“Right, reality TV,” Kevin said. “If you’d watched as much as I have, you’d know that people come on the show with all these strategies of how they’re going to behave, how they’ll appear to the other contestants. And lo and behold, a week in, their true self has come out. Because no matter how hard you try, you can’t hide who you are when you’re with people 24/7. That’s what makes these shows so addictive. Especially the self-delusion part. Bet your boyfriend thinks he’s smarter than the average bear, doesn’t he? Stronger, smarter, shrewder, am I right?”
“Maybe,” Mira conceded. Absolutely, she thought. But Scott was strong and smart, and determined too. Was it so bad to have confidence in yourself? She’d always wished she felt as sure of herself as he did.
“One week,” Kevin predicted. “And everyone on the show is going to have formed their own opinion.”
Mira was grateful when Cliff called them together again after the break. She liked sharp, incisive Kevin and ebullient Rachel, but their blunt honesty had rubbed against more than a few raw nerves. Scott really wasn’t coming across well, she thought in despair. Maybe there was some way to suggest—tactfully, of course—that he dial it down. He could be charming when he tried. That was how he’d attracted her, after all.
“Now,” Cliff went on when they were assembled again, “time for a little history. The people who actually settled this area came from all over, just like all of you. Some from even farther—Scandinavia, Germany. And, like you, they came from all different backgrounds. Some knew how to farm, how to care for animals, and some didn’t have a clue. If we were really being authentic about this, we’d just dump you out there on the bare ground with some animals and a few tools and supplies, and let you fend for yourselves, sink or swim. Most of you would fail, and some of you would die. Which would be good TV, but unfortunately, these days, there are these little things we call lawyers.”
He paused with the true showman’s instinct for another laugh from his audience. “So we’re going to do this in stages. And if you’ll go back to your rooms and get packed up, we’ll get to that first stage in . . .” He looked theatrically at his watch. “Exactly half an hour. Out front. Those of you who drove in, leave your keys with Jay here, and he’ll see that your cars are stored. Otherwise, see you in thirty minutes.”
“Will our arrangements there, at this first stage, be period?” Martin asked as Cliff turned to leave. “I’d like to start acclimating myself as soon as possible.”
“Don’t worry,” Cliff answered with amusement. “You’re going to get all the authenticity you can handle soon enough. Believe me, I’ve never had anyone say, ‘I wish this was harder.’”
“We can handle hard,” Scott said confidently. “We’re ready.”
“He’d better not be on our team,” Alec muttered to Gabe as they left the room after handing their car key in to Jay as they went. “I’ll accidentally chop something off within a week, I guarantee it.”
“Which one?” Gabe asked wryly.
“Either of them.”
“Threat analysis,” Alec added as soon as their motel room door swung shut behind Gabe.
“Damn. I lose,” Gabe said, glancing at his watch.
“Huh? Lose what?”
“I thought it’d take you ten seconds to start planning strategy once we were back here.” Gabe began folding clothes and placing them into his suitcase, watching with amusement as his brother flung items willy-nilly into his own bag, tossed onto the middle of his unmade bed.
“Come on,” Alec said impatiently. “You’re at least as competitive as I am. You can’t con me with that saintly act. We’re here anyway, thanks to you. We might as well win. Biggest threats—Hank and Zara, definitely.”
“Older,” Gabe pointed out. “Presumably not as strong on the physical parts. Though they both look tough enough.”
“And the celebrity factor,” Alec said. “Don’t underestimate that. Other than them . . . maybe Stanley and Calvin. Stanley’s older too, but I’ll bet he can work. Rachel and Kevin . . . wild card. Depends how seriously they take it, especially him. She’s freaky-strong, and tough too, I’ll bet. A river raft guide? Wouldn’t want to arm-wrestle her. Yeah, they could do it.”
“You don’t think Chelsea and Melody are going to go all the way?” Gabe grinned.
“Not in the game, that’s for damn sure. With you and me? I’d bet on that. Maybe together, even,” Alec went on, holding a dirty shirt in his hand, a faraway look on his face. “You ever do it with two girls? Back before you became such an upstanding citizen, of course. In the football days?”
“I did a lot of stupid things back then,” Gabe said dismissively. “And I don’t want to hear your sordid stories either. Back to the game. Maria-Elena’s too young—for anything,” he added with a warning glance at his brother.
Alec held his hands out in a gesture of surrender. “No argument. I don’t do teenagers. And game-wise, you’re right. Not exactly a ruthless competitor—well, either of them, for that matter. Mr. and Mrs. Granola, now . . .”
“Mr. Granola and Ms. Hemp, please,” Gabe corrected. “Way too annoying. They’re already pissing people off. And you haven’t mentioned Mira and Scott,” he pointed out before ducking into the bathroom to retrieve toiletries.
“No threat,” Alec said positively, reaching a quick hand out to grab the bottle of shampoo Gabe tossed him.
“He looks as strong as you,” Gabe needled. “Same gym muscles. Not as strong as me, but then,” he said with a mock-satisfied sigh, “so few people are. And he already told us all how seriously he’s taking it.”
“He’s the guy fidgeting in line ahead of you at Starbucks, checking his iPhone and snapping at the barista for taking too long with his half-caf nonfat extra-hot latte with no foam,” Alec said. “Never going to make it out here. Not a chance. Either we’ll all kill him, or he’ll implode.”
“Bet she’ll do all right, though,” Gabe said. “A little quiet, but really sweet. And there’s something solid there.”
“Yeah, but she’s with him, for some bizarre reason. That’s her weak spot. What would you call that color of eyes?”
“Hazel,” Gabe answered shortly.
“Almost gold. Really pretty. One hell of a kissable mouth. And the way she looks up at you, a little shy . . . that’s nice. That cuddly body, too . . . She’s even got freckles on her nose. I’m a sucker for freckles. She’s really growing on me. Yeah, it’d be good to take her away from him,” Alec decided. “For all kinds of delicious reasons.”
“You’re not doing that.” Gabe was dead serious now as he looked at his brother.
“Quit trying to be my freaking conscience,” Alec said with annoyance. “I have one of my own, you know. There’s no ring on her finger. He’s not treating her right, and he doesn’t deserve her. It wouldn’t be a sin, it’d be a public service.”
“All points granted. But you’re still not doing it. You’re not pulling that stuff on her. She deserves something more than that.”
“Whoa, boy. Going after somebody who’s in a relationship? Not really up to your high moral standards, is it? And I thought you weren’t rescuing anymore.”
“She doesn’t need rescuing,” Gabe said with conviction. “She’s just with the wrong guy.”
“And I suppose you’re the right guy?”
“You never know.”
WELCOME TO PARADISE: THE KINCAIDS, BOOK ONE
Now available for the Kindle
Acknowledgments
My sincere thanks to those who aided in the research for this book:
Christchurch earthquakes and geology: Joel Bensing; Marlene Villeneuve, Ph.D., Lecturer in Engineering Geology, University of Canterbury
Fashion, merchandising, and the beauty burden: Erika Iiams
Rock climbing: James Nolting, Rick Nolting
As always, my heartfelt thanks to my awesome critique group: Barbara Buchanan, Carol Chappell, Anne Forell, and Bob Pryor.
Cover design by Ro
bin Ludwig Design Inc., http://www.gobookcoverdesign.com/
Table of Contents
Author’s Note
Also by Rosalind James
Table of Contents
New Zealand Map
Fear and Loathing in the Climbing Gym
Sharing a Beer with Nate
Anxiety Attacks
Chance Encounters
Tea With a Hooker
Thrills and Honesty
Hidden Dangers
Something More Special
New Opportunities
Partners
A Bad Boy
A Good Man Is Hard to Find
Photo Opportunity
A Lesson for Nate
Motorcycle Boots
Sharing Another Beer With Nate
Enjoying It Heaps
Ally Takes the Plunge
Diving In
Bridal Fantasies
A Timid Man
Leather and Lace
Men’s Valentine’s Day
Priorities
Out on the Paddock
Riding the Roller Coaster
Spike Through My Heart
Nate’s Birthday Present
Wedding Song
Self-Control: Sadly Overrated
Some of Us Are More Important Than Others
All Good Things Must End
Too Much Honesty
We Try Harder
All Black Attack
A New World
Reaching New Heights
Kristen Breaks a Vow
Crusaders and Their Maidens
Quite a Nice Walk
Ally Gets Her Card Back
Knee-Deep in It
Liam Sings a Song
The End
Ups and Downs
Defending Nate
The Internet Is Forever
Finding Ally
On International Boulevard
Mr. Most Improved
A Kiwi Glossary
Links
Welcome to Paradise--Chapter 1
Welcome to Paradise--Chapter 2
Welcome to Paradise--Chapter 3
Acknowledgments
Just My Luck (Escape to New Zealand #5) Page 40
