Page 47 of Wrapped in You

Cindy hurried into the kitchen to assess the new creations. Sophie tiptoed behind her. It felt as though a storm had entered her house.

"They look insane, Soph," Cindy said, removing her gloves and taking a butterscotch cookie. She took a bite and closed her eyes. With her mouth still full, she said, "You've outdone yourself. Honestly. Are you bringing them to Mom and Dad's for Christmas Day? Because I'm officially requesting them right now."

Suddenly, Derek appeared in the doorway between the living room and kitchen. Cindy nearly leaped with shock.

"Oh! I didn't realize you had company," Cindy said. Her voice wavered as she clapped her hands free of crumbs and smiled at him.

Sophie could read Cindy's expression like a book. She was thinking: I can't believe you kept this from me! I thought we were sisters and best friends!

"Sophie saved me today," Derek explained easily. "I was on a long walk and lost track of time. When I saw the CulinaryTastings sticker on the mailbox, I came up to the door like a big hungry dog."

Cindy laughed and played with a curl that had fallen from her messy bun. She looked exhausted, presumably because she'd been up with sick kids all weekend.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Cindy said, her voice sweeter than it had been when she'd thought Sophie was the only one there.

"Not at all," Derek said. "But I wonder if you could clear up a mystery for me."

Cindy's smile widened. This time, Sophie read her expression to mean,This man is full of surprises.

"Do you notice anything wrong with Sophie's place?" Derek asked.

Sophie watched Cindy's eyes trace the familiar kitchen, the paintings she'd made, the photographs she'd either taken or posed for. How many times had Cindy been in her kitchen? Thousands? Millions? She'd helped Jeremy and Sophie move in when they'd first gotten the place. They'd ordered pizza and sat on the floor in the living room with light beer as sunlight cascaded through the windows.

That was a long time ago.

"I don't think so?" Cindy offered, her voice bright.

"It stood out to me right away," Derek said.

"Why are you giving me away like this?" Sophie asked, punching Derek's arm lightly.

Cindy watched the whole thing.

"I give up," she said finally, shrugging her shoulders. "What's wrong with Sophie's house?"

Derek extended his arms out on either side. "She forgot to decorate for Christmas!"

Cindy's jaw dropped. She whirled around and glared at Sophie. "The Christmas Fairy forgot to decorate her own Fairy House for Christmas?"

Sophie rolled her eyes. Apparently, the sound guys had told Cindy her nickname: The Christmas Fairy.

"I've been slammed with work," Sophie reminded.

"This won't do," Cindy said. "Not for another second."

Cindy whirled around and stormed down the hallway toward the attic.

"Come on," Sophie cried after Cindy. "Don't make this a big deal."

"Call Mom and Dad!" Cindy called over her shoulder. "We need help!"

Sophie shifted her weight from foot to foot and looked at Derek. "I can't believe you told on me."

"I can't believe she didn't notice!"

"She has mom-brain," Sophie replied. "I can get away with a lot."

Cindy returned with a big box of Christmas decorations. Their mother's handwriting labeled the box as: wreaths, angels, cross-stitch, ornaments. It was one of the boxes Sophie had taken with her when she'd moved the rest of her stuff out of her parents' place and into this one.

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