Page 1 of Wrapped in You

Chapter One

The problem with throwing a surprise retirement party for your beloved father was that everyone had to keep it a secret. No matter what. This proved difficult in a town as small and gossip-driven as Willow Creek—a town with a sensational heart and soul and a warm, loving community.

"Please remember, it's a surprise," Sophie reminded everyone throughout the past few weeks as an autumn chill descended upon the little Upstate New York village, and they'd begun to batten down the hatches for a heavy winter. "He thinks we're keeping the celebration small. Let's shock him!"

Now, it was mid-November and the day of the party. Thirty-four-year-old Sophie Masters was in the back office of her catering company, Culinary Tastings, donning her chef whites and ticking off a list of to-dos before the night ahead. From the kitchen echoed the voices of her staff—twentysomethings Randy, Tommy, Fiona, and Piper—who'd come to prep hors d'oeuvres, the main course, and the various autumn-themed desserts. Randy had agreed to bartend for the night, which was a relief. Randy was fun and lively, handsome and hilarious, and he'd keep the party going.

Next came a knock on the door. "Come in!" Sophie called.

Her little sister, Cindy, breezed into the office, bringing with her a wave of expensive perfume that smelled of dead roses and sandalwood. Last week, Sophie had mustered up the courage to tell Cindy, "That perfume really isn't so nice."

Cindy had shrugged. "You never had good taste in perfume anyway."

Sophie loved this about her little sister. She didn't care what anyone thought.

Sophie wished she had that remarkable trait.

Now, Cindy wrapped Sophie in a hug. "How are you?"

Sophie laughed and waved her hand. "I'm fine. Really. Catering a retirement party is relatively simple. It's just emotional for me, you know?"

"Dad will love it," Cindy assured her.

Sophie took a breath. "I can't believe Dad's old enough to retire." She spoke quietly as though she didn't want to be overheard.

"Dad's crazy healthy," Cindy reminded her. "He's sixty-one going on thirty-two. He can run faster than both of us and has a list of places he wants to travel a mile long." She cracked a smile and grabbed a piece of chocolate from a little tin on the corner of Sophie's desk. "Now, do you want to hear some news? Or do you want me to wait till after the party?"

Sophie rolled her eyes. Her sister always did this—advertised gossip in a way that made you beg to hear what it was. She was pretty sure her sister loved the power it gave her.

"Just tell me now," Sophie said. "I need to focus tonight."

Cindy unwrapped the chocolate and held it aloft. "Remember how we didn't think there'd be anything filming in Willow Creek this year? There's been a last-minute change of plans."

Sophie raised her eyebrows. "Huh." She didn't know what to think.

The town of Willow Creek was so quaint and old-world that it was a frequent site for film sets. Most often, it was used in wintertime for Christmas films. But an entire film set moving into Willow Creek wasn't always a simple feat for residents. Filming got in the way of their day-to-day lives. Oftentimes, filmmakers didn't hire Willow Creek residents for productions and brought in outside help instead. It was typical that those Hollywood-elite types didn't respect Willow Creek, its people, or its traditions.

Sophie had been grateful there wouldn't be a film set this year. It meant Willow Creek residents would have their town to themselves throughout the holiday season. It meant the magic would belong only to them rather than being sold off for Hollywood capital gains.

Cindy still hadn't put the chocolate in her mouth. "It's different this year. I just overheard Mayor Acker talking about it at the coffee shop. He's stipulated that any film set that uses Willow Creek must hire local people to assist on set. And..." Cindy paused to put the chocolate on her tongue. The air crystallized with excitement. "He said this directly, 'We have a fabulous catering company right here in town. Culinary Tastings!'"

Sophie's eyes widened. "He did not say that."

"He did." Cindy smiled to show chocolate-stained teeth.

Suddenly, Randy burst into the office without knocking. "We're about ready to go, boss!"

Sophie burst into laughter. She reached for the catering van keys and threw them. Randy caught them with one hand.

"Pack up the van," she said. "I'll be there in a sec."

Randy disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Sophie reeling with shock. Cindy grinned madly.

"Correct me if I'm wrong," Cindy said, "but that would be your biggest contract to date, wouldn't it?"

Sophie hurried to her computer. Her heartbeat thrummed in her ears. After a quick, frantic Google search, she discovered a news article about a recent contract between the town of Willow Creek and Weber Studios, a major film production company. Featured in the article was a photograph of the film's director, Derek Brownlee.

Sophie read aloud from the article. "Weber Studios and Willow Creek have come to an agreement for the filming ofSilver Bellsafter a last-minute cancelation with the holiday town of Hollygrove. Filming will commence shortly, with the goal of finishing by the end of February. Director Derek Brownlee says, 'Fingers crossed for a snowy winter in Willow Creek. The crew and I look forward to a cooperative winter with the residents. They have a reputation for being kind and compassionate film lovers. I look forward to my time there.'"

---