Desire in the Arctic

by Hoff, Stacy

  “I know you’re not. You’re a bright, smart, capable woman.” She hugged Ana tightly. “I love you no matter what you achieve in business. You are the best woman I know, Ana Davis. And you’ll always be my best friend.”

  Ana awoke and sat up on Stephanie’s guest bed. She yawned, enjoyed a stretch, and looked out the window. Sunlight was flooding in. It was a good thing the window was open or it would be stifling hot. Texas weather in the summer was a whole lot more reliable than in the Arctic. Then again, summer weather in New York City was pretty predicable, too. Hot, sticky, and sweltering. As much as she was looking forward to going home in a few hours to start the next phase of her life, she was not looking forward to sweating while doing it.

  After a fast, cool shower she threw on her Just Do It, Nike sweats and was almost ready to head out. The plane tickets were already tucked away in her purse. She kneeled down to put on her shoes when the doorbell rang.

  She left the shoes and ran downstairs to answer it. When she opened the door, her mouth fell open. A heat-induced mirage. It must be. Texas really is hot. “Redd?”

  “Can I come in?”

  It took her a second to really register his presence, let alone hear his request to let him in.

  “I deserve to have you not want to talk to me,” he said slowly. “I know it must seem like I bolted on you. How you must have taken my leaving. But I didn’t mean to hurt you. I felt so bad for not saving you. From the wolverine’s bite. From Mark’s firing you—”

  “It’s okay, Colin filled me in. I know you did the best you could. You couldn’t protect me from everything. You couldn’t protect Hailey from everything, either. I just wish you hadn’t disappeared.”

  “I’m sorry for taking off.” Redd’s large, round eyes looked sad. “I owe Colin a thank you for trying so hard to put my life together. First he got me the gig on the show. Then he spoke to you for me.” He let out a gruff laugh. It warmed Ana’s heart to hear the rare sound. “Colin told me I was acting like a terrified little kid, and that I would lose you if I couldn’t get my emotional crap together.” Tentatively, he lifted his hand to her, lightly stroking her cheek.

  She could feel him trembling as he touched her.

  “I saw you on TV,” he said. “You were dedicating one hundred thousand dollars to sick people in my sister’s name. That’s when I knew I could no longer fight what I’ve been feeling for you.” He gulped so loudly she could hear it. “Ana Davis, I’m in love with you.”

  She sprang into his arms.

  He caught her and held her tight. A single tear ran down the length of her face. She buried her head in his neck, not bothering to wipe it away. “I’m in love with you, too, William Redd Redding. They’ll be no more tears for us, ever again.”

  “How about tears of joy?” he asked. Without waiting for an answer, Redd got down on one knee, right there on the threshold of Stephanie’s doorway. He withdrew a black velvet box from his front pocket, which he promptly opened.

  Ana’s eyes widened still further when she peeked inside. The box contained a diamond engagement ring.

  “It was my grandma’s,” he explained. “She had many happy years with my grandpa. She handed this down to my mother, who wanted me to give it to you. It’s precious to my family. And now I want you to be my family, too. I love you like I have never loved another. And I need you like I’ve never needed another. You are the air I need to breathe. The blood my heart needs to beat. I cannot live without you any longer.” He took the ring out of the box and held it up to her. “Ana, will you marry me?”

  “Oh my God, Yes!”

  Epilogue

  Living in Northeast Texas with Redd was the life Ana hadn’t dared to dream about. Prior to Alaska, she had given up hope a man would love her quirky ways. But Redd seemed to embrace them. He’d laugh when she peppered him with a million questions. Even answering them all. He had also learned to volunteer what was on his mind. Shocking. Just imagine everything he’ll tell me after we’ve been married a full year.

  Redd was trying so hard for her. And with every effort he made to open himself up, she loved him a little bit more.

  His family was open to her, too. His mother was kind and generous of heart. Giving her family’s engagement ring proved it. It wasn’t like his mother could well afford to give away anything of value, even the modest ring.

  Redd had enough saved up from his military career to buy a house. And they had his pension to fall back on too. Ana found a job. After her press release about the Hailey Redding Memorial Medical Fund, a local television station was so taken with her TV presence they hired her as a part-time newscaster. She worked weekends, broadcasting from different venues. Always giving airtime to local charity and community events.

  The salary here was a whole lot lower than what Teleworld had paid her as a producer, but the satisfaction with her new job was so much higher. She was now using the power of broadcasting for good, whether it be for a new business’ ribbon cutting or kids winning a 4-H award. She named her show’s segment “Positively Ana.” People seemed to be catching on, and ratings were climbing steadily, with more viewers tuning in every weekend.

  Redd spent his days working with Colin on the Brandts’ farm. Stephanie had offered her the job, but Redd was the one to take it. She was glad he made that choice. Being outside, surrounded by bucolic scenery with a trusted friend, seemed to smooth his damaged soul. Even Redd’s mother had never seen him so at peace. It was no wonder. The monkey had finally been lifted off his back.

  Ana smiled. Even her cat Tiny was happier here. Running around outdoors had even caused him to shed a few pounds.

  Teleworld was the only one not happy. Ana heard the company gossip from Devon. The Board of Directors was upset the show had ended with the female contestant being injured, scarred, and left with no prize money. The network’s goal was to attract more female viewers, not create public outcry. Mark, Neil, and Bernie were left explaining how a small fortune had been spent on a show that would never air.

  But even if Teleworld had wanted to broadcast the show, they would have been out of luck. The camcorder Ana had used to tape their journey was missing. In the madness of the rescue scene, and Ana’s hospitalization, no one seemed to notice it was gone. Redd would never admit to taking it, but whenever she brought it up, he gave her a large grin. He told her it was the only question she could hound him with that he would never answer.

  Good thing talking to Redd was only her second favorite activity. Being newlyweds, they did have other uses for their time. Like, now, for instance.

  Ana laughed as Redd pulled her closer to him. “You’re insatiable, Redd. Don’t you military guys ever quit?”

  “Ana,” he said, gazing deeply into her eyes, “I will never get enough of you.” He leaned over, kissing her passionately on the lips. “You are the best things that’s ever happened to me. I love you.”

  “No, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “You know,” he said, grinning, “if I kiss you harder, maybe you’ll finally stop talking.”

  “Good luck with that,” she murmured against his mouth.

  “Shhhh,” he whispered. And then he made sure she was so occupied with what he was doing, she didn’t say another word for a blissfully long time.

  Also by Stacy Hoff and Soul Mate Publishing:

  DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES

  Stephanie Lang’s successful career as a television producer can’t give her everything she wants out of life. Her personal goals of writing a romance novel and finding true love languish. Emotionally scarred by her fiancé’s affair with her cousin, she doesn’t have the confidence to go after either goal again. At least she has professional confidence to fall back on; she is ready to produce the company’s next hit show.

  But when her boss reveals what the show is abou
t, a survival documentary starring a sexy hunk, Stephanie’s life is turned upside down.

  Colin Brandt, billed as “The Evergladiator,” will tackle Florida’s Everglades with nothing more than his bare hands and a knife. Stephanie, instantly attracted to handsome, rugged, enigmatic Colin, worries he will not survive his twelve-day odyssey. If he does, he’ll win a million dollars. If he fails, his beloved family’s farm will go into foreclosure. Can Colin conquer the Everglades? And can he conquer her heart?

  Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/j33cxo8

  LAWFULLY YOURS

  The prestigious Connecticut law firm of Grovas & Cleval has always been rife with office drama and crazy clients. But an office affair between a young associate and a powerful partner-her boss-might be the biggest scandal of all. Quirky, quiet Sue Linkovitch is Jordan Grant's newest hire. Barely out of law school and hired on a fluke, she has no idea what she's gotten herself into. Unfortunately, Jordan isn't sympathetic to her professional "growing pains." In fact, he's downright frosty. The only time he thaws is when he's around his five-year-old daughter. So why is she so attracted to him?

  Jordan Grant sees Sue as bright, bookish, and a terrible temptation. Yet he knows not to get involved with a woman again-he learned this from his divorce. And if that hard-knock lesson wasn't enough, he's been falsely accused of sexual harassment in the past. If a colleague even thinks he's interested, it will be the death of his career—and hers.

  Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/gmerptw