Chapter 2
Chapter Two
T he following two weeks were a flurry of emotion. Sophie was up to her ears in Hollywood contracts, menu planning, grocery shopping, and securing schedules with Randy, Tommy, Fiona, and Piper. She even hired a few more people to get through the film and the holiday season. "Keep your eyes on the prize, Sophie," she told herself.
Thanksgiving came and went. This year, Sophie's mother and sister contributed most of the cooking and pie baking, then apologized that it "wasn't as good as Sophie's."
Sophie just laughed. "Don't flatter me! It's delicious."
Of course, she would have done the recipes differently. But she'd gone to culinary school for crying out loud. She had to be in a different league if she would stay in business.
Three times, people from Silver Bells production swung by the catering company to check that everything was up to Hollywood standards. Each time, they left more than eager for Sophie's catering journey on set.
"Last year was a disaster," one of the film guys explained as he dabbed a napkin over his mouth and grinned. "We hired a Hollywood catering company to come out to Willow Creek for the winter, but we didn't know the guy in charge was going through a divorce at the time."
"How terrible," Sophie said. She felt a dark poison at the center of this man's heart.
"He brought in some terrible food," the film guy said as he put on his coat and zipped it to his chin. "I'm surprised the film crew kept working without going on strike. Remember the day he made burgers?"
"It's pretty hard to mess up a burger," the other guy said with a snort. "But he managed it."
Sophie wanted to roll her eyes. She thought about telling them that compassion was one of the most essential things humans could offer each other. But she really needed this gig, so she smiled and nodded until the film guys left her alone.
Then she called Cindy to complain.
"There's a reason we want to live in Willow Creek," Cindy reminded her after her rant was over. "We're kind to each other. We genuinely like each other! I think that's rarer than we think in the real world."
"Do they hear themselves?" Sophie said. "They talk like they're villains in a film. It's clear to me that last year's caterer needed a hug and a friend! But they hate him because he made a couple of not-so-tasty burgers."
"Forget these guys. You'll show them you can do this job with grace—and good taste," Cindy said.
"Did you just try to rhyme grace and taste?" Sophie asked, smiling into her phone.
"I sure did. Did it work?"
"I'll give it to you," Sophie said.
Her heart felt lighter after every conversation with her sister. But from the background came the sound of Annie crying.
"I gotta go," Cindy said. "A mother's duty never ceases!"
"Never," Sophie said. "Give my niece a kiss for me."
"Will do."
Sophie got off the phone and stood in silence in her office. For whatever reason, right now, despite all she had to do and all the stress she was under, she allowed herself to mourn the loss of the children she'd thought she'd have with Jeremy. She mourned the Christmases she thought they'd share together—the presents she'd wrap and hide so they wouldn't find them before Christmas morning.
Focus on Silver Bells . Focus on this Christmas. Focus on Culinary Tastings.
The first morning on set began with a disaster.
Sophie drove the catering van downtown, where she parked on the opposite end of a slew of big vans and trucks filled with film equipment and costumes. On the other side was the set, where an actress in a powder-blue coat walked dreamily through a winter wonderland. Just as the director had prayed for, Willow Creek was decorated with a thick blanket of snow. No fake snow required.
Sophie, Randy, Tommy, Fiona, and Piper exited the van to set up for lunch. They'd brought heaters, long tables, big vats of hot apple cider, plenty of water, and the food—both meat-based and vegetarian chili and homemade bread. Sophie wanted the crew to warm up during these chilly and long days on the streets of Willow Creek. She knew how Upstate New York winters dug down to the bone.
But as Sophie set a big vat of chili on a long table, she heard her name.
"Yo! Soph!"
Sophie nearly dropped the chili. For there, coming through a group of guys holding sound equipment, was Jeremy. He had a bright vest on and wore a big smile. It was clear he was working for the film, too.
Great.
"Jeremy. Hey." Sophie clapped her hands and spun around to fetch something else from the van. But Randy had grabbed the last case of water bottles and was standing in her way.
"I got a last-minute job," Jeremy explained when she had nowhere to run. "I'm directing traffic away from downtown."
"Oh. Nice," Sophie said, although she wanted to say, How pointless is that? Everyone in Willow Creek knew not to drive downtown during film hours. There had been at least twenty films in Willow Creek in her lifetime, and it was always the same!
"It's so cool," Jeremy said. "I always wanted to work on set. It's where the action is, you know?"
Sophie grimaced and walked around Randy to fetch the Christmas decorations she'd brought for the catering area. She wanted the crew to know just how passionate she was about the season. She wanted them to feel her warmth and gratitude.
"No surprise you went overboard on the decor," Jeremy remarked as she began to string holly and lights. "As always!"
Sophie's arms and legs felt stiff. She wanted Jeremy to go.
Suddenly, the sound guys took notice of her work and came over to investigate.
"It's so cozy!" one of the guys said in an Australian accent.
"This is adorable," another announced.
Sophie grinned. "Grab a mug of hot apple cider, guys. It should be ready for you."
"It's like our very own on-set Christmas festival," one of them said as he filled his mug.
"And they said this set would be the worst we ever worked on," the Australian said under his breath.
Sophie's ears rang. "Who said that?" Why would they say that?
Another sound guy rolled his eyes and muttered, "We have a dictator on set with us."
Sophie and Jeremy locked eyes in confusion. Suddenly, Jeremy's walkie-talkie rang out.
"Jeremy? Why aren't you on the road!" Sophie didn't recognize the female’s voice.
"Catch ya later, Soph," Jeremy said, heading back to his post.
"You're Sophie!" the Australian sound guy said. "Pleasure. I'm Mike."
The other sound guys introduced themselves as Beck and Isaac.
"You have to let us know if you have any problems on set," Mike told her.
"Rumor has it le director is a Grinch-type," Beck said under his breath.
"Derek Brownlee?" Sophie asked, remembering that stern face from the online film announcement.
Mike put his finger to his lips. "Don't say it too loudly."
The sound guys took off to take care of something, leaving Sophie with her catering crew, who kept warm with mugs of cider and gossip that Sophie didn't care about. Sophie wandered around the edge of the catering van to see what was going on in front of the camera. It didn't take long for her to see the director himself. Derek Brownlee wore a thick black coat, black jeans, and black boots. He marched up to the leading actress with tremendous authority and barked orders at her. It looked as though she were about to cry.
But suddenly, one of the assistant directors announced it was time to take a lunch break. Derek Brownlee twisted around to glare at the assistant director, who reminded him softly that it was a "Hollywood regulation" to take a break at this time.
Derek looked like he wanted to scream. He pulled his earpiece down to hang on his neck and said, "Well, if you want to get behind on day one already, be my guest. What do I care?" He then stormed off.
Suddenly, it was as though the smell of the chili reached every person on set. Cameras and equipment were abandoned, and a line formed at the catering table. Randy, Fiona, Tommy, and Piper fell into easy conversation with the film employees, filling bowls and mugs and passing out spoons and pieces of bread. Sophie hurried back to oversee everything.
"The decorations are so cute!" The leading actress put her hands on her cheeks and gazed up at the holly and lights. She then found Sophie's eyes over the catering table and said, "Willow Creek really knows how to celebrate Christmas."
Sophie smiled. "I like to think so. But I've never been anywhere else during the holidays."
The leading actress touched her glossy hair. Sophie thought she'd never seen anyone more beautiful this close-up.
"So you're actually from here?" the actress asked.
"I am. Born and raised," Sophie said. "I left briefly for culinary school, but I came back after graduation."
"You're so lucky to be from such a magical place," the actress said. "Los Angeles is the worst place to be during Christmas. Everything is overwhelmingly commercialized." She pressed her perfect lips together. "There was a rumor they were hiring real people from Willow Creek, but I figured that was just a rumor. I'm amazed they actually kept their word."
Sophie wanted to say, Me too! It's rare! Instead, she said, "I'm so grateful!"
But just then, Derek Brownlee appeared behind the leading actress. His cheeks were hollow, and he looked at her with impatience in his eyes.
"What's the holdup, Natalie?" he asked.
Natalie hopped forward to grab a bowl of vegetarian chili. "Sorry, Derek. You know I get distracted."
There was an air of fear in her voice.
I do not like or trust this man, Sophie thought.
Derek grabbed a bowl of meaty chili. As he moved toward the bread, his eyes scanned the Christmas decorations surrounding the catering van and table. He scoffed.
Sophie was annoyed. She urged herself to just let it go. Don't bother him. He can't be helped.
But instead, she asked, "Is there something wrong with the food?"
Derek Brownlee looked at her as though she were mud stuck to his shoe. "I'm sure the food is totally edible."
Sophie was even more annoyed now. The food was actually sensational. She'd spent all morning seasoning it.
Several set workers had already told her it was the best chili they'd ever had.
"But really," Derek said, gesturing to the holiday decorations with his spoon. "Is all this necessary? We're already smack-dab in the middle of a winter wonderland. Every building downtown has holiday decorations strewn across it. There's even a thirty-foot-tall Christmas tree right over there." He pointed toward the courthouse with annoyance.
Sophie blinked at him.
"Your job, it seems to me, is to bring food to us while we put together this aggressively cheerful Christmas film," Derek said.
Aggressively cheerful Christmas film? Sophie's ears rang.
"We're already drowning in Christmas cheer," Derek stammered. "If I see another piece of holly or bit of tinsel, I will scream."
Then scream! Sophie wanted to tell him. Go on! You won't take away my love of Christmas!
But Sophie needed this gig. She needed to remain professional in the face of this horrendous Hollywood man.
So she said, "In Willow Creek, we just love the holiday season. I'll try to turn it down a notch."
"Turn it down ten notches," Derek shot. "Turn it all the way down to zero."
Derek glowered and took a bite of chili. Immediately, his face transformed. He couldn't help himself. The chili was just that good. But a split second later, he remembered who he was and how he wanted to seem, and he turned and stomped away from the catering table.
Sophie watched him run away from her. Why would that Christmas Grinch agree to direct a Christmas film in the magical town of Willow Creek? she wondered.
But the reason came a moment later.
He was doing it for the money.
Stop being so naive, Sophie .