White Water Read Online Free PDF Page A

excused, but that would only draw more attention, which was exactly what she wanted to avoid!
    A gentle hand squeezed her shoulder as Anne handed her a clean fork. She managed to eat a few more bites of dinner, but the beef tasted stringy, and her carrots were cold.
    Ryan swallowed the last of his milk and jumped to his feet. “Hey, everybody, hurry up. We get to see the movie now!” He ran from the room, and Kara could hear him rummaging through the tape drawer below the VCR. She started to call out and tell him to wait, but Dad held up his hand .
    â€œI’ll get him in a minute.” His voice was quiet, but firm. “Anne, Ryan is to clear the table and load the dishwasher for a week.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I know it means more work than if you did it yourself, but I’d appreciate it if you’d supervise him.”
    He cleared his throat and looked at Kara. “Wakara, please see to it that he makes his bed and puts his clothes in the hamper every morning before he goes to school. And I mean he’s to do it. Don’t give in and do it yourself, even if it takes more time. Deal?”
    â€œDeal.” She sighed. “But what if it makes us late for school?”
    â€œIf he doesn’t get it done, you both leave for the bus on time, and I’ll take care of it when he gets home.”
    Kara glanced at Tia, but she was examining the ceiling as if she’d never seen one before, and Colin kept his head down, concentrating on his empty plate.
    Dad’s gaze switched to Greg, and her older brother let out a groan. Dad smiled and laid a hand on Greg’s shoulder. “He has to learn some responsibility, Son. And since you’re training that high-spirited colt of yours, I think you’re the one to teach him more respect for horses.”
    Greg looked as shocked as Kara felt. Up ’til now, it had been her responsibility to teach Ryan to ride and groom the horses. She had started his lessons last fall, but then he took Star out without permission and lost his riding privileges.
    Dad must have read her mind. “I don’t mean I want him riding Lyman. Wakara can handle the riding lessons with Star. But it won’t hurt him to learn how to lead and back up a horse. Just once a week or so, until he gets the hang of it. Use the round pen—it’s safer.”
    â€œHey, you guys, come on.” Ryan raced in and grabbed Colin’s arm. “You gotta see this movie; it’s awesome.”
    Kara could tell Colin was trying not to laugh. He ran one hand through his hair, brushing the stray lock off his forehead, then used his best Texas drawl. “Well, Partner, I think you’ve got some chores to finish first.”
    Ryan followed Colin’s arm as it swept over the table full of dirty dishes. His face crumpled, and Kara was sure he was going to cry. Instead, he sighed and handed the tape to Dad. “Oh. I forgot.” He turned to Anne. “I’ll do dishes tonight, Anne. You’d better sit and put your foot up so it don’t get sore.”

D AD WAS RIGHT, OF COURSE . The film was not nearly as exciting without the special screen and 3-D projector. But Kara still felt the thrill of flying high over the Grand Canyon, plunging deep into the churning river, then floating through the misty shadows into brilliant light .
    â€œOutrageous!” Tia shouted when the film was over.
    Everyone stared at her, and Kara laughed. “Outrageous?”
    Tia just grinned. “Sure. And if you don’t know, Miss 4.0 student, it means amazing, marvelous, impressive, and sensational!”
    â€œIt also means shocking, monstrous, and excessive,” Kara grinned back. “I had the same vocabulary track in English last year.”
    Tia rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She looked at Kara’s dad. “Have you ever flown over something that awesome, Mr. S.?”
    Dad shook his head. “No. I would have liked