Harriet waited in the living room while Christina pulled her long brown hair back into a ponytail. She tugged on warm black Lululemons, an oversize blue cashmere sweater, and tossed on a white scarf covered with blue penguins—last year’s Christmas gift from Mimi. Thankful that she was a bit of a shoe addict, she slipped her feet into a pair of high black boots.

She hurried down the stairs. “Thanks for waiting, Harriet. I’m ready.”

Harriet scrutinized Christina. “You don’t look very Christmasy.”

“I don’t care. I’m warm.”

“Well, your hair looks nice. I suppose that’s one good thing about having curly hair.”

Christina laughed. Would Harriet ever be able to give a compliment without adding some kind of reservation? Oh, it didn’t matter. Harriet had taken the time to fetch her from the hospital and that meant a lot.

Harriet found a parking space in front of Jewel in the Sea, so the two women didn’t have far to walk to their shops. They headed down lower Main toward the wharf. The sky was blue and the air was almost balmy.

“Isn’t it ever going to snow?” Christina complained. “It’s Christmas, for heaven’s sake!”

“I don’t believe it,” Harriet said.

“What?” Christina turned to see Harriet a few steps behind her, in front of the restaurant b-ACK yard BBQ.

Christina went to stand next to Harriet. Through the large plate glass window, she saw Delia Bittlesman having lunch with Jacob. They were engrossed with each other, leaning forward so far their heads almost touched.

“Bastard,” Harriet said.

Christina linked her arm through Harriet’s. “Come on now, we can’t stand here gaping at them.” She dragged Harriet away from the restaurant window.

Harriet trudged along next to Christina, emitting an aura of misery. “Well, you saw him, too. Jacob’s getting up close and personal with Delia.” Harriet kicked at a pebble. “I wish those Bittlesmans had never come to the island.”

“I agree,” Christina said. “But listen, Harriet. I don’t think your snotty persona is working with Jacob. I wish you’d try being nicer to everyone and really nice to him. You’re beautiful. I think he’d respond well if you were…softer…with him.”

Harriet sighed. “I’d just make a fool of myself.”

“It takes courage to love someone,” Christina said.

“Now you sound like a greeting card.”

“Okay, that’s enough from me. Come on, the wharf is swarming with shoppers.”

Harriet pointed at a small square of land surrounded by sawhorses and yellow police tape. “The DPW certainly worked fast.”

Christina’s stomach dropped when she saw the site. She took Harriet’s hands in hers. “Harriet, thank you for taking the time to help me. I’ll treat you to dinner some night.”

“You don’t have to do that, Christina,” Harriet said. “We’re friends!”