Felix gave her a look that let her know he’d do it all over again. She allowed that look to fill her with love and support as she found the courage to say the next words. To explain that no one was coming to see the show except for her dad and Dora.
“Unfortunately,” she began, “I have to warn you before you go out there that it won’t be what you expect.”
“Wait! Wait!” A woman’s voice cried out.
Addison turned to the backstage door. Julia Edwards swept across the stage with Precious loping next to her, lengthy fur swishing around her legs like flowing skirts. And they weren’t alone. Filtering in after her was a long line of purebreds, handlers, and breeders. It was a parade of fur, blazers, and knee-length skirts with sensible shoes.
Julia rushed to Addison, a hand clamped over her chest as she caught her breath. Her wide eyes moved over Addison’s gathered friends and the dogs in their outfits. “Are we too late to model?”
The newcomers drew close, staring at Addison in expectation. All of the dogs and owners she’d helped to prepare for the show that weekend had come. In fact, nearly all of the dogs she and Felix had rescued showed up.
Tears sprang to her disbelieving eyes. She dabbed at them, grateful she’d worn waterproof mascara. It took Addison a few seconds to find her voice. “Err, no. No. Of course not. Please, come this way.” She gestured to the rack of carefully labeled outfits.
Melody was already flicking through sizes. “I was thinking the gym vest and shorts combo for Precious,” she suggested.
“Sounds perfect.” Addison began redirecting owners to various racks.
Zoe, Marilyn, and Piper rushed to help—mostly because the men couldn’t tell the difference between chiffon and gossamer. Addison was swept up in the rush of getting everyone organized while Princess watched on with a critical eye, barking orders at anyone who would listen.
Snouts up, models! she ordered. Tails perked! You over there, stop scratching!
As Addison was doing a head count, she saw Kitty Carlisle’s white beehive jostling through the crowd. When Kitty saw her, her eyes bulged. “There you are. Sorry we’re late.”
“That’s okay. I’m so glad you could make it.”
“It was my fault. After it came out that Walter Boyd had an”—she glanced around and spoke quietly behind her hand—“inappropriate relationship with you know who, I was asked by the association to be the Best in Show judge this year. Big responsibility, you know. I just couldn’t make a decision, so I asked for a few extra turns from the contestants.”
“That’s great,” Addison said, already sorting through the beachwear for Elvis. “Congratulations on the new position. Who won?”
“Precious did,” Julia sang. She arranged the blue exercise headband on Precious to match the wristbands. “Didn’t you, Precious? Yes, you’re such a good boy, aren’t you?”
“That’s fantastic. Congratulations.” Addison felt a bubble of pride that her longtime customer had won.
Rex Harris sashayed through the door with Rosie trotting by his side. “Any room for us?”
“Absolutely,” Addison said. “Rosie would be great to start the evening-wear portion.” She pointed to the rack on the side. “Oh, and Melody? Can you get Kingy set up with the construction uniform?”
Someone tapped Addison’s shoulder, and she turned to find Kayleigh.
“We were just so pleased with the work you did on such short notice. Lionel and I would love to help you out. Oooh, is this cashmere?” She reached out to rub a dress shirt between her fingers.
“Yes. I have it in Lionel’s size.” She plucked it from the rack and handed it over.
She felt she could barely catch her breath between surprises. Then Alistair Yates emerged from the bustling crowd, Lilly following obediently on her leash. He leaned heavily on his cane, as though weary. Addison imagined it had been a rough couple of days for him too. Or weeks, rather.
“I wanted to thank you for saving Lilly,” he said. “I’m very sorry for the grief I have caused you.” By the amount of extra winkles creasing his face, she knew he meant it.
He wasn’t a bad man. He’d just been taken in by the wrong person. It’s not like Addison didn’t have her own fair share of experiences being taken in by liars and deceivers—men, mostly.
“I appreciate that,” Addison finally said. “You’ve had a lot to deal with yourself.”
“I’m happy that it’s you I get to give the reward money to. You and your friend. I hope it begins to repair the damage I’ve done to your business.” He looked at the chaos around them. “And if you’ll have us, we’d like to volunteer for your fashion show. I know Lilly would enjoy it. Today is her last big hurrah, after all.”
“You still showed Lilly? Not Fancy, in the end?” Addison struggled to hide her surprise, but her tone must have given it away. Or the fact that she was a terrible actress.
Alistair smiled sheepishly. “I knew Lilly had no chance of winning. Especially after the stress of the last couple of weeks. Maybe she wouldn’t have had a chance even if things had gone smoothly. But I just wanted one more year with her. I wasn’t ready to let go quite yet. We’ve been through a lot together.”
Addison smiled. That she could certainly understand. “Well, since it’s Lilly’s big day, I’m sure we can find something special for her.”
“Thank you.”
The backstage was a whirlwind of activity, silk, rhinestones, and ribbon until the lineup resembled a mixture of breeds, the perfect balance, tails whipping back and forth in anticipation.
It was just how she’d imagined it would be. Not a fashion line just for the elite and rich, but for the everyday dog. Because every dog from Precious to Oliver deserved to be pampered, to feel special, to feel loved like they were so capable of loving their owners and showing it every day.
Holly’s head suddenly popped between the break in the curtains. “Are we all ready?”
Addison took a deep breath and cast a final glance at the lineup. “Yes. I think so.” She handed Holly the cue cards with new notes scribbled on them in pen. “There have been some changes.”
Holly took in the new arrivals. “Good, because we have a full house out there.”
“What? Really?” Addison stuck her head out of the curtains.
Holly was right. Practically every seat in the house was filled. She recognized other contestants and even some judges from the dog show. Seated in the front rows were studious spectators with notebooks and cameras at the ready.
Addison nodded to the front row. “Who are they?”
“Oh them? I called a few of my media friends.” Holly waved a nonchalant hand, but her self-important smile gave her away.
For a second, Addison was touched that the reporter had gone above and beyond to make the fashion show special. “Thank you.”
“Exclusives are only good if everyone wants a piece of the action. I couldn’t very well host something no one’s even heard of. It would be a waste of a PR opportunity.”
“Oh, well”—Addison’s smile faded slightly—“thank you anyway.”
Holly caught sight of Aiden and gasped. “Oh, Aiden. I didn’t know you’d be modeling today.” Her breath hitched and released in a sort of shiver.
Apparently Holly’s obsession with the CEO was still going strong, Addison thought. Even though she worked for Channel Five news now, she’d spent years hounding him when she worked at The Gate, San Francisco’s leading gossip magazine.
Aiden stiffened beneath her undressing eyes. “Sophie is the model.” He held up his longhaired dachshund. “I’m just helping out.”
“You certainly are model material with that body and bone structure.” Holly bit her lip as she ran her gaze down his body.
He shifted uncomfortably, but Addison cut in to end the awkwardness. She clapped her hands. “Okay, time to go.”
Holly waggled her manicured fingers at Aiden, but Addison shut the curtains on her before there could be any more delays. She heard a sma
ll huff, but then a moment later, Holly’s professional reporter voice boomed from the speakers.
“Welcome dog and fashion lovers. I’m Holly Hart. You might recognize me from Channel Five news. I’m your host for this evening, because I too am a fashion lover, and my dates say I can be quite the hound dog.” She chuckled at her own joke.
Addison turned to the crowd behind her. “Okay. Everyone ready?”
She got a few thumbs up and some barks.
“Are you ready?” Felix asked her.
She gave him a knowing smile. “More than you know.”
“It’s going to be great.” Piper squeezed her shoulder as Addison passed.
Aiden gave her a congratulatory hug. “I knew you were a good investment.”
If only he knew, she thought. She tried to ignore the heat creeping up her neck and gave him a brilliant smile. “Thanks.”
Outside, she could hear the music amping up and Holly saying, “Let’s have a look at the latest in doggy duds.”
“Okay Piper, you’re up,” Addison said. “Good luck.”
Piper gave her an excited grin and stepped up. Addison whisked to the side of the stage to peer through the curtain and watch.
As Piper and Colin walked out, Holy narrated. “First down the catwalk—or should I say dogwalk—is Colin. He’s is wearing a camouflage jacket that appeals to both the hunter and the city dweller with its hip, urban crossover feel.”
The crowd clapped as Piper and Colin took a turn around the catwalk.
“Next up is Sophie,” Holly announced. “She’s wearing a beautiful cable-knit baby alpaca sweater paired with a jean skirt. The flared skirt allows for easy movement to play in the park while being flirty enough to catch the eye of that poodle you’ve been after.”
Aiden turned around at the end of the stage, and Holly gave him a wink. “And of course there’s her owner Aiden Caldwell of Caldwell and Son Investments wearing”—she paused for effect—“well, I’d prefer it if he was wearing nothing at all.”
This got a few titters from the ladies in the crowd and a few of the gentlemen. Addison rolled her eyes, but she had to admit that Holly was doing a great job. She knew what the public wanted.
Marilyn and Picasso rolled out on stage to big cheers. Naia was also a big hit when she pranced out with Oliver. She got a few awes and claps, which made her twirl and show off with a cheesy grin. Felix trailed behind, mostly for moral support and to make sure Oliver didn’t get overexcited by the crowd and try to take off. Of course, the dog of the hour, Precious, received extra cheers from the dog show fans.
There were more than enough models that most dogs only had to make two changes. And when Princess came out at the end wearing a tiara and a pink ball gown with a train of real flowers, Addison was walking proudly next to her star.
Addison gave a gracious bow for everyone who came that day and a special wave for Dora and her dad who wore proud smiles just for her. She may have imagined it, but it seemed as though Princess gave a magnanimous bow of her blonde head, accepting the praise of her loyal subjects.
Addison turned and waved out the other participants to join her on the catwalk. They each came out one by one with their owners in tow. Addison held out her hands for Felix and Naia to join her front and center. Because she wouldn’t have been there if not for them. She beamed at them in silent thanks, since she wouldn’t have been heard over the cheers from the crowd.
Felix returned her look, his handsome face filled with love and pride. He was proud of her, of who she was. Just the way she was. She knew in that moment that he’d always be there for her, through thick and thin. The three of them would be a family.
Everything was perfect. Exactly how she’d imagined it would be. No, it was better, because she wasn’t living in a fantasy world anymore. This was real life. Her life that she’d built herself. And as Felix took one of Addison’s hands and Naia took her other for a final bow, she knew she’d finally found her happily ever after.
Catch up on the Rescue Dog Romance series!
Available now from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Don’t miss Zoe’s love story—the next hilarious, heart-tugging book in the Rescue Dog Romance series!
The Wedding
Tail
To be unleashed Summer 2017
Also by Casey Griffin
Must Love Wieners
Praise for
MUST LOVE WIENERS
“Paws down, one of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time. A lively romantic mystery with a quirky and relatable heroine, a sexy leading man, and adorable dachshunds. No bones about it, this book is a real treat!”
—Diane Kelly, author of the Paw Enforcement series
“A satisfying blend of romance and mystery … Add the appropriate amount of playful banter and dog shenanigans, and you’ve got the makings of a promising start to a new series. A delightfully adorable mystery-romance with a well-planned plot. And dogs!”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A fun and charming series … Must Love Wieners combines humor and romance with a dash of mystery, all while showcasing the author’s determined heroine fighting for her dream. Settle in and enjoy, and keep the puppy treats handy!”
—RT Book Reviews
“Griffin’s spirited, wholesome love story escalates into a deeper mystery offering playful comic relief en route to a revealing whodunit.”
—Shelf Awareness
“Who doesn’t love a story with cute dogs, hot billionaires, quirky heroines, and a sweet HEA. I cannot wait for the next book in what is the start of a wonderful series to come.”
—Harlequin Junkie (Top Pick!)
“Griffin’s debut and first in her new rescue dog romance series is definitely barking up the right tree. Perfect for the dog days of summer read.”
—The Reading Frenzy
About the Author
A true geek at heart, CASEY GRIFFIN can often be found at comic conventions on her days off from her day job, driving 400-ton dump trucks in Northern Alberta, Canada. As a jack of all trades with a resume boasting registered nurse, English teacher, and photographer, books are her true passion. Casey is a 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel finalist and is currently busy writing every moment she can. Visit her on the Web at www.caseygriffin.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
1. Doggy Style
2. Beware of Dog
3. Doggoneit
4. Thrown to the Dogs
5. Bone to Pick
6. Don’t Have a Dog in This Fight
7. Fight Like Cats and Dogs
8. Pack Mentality
9. End of the Tether
10. Bone of Contention
11. Play Fetch
12. Sniff Out
13. Horndogs
14. Dog Eat Dog
15. Hot Diggety Dog!
16. Chase Tail
17. Give a Dog a Bad Name
18. Sick as a Dog
19. Hair of the Dog That Dumped You
20. Dogfaced
21. A Dog’s Life
22. Barking Up the Wrong Tree
23. A Dog’s Chance
24. Wienerella
25. Wagging the Dog
26. Sea Dogs
27. Up the Creek without a Doggy Paddle
28. Sold a Pup
29. Dog Meat
30. Play Dead
31. Publicity Hound
32. Every Dog Has Its Day
33. Everybody and Their Dog
Also by Casey Griffin
Praise for Must Love Wieners
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
BEAUTY AND THE WIENER
Copyright © 2017 Casey Griffin.
Cover photographs: couple & dog © shutterstock.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 978-1-250-08471-2
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / February 2017
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
Beauty and the Wiener Page 35
