Death of a Wedding Cake Baker

by Lee Hollis

  I never found out exactly what had finally changed her mind, but I presumed she had seen the yearbook. Perhaps it brought back a few happy memories from her youth, and maybe she thought, “It may not have worked out for us, but Hayley and Danny are not me and Otis. They should have the chance to write their own destiny.” Or maybe she just thought, “If I don’t let her get married in my backyard, I’m never going to hear the end of it.”

  I didn’t care in the end which version was the truth. The fact was, I had my mother’s blessing.

  The day of our wedding finally arrived, and everything went off without a hitch. It was perfect. I just wish the marriage had been. As it turned out, I should have listened to my mother.

  But on that day, life was so full of promise. And I remember Mom decided it was a good time to bury the hatchet with Otis (at least it wasn’t in him), since they were going to become a part of the same family. I watched them laughing and talking, recalling shared memories from their younger days, as they happily shared a dance, cheek to cheek, on our perfect wedding day.

  CHOCOLATE WHITE RUSSIAN

  Ice

  ½ ounce chocolate syrup

  1 ounce vodka

  1 ounce Kahlúa

  2 ounces heavy cream

  Fill a rocks glass with ice. Drizzle your chocolate syrup over the ice.

  Add your vodka, Kahlúa, and heavy cream and stir.

  Sip and fully enjoy this heavenly cocktail. If you’re anything like me, I tend to go over the top and enjoy mine with a small plate of assorted chocolates on the side. Cheers!

  GRANDMA DOLLY’S WALNUT-FILLED HORNS

  DOUGH

  One 8-ounce package softened cream cheese

  1¼ cups real butter, softened

  2 egg yolks

  1 entire egg

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  3½ cups flour

  In a stand mixer, add your cream cheese, butter, egg yolks, and one entire egg and mix until well combined.

  Add your vanilla and mix in.

  With the mixer on low, slowly add in your flour until well combined.

  Using a small scoop or spoon, scoop and roll your dough into 2-ounce balls about the size of walnuts and place on parchment paper–lined cookie sheets two inches apart. When finished rolling the balls, place them in the refrigerator and chill for two hours.

  While they are chilling, prepare your filling.

  FILLING

  3 cups ground walnuts

  3 egg whites, partially beaten

  1½ cups sugar

  2 teaspoons vanilla

  In a stand mixer or bowl, mix together all of the above ingredients.

  Preheat your oven to 350°F.

  When your dough is chilled, remove from fridge. Take a ball and, with a rolling pin, roll flat. Add a tablespoon of filling in the middle of the circle. Fold over one side and seal with your finger to make a half moon or horn shape, then place back on parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue to do the same with the rest of the balls.

  Bake for 15 minutes or until a nice golden brown. Remove from oven and enjoy!

  Chapter 6

  Hayley gawked at Sabrina, who sat on her couch across from her with a handful of brochures, certain she had not heard right. “I’m sorry, where did you say?”

  “Napa Valley—wine country, in California,” Sabrina answered, a bright, enthusiastic smile on her face.

  “You want to go all the way across the country for Liddy’s bachelorette party?” Hayley asked.

  “Liddy loves wine, and I thought we could do a whole tour of the vineyards. Plus I found the perfect place where we can stay. It’s a lovely B and B with its own spa in Calistoga for only five hundred a night,” Sabrina cooed, excitedly flipping through one of her brochures.

  “How much?” Hayley gasped.

  “Five hundred. But that’s for the whole suite, which the three of us would split.”

  “Plus airfare, plus the car rental, plus meals,” Hayley said, quickly adding everything up in her head.

  Mona, who sat in the recliner adjacent to Hayley, mumbled something unintelligible under her breath, but Hayley assumed it was not a ringing endorsement for Sabrina’s self-described “out-of-the-box idea” for Liddy’s bachelorette party.

  Sabrina noticed the utter lack of enthusiasm and grimaced. “Well, if it’s too expensive, we can just do something else. I also found a vacation package for four days, three nights, in Las Vegas, a suite at the Bellagio, tickets to the latest Cirque du Soleil show, airfare included, for only fifteen hundred a person.”

  Hayley gulped.

  Mona snickered. She knew Sabrina was fighting a losing battle. There was no way they would ever pull the trigger on one of these costly excursions.

  Sabrina sighed and, disappointed, set the Vegas brochure down on the coffee table. “Or we could find another option.”

  She riffled through the stack of brochures, stopping at one. She stared at it longingly and sighed. “So I guess the five-day cruise to the Bahamas is out of the question.”

  “Good guess,” Mona barked, folding her arms and throwing an annoyed look Hayley’s way.

  Did they really have to sit here and indulge Sabrina like this?

  Neither Hayley nor Mona could still quite grasp the concept that Sabrina Merryweather, whom Liddy had spent years trash talking, was now a vital and integral player in the wedding party.

  “Okay then, maybe one of you has an idea. Mona?” Sabrina asked tentatively, almost afraid to hear the answer.

  “Well, as a matter of fact, I do,” Mona said, nodding. “I say we pick up a keg of beer and some lobster rolls and have the whole party in my backyard.”

  Hayley perked up at Mona’s suggestion.

  She felt terrible that her financial situation was too tight to be able to afford one of Sabrina’s staggeringly expensive packaged tours. After all, if she had the money, she wouldn’t think twice about throwing Liddy a first-class bachelorette party in some exciting destination, but unfortunately that wasn’t her current reality. And although Sabrina was gung ho about the wine tours and the Vegas shows and Caribbean cruises, she wasn’t exactly offering to spring for the cost of everyone. Ever since she quit her job as Hancock County’s coroner, she had not been bringing home a steady paycheck.

  No, the more Hayley thought about it, the more Mona’s low-key party with close friends, and maybe a potluck theme with everyone bringing their own dishes, might be the best way to go.

  And although Liddy Crawford had rarified tastes when it came to shopping and dining and decorating, unlike Sabrina, she was also the type of woman who could appreciate and enjoy a laid-back afternoon in Mona’s backyard with a bunch of her favorite girlfriends, pounding down a keg of beer, gorging on Mona’s locally famous lobster rolls, and just hanging out telling stories and sharing laughs.

  Sabrina stared at Hayley, waiting patiently to hear her opinion.

  “I think Mona’s idea sounds fun!” Hayley finally said.

  Sabrina frowned, not a professional when it came to hiding her feelings, knew she was outvoted and gracefully backed down. “Let’s go with beer and lobster rolls in Mona’s backyard, then.”

  Dustin suddenly blew into the room, a ball of pent-up energy. “Mom, I need your credit card!”

  “What for?” Hayley asked, startled.

  “I need to put a down payment on the photography studio I’m renting tomorrow. I’ll pay you back just as soon as Liddy writes me a check.”

  Celeste was in the process of hiring one of the top still photographers in the state to be in charge of Liddy’s wedding photos, but Liddy had insisted that they hire Dustin to take the picture of her and Sonny for the wedding announcement photo for the local newspapers and magazines. Liddy knew Dustin was passionate about photography, in addition to video game design and filmmaking, and she wanted to encourage him by giving him his first paid gig. She endured a few protestations from Celeste, but given the fact that she was already being forced to use Lisa to make t
he cake, her mother finally realized it was probably in her best interest to give Liddy at least one win in the wedding planning to keep her happy.

  Dustin was over the moon and was taking the assignment very seriously. He did not want to disappoint the bride-to-be. For a boy who rarely lifted a finger to clean his room, he certainly was on top of every detail of the photo shoot.

  Hayley was so grateful to Liddy for making such a grand gesture and building her son’s artistic confidence in such a dramatic way, it just made it all the more painful for her to have to downsize and skimp on the bachelorette party. Liddy deserved the best, and if Hayley had the means, she would not hesitate to whisk her BFF off to Paris or London or Madrid, instead of Mona’s backyard.

  “My bag’s on the kitchen table. I want you to put the card right back when you’re done,” Hayley warned.

  “I will!” Dustin yelled as he shot out of the room.

  It was nice seeing him so excited.

  Sabrina kept quiet for the rest of the meeting in Hayley’s living room as she and Mona went over the guest list for the bachelorette party.

  Hayley sensed that Sabrina had suddenly lost interest because they had shot down her extravagant ideas. Hayley assumed she was pouting and willfully ignored her until they were done discussing the details.

  Finally, she glanced over at Sabrina and asked flatly, “Are you sure you’re okay with all this?”

  Sabrina nodded, a tight smile on her face.

  But she clearly wasn’t.

  She was obviously hoping to be more of a strong voice, a deciding influence in the proceedings. But in hindsight, she should have been relieved her ideas were quickly discarded, because at the end of the day, Sabrina Merryweather could claim no responsibility for the major disaster looming ahead.

  Chapter 7

  “Sonny, where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here almost an hour ago!” Liddy screamed into her cell phone as Hayley and Dustin hovered around her at the small photography studio they had rented, which was located just behind a gas station on lower Main Street.

  Hayley nervously checked her watch, fearing they would be charged an extra hour of studio time if Sonny didn’t show up soon. Liddy had arrived early, in a lovely Lela Rose illusion-yoke half-sleeve sheath dress, with her makeup and hair camera-ready for the photo shoot. She had been afraid that Sonny, who would be rushing over directly from his office, would arrive disheveled and sweaty, with armpit stains and his suit hopelessly wrinkled. The last thing she expected was for him not to show up at all.

  “Did you try his office?” Hayley asked.

  “Yes, right after I got his voice mail the first time. His secretary said he left at ten minutes to three. He should have been here by now!”

  Hayley could hear the panic rising in Liddy’s voice as she contemplated any number of bad-news scenarios that might explain Sonny’s mysterious absence.

  Dustin went back to check the lights he had set up in the space for a third time just to keep himself busy while they waited. He tried to remain upbeat, but there was unmistakable disappointment on his face as he began to realize that his first professional photography gig was on the verge of being canceled.

  “Let’s think,” Hayley said. “Where could he have gone?”

  “I called his house, and there was no answer. He sometimes works out at the YMCA, but nobody at the reception desk today has seen him. It’s as if he’s just vanished into thin air!” Liddy wailed.

  Hayley took matters into her own hands and texted Police Chief Sergio to see if there had been any accidents reported. He quickly responded that it had been quiet all afternoon, with no reports of any kind.

  When Hayley relayed the good news to Liddy and Dustin, Liddy didn’t seem at all relieved or reassured.

  “If he had been in an accident and was laid up in the hospital, at least that’s an excuse I could live with!” she growled.

  After a few more minutes of agonizing and worrying, a text popped up on Hayley’s phone.

  It was from her brother.

  Sergio called and said you were trying to find Sonny.

  Hayley quickly texted back. Yes! Have you seen him?

  After an interminable wait of a few seconds, Randy replied, I’m looking right at him. He’s here at the bar having his third scotch.

  Hayley took a deep breath. She was not anxious to share this news with Liddy, but after steeling herself, she turned to Liddy, who stood, arms folded, stewing, while watching Dustin fuss with the lights.

  “I found him.”

  “Where is he?” Liddy asked, whirling around and dropping her arms.

  “Drinks Like a Fish,” Hayley muttered.

  Liddy’s face instantly turned a deep beet red as the rage boiled up inside her. She turned to Dustin and said in a controlled, steady voice, “I’m sorry, Dustin, but we are going to have to reschedule. But don’t you worry, I will reimburse you for the studio and of course pay you for your time today.”

  “No worries,” Dustin said, eyeing her warily, fearing she was about to explode.

  But Liddy remained outwardly calm, although her flushed face told an entirely different story. She turned to Hayley. “I’m going to head over to the bar now. Would you like to come with me?”

  “Yes,” Hayley lied.

  She so didn’t want to be there when Liddy ripped Sonny’s face off.

  But she could see Liddy needed her by her side, and it was her job as a best friend and matron of honor to be there for moral support.

  “I’ll drive,” Hayley offered, mostly because there was no way she wanted Liddy behind the wheel in her frazzled state.

  After giving Dustin a quick peck on the cheek, Hayley left him to pack up the lights and equipment, and then led Liddy outside to her car.

  They drove to Randy’s bar on Cottage Street.

  Liddy didn’t say a word the entire trip. She just stared out the window, with a grim, stoic look. Hayley found a parking spot right out front, and they spotted Sonny through the large picture window, slouched over the bar, staring into an empty glass as Randy refilled it with another scotch straight up. Hayley could almost see the steam coming out of Liddy’s ears as she got out of the car and marched inside.

  Sonny was raising his glass to down his fourth scotch as Liddy snatched it from his grasp. “Cut him off, Randy. He’s had enough.”

  Sonny, startled, turned to Liddy. There was a flicker of agitation, but then he quickly covered it with a smile. “Hey, darling, fancy meeting you here.”

  Liddy’s whole body stiffened and her face got three shades redder as her mouth dropped open in utter disbelief.

  Randy, who stood behind the bar watching, whispered, “Oh no, she’s going to blow.”

  “ Fancy meeting you here’? That’s all you have to say to me?” Liddy asked, clutching the glass of scotch so tightly Hayley feared it might crack in her grip and spill all over the floor. “What the hell is going on here, Sonny?”

  Sonny gave her a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”

  “Why are you here?” Liddy shrieked.

  “I got finished with my meetings early and decided to swing by here and get a drink. Did I do something wrong?”

  “You were supposed to meet me at the photography studio to have our wedding announcement photo taken!”

  Sonny stared at her blankly before it finally began to sink in why she was so angry. “Was that today?”

  “Yes! I emailed you this morning to remind you!”

  “I’ve been really busy preparing for a case going to trial next week. I guess I forgot to check my emails this morning. I’m sorry, darling, can we do it another day?”

  “Why bother? It’s obvious you have no interest in marrying me!”

  Two women, bank tellers at the First National, ambled in just in time to hear Liddy’s dramatic pronouncement. They stood behind Hayley, not sure whether to turn around and leave or try to slip past Liddy and find a table. They chose to just hover by the door and watch.
<
br />   Sonny, like a scolded puppy, slid off his stool and looked down at the floor. “Come on, Liddy, you know that’s not true.”

  “How do I know? Every action you’ve taken, every word you’ve uttered, has suggested otherwise. From the moment you proposed to me, there has been a shocking lack of effort on your part to help with the details, or even muster the slightest amount of excitement or enthusiasm. This isn’t some shotgun marriage, Sonny! You do have the right to pull out! It will hurt like hell, but I will get over it! I just need to know now, before my mother spends another dime on this wedding . . . Is this something you want? Do you want to marry me, Sonny? Or are you just going along to keep me happy? I need to know, Sonny! I need to know right now!”

  Sonny stumbled forward, a bit tipsy from the multiple scotches, and grabbed Liddy by the shoulders. “Of course I want to marry you! I love you! I’m just exhausted. Work has been overwhelming lately! I have a lot on my mind! And when I get tired, I sometimes become forgetful. The photo shoot completely slipped my mind! I feel terrible.” He turned to Hayley. “Tell Dustin I will pay him double to make up for wasting his time today.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Sonny . . .” Hayley said.

  “I insist,” he said, before turning back to Liddy and pulling her into a hug. “As for you, I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, and like it or not, I’m going to be at that altar in a snappy tux, and come hell or high water, I’m going to marry you, Liddy Crawford.”

  Liddy wanted to stay mad at him, but she couldn’t.

  Sonny was a charmer, and he was laying it on thick.

  And it was working.

  Liddy melted in Sonny’s warm embrace.