Could she tell Andy that she was breaking it off with him because his father was such a miser? She had strong, honest feelings for Andy, but could she possibly think that they could be together long-term when his father was a mean, unpleasant, cranky old scrooge with a heart of ice?

The music was heavenly. Her thoughts were not.

After the concert, they drove to Mimi’s party.

“I bet you can tell which house is Mimi’s,” Christina said as they turned onto Mimi’s street.

“Could it possibly be the one with the sleigh and reindeer on the roof, Frosty on one side of the yard, and the crèche and wise men and even a donkey on the other side?”

Christina laughed. “Mimi really likes Christmas. Since her husband, Jude, died, the neighbors help put up this light show every year.”

They had to park down the block because so many cars were already there. Inside the house, laurel wrapped the staircase handrail, elves hung from picture frames, and angels swung from the chandelier over the dining room table. Anything that couldn’t move was tied with red and green ribbon.

The house was packed with people, so Christina took Andy’s hand to lead him to the bedroom where they dropped their coats. The dining room table was laden with cheeses, a ham, biscuits and honey, crackers and dip, and about a hundred different kinds of Christmas cookies.

“Come with me,” Christina yelled at Andy. “I want you to meet Mimi.”

They found her in the kitchen, slicing a three-layer Christmas cake.

“So nice to meet you!” Mimi said over her shoulder. “Go drink some eggnog. You’ll like me much better after you’ve had a cup.”

Christina laughed and guided Andy back into the noisy mass of the party. They found the creamy, frothy eggnog in a crystal bowl in the living room and ladled themselves each a cup.

Andy coughed after his first sip. “What’s in this?”

Christina said, “I think the main ingredients are ice cream and brandy.”

“Hey,” Andy said. “There’s my sister. I didn’t know she was coming.”

Christina turned. Delia wore a green velvet dress. Her hair was in an upsweep. She looked very pretty, and Jacob seemed to think so, too, as he leaned close to hear her.

“Who is Jacob?” Andy asked Christina.

“That’s what I want to know!” Harriet, wearing an extremely low-cut gold dress, accosted Christina, clutching her arm, maybe to get Christina’s attention, but maybe to help herself get her balance.

“I mean really,” Harriet continued. “You’re her brother, tell me why she’s stalking Jacob.”

“I don’t believe she’s stalking—”

Harriet interrupted. “Okay, fine. But look at them! I’m prettier than she is.”

Christina intervened, pushing Harriet to the left to help her stand straight. “Harriet, this is my friend Andy. Andy, I believe Harriet has had a little too much eggnog.”