Last Chance by Norah McClintock Read Free Book Online Page A

he had a future as a vet or a kennel owner. He really loved dogs. He glowed when he talked about Orion.
    â€œMy plan,” he said, “is to adopt Orion.”
    I opened my mouth to tell him that Mr. Schuster had the same plan. Then I clamped it shut again and told myself that it was none of my business. Although I enjoyed talking to him, I was glad when my break was over and I had an excuse to leave. He didn’t know who I was. With any luck, he wouldn’t remember.
    I ran into him again later in the day. I was on my way back from the kitchen with a glass of ice water when I heard a voice from inside my cubbyhole of an office.
    â€œI told you, I’ll get it,” the voice was saying. I peeked inside. It was Nick. He was using my phone. “Relax, Joey,” he said. “It’s gonna be okay. I’ll figure something out and I’ll get back to you.” Silence. “Tell her it’s going to be okay,” he said. “There’s no way I’d let that happen.” Another long pause. “It won’t be long before you’re driving again. Then it’ll all be good. You tell her I said so . . . . Yeah. Look, Joey, I gotta go.”
    He hung up the phone and turned around. I could tell he was startled to see me standing there. He stared at me as if waiting for me to explain why I had been eavesdropping on his conversation.
    â€œYou’re in my office,” I said.
    He looked even more surprised. “Sorry,” he said. “I had to make a call.” He glanced around. “Is there any way you could maybe not mention this to anyone?” he said.
    I shrugged. It was just a phone call. What was there to mention?
    He brushed past me, strode down the hall, and pushed open an exterior door. A little later when I looked out the window, I saw him on the grass with Orion, putting him through his paces. He seemed as relaxed out there with the big dog as he had been at lunch. He sure didn’t look like the violent criminal that Mr. Schuster seemed to hold in such disdain.
    Â 
    . . .
    Toward the end of the next day, Kathy stuck her head into my office. “Need a break?” she said.
    I didn’t want to appear overly eager to stop, but you can only stare at a computer screen for so long before you crave a change of scenery. I nodded.
    â€œOne of our volunteer committees is meeting in about half an hour,” she said, “and we’re shorthanded. Would you mind helping Janet set up?”
    â€œNo problem.”
    She told me where to find Janet. “The quickest way,” she said, “is to go out that door.” She pointed down the hall. “Then cut across to the adoption center.” The adoption center was located near the parking lot.
    I followed her directions and reached the parking lot just as a van pulled to a stop and its driver tooted the horn. Nick and his friends surged toward it from a patch of shade where they had been waiting. I glanced at Nick. He was looking at me, but there was nothing friendly about his expression. I ducked my head and tried to skirt the group, unnoticed, but Nick planted himself in my path.
    â€œHey,” he said. “It’s been bugging me since the first day, but now I know who you are.” His purple-blue eyes were as hard as amethyst. “You’re the girl who turned me in.”

“A ren’t you going to deny it?” he said. He was standing so close to me that I could feel his breath on my face. I stepped back. He was a lot bigger than he had been when I knew him before, back when I was in junior high. He looked a lot stronger now too. He was staring at me so ferociously that I shifted my eyes down to the ground, just like I would have done if he were a dog. But he wasn’t a dog, I told myself. He was just a guy.Yes, he was taller than me.Yes, he looked like he could do some serious damage if he wanted to. And yes, I wanted nothing more than to get away from him. But if