You Can Run (21 page)

I laughed, and then, because she was serious, I promised.

“What are you going to do, Mom?”

“I'm going to go and see Ted.”

“And?”

“And we're going to talk.”

“Are you going to say yes?”

She shook her head slowly. “But I don't think I'm going to say no, either. I need time, Robyn.”

“It's okay, Mom,” I said. “I really like Ted. But I really love you.”

She leaned over and kissed me. “Happy birthday, sweetie.”

When I let myself into my father's loft, Nick was sitting on the couch looking nervous. My father looked amused. He engulfed me in as big a daddy bear hug as he could under the circumstances and said, “Happy birthday, Robbie.” When he finally let me go, he pressed a small box into my hand. I opened it. It was my birthstone, set in gold on a gold chain, with matching earrings. I hugged him again.

Nick stood in the background. He was out of Somerset and staying with my father temporarily. He'd finally talked to someone at Somerset, and he and his aunt were going to counseling. My father had offered to set Nick up in a space below his apartment if it came to that. Nick had looked so relieved. He didn't get breaks like that too often.

He looked great in black pants, a purple-blue shirt that complemented his eyes, and a black jacket. It all looked brand new.

“I took him shopping,” my father said. “You know, so Fred won't have a fit.”

“Fred? Fred Smith?” The owner of La Folie.

“The other part of your present,” my father said. “Anything on the menu. It's all taken care of.”

I hugged him again. Then I turned to Nick, who smiled shyly at me.

“You okay?” I said.

“It's just that the place is so fancy,” he said. “What if I used the wrong fork or something?”

“Just watch me,” I said. I took his hand in mine.

“Have a good time, you two,” my father said. “And Robbie? Don't do anything I wouldn't do.” He winked at me.

 

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

 

NOTHING
TO LOSE

 

 

A hand clamped itself firmly over my mouth and nose. I panicked and started to kick frantically. I felt hot breath on my face. Lips pressed up against my ears. “Be quiet, please,” a voice said. “I have a gun pointed at your friend.”

 

ROBYN HUNTER MYSTERIES

 

#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.