Free Desire in the Arctic by Stacy Hoff

seriously. And when it came to Arctic survival, no one even remotely qualified. Ana exhaled hard.
    “Hey, you okay?” Devon asked softly.
    “Yeah, fine.”
    “I know you’re scared to be out in the wild for twelve days. I would be. Heck, anyone would be. I’m sure even Redd is nervous.” He put a hand lightly on her shoulder. “You’re going to do great.”
    “Devon, can I ask you a question? I want your honest opinion.”
    “Sure. Shoot.”
    “Why did Mark promote me?”
    Devon looked at her thoughtfully, head cocked. “It’s not like Mark and I hang out, Ana. But if I had to take a guess, I’d say it’s because you have a solid reputation. You knew what the producer job entails better than anyone else who came in after Stephanie. Maybe because you actually worked with her. Mark hadn’t come close to filling her shoes when she quit, so after a few tries, he figured he’d try you.”
    Ana was silent as she took all this in.
    “He must think you’re capable, if that’s what you’re concerned about.” Devon frowned. “Is it?”
    Ana nodded, her face flushing with heat.
    “I’m not going to tell you something trite like Don’t be nervous or Buck up, little camper . But I will tell you that we were sent out here because Mark thought you could make the show a big hit. I’m assuming he also thought you actually being on the show would be helpful for you producing shows in the future.”
    Ana’s mouth dropped open. “Do you really think so?” There is hope. I need to keep reminding myself of this.
    Devon laughed. “I didn’t fly all the way out to Alaska to watch you get eaten by a grizzly.”
    Despite her tension and her doubts, Ana let out a small laugh. Her heart felt a thousand pounds lighter. “Thanks, Devon.”
    “No problem.” He winked. “Us New Yorkers have to band together. Especially out here.”
    If Devon was right, maybe she really wasn’t seeing herself accurately anymore. Maybe she could survive not only the wilderness but Teleworld. Ana and Devon waited until Redd was done with his three-song set. He wrapped up his performance with Elvis Presley’s “A little Less Conversation.” Gus’ crowd hooted and hollered their approval. With an almost-shy nod of acknowledgment to them, Redd stepped down from the stage and walked over to Ana and Devon.
    “Hey,” Redd greeted them.
    “You were great,” Ana said. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tom and James walk over to join them.
    “You were absolutely fantastic,” Devon confirmed. “Don’t you guys agree?” he asked the newcomers.
    James cocked his head to the side when he addressed Redd. “How come you didn’t tell anybody you could sing like that? Teleworld would have selected you on the spot if they’d known.”
    “Because my voice is my own business. I wanted to be on a survival show. Otherwise I would have applied for America’s Got Talent .”
    “You’d have a shot to win that show, too,” Tom said. “Can we tape you singing before we drop you in the Yukon?”
    “No way,” Redd responded calmly. “I only sang now to help you out of a money situation.”
    “Please? Mark will love us if we can get you to agree.” Tom’s eyes were round and hopeful.
    “Sorry. I only wanted to make sure Mark didn’t kill you.”
    James held a full beer glass out to Redd. “Here, drink this as a thank you for helping us today. If you change your mind about singing, let us know.”
    Ana smiled to herself. James’ low-key way of trying to persuade Redd made him worthy of his lead camera role. If Redd was going to relent, she didn’t know. With the twelve days they’d have together, she’d have time to figure him out.
    Devon waved over the skinny female bartender for more beers. When she handed them out Devon raised his glass in the air. “To Ana and Redd,” he shouted, “our soon-to-be millionaires.”
    “Here’s to their having an exciting adventure,” James offered.
    “Here’s to their becoming overnight