Grandma Jen muttered something unflattering under her breath.
Grandpa Frank slapped his knee and chuckled. When Grandma Jen reappeared, carrying a tray with a large pitcher of lemonade and homemade cookies, Sophia jumped to her feet and took it from her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Grandpa Frank give Grandma Jen’s butt an affectionate squeeze. She swatted his hand away and gave him a withering look.
Sophia poured them all some lemonade and reached for one of the oatmeal cookies. “How about you, Grandma? What exciting projects are you working on?”
Grandma Jen sat down on the couch next to her husband and absentmindedly patted his arm. “Oh, this and that, dear. Nothing particular.”
“She’s got quite the eye for pottery. It’s why she wants the garage for herself,” Grandpa Frank whispered with a quick wink. “It’s supposed to be a surprise, though.”
Sophia pretended to zip up her lips and throw away the key.
As soon as she sat down to enjoy her lemonade, the doorbell rang. Sophia set her glass down, stood up, and opened the door, revealing all of her cousins. Tammy and Luke came in first, waving as they spoke on their phones. Jonathan and Suzie were arguing about something as they left their shoes by the door, pausing only to call out to their grandparents before continuing.
Emily, Jeff, and Tara trailed in last, carrying plastic bags of food and water. Suddenly, her grandparent’s house was filled with laughter and conversation. Then snacks were being set out on plates and drinks were being passed around. Sophiafound herself leaning against the kitchen counter and talking to everyone all at once.
A few of them ruffled her hair on their way past.
Jonathan, Luke, and Jeff carried an ice box out to the backyard and set up the grill. Grandpa Frank joined them, a big smile etched onto his face. Sophia saw them set the burgers and hot dogs down, and her mouth watered in anticipation.
Emily, Tara, and Tammy lined up on the other side of the kitchen counter and began to chop up vegetables. Sophia stepped into the kitchen and rummaged around for a salad bowl, pausing to push herself up onto the tips of her toes. Once her fingers closed around the bowl, she set it down on the counter and squeezed herself in between her cousins.
Suzie handed her a tomato, her brows furrowing together. “Hey, Cous, what’s this I hear about Nora retiring. Is it true?”
Sophia nodded. “Yeah, she said her kids convinced her to retire. I guess she wants to spend more time with them.”
“That makes sense.” Tammy pulled out another bowl and was rummaging through the fridge for more vegetables. “But I heard Valerie is going to be the one to take over.”
Sophia cleared her throat. “Yeah, that’s also true. I think she chose well. Valerie has been there for a while, and she’s got a lot of ideas for the place.”
Tara snorted. “Okay, no offense, but that’s crazy. Valerie is going to ruin everything we love about Nora’s Delights. You can’t let her be the one to take over.”
“I don’t get a say in this,” Sophia said without looking up. “It’s Nora’s decision.”
Tara draped an arm over Sophia’s shoulders and squeezed. “We all know you’d be a better fit than she is. Why don’t you throw your hat in the ring and give it a shot?”
Sophia shrugged Tara’s arm off and drifted over to the sink. “I appreciate what you guys are trying to do, but I don’t thinkI’d be a good fit for Nora’s Delights. Besides, I’m not manager material.”
And she didn’t need reminding of all the ways Valerie was going to thrive as the next manager of Nora’s Delights.
Some people, like Sophia, just weren’t meant to reach for the stars and succeed.
While they prepared the rest of the food, her cousins talked about anything and everything they could think of while Sophia half-listened, not knowing what to contribute to the conversation. All she could think about was the fact that everyone knew about the bakery now.
Did they think less of her for bowing out? Or were they all just trying to help?
Since the Wilsons were known for being fierce go-getters who rarely let anything get in their way, she wasn’t sure for certain. All she knew was that she hadn’t even tried to fight for something she could be good at, and she wasn’t at peace with it like she’d been trying to convince herself.
By the time the men called out to them and began to bring in the food, Sophia was more conflicted and confused than ever, even with the arrival of her aunts and her Uncle Frankie.
Stu trailed after them, with Teddy in tow, looking very pleased with himself after a day at the groomers and smelling like freshly cut flowers. As soon as they spotted him, everyone fawned all over the dog, who lapped up the attention and wagged his tail incessantly. Then, they were all gathering around the dining table and spilling out into the living room and back porch. It wasn’t long before the food was being passed around, and Sophia found herself wedged between her uncle and Aunt Ashley.
In silence, she piled a plate with food and crept outside, Teddy following close behind. She sat down on the swing, crossed her ankles together, and peered into the night. Throughthe open glass door, she spotted everyone else talking and laughing together.
With a sigh, she tore off a piece of chicken and gave it to Teddy.
He swallowed it in one gulp and curled up at her feet.
“There you are.” Grandma Jen materialized, a small smile hovering on the edge of her lips and a plate of food in her hands. “I had a feeling I’d find you out here.”
