Free Welcome to Paradise by Rosalind James Page A

you’ll all have a hand in choosing the winning team. Twenty-five percent, not that far from the thirty percent who actually lasted the five years and proved up their homesteads. Consider yourselves lucky. All you have to do to get there is last seven weeks, in the height of summer, and impress everyone else enough to be chosen as the winning team. But to get to that spot, you’re going to have to work hard, get along, and have a little bit of luck as well. Just like the people who did this for real.”
    “And now,” he said impressively, as Mike’s camera zoomed in on him, with Danny’s panning the group, “here are our homesteads. In Arcadia, we have . . .” He paused for effect. “As I call your name, please come over and stand on my left. Arlene, Lupe, Rachel, and Chelsea, for the women. And Hank, Alec, Calvin, and Scott, for the men.”
    “Oh, boy,” Rachel breathed, giving Mira and Zara a quick hug. “What did Kevin say. Alec and Scott. I see fireworks in my future. Wish me luck.”
    “And, as you’ve already figured out,” Cliff continued, “in Paradise, on my right, we have Melody, Zara, Maria-Elena, and Mira, for the women. And Gabe, Stanley, Martin, and Kevin, for the men.”
    Mira followed Zara over to the spot Cliff indicated, her mind still reeling. This was nothing like she’d expected. She saw Scott’s expression, and was glad not to be with him right now. All his carefully planned strategy, all his maneuvering, were for nothing. Because the game had changed before it had even started. And suddenly, they were playing by a whole new set of rules.

Strategies and Schemes
    They reassembled again out in the yard, standing together a bit awkwardly in their new homestead groups. The expectant buzz rose higher as two large wagons lumbered through the front gates, each pulled by a team of the sturdy horses the men had been working with all week, a Guernsey cow and calf tied on behind.
    “Meet your worldly possessions,” Cliff said as the drivers pulled the horses to a halt and Duke and Daisy came trotting out behind John and Alma. “We’ve even packed everything for you. Now all you have to do is get to your homesteads, and we’ve made that easy for you too. You’re going only five miles. And I hope you’ve been paying attention this week, because once you get there, the drivers will be heading on back here, and it’s all yours. Happy homesteading!”
    “How will we all fit in that wagon, though?” Melody asked. “It’s full already.”
    “Packed as full as it can get, and often more,” Cliff agreed. “The way West was littered with all the things people threw out, as they realized they’d brought more than their livestock could haul. Which is why only babies rode. And since we don’t have any babies here . . .” he eyed Melody speculatively, “that means you’re walking.”
    “Five miles?” Chelsea asked in disbelief.
    “You’ve been complaining about being stuck in the kitchen, haven’t you?” Cliff answered cheerfully. “Here’s your chance to explore the world around you. See you guys in a week. Good luck.”
    “I can’t believe this,” Melody complained as the wagons pulled out onto the dirt road, with Danny and Mike each hopping onto a four-wheeled ATV behind a driver, waiting to film the homesteaders as they began their hike, accompanied by the two big dogs. “Why couldn’t they have dropped us off closer?”
    “The historical rationale is this.” It was Martin, in his usual pedantic tone. “The original settlers would have traveled for weeks, sometimes months. And when they finally did arrive, already physically and emotionally exhausted, they had to start from scratch. We’re going to have already-planted gardens and fully constructed cabins, from what I understand. Frankly, I’m disappointed at that. I made a point of studying cabin-building techniques before I came, and was hoping to have a chance to put them to use. I for one am pleased that they’re