Read Online Franny Parker by Hannah Roberts McKinnon - Free Book Online

right. “I wish we had one, but Mom says we move around too much.”
    â€œWell, you can borrow Jax anytime you like.” I looked at Lucas, at the tan lines around his arms that peeked from under his T-shirt. “You’re not moving away, are you?”
    Lucas shrugged. “Not yet. Mom thinks the school heresounds good. The neighbors aren’t so bad either,” he added with a grin.
    I grinned back.
    â€œSo, how’s the orphan?” he asked.
    â€œSorry about yesterday,” I said. “You really saved us.”
    â€œNo apology needed,” Lucas said. “Most exciting lunch break I’ve had yet.”
    I blushed.
    â€œWhat’s Flag up to these days?” he asked.
    â€œHe’s up to no good. Steals food from the garden, makes Jody’s mother pretty mad. But he loves Jody so much, you can tell.” I stopped, aware that I was blabbering away like a fool, but Lucas didn’t seem to mind.
    â€œFlag’s pretty neat,” he agreed.
    â€œJody, too. Can you imagine having your own baby deer?”
    Lucas frowned. “But does Flag really belong?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œJust ’cause he’s cute and follows Jody around like a dog, well, it’s not the same. He’s wild.”
    I stared at Lucas. Didn’t he realize what Jody had done? What a great pet Flag was?
    â€œAll’s I’m saying is sometimes people mean well, but they don’t realize what they’re getting themselves into. Things get complicated,” Lucas continued.
    I thought of my own wild animals in the barn, of Lucas and Lindy moving in next door, of all the good things happening that summer.
    â€œBut Flag’s home is with Jody,” I whispered. “They’re meant for each other.”
    Lucas didn’t answer; instead we both concentrated on Jax’s belly. Clouds of yellow fur rose up around us, and Jax murmured gratefully in that droopy-eyed way dogs do.
    â€œWhat about you? Do you ever miss home?” I asked finally.
    â€œHome?” Lucas laughed, but stopped when he realized I was serious.
    â€œHow come you’ve moved so much?” I asked. It was a harmless question, but I wished I could take it back. Lucas shifted to his feet, abruptly wiping the dirt from his jeans.
    â€œIt’s getting late. I better go help with dinner,” he said. Something crunched under his sneaker, and he picked up a piece of broken red plastic. “What’s this?”
    The black car popped into my mind. “Oh, I bet it fell off that car. The taillight was broken.”
    Lucas flinched. “What car?”
    â€œI don’t know,” I said. “Some old car. It was parked in your driveway.”
    â€œWhen? Who was in it?” He looked at me like I was hiding something from him.
    â€œYesterday afternoon. Some strange man, but he left.” I pictured the pale-faced driver, the blank look on his face like a washed-out photo.
    â€œWhat did he say? Did you talk to him?” Lucas’s voice was urgent now, his eyes wide with alarm.
    â€œNo,” I said, wishing he would sit back down, feeling like I’d done something wrong.
    â€œDid he have dark hair?”
    I nodded, wondering how Lucas could have guessed. He lurched toward the house, startling Jax.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me, Franny?” There was fear in his voice, and I felt somehow responsible.
    Desperately, I reached for Sidda’s invitation in my back pocket. I’d give it to him now. It would cheer him up.
    But the cabin door banged shut. He was already gone.

County Fair
    W hat book are you on now?” It was Friday, and Pearl stood on the other side of the screen door, her hair billowing around her like a storm. Jax leaped up and barked at the sight of her.
    â€œNumber six,” I groaned, letting her in. In the light, Pearl’s hair looked like fire, the frizzy flames leaping off her head.
    Sidda clapped her hand