Doughnuts & Deadly Schemes - Culinary Competition Mystery #3

Chapter 7

(Amy)

"Look at that bouquet. Isn't that one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen?" Amy asked as she edged closer to the vendor's table. A dozen women were crowded in front of it examining the bouquets made of vintage buttons and rhinestone jewelry. "You want unique. Those definitely qualify."

Carla squeezed in between a mother and daughter duo dressed in pink zebra print T-shirts that said Bride and Mother of the Bride spelled out in black glitter paint across their chests. The pair even had matching black tulle hair bows fastened at the bases of their equally perky ponytails. Carla bent to examine one of the sparkling bouquets then backed out from between the uber-coordinated family. She nodded. "I do like those, especially the smaller arrangements with the colored rhinestones."

Amy snatched one of the business's brochures off of the corner of the table. She flipped it open. "They are a much better keepsake than freeze-dried flowers. Unfortunately, it says the bouquets need to be ordered at least six months in advance."

Carla ran her fingers through her short, sun-kissed hair, making it stand on end on the top of her head. "I'm going to stop walking around now. I want to see the winners announced for the contest you're in, not be constantly disappointed because I've found something for the wedding that I actually like but can't get in time. I set the date and put the plans in motion, there's no sense making myself cranky wishing for things I can't have."

The spiky look was actually pretty cute on Carla. She could pull off super short hair. It went well with her long and lean body type. Amy could never see herself with that type of haircut. She preferred long hair with lots of volume to even out the volume in her chest and butt. Amy jogged a few steps to catch up with her retreating friend. "But you can have a bouquet like that. I'll make it for you. A trip to the antique market, a stop at the craft store, and I'll have all of the supplies I need. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. If you want a rhinestone bouquet then that's what you'll get."

"You're far too good to me." Carla wrapped Amy in a boa constrictor-style hug right in the middle of the crowded aisle. When she was done squeezing all of the air out of Amy's lungs, she pulled back. A tear glistened as it tumbled down her cheek. "You should hate me for asking you to plan my wedding like this. Instead, you're offering to take on more work by making an elaborate bouquet. You're busy with a job and Alex. You don't have time for my nonsense."

The strain was obviously affecting Carla. An emotional display from her was as rare as a white truffle of the fungus variety. She was calm and completely rational ninety-eight percent of the time.

"You're my BFF. I'll support you...even if I do think you're a tad insane. A wedding is not nonsense." Amy squeezed Carla's hand. "You want to be married in two weeks. I've got your back. Everything will be fine."

"Thank you," Carla said as she wiped the tear off her cheek with the back of her free hand.

Amy tugged her toward a caterer's booth. Samples of eggplant mostaccioli, chicken piccata, and raspberry cheesecake were scattered across the table. She released her grip on the flight-risk bride to grab one of the cups of pasta and a tiny plastic fork.

"I know we're juggling a lot of balls, but you do remember Riverbend is catering the wedding right? We don't need to check out caterers," Carla said when Amy returned to her side. The unusually emotive bride's normal, straight-to-the-point persona had returned.

"I'm just checking out the competition for future reference." Riverbend Café was taking care of the doughnut wedding cake along with hors d'oeuvres like bite-sized mozzarella and prosciutto grilled cheese sandwiches. The wedding would be the business's first foray into catering, the newest expansion Sophie had cooked up for the café. Amy took a bite of the room temperature pasta. "Needs more salt and some herbs. It's bland. Your food will be much better than this."