Canyon Walls Read Online Free

wore swim trunks and a bright towel around his neck. “That’s dedication.” He laid a dollar bill on the counter. “Could Roger and I get a couple bottles of water?”
    She took out the waters and wrapped paper towels around the outside. “I see you’re planning to take a swim.”
    Will took the waters and handed one to Roger. “I saw some of the guys trying to dunk each other. We’re going to show them how it’s done.”
    When the men had walked away toward the pool, Cassie took a deep breath, trying to stay as casual as possible and not worry Beth. “Did I mention that the boss is going to be coming down to the camp next week?”
    Beth, who had hopped up to sit on the edge of the chest freezer, leaned forward. “Mr. Hartley’s coming here? Why? Why doesn’t he send someone from his office like he usually does?”
    Cassie kept her eyes on a boy and girl who had separated from the group and were sitting on the grass side by side. “I don’t know. His e-mail said—”
    â€œWait a minute,” Beth said. “He e-mailed you?”
    â€œYes, and he has some issues to talk to me about.”
    Beth swung her legs. For a moment, she looked like one of the campers. “Are you worried? I mean, he doesn’t come down here unless it’s something pretty big.”
    Cassie’s head ached because of the stifling heat. She needed to lie down. She shouldn’t have brought up the e-mail. “I don’t think it’s a big deal. I mean, he probably has to visit every camp at least once or twice a year.”
    An awkward silence hung between them until two boys, sweating and out of breath, ordered Gatorades.
    Beth shrugged. “Sure, you’re probably right. Nothing to worry about.”

Three
    Will pushed his brother’s tool belt and electric drill from the passenger seat to the dusty floorboard and climbed into Connor’s four-wheel-drive pickup. “This thing’s a mess.”
    Connor drummed his thumbs against the steering wheel. “It’s a work truck. What do you expect?”
    Despite their innate differences, Will and Connor made a good team. Connor handled the construction side of their real-estate business, spending his days outside the office on job sites. Will dealt with the development end, negotiating deals and looking for new projects. “This needs to be quick. I have a guy down there covering for me in a cabin full of crazed teenagers.”
    Connor sifted through a stack of paper on his dashboard. “It shouldn’t take long. My crew can’t start working on the renovation until you sign these contracts.” Connor pushed a clipboard of papers and an ink pen into Will’s hands.
    Will read through the first page and flipped to the next. He rolled his shoulders in an attempt to relieve some of the tension that crept back into his muscles. Will loved his work, and he was good at it. But he hadn’t even realized the pressure he felt from his father and their clients until he had a break from it at the camp.
    â€œI have to hand it to you,” Connor said. “You’re pretty committed to your job, spending a week down there.”
    Will looked up from the paperwork. “What do you mean? I’m taking a week off work.”
    â€œSure.” Connor rested an arm on the open window, staring out past the wooden Sunset Camp sign toward the canyon. “I just can’t believe Dad talked you into doing something so crazy for a deal.”
    Will fought off annoyance at Connor’s assumptions. “There isn’t a deal right now. Dad is just interested in the place.”
    Connor’s face creased with surprise. “I figured he put you up to this. Everybody knows the camp is on the verge of going under. Why else would you be here?”
    Their father had suggested Will look into the property, but it wasn’t why Will was at the camp. “The youth