Page 52 of Wrapped in You

Sophie was finishing up the breakfast rush and preparing for lunch. Randy was there, telling her in whispers what he'd done yesterday to prepare for the Christmas Festival, and also that they had a few other orders from "out of town."

"How did people hear about us?" Sophie rasped.

"I put up an advertisement," Randy said with a big smile.

Sophie's heart seized. They hadn't talked about that.

"We can handle it!" Randy assured her.

But Sophie wasn't so sure. With the stress ofSilver Bellsand the Christmas Festival and the baby shower and Derek and everything else, she wasn't sure how to keep her business afloat here in Willow Creek, let alone anywhere else.

"I made a to-do list," Randy assured her.

But Sophie wasn't assured. She found herself regretting giving Randy any power at all. He was hungry to grow the business, to extend himself and Culinary Tastings beyond the boundaries of Willow Creek.

It was a business-minded hunger she didn't fully understand.

But haven't I wanted this?she asked herself.Shouldn't I throw myself into the business as much as I can?

It's not like I have a family!

Just then, Brent fell.

But he didn't just fall. He slipped on a patch of black ice and dropped like a bag of potatoes. Everyone behind the camera gasped. Natalie fell to her knees and wailed, "Brent!"

Sophie peered around the cameras to watch. Brent didn't pop up; he remained on the ground, sprawled out. It didn't look good.

"Cut, cut, cut!" Derek called, walking toward his actor. He knelt and spoke to him. Sophie couldn't hear what was said.

"We need an ambulance!" Derek called then.

Sophie's heart sank. When Derek turned around, she saw how upset he was. Without thinking first, she abandoned her catering stand and hurried over to Derek. He didn't notice her until she touched his shoulder.

"Derek?"

Derek flinched and looked down at her. Light didn't come to his eyes. "We're already behind," he said. He sounded gruff.

Sophie balked. "Does it seem like he broke something?"

"I don't know." Derek tugged his hair again and took a step back. It felt as though he wanted to ask her to leave him alone but didn't know how.

At the far edge of the set, Sophie could see Jeremy milling around in his stupid traffic vest.

"I wanted to explain about yesterday," Sophie stammered.

"Look, Sophie," Derek said. "Can this wait? My lead actor just fell hard. There's a small chance he won't be able to film the rest of the movie. What are we going to do? CGI him in?"

Sophie stepped farther away from Derek. He suddenly felt like a stranger.

"I just wanted to tell you..." Sophie breathed.

"Later," Derek shot. He then waved down the assistant director and said, "Let's chat in my trailer."

Sophie remained by herself in the middle of the set, listening to the sound of the ambulance siren as it came closer and closer.

She remembered what her family had said.Derek is just some Hollywood type. He's going to use you and leave you behind.

They were right. Probably.

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