Wedding Waffle Murder

by Carolyn Q. Hunter

  “Yes, but he’s also twenty years old. He’s an adult and can do what he wants.”

  “Not if it involves my daughter.”

  “Why do you have to know where she is all the time?” Jay retorted, shooting a glare back at Trina. “Why can’t you loosen your grip a little and give that poor girl some space?”

  Trina gasped, putting a hand on her chest as if she’d just been affronted. “How dare you?”

  Sonja couldn’t help but cringe herself. While she herself knew how overprotective Trina could be, calling the woman out on it was sure to stir up a storm.

  “Hey, now. What is this?” Frank demanded, stepping in before things could get too out of hand.

  The women either ignored the sheriff or were completely oblivious to his presence. “Where did he take my daughter?” Trina shouted.

  “Hey, hey, hey,” Pete interrupted this time, mounting the front steps with one jump and pushing in between the two women.

  “Pete! Maybe you know… where is my daughter?”

  “Calm down, Trina. She’s fine.” He put a hand on her shoulder to try and calm her down.

  She jerked away. “Is she here?”

  “No. Didn’t Amanda tell you? She and Chance went up to my hunting cabin for the weekend.”

  “Pete, you didn’t tell me that,” Jay jumped in with her jaw hanging open. “I’m stuck here trying to explain that our son has nothing to do with Amanda’s disappearance, and here all along you knew they were together at the cabin?”

  “Sorry. It slipped my mind. They took off last night while you were at the church.”

  “You let our son take his girlfriend on a weekend trip alone?” she demanded, turning on her husband, letting her own shade of overly protective parenting show through. According to town gossip Sonja had overheard in the diner, Jay’s doting on her son was one of the reasons the young man often struggled to take on any real responsibility.

  Pete shook his head. “Jay, Trina, for heaven’s sake. Amanda and Chance are adults. They can make their own decisions. We’ve got to stop micromanaging their lives.”

  “I’ll do that as soon as Chance starts acting like an adult,” Jay said.

  “Well, it’s not like you’ve given him space to.” Right then, Pete clamped his mouth shut, knowing he’d stepped in it.

  Jay, meanwhile, turned a vibrant shade of beet red.

  “Amanda would have never agreed to go to any cabin alone with your son,” Trina interrupted, now also targeting Pete with her attacks.

  “And why not? They’ve been in love since freshman year of high school.” He held out his hands in desperation, looking toward Frank for help. “Sheriff.”

  Sonja gave her fiancé a look that said stay out of it. After all, it was his job to uphold the law in Haunted Falls, not settle disputes between friends, family, and neighbors.

  “Ladies, I know you’re worried and upset, and rightfully so. However, at least we know both Chance and Amanda are safe.”

  “They shouldn’t be spending the night alone together,” Trina huffed, narrowing her gaze on Frank now.

  “They’ve got to make their own choices,” he pointed out.

  Sonja clenched her fists, not wanting Frank to get too involved. There was no winning in this situation. Anyone who tried to say anything to the two overly concerned mothers got attacked.

  “For heaven sakes, the sheriff is right. Those two are grownups. They can make their own choices,” Pete reiterated.

  “Not if I have anything to say about it,” Trina added, digging her keys out of her purse. “I’m going up there right now to get my daughter. This relationship should have ended at graduation.”

  Sonja couldn’t believe it. These two families were some of the kindest and most charitable in the community, and now they were fighting like cats and dogs—with claws out. She was no stranger to their parenting styles. When Amanda had worked at the diner, Trina had often called just to “double check” that her daughter was really there. Now, she wondered if it was really to check that Amanda wasn’t with Chance.

  Yes, the young man was a little lazy and defensive at times, but did that make him such a bad guy?

  At the time, Sonja had thought Trina’s behavior was a little over-the-top but didn’t fault the woman for it. Now, however, she saw just how out of hand the situation was getting.

  Unable to take it any longer, Sonja jumped in against her better judgment. “Okay, everyone, quiet down already,” she yelled, surprised at her own voice.

  Everyone grew silent, looking at her with shock. It was expected for the local sheriff, an authority figure, to jump in. A diner owner, however, was less tolerable.

  Sonja knew she needed to think of something to say and fast. “Look. Amanda is a smart girl, Trina.”

  “Thank you.”

  “She wouldn’t have gone along with Chance unless she felt safe doing so. She’s a sweetheart but sticks to her guns. I think you need to trust her a little.”

  “I do trust her. I just don’t trust their son.” She jabbed a thumb back at the couple.

  Jay let out a high-pitched gasp of protest.

  “No, I think that’s unfair. Chance has been a good kid all through high school, and he’s always been a decent boyfriend to Amanda, as far as I could tell,” Sonja continued, evening the playing field.

  “Thank you,” Jay said.

  “He is a smart kid. Yes, he may have had a rough patch this last year, but we’ve all been through that.”

  Everyone was avoiding eye contact, the shame of their behavior settling in.

  “Maybe he just wanted some peace and quiet alone with Amanda to talk out their future.”

  “That’s true,” Pete added. “I know those kids have been talking about getting married.”

  “Amanda doesn’t want to get married right now,” Trina jumped in.

  “Yes, but maybe they want to make a plan about how to get to a point where they’re both ready to get married,” Sonja said, trying to save the conversation before it could derail into another argument. “And how can you blame them? With the way you’ve all acted today, I’d want to be alone to talk about things without everyone dropping in with their two cents worth.”

  This made all of them hang their heads low. With a little bob of her head, Jay spoke. “She’s so right. I’ve been acting foolish, Trina.”

  Giving a half smile and one-shouldered shrug, Trina agreed. “I’m sorry, Jay. I guess I got a little freaked out when she wasn’t around this morning. Maybe she even left a note that I missed.”

  “I’m sorry, too,” Jay said in return. “We’ve got good kids. I guess we should trust them.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Now, that’s more like it,” Pete said, smiling from ear to ear and acting like he’d done something to solve the issue. Both women gave him a glare.

  “Did you get the book for next week’s group?” Trina asked.

  “I did,” Jay said. “I look forward to reading it.”

  “Okay, sounds fine. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.”

  “See you then.”

  With that, the women parted ways, Trina getting into her car and Jay heading inside. Pete, looking lost, nodded at Frank and then headed back to the barn.

  “Good work, Mrs. Thompson,” Frank laughed. “I’m not sure I’m in the best of spirits to handle this kind of stuff right now.”

  “Hey, I won’t be Mrs. Thompson until tomorrow,” Sonja teased. “Besides, you’re just stressed about the wedding and everything. I think people understand that.”

  “Well, at least with all of that out of the way we can finally concentrate on the wedding.”

  Sonja stood on her toes and kissed him. “You’ve got that right. Speaking of which, I’ve still got to pick up my outfit and have Alison help me make the cake. I better get a move on.”

  Chapter 4

  * * *

  “Oh, my gosh, Sonja. It’s beautiful,” Alison praised with a quiet awe in her voice. So
nja’s best friend sat at one of the diner’s tables watching as the bride-to-be paraded out like a princess from the back room where she’d been changing.

  She was decked out in a velvety cream color that stretched from her shoulders all the way to her ankles. Sonja, who had never been much of a traditionalist, had decided to change things up when it came to her wedding attire.

  And she had to say, what she’d found suited her to a T.

  The full body vintage jumpsuit had open bell bottom style pant legs, a tapered waistline with pleated layers and elegant pearl buttons, and hand crocheted lace accents on the shoulders. The neckline plunged a little deeper than she’d expected but was pleased with how it looked nonetheless.

  “You think so?” she asked, looking down at the outfit. She smoothed out a fold in the side, admiring the quality of the silk material. Her milky skin was perfect against the color of the fabric.

  “It’s absolutely divine. Who would have known that you could look just as good on your wedding day without a traditional dress?”

  “Well, it’s not my wedding day yet,” Sonja pointed out, glancing toward the dark windows. They’d been in the kitchen since that afternoon, working away on the cake—which still wasn’t quite done.

  Sonja had only picked up her outfit from the post office that same day and was as nervous as could be that it wouldn’t look right.

  With her and Frank deciding to hold their wedding in April, a last-minute choice made in January, they’d been forced to scramble to get everything together properly. Even for a small and simple ceremony, there was so much to do.

  Sonja had shopped around for a dress for weeks, going to bridal stores and even getting ones online and then returning them—not satisfied with a single one. Having her own mother constantly breathing down her neck and offering up her opinion proved to be more stressful than helpful.

  In the end, Sonja had started looking for non-dress options. When she’d stumbled upon the vintage sixties jumpsuit, she had instantly fallen in love. Ordering and shipping took longer than she expected—meaning she only received the outfit the day before the wedding.

  She’d immediately tried it on alone, relieved at how gorgeous it looked. Now, having Alison’s approval as well, solidified it. She’d made the right choice.

  “Well, my hair isn’t done up properly,” Sonja complained, grabbing her red ponytail and wrapping it on top of her head.

  “It doesn’t matter. The outfit looks phenomenal.”

  “You really think so? You’re not just saying that?”

  “Of course, not. I’ve never seen you look so good.”

  Sonja smiled, doing a twirl and feeling like a little girl. “I’m just waiting for my mom to have a fit over it.”

  “Oh, she’ll love it, too.”

  “Do you think so? Don't you think she’ll be upset that it isn’t a traditional dress? I mean, she is already unhappy about me making a waffle wedding cake and having the ceremony here at the diner.” Sonja looked around at the decked-out dining room that they’d worked on earlier that day. White draperies hung from the ceilings and walls, adorned with cream and burnt orange floral arrangements and accent ribbons.

  “Trust me. When she sees this, she’ll change her mind in an instant.”

  Sonja sighed. “Great. Let me just go change back into my work clothes so we can finish this cake before it gets too late.”

  “Wait, wait. Do one more spin for me,” she pleaded.

  Sonja obliged, standing on one foot like a ballerina as she did it.

  “Beautiful.”

  * * *

  Like her dress, Sonja had been testing out all sorts of options for a waffle themed wedding cake for the past two months. Thankfully, Alison had been there to help most of the way.

  “How does this color look?” Ally asked, holding up the bowl of fondant she was making. The thick mixture inside had a delicate burnt orange hue to it.

  “Perfect. Did you remember to add the flavoring?” Sonja asked, placing the last waffle on the top of the final tier of the cake.

  “Of course, I did. How could I forget it?” she indicated the blood orange and grater she’d used to add the zest to the fondant.

  “Fantastic. Start rolling it out and cutting it and I’ll finish frosting the top tier,” Sonja instructed, grabbing her metal spatula she’d been using for spreading.

  The cake was made up of three tiers. The first had the largest waffles in it, made in a specialty over-sized iron that was about the size of a medium pizza—or twelve inches.

  The next tier was made of the normal size of waffle, about eight inches, which most of Sonja’s customers were accustomed to. On the top were the mini four-inch waffles.

  Each tier was made up of a stack of four waffles each, and each layer had a coating of Sonja’s own signature cream cheese frosting which had been flavored with just a touch of clear blood orange extract.

  Once she’d completed the top of the cake, you would never know it was her famous waffles hiding inside. The final touch was to add the ribbons of fondant and a few matching flowers. Working as a team, the two women carefully and evenly added fondant to each tier.

  Finally done, they both stepped back.

  “Well, I’d say it looks good,” Sonja said.

  “Heck, it looks almost as good as you in your wedding outfit,” Ally teased.

  Rolling her eyes, Sonja motioned to the cake. “Let’s get it into the fridge for tomorrow. Then we can both head home and get some much-needed rest.”

  “We’re going to need it,” Alison said with a satisfied sigh.

  Sonja could feel the butterflies in her stomach already, making her feel as if she might just lift off. She knew she’d be lucky to get any sleep at all.

  Grabbing the bottom platter with both hands, the women lifted it and carefully moved the delightful creation into the fridge. It would be the perfect accent to the following day’s celebration.

  “I still can’t believe it, Sonj’. You’re getting married tomorrow,” Alison sighed, smiling at the cake as it sat nestled on the shelf of the diner’s walk-in refrigerator.

  “You can’t believe it? Sheesh, I don’t think it’s actually hit me yet,” she admitted. Walking over to the sink against the back wall of the building, Sonja turned on the water. “Just have to wash up and clean off the counters and we can head home,” she said, not wanting to even think about the implications of the next day.

  She was scared and excited all at the same time.

  Even with her mixture of emotions, she knew very well that this was the best decision she’d ever make.

  Pumping some strawberry scented soap onto her hand, she lathered up in the water and looked out the diner’s kitchen window and onto the dirt lot behind the building. Beyond the lot was the forest, a wall of trees staring back at her.

  It was then, as her mind muddled over the next day's activities, that she saw a flash of movement among the trees. Squinting, she tried to make out whether it was human or animal. It wasn’t unusual for a deer to sometimes wander around nearby.

  Catching a glimpse again of the movement, Sonja felt the tingle that ran all the way down her spine—a familiar feeling she associated with the presence of something supernatural.

  Concentrating, the moving figure came back into view for a few seconds between two trees. This time she was one hundred percent positive that she was seeing a ghost. The usual blue ethereal glow came off the translucent body like a glow in the dark object.

  From this distance, Sonja could just make out that it was a girl, her long hair trailing down her back. There was something familiar about her.

  Had Sonja encountered this specific ghost before?

  Turning slowly, as if on a spinning disc, the woman’s face came into view.

  The supernaturally sensitive woman’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized the person she was looking at. It was her old waitress, Amanda Williams.

  A hand on Sonja’s shoulder caused her to yelp out and ju
mp back from the sink.

  “Are you okay?” Alison asked with concern in her eyes. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Chapter 5

  * * *

  “I need to talk to Frank,” Sonja insisted, sitting in the chair in front of the mirror in the diner’s bathroom where Alison was leaning over her and helping with her make-up and hair.

  “Are you kidding? You can’t see Frank before the ceremony,” she scolded.

  “Why not?”

  “He can’t see you in your dress.”

  “It isn’t a dress,” she insisted.

  “I know, I know, but it’s the same difference. It’s bad luck to see each other before the ceremony.”

  “It’s important,” Sonja argued. She’d tried not to think about what she’d seen the night before, tried to tell herself that it was just nerves that had caused her to see the specter in the woods. It hadn’t worked. She’d spent most of the night sitting up, staring at the ceiling and thinking about the pale blue face staring back at her from between two trees. She didn’t want to have to put off her wedding and didn’t want to worry Frank.

  However, now that they were down to the wire and the ceremony was getting ready to start within the next half-hour, she just couldn’t shake it anymore.

  It would be irresponsible not to tell Frank. After all, he was one of the few people who knew she could even see ghosts. If she told him she saw the ghost of Amanda Williams, he was sure to do something about it.

  “Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet,” Ally sighed, finishing curling the last strand of Sonja’s hair. A delicate peach colored flower adorned the curly bun.

  “What? No. Not at all. I just need to talk to him,” she insisted.

  Realizing she couldn’t talk Sonja out of it, Ally nodded. “Okay. Just powder your face so the make-up I did on you doesn’t come off. I’ll run and find Frank and be right back.”

  “And don’t let my mom know what you’re doing,” Sonja ordered, already imagining the barrage of statements her mother might make. “Or my dad. He’d just tell my mom.” While her dad also knew about Sonja’s supernatural ability, seeing as she’d inherited it from him, he wasn’t the best at keeping secrets unless they were big secrets.