by Hoff, Stacy
Ana had screamed so loud Redd wasn’t sure which one of them he hit. But the wolverine fell, writhing on the ground. Got it! No, wait, it’s alive, and moving toward her again!
Then the animal stilled. Enemy down.
But there was no time to pat himself on the back or even say a thankful prayer. Seconds later he was by Ana’s side. Blood covered her parka, red droplets dripping on the snow. Her body was still and cold.
Ana managed a few weak words, “You are my hero,” before blacking out.
With a hard wipe at a tear running down his face, he gingerly picked up her limp body and held her to his chest. He carried her as fast as he could until he reached the clearing by the cabin. Then he kicked open the door, placed her on the mattress, and reached into her backpack for the one thing he needed. An item more important than anything he had ever needed—or wanted—before.
Without stopping to second-guess himself, he walked outside. And fired the flare gun. Sorry, Hailey. I wanted so much to have your name live on with the donation I would have made. But I can’t bear to have Ana die, too.
Chapter 21
Ana awoke in a state of confusion. Where the heck was she? She wasn’t in the cabin. This room looked high-tech. The walls were white and an open door led to an attached bathroom. A shiver of cold ran through her. She tried to fold her arms across her chest for warmth but realized there were bandages on one arm and an IV drip in the other. What? She couldn’t figure all this out. Her head felt leaden and her mouth wooly. She moved her tongue around. It felt like lead, too.
“Oh, you’re up,” Devon said.
She blinked in confusion. Devon? Where did he come from?
“We’ve been wondering when you were going to join the land of the living,” he quipped.
“Huh? What?”
“You’ve been asleep for two days. The hospital staff was getting nervous. So was I.”
“What? Where am I?”
“Fairbanks. We had you airlifted from Gates of the Arctic. Good thing the storm let up so the plane could fly in. The crazy thing is, it’s now sixty degrees outside.”
A knock on the door interrupted him.
An elderly female nurse walked in, saw Ana awake, and smiled. “Glad to see you’re up, dear. We’ll send the doctor in shortly.” Turning to Devon, she added, “Visiting hours will be over in fifteen minutes.”
“Okay,” Devon replied, nonplussed. When the nurse was gone, he hissed to Ana in a stage whisper, “If only it were that easy to get rid of me.”
“Devon, where’s Redd?”
“He’s been here to check on you non-stop. We’ve been joking he must be injured, too, he’s been here so much. He’ll be sorry he missed seeing you wake up. He said he was going to grab something to eat and that he’d be back soon.”
“So he is okay, right?”
“Yeah, sure. You’re the one who got hurt. He triggered the flare gun when you got attacked by the wolverine.”
Her heart stopped. She hadn’t contemplated their losing. “He triggered the flare gun? We lost?”
“Well, yeah. Are you sure you want to go into all of this now? You just woke up and they’ve pumped you up with lots of drugs.” Devon gestured to the IV. “The doctors put some painkillers in there, along with some antibiotics. They didn’t want the bite to become infected.”
Ana looked down at her arm with alarm. Her heart beat rapidly. “Am I going to be okay?”
“The doctors said you’ll be fine. They said they stitched you up pretty good. It hasn’t been easy to get information out of them, since we’re not your family. But I have my ways.”
Ana let out a short laugh. “Oh, really?”
“Yeah. I went out on a date with one of your nurses. Carlos is a cutie.”
“Glad my getting hurt helped you out.” She grinned before sobering. “Tell me what’s going to happen with the show.”
The question made Devon lose his smile. “Mark’s real mad that Redd fired the flare. It was supposed to be more about creating drama than actually having the ability to call an end to the show.”
“Mark never said that to me—”
“Until yesterday, he hadn’t said anything to me about it, either.”
She felt like she was swallowing a lump of lead. “So what happens now?”
“I hear Mark’s going to . . . never mind. Don’t worry about any of this crap. Spend all your energy on getting better.”
“No, Devon. Finish the sentence. What were you going to say?”
Devon exhaled hard. “Mark told James he’s going to fire you.” Devon dropped his head down. “I’m sorry, Ana. Mark must be the worst person in the world to have pushed you into doing the show. And then fire you after getting injured.” Devon looked like he wanted to spit. “Teleworld is a terrible company. I can’t believe I have to work for them to pay my bills. I’d be better off quitting, even if it meant being homeless.”
“I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you,” she said. “Stay employed, but make sure you watch out for yourself.”
“Do you think there are any cameramen jobs out here in the Great White North? If so, I’m going to seriously consider staying in Fairbanks with Carlos.” He let out a wicked grin. “I’ve always wanted a sexy nurse to call my own.”
She laughed a moment before sobering. “I wish I could take care of Redd. Especially now, when he lost out on the prize money. He must be distraught.”
“You two got pretty close, didn’t you?”
She felt heat rush to her cheeks. “I might as well confess it, since I won’t be working at Teleworld much longer. Yes, we got close. I’m not sure Redd’s speaking to me though. We got into a fight right before my run-in with the wolverine.”
“He must have gotten over it because he’s come here to check up on you a lot.”
“I’m glad to know that,” she said. “But I am sorry he had to fire the flare because of me.”
Redd was almost by Ana’s hospital room when a young woman in a candy-striper outfit stopped him. “I’m sorry, but I’m supposed to tell everyone the hospital is now closed to visitors. We open again to the public at nine o’clock in the morning.”
“No problem,” Redd answered with a smile. “Mind if I use the bathroom before I leave?”
“Go right ahead,” she said before turning a corner and walking down the hall.
Redd grinned broadly. His Secret Ops mojo was still working. He soundlessly took another three steps to Ana’s door and was about to walk in when he heard her voice.
Ana’s awake! He would have busted into her room and hugged her, if something hadn’t made him freeze. She was speaking in earnest to someone. Maybe it’s the doctor. I should give her some privacy before I bust in like a love-sick fool . . .
“Devon,” Ana said in an anguished-sounding voice. “Do you know why Redd fired the flare gun? I wasn’t going to die if I didn’t go to the hospital. Right?”
Redd froze.
“I don’t know, Ana. Redd hasn’t talked too much about it.”
Redd strained his ears. It sounded like Ana was sobbing. It was torturous not to run to her. He wanted so badly to hold her head against his chest. Lock his arms around her waist. Gently rub away her tears.
“I can’t believe Mark fired me.” Ana’s voice was full of misery. “I wonder if I’ll be able to get another job. It won’t be easy. Everyone back home will continue to think I’m a dope.”
“No, Ana, I’m sure nobody will think that. What happened is not your fault. It wasn’t you who fired the flare . . .”
Redd’s legs felt shaky. His head felt like he’d been hit with a two-by-four. His stomach threatened to heave. And if he heard any more about his overwhelming failure, he knew he would heave. Instead of saving Ana’s life, I destroyed
it. His temple throbbed in earnest. I can’t bear to lose the women I love.
Redd turned around, left the building, and then hopped the very next flight back to Texas.
Chapter 22
Ana never thought there’d be an upside to being jobless, but the sudden time off had been welcomed. Instead of flying back home after the hospital had released her, she had flown to Texas to visit Stephanie. She knew she could stay forever, but it would soon be time to go. Ten days was long enough for her to toughen up and face her prospects in New York. By herself. Redd had not contacted her once.
He had dismissed her, just like everyone back home. But Redd’s action hurt the worst. He was the one she had admired and valued most, so his rejection cut the deepest. He was also the man she had felt closest to. But the bond was gone now.
As angry and disappointed as she was over his dumping her, without even so much as a goodbye, she found comfort in believing that, at least during their one passionate night together, he had cared about her. There was no harm in her thinking this, even if she knew deep down it wasn’t true.
And why would he care when she so foolishly cost him the prize money? She never should have left the safety of the cabin. Or ever thought she could save him.
In fact, wasn’t that what he’d been telling her all along? That the best thing she could do was to shut up and stay away?
Upstairs in Stephanie’s guestroom, Ana packed up her belongings. She’d be gone the next morning. Back to the East Coast. Back to real life and real problems. She’d be hitting the unemployment line. It was a good thing Teleworld already wired the promised money into her account. Not just the fifty thousand dollars they had contractually agreed to, but another one hundred thousand in severance pay, in exchange for her not suing them.
It sounded like a large sum, but in a city like New York, the money would go quickly. Who knew how long it would take her to get another job. Management level positions in television were not easy to come by. It’d be better to give up her apartment to save money. She could stay with her parents in her old room. They had saved it for her, a shrine to their beloved daughter. A daughter who was, unfortunately, such a ninny she was destined to come home. She winced. Worst. Welcome mat. Ever.
“Ana? You there?” Stephanie’s voice called out.
“Yeah, Steph. Come on up.”
The sound of Stephanie’s footsteps grew louder until her friend was at the door. “What are you doing?” Stephanie asked, eyes wide in alarm. “I thought you were going to stay at least a few more days.”
“I want to stay longer, you know that. But it’s time you and Colin had a little privacy. If I’m here any longer, I’ll become part of your walls.”
“Colin, please come up here,” Stephanie called downstairs.
Colin appeared a few seconds later, looking at them quizzically. “You don’t want my opinion on The Hottest Bachelor again, do you?” he joked. “You know I can’t stand reality shows.”
“Amen to that, brother,” Ana quipped.
“Ana’s leaving,” Stephanie said. “You need to stop her.”
Colin furrowed his brow. “Sorry, Steph, honey. I know you love Ana but we can’t force anyone to stay.” He looked soulfully at Ana. “But there is something I need to tell you before you go.”
Ana sat down on the bed, leaving the two of them standing.
“Did Redd tell you how he got chosen to be the Arctic Gladiator?” Colin asked.
“No. I assumed Casting found him.”
“They didn’t. Redd asked me to recommend him to Teleworld, and with great reluctance—”
Stephanie interrupted “—and a helluva fight from me—”
“What?” Ana cut her off. “How would you two know each other?” Then she fell silent as the memory of an earlier conversation with Stephanie flooded in, the one held on the eve of Ana’s flight to Alaska. “You do know each other. I was so scared I shut everything out of my mind, including that phone call. But I should have figured it out anyway. You’re both Special Op’s men. About the same age. From the same part of Texas . . .”
“Yes, and we were assigned to many of the same missions. The world is smaller than most people think.”
“I guess so,” Ana said, dumbstruck.
“You didn’t tell me,” Stephanie chided, “that you’d be one of the Gladiators, too.”
“I was afraid to discuss the show at all. Because if I told you—” Ana started.
“I know,” Stephanie said softly, “you were afraid my fear over losing people would freak me out.”
Ana nodded. Colin wrapped an arm tightly around Stephanie’s waist. Followed by a kiss on his wife’s cheek. Ana was touched by the tender show of affection toward her best friend. Although witnessing what she’d never get to experience herself was overwhelmingly sad.
“I know you probably don’t want to hear about Redd,” Colin said to Ana, “and I don’t blame you. But I think you would be less upset if you knew some things about him.”
“If it’s about what happened to his sister, I already know.”
“Did he also tell you what the prize money would have been used for?”
“No. He said it was none of my business,” she said flatly.
Colin laughed. “That sounds like Redd, all right. But since he hurt you real bad, I think it is your business. The money was going to fund cancer care services for the poor. In memory of Hailey.”
Ana swallowed. “Kind of explains why he didn’t want to talk about it.”
“For all the years I’ve known Redd, he’s never wanted to talk about anything personal. He’s a little like Steph here, he feels loss very deeply.” He kissed his wife again. “I’m not asking you to forgive him. Just to understand him. Enough to not be angry anymore. He probably just freaked out because you almost died on his watch. As a former Special Ops Marine, I can understand where he’s coming from. Especially with all the baggage he’s been carrying around.”
Ana was silent. Colin put a hand gently on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “If it helps you any, I’m sure he cared for you a great deal. Giving up the prize money must have been the hardest thing for him to do. Hanging on to his sister’s memory was all the man had. Maybe he couldn’t bear to have anything happen to you, too. And I’m sure he’s sorry he let you down.”
Ana blinked back a torrent of tears. Her eyes felt hot and stingy.
“You’ll be okay, Ana,” Colin said gently. “You and me are wounded warriors. It means we know how to survive.” He stepped away to roll up his sleeve and held out his severely scarred arm.
Ana nodded and rolled up her sleeve. She held it up, showing her large scar, too.
“Branded by Teleworld,” Stephanie said softly. “They can hurt your body, but never let them hurt your soul.”
Ana gave them a small smile. “Thanks, guys,” she said with a sniff. “I needed to hear all this. My soul will be fine. Eventually.”
“We’re here for you, sweetie,” Stephanie said, giving Ana a large hug.
“Always,” Colin confirmed.
“Get some sleep, Ana. We both love you. See you in the morning. Everything will look brighter then,” Stephanie said, taking Colin’s hand and walking out the guestroom’s door.
Ana sat with her head in her hands. But will it be bright like the Alaskan summer sun? Would things ever be as good as they were with Redd? Even stuck in a crappy cabin during a blizzard with limited food, survival gear, and weapons, she had never been happier in her life. Being without so many things made her realize she needed only one thing—Redd.
Even before Colin’s explanation, she knew she missed Redd. Now that her anger had ebbed, she could finally admit to herself she loved him, too.
The next morning, Ana trotted downstairs from the guestroom with a big smile on her
face.
Stephanie, however, greeted her with a frown. “Geez, Ana, you don’t have to look so happy about leaving. I’m going to miss you terribly, you know.”
“I know. That’s not why I’m happy.”
Stephanie’s eyes went wide with excitement. “Then you’re staying? That’s excellent! We can get you a job here on our farm. I’ve learned to do lots of things, I’m sure you can, too.” Stephanie raised her hand to do a fist-bump, but Ana shook her head. “No, I am going back, but not today. I need another day or two to take care of an important piece of business. And, as my former boss, I’m going to need your help.”
Stephanie arched an eyebrow. “Do tell.”
“We both have experience in television. I want to hold a press conference at the closest hospital to Redd with a cancer wing.”
“Of course I’ll help you. What are you going to say?”
“I’m donating one hundred thousand dollars to start a foundation. One that makes medical payments for indigents needing cancer treatment. I’m calling it The Hailey Redding Memorial Medical Fund.”
Stephanie’s jaw hung open. “Ana, you’re amazing.”
“It’s not that much money, of course, but it’s the most I can afford to give away right now. It’s all the severance money Teleworld gave me. But I’ll need to keep their initial check. I have no idea how long it will take me to find another job.”
Stephanie smiled. “I know one of your former bosses who would love to give you a great job reference.”
Ana laughed. “Good. I was going to use your name whether you wanted me to or not. I hope you’re willing to say I’ll be a great manager. I think it’s time I started finding out exactly what I’m capable of. It’s high time I really challenge myself professionally. Maybe personally, too. Who knows, maybe I’m really not the big, dippy, ninny the old neighborhood in Brooklyn thinks I am.”