“Should I text you a pic of the candy I buy from the concession stand?”
“Smart-ass,” Ashanti muttered under her breath.
Once Kara left, Ashanti took out her phone and shot Kendra a quick text.
Kara’s going to the movies after SAT prep. You should go with her. I’ll CashApp you popcorn money.
Her sister replied with the thumbs-down emoji.
Ashanti frowned at the phone. She wassoover the moodiness.
She shoved her issue with Kendra to the side and returned her focus to something shecouldcontrol: today’s pageant. The room had begun to fill with the families of most of their boarders, people from the neighborhood, and even a few she recognized from last weekend’s Geaux for Fi-Deaux Jamboree.
Colleen poked her head out of the door to the temperament testing room, where the dogs participating in the pageant were being held, and gestured for Ashanti to come over. The short brunette, who had always reminded her of Velma fromScooby-Doo, was a genius when it came to training large breeds.
“Are we almost ready?” Colleen asked.
“Almost.” Ashanti peeked at her watch. It was ten minutes to one. “We should be able to start on time. How are the dogs?”
“Mister Miyagi yanked off Chloe’s tutu and tried to make a run for it, but Mark caught him. The rest are enjoying the extra treats they’re getting for good behavior.”
“Let’s keep the Shiba Inu and the bichon frise separated,” Ashanti said.
An uptick in chatter, accompanied by excited gasps and applause, grabbed her attention. Turning to see what had caused it, Ashanti parted her lips in stunned surprise as Thadwalked toward her. Her heart did the slightest pitter patter at the sight of him—must be indigestion—but it was the bundle of adorableness at the end of the leash he held that made her spirits soar.
“Puddin’!” She rushed to meet the poodle, dropping to her knees and gathering the dog in her arms.
So maybe he had been right about her becoming too attached, but she couldn’t help it.
“Oh, baby, we’ve missed you!” Ashanti said, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Thank you so much for bringing him.”
“Give me that sweet boy,” Colleen said. “We’ve got to get him ready for the pageant.” She looked to Thad. “He is here to take part in the pageant, right?”
Thad nodded.
“Let the audience know we’ll be another ten minutes,” Colleen told Ashanti as she took Puddin’s leash from Thad’s fingers. “And he’s wearing his green bow tie. Excellent choice. Come on, Puddin’. Duchess is going to go bananas when she sees you.”
Ashanti so wanted to peek in on that reunion, but she had mistress of ceremony duties to attend to. She turned to Thad.
“Wait right here,” she said. “Seriously, please don’t leave yet.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
Her head popped back. Had his voice been this smooth and deep on Monday?
She dismissed her unexpected reaction and quickly made her way to the stage. She held her hands out to the crowd.
“Welcome to Barkingham Palace. We are so excited tohave you all here for our annual Doggone Cute Pageant. Three years in a row makes it an annual event, right?”
The crowd replied with more applause. She offered a special welcome to their guests of honor and reminded the audience that all proceeds would benefit the rebuild at Budd’s Bed and Bark.
“The pageant will get on the way in another ten minutes. If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to check out the silent auction items on the table to my left. We have custom crocheted sweaters, a gift certificate for a custom painting, and a free night’s stay at Barkingham Palace. And, the best item in my opinion, a month’s supply of Duchess Delights treats.”
She left the stage and headed straight for Thad. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his back against the wall. She experienced that same feeling she’d had on Monday when he stood in the lobby, that he took up too much space. She sensed he was the type who would always take up too much space, no matter the size of the room he occupied.
“So,” she said, leaning her back against the wall and matching his posture. “Do I have to ask the obvious question?”
“I prefer Coke products, but I’ll drink a Pepsi if I’m desperate.”
