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

It’ll be much easier to talk to them and get to know everyone when there are fewer of them! Soon enough they were sitting around and having a pretty good conversation. He was, of course, the center of attention and he allowed the talk to flow around him. The women were definitely on their best behavior today and they all looked gorgeous. He wasn’t sure how they accomplished it out here in the wilds of the backcountry, but somehow they all looked like they were sitting down at a party in New York or something.
    After about forty minutes of talking, Alex could identify most of the women, he could even tell most of them apart. He knew who Courtnee was, of course, and Missy was also pretty forward, so he knew her. He actually was beginning to like Amy and Jennie. They seemed a little less harsh and spoiled than the others. They weren’t quite as “citified” as Katie or Kiki. Of course, he knew Sammi as well…as soon as the thought crossed his mind he realized he hadn’t seen her. Before he could stop himself he found himself asking the group, “Where’s Sammi?” The other women looked around and shrugged, then continued their conversations. They didn’t seem to care. All they cared about was that they were here with him and trying to get his attention.
    Alex started to worry. Why wasn’t Sammi there? Had they kicked her off and hadn’t told him? He couldn’t believe it had taken him so long to realize she wasn’t there. She really did stick out, not in a bad way, but she stuck out nonetheless. The next hour was the longest hour he’d spent in the Outback. He couldn’t stop worrying about why Sammi wasn’t at the meet and greet. Finally, the visiting time was over and the women got back on the bus to return to their camp. Upon arriving at the production site, Alex found Eddie.
    “Where’s Sammi?” he asked impatiently. He’d spent the last hour and a half worrying about where she might be. Was she hurt? Was she gone? If she was gone how would he be able to find her again?
    Eddie looked at him and said, “She missed the bus at camp, so we left. Thought it’d be a good lesson for the other women and for her. She just can’t wander off. She’s here for the show, and besides, someone could get hurt.” Alex couldn’t believe it. Eddie was trying to teach her a lesson?
    “What do you mean, wander off?” Alex asked in a low voice.
    “Just what I said,” Eddie said in an annoyed tone. “Look, she decided she wanted to go for a little walk. Kina is following her. Nothing is happening.”
    “What did she do when she realized she’d been left behind?” Alex asked.
    “Don’t know. They’re still out there. I’m in touch with Kina. I let her know that the bus had left. I don’t know if Sammi knows she missed the bus or not, but it doesn’t matter. She’ll come back in her own time. She can’t get lost, Kina is filming her and we can watch the tapes. Calm down, Al, there are fourteen women left. You’ve lots of time to make your choice.” And with that, Eddie was called away.
    Alex wondered where the hell Sammi was and what the hell she was thinking wandering around by herself. If he was honest with himself, he was upset that he’d missed a chance to see her and get to know her.
     
    * * *
     
    In actuality, Sam wasn’t doing much wandering. She was content to stroll around and take long breaks under the enormous trees. She was enjoying watching the different species of birds and small animals running around. The only thing she was upset about was that she didn’t have a camera with her. She would’ve loved to be able to take pictures of what she was experiencing so she could share them with her family and friends. After a while she decided she’d better go back to the camp. She didn’t know if she’d be in trouble for missing the bus and the meet-and-greet, but she figured she’d better be back at camp by the time the others got off the bus or she might really be in trouble.
    After one of