“Is that whipped cream?” she wondered, taking in the giant bowl of white fluff. “Cardiac arrest in a bowl.”
“But you’d die with a smile on your face,” Sierra said.
At the rate she was going Sierra was going to eat herself to death. She’d insisted she didn’t want to talk about Mark anymore when Sophie tried to see how she was doing that morning, so Sophie hadn’t pushed. But she was worried all the same.
The cafeteria filled quickly, with not only people from their bus but from buses sent from other river cruise lines, and soon the room was almost roaring with conversation. Until the chef began his demonstration. Then an awed hush fell over the room.
Layers of chocolate cake, sprinkled with Kirshwasser, a cherry liqueur, and spread with cherry jam and cherries—the cake was a work of art. And, oh, the whipped cream. The entire huge bowl of it got used.
As the baker created a chocolate snowstorm, grating chocolate on the top of the cake, Trevor leaned close to Sophie and whispered in her ear, “See? Everything’s better with chocolate.”
And with Trevor, she thought. She only wished her sister was enjoying the day more. Sierra had been a sport, coming along on this final outing, even managing a smile when one was called for, but Sophie knew her heart wasn’t in it.
“We have slices for sale for any of you who would like to enjoy one,” the chef finished, causing a stampede for the serving area.
“You don’t have to call this pig to the trough twice,” Charlie said, getting up. “Let’s go check it out.”
“You two stay put. This one’s on me,” Trevor said to Sophie and Sierra, and joined the others in the race for cake.
“Think we should make that for Christmas this year?” Sophie asked Sierra, trying to keep her sister focused on happy thoughts.
“Do you see our brother being happy if we don’t have red velvet cake?” Sierra replied. “Some traditions you can’t break.”
Mark liked red velvet cake, too. Was her sister thinking that? Sophie hoped not.
Trevor returned with their cake, three plates on a plastic serving tray. “Those pieces are ginormous,” Sophie said, looking at them. “I’ll never be able to finish mine.”
“I will,” said her sister, taking one. “And I’ll eat what you don’t want of yours. Thanks, Trevor.”
“You girls probably need something to drink, too,” he said. “Coffee or hot chocolate?”
“Chocolate,” Sierra said for both of them.
“Good choice,” he approved, and went off again.
Sophie couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She hated seeing her sister bottling up all her misery. It was always so much better when you could talk about your troubles, feel like someone was sharing the load. When it came to problems, big sister Sierra had always only shared so much. Then she went all stoic...and ate everything in sight.
“What makes you think I’m not?” Sierra demanded, and stuffed a monster-size piece of cake in her mouth. She chewed and groaned in ecstasy.
Sophie wasn’t impressed. Every woman knew how to fake it.
“The way you’ve been eating. You’ve practically single-handedly emptied the cookie bin. Last night you inhaled more at the buffet than Charlie. You took a chocolate overdose in the lounge, and now you’re going to eat a slice of cake the size of the Texas panhandle with enough whipped cream to frost Mount Rainier.”
“So what? Eating makes me happy. I deserve to be happy.”
Yes, she did. No sense arguing that point. “I know you only eat like this when you’re upset. You don’t know that you and Mark are through,” Sophie said gently.
“You’re right, I don’t know. But I know.” Sierra shook her head. “I’ve been in denial, probably for the last year, and I wish I’d never bought this stupid cruise.” She made a face. “That didn’t come out right. I’m glad you’re with me and I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
Sophie was having a great time. When she wasn’t feeling guilty about it or feeling badly for her sister.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been more supportive.”
“You have been. You’ve been trying to cheer me up, and you’ve been buying me presents at every port of call like you’re a trust fund baby.”
“But here I am, partying away when your heart is breaking. You have a really selfish sister.”
“No, I have a really good sister,” Sierra said, nudging her shoulder. “I’m glad you’re with me.”
“Me, too. And I’ll always be with you.”
“Which is probably more than I can say for my husband.”