” Janice said. “I hope I see you here again.”

Janice’s words made Christina feel warm and cozy, and then she stepped out onto the front porch.

It was raining.

“Brrr! If it’s going to be this cold, we should at least have some snow!”

Andy took her hands in his. “I would love to keep you warm.”

She smiled. “I’d like that, too.”

“What did you think of Father?”

Christina took a moment to choose her words. “He’s certainly impressive. Not quite as terrifying as I expected, and clearly he’s got a soft spot for Wink.”

“True. She’s the apple of his eye.” Andy pulled her close to him. “Can I see you tomorrow night?”

“I don’t know. The store will be busy tomorrow.” At the thought of the store, the knowledge of the rent hike hit her full force. “Andy…I have to tell you something. Just to clear the air.”

“Okay.”

Christina pulled away from him. “I don’t want…oh, I’ll just tell you. Your father has raised the rent on our sheds by ten percent, starting February first. I received a letter yesterday, and so did all the other Shedders.”

“I didn’t know that,” Andy told her, speaking quietly. “That will be hard for you all, right?”

A streak of anger whipped through her. “Hard for us? It’ll mean we will no longer be able to continue renting the sheds.” Christina turned her face, not wanting him to see the helpless tears rising in her eyes. “I’m going to have to close my shop.”

“Christina, I had no idea. I’d offer to talk to my father, but right now I’m afraid that would do more harm than good. He’s furious with me because I want to move to the island.”