Hsu v$.$ Abbara

On June $5,1987,$ the Abbaras listed their home for sale at $$299,900$ with Roy Rhino of Merrill Lynch Realty. The Hsus made an offer to purchase the home for $$285,000$ through their agent Ben Lin on June $8,1987.$ The purchase agreement contained a provision for attorney's fees: $"$In any action between Broker, BUYER or SELLER arising out of this agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and costs." On June $9,$ the Abbaras made a counter offer on a standard purchase agreement for $$297,000,$ set to expire at $5$ p$.$m$.$ on June $10,$ and this counter offer incorporated the terms of the original offer. The Hsus viewed the property a second time and on the bottom of the counter offer wrote "All terms are accepted except price to be $$292,000"$ and "this counter offer is good until $11$ a$.$m$.$ on June $10."$

On the evening of June $9,$ Lin spoke with Rhino to see if the Abbaras would take a price under $$297,000.$ Rhino said to present a new written offer. Lin called again to say that the Hsus were firm at $$292,000.$ On June $10,$ Abbaras told Rhino no on $$292,000$ and to go back to $$299,900.$

The afternoon of June $10,$ Rhino received the Abbaras' counter offer $($$$297,000)$ with the "All terms are accepted except price to be $$292,000"$ lined out. In its place was handwritten "offer terms are accepted." Rhino called the Abbaras to report that Hsus agreed on $$297,000.$ Abbaras said anything less than full price was not acceptable. Rhino was unsuccessful in finding another house for the Abbaras, who then decided not to sell. Rhino prepared escrow instructions, which Hsus signed but Abbaras did not. On June $22,$ Hsus sued the Abbaras for specific performance.

Was there a contract? Why?