“Bring it in!” Christina led him to the kitchen.

Andy set the pot on the stove, turned the heat to low, and lifted the lid. A mouthwatering aroma filled the air.

“That smells amazing,” Christina told Andy.

And then she looked at him, really looked at him, with his blue eyes and his sweet mouth.

She said, “Hello.”

“Hello,” he said.

Leaning over, he kissed her softly, briefly on her lips.

Stepping back, Andy said, “The chowder’s almost ready. I need to add this pint of cream and then we just have to warm it up.”

“Want a glass of white wine while you work?”

“Sure.”

“I’ve made a salad,” Christina said.

“Perfect.”

Andy stirred the chowder, Christina added the finishing touches to their dinner, and Mittens came sauntering in, waving her tail and weaving around Andy’s ankles.

“Hang on, beauty queen. I’ll fish out a few clams for you in a minute.”

Mittens purred, as if she understood.

When Mittens was satisfied and the room was warm and fragrant, Christina and Andy settled at the kitchen table, their chowder steaming from deep bowls. For a while, they only ate, and the chowder was so rich and delicious, Christina nearly purred herself.

She sat back in her chair and sipped her wine. “How’s Wink? I called and told her not to come in today because business would be so slow.”

“Good thing. Delia thinks she’s coming down with a cold and kept her in bed all day. She even allowed her to watch TV and videos on her phone. I think Oscar played a game of checkers with her.”

“I’m glad your father’s such a good grandfather.”

“At this time in her life, she needs all the good males around her she can get. She’s been pretty much abandoned by her father. She can’t afford to dislike her grandfather.”

“I understand.”

“I think you’ve been a good influence on her, Christina,” Andy said.

“I hope so. She learns fast. She’s become a real help in the shop. But more than that, she’s just a darling little girl.” Her heart swelled with love for Wink. Silly Christina, she thought, quickly looking down.

Andy continued, “I wonder if she isn’t also influenced…to be honest, I think I mean enchanted by this island. I mean, this town is absolutely the size for a child to grasp. It’s like a story. The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. The Christmas trees and the lights turn this into a fairy tale. I think Wink is happier than she’s been in her young life.”

“I’m glad. I agree, the town can often enchant people. But, Andy, what’s going to happen when she returns to New York?”

“She’ll be able to come here for summers and holidays. Delia and Wink can stay at our father’s house.”