High heels and wingtips clicked and clacked on weathered wooden planks over the dark waters of the bay. Rocking gently on the waves that lapped the dock posts, the San Francisco Belle stood like a grand river castle. Only instead of turrets and throne rooms, it had three enclosed decks topped with a sundeck to enjoy the clear night. Its captain was its king, and its loyal subjects were a mix of show dogs and their entourages.
Addison stood at the bottom of the gangway admiring the paddleboat. Strings of lights wrapped around every railing and post to create a magical effect, lighting up the turn-of-the-last-century riverboat like a floating lantern in the night.
Cinderella had made it to the ball. And Addison certainly felt like Cinderella in her pink and black tulle ball gown. Even Princess had pulled out all the stops in her morganite collar necklace and matching tiara.
In other words, they looked fabulous, and they were ready to attend the ball. Only it wasn’t to meet Addison’s prince. Her prince turned out to be, well, someone else’s prince. And Phillip? She supposed it was still a possibility. That was why she’d agreed to meet him at the gala. To give it a chance.
Phillip was still all those things she’d first thought him to be: handsome, magnanimous, polite. But somehow all those things had lost their appeal. Each time she tried to conjure up an image of Mr. Perfect, an image of Felix’s face would pop into her fantasy or she would recall his belly laugh or how he looked tucked up next to his daughter in her My Little Pony bed. That would open the floodgates to all sorts of funny feelings, like she imagined Oscar nominees got when the drums rolled and the winner’s name was announced—and it wasn’t them.
Addison drew herself up and mentally focused on the night ahead. She wasn’t there for the prince anyway. Sure, Phillip would be there and she’d talk to him, dance with him, give him a chance, because maybe even Cinderella had doubts. But first and foremost, she was there to protect the remaining dogs and hopefully catch the criminal in the act if they were stupid enough to try anything.
It was her last chance to rescue the dogs of people like Alistair, and Julia, and even Rex Harris, to salvage her business, and to save Felix’s job.
So grasping her oversized skirts, Addison hoisted them up and squeezed her way across the narrow gangway with Princess in tow on her jeweled leash. The doxie’s glittering open-pawed shoes sparkled beneath the multitude of string lights as they approached the deck.
There to greet them at the other end was someone that, if the dog-doo hit the hair dryer that night, Addison knew would have her back.
“Zoe!”
Her friend looked up from her tablet. She held out her arms and hugged Addison in a way reserved for when girls are all dolled up and don’t want to smudge makeup or mess up hair.
“Addy. I’m so glad you came.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Addison remained in her friend’s arms a few seconds longer than normal, soaking up the love. She’d texted Piper and Zoe late the night before for some moral support, so they were up to speed, but Addison was in definite need of some girl time.
“You look great.”
“Thanks for not crossing me off the guest list,” Addison said. “I’m sure there will be more than one guest not thrilled to see me tonight.”
“If they’ve got a problem with my guest list, they can deal with me.” Zoe flicked her jet-black hair, like Bring it on. “Besides, it’s not a party if my best friends aren’t here.”
Addison pitied any soul who decided to take Zoe on. “Are Piper and Aiden already here?”
“Yeah, I think they’re at the bar on the second deck.”
An older couple crossed the gangway behind Addison, holding their pugs in their arms. Since Addison’s massive dress was blocking the entrance, she moved to leave as Zoe brought up the guest list on her tablet again.
“Go enjoy yourself,” Zoe told Addison. “You can leave Princess on the sundeck. She’ll be safe there.”
“Thanks.”
“Oh,” she called out after her. “I should warn you. Holly Hart’s here. Sorry.” She pulled a face. “It couldn’t be helped. She’s someone’s plus-one.”
“Great.” Addison rolled her eyes. Just what she needed. “Good luck tonight.” She waved as she headed toward the double doors and into the enclosed lower deck.
The moment she stepped inside, Addison felt wrapped in luxury. It certainly didn’t look like a normal boat interior to her. Rich carpet softened her steps as she made her way to the central lobby staircase that doubled back on itself overhead. The chandelier dangling from the very top shed warm light on the gold bannisters and swirling rail designs. She followed them to the very top and then found a secondary staircase that took her to the open sundeck.
As she stepped out into the open air, her heels sank into soft grass. The entire sundeck had been laid with sod for the dogs to play and roll around on. A white picket fence wrapped around the deck rail, a cute continuation of the yardlike theme. It also prevented the curious teacups and minis from squeezing through the rail gaps and doing a somersault dive into the water far below.
Enough kennels to house each and every dog in attendance lined one side. Bright red fire hydrants, where the dogs marked their territory, were placed at intervals between them.
A dog minder approached Addison, dressed in his postal worker’s uniform. She snickered, but didn’t think the minder would find it funny, so she stifled it before she handed Princess over. The minder took her name and asked for ID. She gave her doxie a kiss good-bye before Princess trotted over for a drink of water from an oversized dish that looked like a toilet bowl.
She watched Princess for a few moments, hesitant to leave her behind. As she eyed up the other guests out on the deck, they seemed just as nervous. They weren’t the ones she needed to be concerned about.
As though sensing her reluctance, the minder said, “Don’t worry. They’re perfectly safe up here. There are only two entrances onto this deck.” He pointed them out on each side of the grassy area. “We know everyone who comes and goes from here. No one is taking anyone’s dogs tonight.”
She knew he was right. They were three stories high. Besides, she couldn’t very well keep Princess with her while she was trying to investigate.
“Thanks,” she told him.
“If it’s an evacuation you’re worried about, the kennels on board are all designed to float on water.” He gestured to the kennels.
Addison noticed for the first time that they had plastic, waterproof doors instead of open wire ones. The top was punctured with several breathing holes and the bases were oversized, probably heavy enough to stay upright but buoyant enough to keep even a mastiff afloat.
Addison wondered if she should remind him that dogs actually swam, but then she remembered how far they’d be from shore and how small and delicate some of the show dogs aboard would be. It was actually a pretty good idea. Even if it was just for the owners’ peace of mind.
With one more glance at Princess—who’d found a stuffed cat toy to chew on—she went to look around the deck. Although there were dog minders to pick up after the guests, Addison hiked up her dress, careful not to drag it as she made her way to the rail. She peered over the white picket fence at the view of the docks below.
Zoe couldn’t have picked a more perfect venue. The paddleboat must have been forty or fifty feet tall, which meant that once they’d cast off, no one—two legged or four legged—was going to sneak on or off the boat. The dogs would be completely protected.
Maybe Addison really had nothing to worry about, after all. But if it was impossible to steal more dogs, she realized that she might lose her last opportunity to uncover the dognapper.
Deckhands scrambled below, their movements practiced and swift as they prepared to cast off. Addison studied them with suspicion, watching for any odd behaviors or clues—like grappling hooks or suction cups stuffed into their pockets revealing them as some kind of Mission: Impossible agents or something.
Just as they were unraveling the thick rope fastening the Belle to the dock, she noticed a few latecomers scurry toward the boat, their shoes clacking musically on the dock, echoing across the water. The deckhands waved them on, waiting for them to board. It wasn’t until the twinkling string lights sparkled down on their heads that Addison recognized them.
She only saw a flash of their faces before they’d boarded, but she recognized them instantly, like an image carved painfully onto her heart. It was Felix with Naia and Oliver. And he’d brought Charlotte as his date.
Addison drew back from the rail like she’d been burned. Well, she supposed she had been. But wasn’t she the one who had rejected him? Scorned him? Insulted him? Sent him running into Charlotte’s arms?
So why did it hurt to breathe, like those two pints of Raspberry Lemon ice cream that she’d cried into the night before had tightened the bodice on her dress. And it certainly wasn’t the cool night breeze that was making her eyes sting so badly.
A thunk shook the floor beneath her feet. A thunderous whistle released from somewhere above. Addison jumped, and her high heel stuck in the grass. The ship lurched and she faltered.
Slowly the Belle began to pull away from the dock. The dogs were in a tizzy, barking because of the horn, and then barking because of the barking. That’s why she didn’t hear anyone approach until a sharp finger jabbed her on a bare shoulder.
Addison spun around. Her eyes narrowed when she saw who it was. “Penny.”
“Haven’t stolen enough dogs for your collection yet?”
Addison’s teeth clenched. “I didn’t take the dogs.” She tried to go around the famed handler, but Penny blocked her path.
Out of the corner of her eye, Addison noticed Holly Hart lurking nearby. Of course her cameraman, Hey, You, wouldn’t be there, but the reporter clung awkwardly to her phone, like she was ready to start recording Addison and Penny if a cat fight, or rather dog fight, broke out.
Penny leered at Addison. “Even if you didn’t steal Lilly, your carelessness makes you just as guilty as if you did.”
“Lilly wasn’t even your dog.”
“A handler loves their dog as much, if not more, than the owner. We train it, we shape it, mold it into the pinnacle of excellence. We become one with it. And you tore all that time, effort, and love away from me.”
Over Penny’s shoulder, Addison could see Kitty Carlisle. When Kitty’s shifting eyes landed on Addison, she flinched. Picking Elvis up, she moved to the other side of the deck, as if afraid that Addison could make her bichon frisé disappear with a simple look.
Groaning, she pushed past Penny. “I need a drink,” she muttered to herself.
The last couple of weeks had taken their toll on Addison’s patience. She was tired of the stares, the nervous glances, the whispered accusations behind her back—and sometimes to her face.
Addison descended the stairs and marched through the double doors to the second deck. The clinking of glasses told her there was a bar nearby. Thank God, she thought. When she glanced over, she spotted Piper and Aiden standing next to the rich mahogany and marble bar.
As usual, they were unable to see anyone but each other. Even their two lovesick doxies had wound their leashes around their owners’ legs to get as close as they could. Addison smiled. It wouldn’t be long before they were engaged.
Thankfully, Aiden’s attention was too focused on Piper to notice Addison. She wasn’t ready to face him. Not yet. Not tonight. She still had hope, however small, that she could uncover the dognapper. She just had to keep her eyes peeled and be ready for anything.
A waiter carrying crystal dog bowls filled with amber liquid passed by. By the smell, Addison guessed it could only be Hound Hooch, liquefied chicken made to look like beer. Addison ducked behind him and kept pace as he swept to the other side of the room in order to hide herself from the lovey-dovey couple.
The waiter suddenly turned away, exposing her. Addison spun, hoping to find cover among eager dancers already heating up the dance floor to a waltz before dinner. However, she took one too many turns. An elbow from a server, a stray hip from a dancer, and Addison was sent stumbling.
Her heel caught on a flowing piece of her tulle gown. She skidded on the parquet floor and her foot slipped out from under her. Her hands flew out, automatically reaching for the nearest thing.
She grazed a cashmere jacket as she fell against a man. Arms wrapped around her to brace her fall. When she opened her eyes, she found herself staring up at Phillip.
“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” he said. There was that smile that had so enamored her right from the start. He was still that smart, charming, polite man. He was a catch.
And because she’d made a promise to herself that she’d give him a chance, when he held out his hand and asked her, “May I have this dance?” she replied, “Of course.”
She placed her hand in his. His other hand trailed down her low-backed dress and pressed her closer to his tennis-toned body. And then he spun her around the dance floor.
Addison’s rhinestones glittered beneath the chandeliers, and the tulle of her dress trailed delicately behind her as they spun over and over again. The waltz was so romantic and the historic boat took her back to another time, another world. She became so lost in the moment, the beauty, the fantasy, forgetting her doubts and her worries until she felt like a princess.
He dipped her low and she let her head tilt back, enjoying the magic of it all. Then she saw him enter the room: Felix.
Phillip set Addison on her feet, grinning mischievously over his suave move, but she barely noticed.
On their next spin around a nearby couple, Addison glanced at the front doors again. Charlotte had her arm linked through Felix’s, holding him tight—maybe a little possessively, she thought.
Felix’s dark eyes scanned the room. Addison’s head moved around to keep him in sight. When his gaze fell on her, she faltered and stepped on Phillip’s toe.
“Ouch,” he hissed.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, but she was too busy weaving and bobbing her head to get a better view.
Felix had shaved. Not only that but he’d trimmed his ebony waves and combed them neatly back from his face. And was that…? Yes. He wore one of the bespoke suits they’d admired in the shop across from Joe’s Dive.
He looked even better than Addison thought he would. This new Felix was deceptive. This cleaned-up version looked civilized and blended in with the lavish surroundings. The way he carried himself, however, that certain swagger and that piercing look, belied the capable, cunning man beneath. The promise that he was so much more than everyone else in that room could know. Addison had only begun to learn how much more. She supposed it would be Charlotte who would now find out how much.
She lost the rhythm again and did a sort of half-turn instead of a quarter turn.
“Ouch.” Phillip winced.
“Sorry.”
Phillip led her around the dance floor again, and Felix was swallowed by the crowd. Addison tugged, and dragged, and redirected their steps to get back on the other side again, until she was practically leading. She moved her head this way and that to see over Phillip’s broad shoulders.
“Ouch,” Phillip said again.
Phillip’s next few steps were more like limps. That’s when Addison decided to ignore Felix entirely. He was there with someone else, after all. Not her. It obviously didn’t take him long to move on, so he couldn’t have liked Addison very much. No big loss, right?
Images flashed through Addison’s mind, of Charlotte in Felix’s arms. He had clearly made his decision. Addison was here with Phillip, anyway. P-H-I-L-L-I-P, she reminded herself sternly.
She turned her gaze upward and batted her eyelashes at him. He gave her a flirtatious wink, or maybe it was another wince of pain as she stomped his foot yet again.
By the time they rounded the dance floor once more, Addison saw Felix and Charlotte cozied up in a dark, secluded corner. Charlotte leaned her face up toward Felix. He ducked his head so she could whisper sweet nothings in his ear.
Their faces were so close together, her lips almost brushing his cheek to be heard over the big band on the stage. He turned his face toward Charlotte, as though about to kiss her.
Addison’s eyes widened, pressure building in her chest as she forgot to breathe.
“Ooof.” Phillip lurched forward.
“Ouch!” Addison cried as he bumped into her.
“Sorry,” they said simultaneously.
Addison belatedly realized that she’d stopped dancing altogether and had caused a traffic jam behind them on the dance floor. At that moment, the song thankfully came to an end.
Addison gave a brief boblike curtsy. “Thank you for the dance. Sorry. Must be the waves throwing me off-balance or something.”
“No problem,” he said, gracious enough not to point out that it wasn’t really a wavy ride.
Near the edge of the parquet floor, Addison spotted Holly Hart holding her phone out. She was staring down at the screen as though checking her messages. However, as Addison continued to stare at the reporter, a naughty smile creased the corners of her eyes.
Was she following Addison around to record her? Maybe Holly thought she was conducting her own investigation that night.
It was suddenly very warm in there. Too many people crowded that deck, too many people who hated Addison, who were waiting to see if she’d do something wrong. She needed to get out of there. But there was no way out, no way off that moving vessel beyond diving into the cold bay, which she tucked away as a good backup plan.
“Save another dance for me later?” she asked Phillip.
“Maybe I’ll buy you a drink instead,” he said, wiping her footprint off his wingtip shoe.
She smiled sheepishly, but was already backing away from the dance floor. “I’m going to go get some fresh air. Excuse me.”
“Certainly.”
She bumped Holly’s shoulder as she passed, causing her to drop her phone. Addison “accidentally” kicked it across the floor somewhere. She ignored Holly’s shouts at her back, just as she tried to ignore the suspicious looks from the other guests as she weaved through them.
They whispered behind their hands as she walked by. She could feel the blame in their postures and gazes. There were so many against her, rooting for her to fail. Even Felix’s cool gaze swept over her blankly as she passed by the lovebirds in the corner.
Addison’s pace picked up as she headed for the exit. The room was suddenly too small, and was that three-hundred-foot boat really big enough for all of them? What’s worse, hidden among them all could be the real bad guy, waiting for the right moment to strike again.
If Addison didn’t catch them before the night was over, if they got away with it all again, those missing dogs would stay missing forever. Not to mention, her life would be ruined, and this time for good. She was already doing a fine job of accomplishing that all on her own.