Riley Read Online Free PDF Page A

had bounced back up. She was exploring the grass, sniffing here and there.
    â€œLet’s run back again,” suggested Kat.
    â€œHow about you go with Riley. When you turn around, I’ll call her. Then you can run back with her,” Maya suggested.
    Kat poked her in the arm. “You just want to rest!” she said.
    Maya did a pretend pout. “Well, really. How insulting.” Then she grinned. “Yeah. You’re right. So go, okay?”
    â€œLet’s run, Riley!” cried Kat. “Come on. Let’s go!”
    Riley looked up at Kat and smiled. As Kat began running, the puppy leaped excitedly beside her. Kat had to be careful not to get tangled up in the leash!
    They ran all the way to the rows of trees and bushes and then stopped. “Good girl, Riley,” Kat said. She reached down and rubbed the pup’s head.
    But Riley was pulling at the end of the leash. She was looking into the trees and wagging her tail.
    â€œWhat is it, Riley?” Kat asked. “Do you see something in there?”
    Riley was wiggling happily. She continued to pull toward the trees.
    â€œWhat is it, girl? Another squirrel?” Kat asked, letting herself be led into the bushes. But then she stopped. She saw what Riley had seen.
    It was Grace. The girl was sitting there, among the trees. She had a book on her lap, but she wasn’t reading. She was staring off into space. And she wasn’t smiling.

Kat froze. Her mouth dropped open. She felt the bad feeling again. She wished they had stayed at Tails Up! Coming to the park had definitely not been a good idea.
    Grace looked up and saw Riley and Kat.
    â€œOh!” she said, getting to her feet. She wore a blue T-shirt and shorts. Now her face was tilted down. “I was just… I live near here,” she went on. “Right beside the park.” She started to sound angry. But Kat hadn’t even said anything.
    Riley wagged her tail even harder. She pulled at her leash, wanting to go to Grace.
    â€œIs this your dog?” said Grace. She pulled on one of her auburn braids.
    Kat didn’t answer. She was still surprised at finding Grace.
    Riley stopped pulling. Now she sat nicely. She looked up at Grace, waiting to be petted.
    Grace didn’t come any closer.

    â€œTell me,” she said to Kat, “is she yours?” Her eyes were fixed on the puppy. Now her hands were bunched up into two fists.
    Kat felt an angry red flush travel up her face. This was the girl who had made a really mean face at her. Who had probably copied her poem about puppies. It was because of her that Kat had to be Owen’s hall buddy back and forth from the library. And now here she was, getting in the way of Kat’s time with Riley.
    Grace took a step closer to the puppy. Suddenly her face was scrunching up. She took another step, moving closer to them.
    Kat didn’t move. She was scared. Grace looked angry again. Why was she making fists? What if Grace hit her? What if she hurt Riley?
    Quickly Kat looked over her shoulder. Where was Maya? What should she do?
    Riley whimpered. She jumped up and wiggled with her whole body, trying to get to Grace. Kat couldn’t believe it. Why on earth was this sweet little puppy being so friendly to the mean girl?
    Then Grace said softly, “I love dogs, especially puppies.” It was almost like she was talking to herself. Her eyes were shining. “Can I pet her?”
    Kat wondered what to do.
    Grace’s face got that mean look on it. Then tears began to trickle out of the corners of her eyes. “Can I? Please?” she asked. Her voice sounded funny.
    She was crying! Grace was crying!
    â€œHer name is Riley. Pet her,” Kat blurted out. “Go ahead.”

    But Kat was too late. Just as she spoke, Grace ran past her and across the park.
    Riley watched the girl go, her head tilted to one side.
    Kat watched her go too. She opened her mouth to call to her, but no sound came out. She