Nowhere to Turn by Norah McClintock Page A

I’ll tell him that you were asking about him.”
    â€œPlease do,” Edith said. “Tell him Esther and Edith wish him well and that if there’s anything we can do—anything at all—he has only to call.”
    Orion and I were halfway up Mr. Schuster’s driveway when a car pulled up alongside of us. A tall, burly man in a gray overcoat climbed out of it. Orion strained against the leash, barking and growling. It took all my strength to hold him. The man held up his hands in mock surrender.
    â€œFriend, not foe,” he said.
    â€œOrion, quiet,” I said. But Orion continued to bark. His tail was straight out. So were his ears. I wondered if he and the man had met before.
    â€œThat’s a fierce-looking dog,” the man said. He smiled, but the look in his eyes didn’t match the expression on his face. “Is your mother here?”
    â€œI don’t know,” I said. “Mr. Schuster—Elliot Schuster—is home, but I don’t live here. I’m just the dog walker. Do you want me to tell him you’re here?”
    â€œThat would be great, thanks,” the man said. He watched Orion and me go onto the porch, but he didn’t follow us. I think he wanted to keep his distance. Orion had that effect on people.
    I opened the door and called Elliot. He strode out of the den, holding the list of references I had given him.
    â€œAh, Robyn,” he said. “I called your school and spoke to your principal. She had nothing but good things to say about you. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve got the job. Welcome aboard.”
    â€œThank you,” I said. “There’s a man outside to see you.”
    â€œFinally,” Elliot exclaimed. He headed for the door. Orion must have seen the opportunity for another walk because he charged after him, nearly dislocating my shoulder. Elliot froze.
    â€œOrion, sit,” I said sternly. To my immense relief, he obeyed. “Sorry,” I said to Elliot. “He loves to be outside.”
    Elliot nodded tersely. He steered a wide path around us and stepped outside. Through the screen door, I heard Elliot say, “Are you from the insurance company? I must say, I haven’t been impressed by the service—”
    â€œI’m not from the insurance company,” the man said. “I was hoping to speak to Mrs. Schuster. Is she here?”
    â€œNo, she isn’t.”
    â€œDo you expect her back soon?”
    â€œI’m not sure when she’ll be back,” Elliot said.
    â€œWould you please tell her that Mr. Jones dropped by,” the man said, “and that I’ll be in touch?”
    â€œCan I tell her what this is about?” Elliot said.
    â€œShe’ll know,” Mr. Jones said.
    I heard humming behind me and turned toward the sound. Connor was coming out of the kitchen with a can of pop and a bag of potato chips. When he saw Orion, the color drained from his face.
    â€œIt’s okay,” I said. “He won’t—”
    The front door opened, and Elliot came back inside, muttering to himself. It was too much activity for Orion. He leapt to his feet and started barking. Connor scrambled back into the kitchen. I held fast to Orion’s leash and tried to calm him down.
    â€œWould you like me to take him upstairs to see your father?” I said.
    Elliot shook his head.
    â€œThe physical therapist was here while you were out. Dad is getting around quite well with a walker now. He’s so determined, but I’m afraid all that exertion wears him out. Perhaps tomorrow.” He went back into the den, frowning.
    As usual, Orion balked at returning to the basement. By the time I had settled him, Connor was outside shoveling the driveway. He paused for a moment and looked at me but didn’t say anything. I decided to take the initiative.
    â€œOrion’s bark is far worse than his bite,” I said, smiling at him.
    â€œTell that to