Page 66 of Wrapped in You

People looked to her for guidance. For leadership.

Not long after the setup was complete, Willow Creek residents began to peek out of their houses and wander through downtown. The Ferris wheel began to turn slowly, with captivated children up at the top, pointing down at the people below.

As though they'd ordered it, soft snow began to fall.

Christmas magic, Sophie thought.

And then, because she couldn't help herself, she thought of Derek. Had he gone back to California for the holidays? Or washe holed up in his cabin, lost in his anxious thoughts, hating Christmas and the entire world?

Cindy meandered through the crowd, headed toward Sophie with two mugs of mulled wine.

"It's a little early to start drinking mulled wine, isn't it?" Sophie asked.

"You've been up since the crack of dawn!" Cindy reminded her. She raised her chin to watch the Ferris wheel. "You have to enjoy yourself sometimes, you know. Or else life will pass you by."

Sophie's heart felt bruised. She didn't want her parents and sister to feel pity for her.

She didn't want them to think she was living a lackluster life.

"It's really beautiful, isn't it?" Sophie breathed.

Cindy smiled wider. "You did it again, Sis," she said. "I don't know how you do it. But Willow Creek needs it every year. And you always deliver."

"It's healing," Sophie offered. "For me. And for everyone else, too."

Chapter Twenty-Two

Night fell over the festival at five thirty. The Ferris wheel, the carousel, the tents, and the food stalls were well-prepared with bright Christmas lights. Just as she'd been as a little girl, Sophie was captivated and willing to throw herself into the magic.

Everywhere she went that early evening, Willow Creek residents greeted her: "Hey, Sophie! Great festival!" and "Nice work, Sophie!" and "You've outdone yourself this year!"

Sophie was sure to remind everyone that she hadn't done it alone. "I had a tremendous team," she said. "And I couldn't have done any of it without my right-hand man, Randy." She made sure to mention Randy's name several times, perhaps as a way to bolster his reputation in Willow Creek. Randy was still in his twenties; everyone knew his parents and older siblings, which meant most everyone still regarded him as the same gangly teenager who'd played basketball for Willow Creek High. But Randy was ready to grow up, to take responsibility, to marry Fiona and start a life!

He was ready for the town's respect.

He already had Sophie's.

Once, when Randy overheard Sophie talking him up, he cornered her and handed her a mug of mulled wine. With the Christmas lights sparkling overhead, he looked slightly mystical, and snow was piling up in his curls.

"I just wanted to thank you for all you've done for me these past few years," Randy said, clinking his mug of mulled wine with hers. "I never knew how to want anything for myself. But being with you at Culinary Tastings has taught me something about goal-setting, about demanding more from life."

Sophie was touched. She squeezed Randy's shoulder and said, "You're going to have a brilliant career, Randy."

"We'regoing to have a brilliant career together," Randy responded.

Sophie's heart thudded.

What's gotten into me? Why does it all feel so empty?

For a little while that evening, Sophie helped Cindy with Annie and Peter, lifting them so they could ride the ponies (carefully, so carefully!) and feeding them delicious and greasy snacks. But by seven or so, Annie and Peter were exhausted and crabby. Vic volunteered to take them home and put them to bed, and Cindy thanked him, throwing her arms around him.

Sophie thanked her lucky stars that her sister had found such a sensational partner.

When Vic disappeared with the kids, Cindy laughed and said, "Vic loves having the television to himself when I'm out of the house. That's the only reason he volunteered."

"I don't believe it for a second," Sophie shot back. "He adores you and the kids." She pressed her lips together, rememberingJeremy forlorn in the kitchen, yearning to have her back, to build a future. But she'd refused him.

Cindy rubbed her upper back.

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