Blooming in the Wild Page 0,7

He always made it really clear on his show that his adventures were not to be replicated by the inexperienced.

The island was a cloud-capped green bulk off the port side as they headed south, past the ragged string of South Kona condos. The surf was a gentle surge of white against the rocky shore, the palm trees leaning over the shore like quiet sentinels, their fronds stirring gently in the evening breeze.

“So just to make sure we all understand,” his nemesis went on. “There will be no swimming or diving anywhere around those sea caves, is that understood?”

“Worried about your company’s indemnity clause, Ms. Moroney?”

Twin patches of color stained her golden cheeks. “It’s Moran. And yes, I am. Given your career, I understand caution may not be in your personal vocabulary, but it’s my job to see that you don’t take chances while you’re on DelRay time.”

Her sharp words hung between them. The others listened avidly, watching Joel to see how he’d handle her warning.

“Maybe you can make a list and send it to my phone,” he offered. “So I know exactly what I’m allowed to do and not do on DelRay time.”

Her brows scrunched together over her shades. Joel swore he heard a drum playing, as when two gunfighters stepped into the street in one of those old Westerns. But of course that was only the throb of the big boat engine as their captain sped up through the waves.

The male model grinned, his teeth impossibly white against his golden skin. “Good times can still be had, though. Right, ladies?”

The lovelies seated on either side of him nodded, but the blonde looked doubtful. “I’ll have to stay out of the sun as much as I can. Wrinkles.” She shuddered, and the guy patted her pale, perfect leg.

Joel gazed at her, forgetting his irritation. Why the hell had DelRay hired a sun-phobic for a tropical, backcountry gig? His gaze flicked to Bella Moran in time to see her tilt her head again, as if this were just one more distressing detail she must deal with. Man, she was uptight. She’d never last in the business world if she didn’t relax. End up chewing antacids all day, or hitting the booze, like his show’s last producer.

Well, she’d figure it out, or not. Not his problem. Meanwhile they were passing Kealakekua Bay, one of his favorite spots. Captain Cook’s memorial spire gleamed white against the lush vegetation that surrounded the pristine little bay. Great snorkeling—Joel had spent a memorable afternoon there with a pretty local wahine, no one else around. Nearly drowned going at it between their kayaks like a couple of dolphins. Damn, that had been a day.

Now, here he was with this odd bunch. Ah, well, he was used to dealing with whatever camera and support crew his network patched together. He’d learned to get along with anyone and everyone. His crew could jolly along suspicious locals and nervous officials, soothe them into doing what they needed to do while he did his thing, explaining outdoor survival in some of the world’s most exotic locales to an audience that would, for the most part, only explore the wilds vicariously.

Joel was also used to his share of feminine admiration and curiosity. The blonde model was watching him closely, and he had an idea what was coming next.

“You have a television show, don’t you?” the blonde asked. “You’re that guy.” She had a clear, slightly nasal voice, giving her speech a childish tone.

“What guy?” The redhead cocked her head, sliding her sunglasses up into her hair. Her green gaze assessed him avidly.

Joel grinned at them.

“What guy?” The male model gave Joel a blank look.

“You know,” the blonde said as if the guy were dense. “Joel, from The Wild Zone. The new outdoor adventure show, where he sleeps in trees, and parachutes off of waterfalls, and stuff.”

“That’s me,” Joel agreed.

“It’s so cool to meet you. I’m Cassie,” the blonde said. “This is Matt and Tanah.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

“Hey, Joel.” Matt smiled. Obviously not threatened by his girlfriend’s interest, but then, with his looks, he probably didn’t have a jealous bone. Maybe he’d ordered that face the way the blonde had ordered her breasts: give me a handsome one.

“Very nice to meet you, Joel,” the redhead said, smiling. She whipped her phone up and snapped a picture of him. Used to it, he ignored the gesture.

“I watched you eat a bug once.” Cassie wrinkled her perfect nose. “How’d you do that? I’d throw