“How’s Wink?” Christina asked, gently sliding her hand away from Andy’s.

“She’s been better,” Andy admitted. “Her parents’ divorce is difficult for her. I think it’s worse because she’s an only child. We thought it would be fun for her to spend Christmas on the island, but we didn’t count on the cold. She can’t play on the beach or go swimming. There’s no snow for a snowman. And she doesn’t know any other kids.”

“Have you taken her to the library?” Christina suggested. “There’s a marvelous children’s wing.”

“Well, no,” Andy said, “we haven’t thought of that. I’ll tell Delia.”

“Tell her about the Whaling Museum, too. It’s a fabulous place for kids Wink’s age. It’s got a real whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling.”

“That sounds great. I’d like to see it, too.”

“And when the weather’s decent,” Christina added, caught up in Andy’s enthusiastic response, “you can walk up to The Creeks at the end of the harbor. And along the wharves. Dolphins have been spotted there recently.”

“Really? Cool.” For a moment Andy stood daydreaming. Lowering his head, he peered up at her from beneath his long lashes. “I don’t suppose you’d like to come along, too?”

Christina couldn’t help herself—it was a stimulus-response kind of thing—her eyes flew to his left hand. No wedding ring.

“But you’re probably busy,” Andy continued, suddenly flustered. “Or married. Or at least engaged.” He was looking at her ring finger, too.

Christina laughed. “Not married. Not engaged. But overwhelmed. The month of December is crazy busy.”

“Oh, well, sure, I understand.” Andy cocked his head, studying Christina. “How about in the evenings? Could I take you out to dinner?”

“Oh,” Christina protested, suddenly embarrassed. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I don’t have to, but I certainly would like to,” Andy told her.

“Well…” Christina paused. “Don’t you have to get back to the city?”

“Not until I’ve taken you out to dinner, Christina Antonioni,” Andy Bittlesman said.

His smile was like an arrow straight into her heart.

Christina felt herself blush. She’d never been so instantly attracted to anyone since…well, she’d never been so instantly attracted to anyone. It was terrifying.

“How about tomorrow night?” Andy asked. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a delicious meal after a hard day’s work in a toy shop?”

Christina checked to see if he was being sarcastic about the “hard day’s work” bit, but his smile was genuine.

“All right,” she conceded. “Yes, it would be lovely to go out to dinner.”

“Great! Should I pick you up here?”

“Um, no. I’ll need to go home to drop off some things.” And, she thought, take a shower, change clothes, put on lipstick, eyeliner, perfume…

“What’s your address?”