“This way,” Evie called back to Dora as she pushed her way through the crowd to the rendezvous point in the Marigny neighborhood that was adjacent to the French Quarter. The parade was to start at the end of Frenchmen Street and then wind its way through the Quarter, across Canal and end at the convention center.
“I’m coming. Some jackhole just stepped on my dress,” Dora called back.
Evie paused, glancing back at her friend. She laughed out loud when she saw Dora push a man who was dressed up like Willy Wonka and felt her chest swell with pride. It was good to see Dora not taking any crap from anyone. Not that she was ever really a wilting flower, but ever since they’d fled Pensacola, Dora had seemed to be coming into her own. She cuddled Sunshine closer in her arms and said, “Aren’t you proud of Auntie Dora?”
Sunshine let out a bark of approval and wagged her tail. The pup was wearing a green tulle dress that Evie had found at a neighborhood pet store. She’d wanted a velvet one, but a girl just had to make do. After searching three different costume stores, Evie had finally found herself a white corset dress that showed off her assets nicely, and with her blond ringlet wig, she thought she was rocking the Suellen O’Hara look quite nicely.
“I’m here,” Dora said, finally catching up to them. Perspiration clung to her forehead, and Dora waved her hands in front of her face, trying to cool down. “It’s way too hot for this.”
“There you are!” Flora rushed over and handed both Evie and Dora paper hand fans. “These should help. But hurry. The parade is getting ready to start, and we can’t get rolling without Scarlett!”
Evie couldn’t wait. Her dreams were about to come true. For as long as she could remember, she’d wanted to ride in a Mardi Gras parade. And while it wasn’t Mardi Gras, the event was close enough. She’d be on a float throwing beads. What more could a girl ask for? Evie, Sunshine, and Dora followed Flora to the gorgeous float that was covered in papier-mâché flowers. Evie first placed Sunshine on the float and then proceeded to climb up. Once they were on board, she reached a hand down to help Dora.
“There you are,” an annoyed, deep, gravelly voice called.
Sunshine spun around, and her hackles raised as she let out a long string of incessant barking.
“Whoa. Sunshine, calm down girl.” Evie let go of Dora’s hand and went after her pup, who’d shot forward, going after the man who was dressed in a dark suit and top hat.
“Get that beast away from me!” Charles cried as he stepped up onto the makeshift platform that he and Dora were supposed to dance on when they weren’t throwing beads.
I’ll sue! If she takes another chunk of my flesh, it will be the last thing she does.”
Pure rage rolled through Evie. What was that guy’s problem? What kind of barbarian threatened a little dog wearing a sweet little tulle dress? He was obviously a monster. Sunshine wouldn’t be so protective if he wasn’t. Suddenly Evie wasn’t so sure about her friend spending the afternoon in his arms. Maybe Dora could just skip the dancing and spend all her time tossing beads.
“Sunshine!” Dora called from her spot down on the street. She still hadn’t climbed up onto the float, and she had her hand pressed to her throat as she watched the scene unfold.
Evie turned her attention back to Charles just in time to see Sunshine launch herself at him. Her teeth were bared, and she was snarling as she opened her maw and went straight for his groin area. A sense of pride rolled through Evie. That was her girl. Her pup didn’t mess around when she was pissed off.
But Charles was too quick for the little bichon. He grabbed one of the metal chairs and swung, intending to fend off the little dog.
A scream got caught in Evie’s throat as she watched the chair barely miss her baby. “You monster!” she screamed and ran forward, scooping Sunshine up into her arms. “You could’ve killed her.”
“She was going for my manbits!” he growled. “That dog is a menace to society.” He pulled out his phone and dialed. A second later, he said, “Is this the New Orleans animal control? Good. There is a rabid—”
The moment Evie heard animal control, she clutched Sunshine with one arm and rushed Charles, knocking the phone right out of his hand. “How dare you? She’s just a little dog who isn’t fond of you. She hasn’t done more than bark and growl at you. I could understand if she’d taken a finger off or something, but all she’s done is let you know she doesn’t like you. That’s a girl’s prerogative, you know. I’m not going to let you mess with my pup. One more call to animal control and you’re gonna wish all that happened to you was a little dog going for your nuts!”
“Evie,” Dora said gently from right behind her.
When had she gotten there? Evie turned to her friend, tears in her eyes. “He tried to put my doggy in jail.”
“I know, sweetie. But we’re not going to let him do that,” Dora said. She waved a hand at Flora and the other members of the Krewe de Quills. They were all lined up with their arms crossed over their chests, glaring at Charles.
“Charles,” Flora said sharply. “What is wrong with you?”
He glared over the side of the float. “This is not on me. You saw what demon hound did.”
“She weighs like ten pounds,” Flora shot back.
“She barely even has teeth!” Evie cried, clutching Sunshine closer to her body. Her pup was everything to her. Besides Dora and Trace, Sunshine was the most important being in Evie’s life. She would not let that nasty Charles hurt her in any way. So what if Sunshine didn’t like him? She had a point. Evie didn’t like him either. Of course, Evie wasn’t going to bite the man, but she understood Sunshine’s unease.
Charles scowled at everyone. “Either the dog goes, or I do.”
No one said a word. Their faces were blank as the women stared at the surly man with their arms crossed over their chests. This was a group of women who stood for what they believed in.
Evie felt a surge of gratitude for the krewe. It felt good to have them stand up for her and Sunshine.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve been working on being Rhett for six months, and you’re going to take her side? That dog is a menace!” Charles spat out.
Flora narrowed her eyes at the man. “That dog probably knows something the rest of us have been trying to ignore. Evie and Sunshine are staying. Either suck it up and deal with it or show yourself out.”
“Whoa,” Dora said under her breath.
Evie’s lips curved into a tiny smile, but she refrained from throwing her fist in the air and letting out a triumphant shout. Gloating wasn’t exactly called for at the moment.
Charles tore his top hat, jacket, and tie off and threw them down on the floor of the float. “You old ladies are insane. Good luck finding someone crazy enough to deal with all of you old bats.” He puffed up his chest and poked it with his thumb as he said, “There’s no way you’re going to win one of the parade awards without Rhett Butler.” He shot Evie one last scowl and then jumped off the float. A moment later, he disappeared into the crowd.
“Good riddance,” Dora said.
“Oh, Dor,” Evie said, turning to her friend. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I’m so sorry. Now you’ll only be one half of a literary couple. I’m sorry Sunshine and I ran off your Rhett.”
“Eh. Don’t worry about it. That guy was a creeper anyway. Scarlett doesn’t need—”
“Excuse me, Miss Scarlett?” a familiar male voice said from behind Dora. “If you don’t mind, I’d very much like to be your Rhett.”
Evie jerked her head and stared over Dora’s shoulder right into the sapphire-blue eyes of one Luke Landucci.