Free Outback Hearts (Beyond Reality Book 1) by Susan Stoker

stolen her pig and was laughing, laughing , at her. She almost called it quits right there. This wasn’t worth it. Why did she want to fight over some guy who probably was laughing at her right this minute? Sam reluctantly looked toward the podium and at Al. He was no longer sitting, but standing and it looked like he was scowling at her. Sam did a double take, why was he mad at her? What did she do? Then she looked a bit closer and it seemed like Al wasn’t looking at her after all, but watching Courtnee greet the other women on the other side of the circle. Then he turned his eyes on her. Seeing that she was looking at him, he gave her a small smile and nod of his head. Sam sighed. Shit, I guess I have to get one of these stupid pigs after all. She wasn’t going to let Courtnee win and have the satisfaction of knowing she’d gotten her kicked off the show. So, ignoring the pain in her side, Sam set out to capture another stupid pig. She had no doubt she’d succeed. She had quite a bit of motivation.
    With Sam’s success, finally it came down to one pig left in the circle, and two women. Kimmie and Kiki were fighting for all they were worth to try to make sure they weren’t the loser. It seemed to be an even match. Finally, it seemed as if the pig was getting tired of the game. He wanted to join his buddies on the other side of the circle. He took a sharp turn and started running right for the corral. Kiki was closer to the chute and managed to grab onto the pig as it ran past her and right into the corral. Kimmie was left without a pig.
    “That’s not fair!” she screeched. “She didn’t capture it, it ran right by her!” Kiki was grinning like a ninny while Kimmie continued to complain.
    Robert told all the women to line back up in their original spots. Al came down off the podium and stood next to Robert. He spared a quick glance at Sammi and managed to give her an inconspicuous head nod.
    “It looks like you’re the only one without a pig, Kimmie,” Robert began, “you’re going to have to say goodbye to Al and the other women right here and now. Your belongings will be brought to you later. Do you have anything to say?” Darn right Kimmie had something to say…
    “You’re all a bunch of losers. You’d cheat and lie to your own mother if it’d serve your purpose. If you were dying of thirst I wouldn’t give you a drink of water!” And with that she flounced away from the group toward the waiting car.
    Sam couldn’t help it. She laughed, out loud. It was too much. It was too much like the first season of Survivor when the one contestant said practically the same thing to the finalist. What drama, what flair…but she also knew it’d make great television.
    Robert seemed to finally come out of the trance that he was in after Kimmie’s departure.
    “Okay, ladies, you’ve earned the right to stick around another day. It’s time to go back to camp, and you’ll meet with Al later today.”
    With that, Al, Eddie, and Robert left, and the women walked back to their camp. Of course, once they got there it was a free-for-all as the women all tried to fight for the shower. It seemed they didn’t mind there wasn’t any hot water anymore. They all wanted to get the pig smell off and get ready for their meet-and-greet with Al later on that day.
    Sam was finally able to take her turn in the shower. It seemed like she’d been wet more in the last few days than she’d been in her “real” life back in Albuquerque. She didn’t mind. She’d always been a good swimmer. She’d been on the water polo team in high school, so she felt comfortable in and around water, even if it was cold. When Sam walked out of the little bathroom building, she didn’t see much movement around the camp. The women were mostly in the tents just hanging out, waiting for Robert or someone to come and get them.
    I can’t believe them. Sam thought to herself. They’re in Australia and they’re sitting around in tents,