Excerpt of Doughnuts & Deadly Schemes by Janel Gradowski

"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 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 antiques 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."