“Deck the halls with boughs of holly!” Christina sang. Suddenly she was overflowing with song and a sense of good will and celebration. Shivering, she closed the door, turned back to the kitchen, and quickly opened a can of food for Mittens, who clearly did not feel uplifted by her singing. Christina ate a piece of toast thick with butter and cherry preserves and drank a cup of coffee while she made her lunch. Taking another cup of coffee with her, she went upstairs and showered, still singing. By the time she’d finished all the verses of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” she was out of the shower and ready to dress, and she was in such a good mood—such a Christmasy mood—that she paired her best sweater, a green cashmere pullover, with yoga pants and knee-high red boots. She chose her brightest red lipstick and added her Christmas bell earrings. Standing in front of her mirror, she assessed herself. She looked gorgeous and festive. Maybe a bit over the top, too, but if she couldn’t do it this close to Christmas, when could she?

It was too cold to bike to work, so she drove to Union Street and parked in a summer friend’s driveway. She strode toward the wharf in her A-line red wool coat, and the hem flipped with each step. She waved at passing acquaintances, and then as she stepped onto the brick wharf, she slowed down and paid attention to each step. Bricks were beautiful and historic, but easy to slip on, even in the summer.

“Merry Christmas!” she called to Mimi, who was just opening her shop.

“Merry Christmas!” Mimi called back.

She passed Jacob’s shed and Harriet’s, and saw the lights of their shops spring to life. To her delight, she had customers waiting by her own door.

“Merry Christmas!” she greeted them. “Come in!”

The hours sped by as she knew they would, with people of all ages rushing in and out. Wooden baby rattles, child-size picnic baskets, mermaids, pirates, ships, and lighthouses were snatched up triumphantly. “The perfect present!” several people cried.

Christina was so pleased to see their joy at finding just the right thing. She couldn’t believe it when the town clock struck noon. The store emptied out as people rushed off to meet friends and family for lunch.

Her phone buzzed. Delia had texted: I’m going to have Wink with me all day. We’re going to do some Christmas shopping. Actually, she probably won’t be able to “work” with you anymore. Thank you for giving her something fun to do.

“Well, damn!” her Inner Christina said.

“It’s all right,” Christina said aloud as she stood alone in her shop. “I was only being nice to a little girl.”

Yeah, too bad that little girl stole your heart, her IC said.