Last Chance (23 page)

I nodded.

We looked at each other for a few uncomfortable moments. “Well, good-bye,” I said at last. I turned to go.

“Hey, Robyn,” he said. “I was wondering . . . ”

I waited.

“When Orion and me graduate . . . I mean,
if
we graduate, I was wondering . . . there's going to be a sort of graduation ceremony here. We're allowed to invite some guests. You think maybe you'd like to come? As my guest?”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“Well . . . ” I can't say I hesitated long before I answered. “Okay. Sure.”

He smiled at me. Nick D'Angelo actually smiled at me. He glanced back over his shoulder.

“There's one thing you have to do before you leave,” he said. “It'll just take a minute.”

“What is it?”

“Come on.” He started back toward Mr. Jarvis and Orion. I trailed behind him, reluctant to get too close to the big dog.

Nick took the dog's leash from Mr. Jarvis.

“Come on,” he said again.

I followed him outside onto the lawn where he got Orion to sit.

“It's about time you two became friends,” Nick said. “I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. And if I wasn't here, I don't know what would happen to Orion. Give me your hand.” I extended my hand, and he took it gently in his. His palm was callused but warm, and I felt a tingle go up my arm. Slowly he brought both his hand and mine closer to Orion. The big dog looked up at me but remained seated. His nostrils quivered as he sniffed my scent. “He likes it when you scratch him behind the ears,” Nick said. He guided my hand to the top of the big dog's head and nodded to encourage me. I scratched the big dog's head gingerly. Almost immediately, Orion's tail started to thump happily against the ground. Nick smiled at me again. I'd never seen him look so happy. I felt like I'd just made two new friends.

 

CHECK OUT THE NEXT BOOK IN THE
ROBYN HUNTER MYSTERIES
SERIES:

 

YOU CAN
RUN

 

“We were working on a project together. But she didn't get a lot done, probably because her mother is so sick. I could have been nice about it, but I wasn't.” Nick looked at me strangely. I couldn't make myself meet his eyes. “That same day, she took off.”

 

 

 

#1
Last Chance
Robyn's scared of dogs—like, really scared. But she agrees to spend her summer working at an animal shelter anyway. (It's a long story.) Robyn soon discovers that many juvenile offenders also volunteer at the shelter—including Nick D'Angelo, a boy from Robyn's past. A boy she hoped to never see again.

Nick has a talent for getting into trouble, but after his latest arrest, Robyn suspects that he just might be innocent. And she sets out to prove it. . . .

#2
You Can Run
Trisha Hanover has run away from home before. But this time, she hasn't come back. To make matters worse, Robyn blew up at Trisha the same morning she disappeared. Now Robyn feels responsible, and she sets out to track Trisha down.

As Robyn follows Trisha's path, she learns some harsh truths about the runaway's life. And when she finally locates Trisha, Robyn also finds herself in danger.

#3
Nothing to Lose
Robyn is excited to hang out with her sorta-boyfriend Nick after weeks apart. Nick has a dark history, but Robyn's sure he has reformed—until she notices suspicious behavior during their trip to Chinatown.

Turns out Nick's been doing favors for dangerous people. Robyn urges him to stop, but the situation might be out of her control—and Nick's. . . .

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Norah McClintock is the author of several mystery series for teenagers, and a five-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel. McClintock was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. She lives in Toronto with her husband and children.