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Vanessa might be slightly annoyed when she finds out I'm going on the same zip-lining tour that she signed up for, but I can deal with her disapproval. I'd much rather handle her pleasure, though. I hope we can do some of that after our big adventure, but I won't hold my breath. She's always been a stubborn woman. I love that about her.
I decide against eating a snack before the zip-lining tour. Motion sickness has never been an issue for me, but then, I've never soared through the forest canopy before. The brochure instructed guests to gather on the main patio. From there, we will be led into the woods, to the starting point for our adventure.
We will climb up the mountain.
That sounds like quite a workout, but the brochure stated that we would ride in ORVs partway up the mountain. Then we will walk the rest of the way. I think I can handle that. They wouldn't let people older than me go on this expedition if they knew it would be a tough hike.
Or maybe I'm just hoping that's their plan.
I spend the next half hour searching the internet for information about the tall, craggy mountain that sits in the exact center of the island. Heirani Motu is the name of the island, but I have no idea what they call the mountain. Maybe it shares the same name with the island itself. Finally, I stumble onto a geology website set up by an Australian university, which tells me that the name of the peak is Beautiful Mountain in English, but I won't even attempt to pronounce the Maori version.
At five minutes to three, I stride out onto the main patio.
I see people I've met over the past few days and say hello to them. But my focus is on Vanessa. She's talking to James and Holly Bythesea, who will take us as far as the base of the mountain, where the ORVs are parked. From there, Emilio and Rene will guide us, along with the zip-lining experts who will be waiting for us at the designated spot.
My ex-wife doesn't notice me as I approach her and Emilio.
"Hey, Vanessa, are you ready for the big adventure?"
She jumps and gapes at me. "Craig? What are you doing here?"
"Emilio told me about the zip-lining adventure, and I thought it sounded like a great way to see more of the island."
"Did you." That was not a question. She's using her stern teacher voice now, and oddly, it makes me hot for her. "What a coincidence. You just happen to sign up for the same event that I picked."
"No, it wasn't an accident. I saw you with the brochure, remember?"
"Of course I remember. But I didn't think---Never mind. We won't see each other once we're up in the trees. Right, Emilio?"
The poor guy grimaces and glances back and forth between me and Vanessa. "Well, I, ah...don't know the details of how it will work. You'll need to ask the experts."
"They aren't here yet," I say. "The brochure says we'll meet up with them at the base of the mountain trail."
"Yeah, that's right." Emilio seems desperately relieved that I changed the subject. He checks his watch, then clears his throat. "I need to meet up with Rene to get the ORVs. I'll see you in a bit."
"Come on, everyone," James shouts. "It's time to head for the trail."
Aside from me and Vanessa, our group includes ten other guests including Zach and Aspen. It's a short hike from the resort proper to the trailhead, and we arrive before Rene and Emilio. James hiked up the trail wearing business-casual clothes while Holly looks like a sexy, professional woman. Emilio and Rene wore clothes too.
That fact makes me curious, and I can't resist asking a question. "I guess all the resort staff keep their clothes on at all times, huh?"
James lifts one brow. "Is that what you think? No, we remain clothed during work hours, but all staff are permitted to go nude in their off time if they so choose."
Holly grins. "James loves to sunbathe in the nude and make love on the beach too."
James rolls his eyes at her. "For pity's sake, Holly. Must we share everything with our guests?"
"Everybody will figure it out once you strip naked on the beach tomorrow." She winks at me. "That's our day off."
"You guys deserve a break, for sure," I say. "Seems like you work twenty-four seven."
"Not quite. James used to be a workaholic, but I cured him of that."
I'm probably making a pained face. "I've been a workaholic too. That's part of the reason Vanessa and I broke up."
"We didn't break up, Craig. You dumped me."
Vanessa's voice makes me spin around and stare at her. "Hey, Nessa. Ready for our zip-lining adventure?"
