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Ana shot out.
    “A catch?” Whether they were in awe of her courage or outraged by it, she couldn’t tell from their expressions.
    “What—” Mark started to say.
    But for once, Ana cut him off. “I want fifty thousand for agreeing to do the show.”
    The three men stared at her as if she had just sprouted wings.
    “That’s the deal, gentlemen. And you have exactly one option—take it.”
    Ana gave a tight smile and stood with her back ramrod straight. They could bully her, but she was going to bully them, too. She was desperate, but not their lap dog.
    Mark looked at Bernie and Neil with eyes wider than she had ever seen. “Even if we were to give you some money, it wouldn’t be that much—”
    “Done,” the board members said in unison. They shot back a challenging stare. It was either rise up to the challenge or go down in flames.
    “Done,” she confirmed. A drop of sweat beaded up on her forehead, though the office’s temperature was cool.
    My God, what have I done?

Chapter 5
    Redd couldn’t believe he was on a plane headed for Alaska. And yet, here he was on a Boeing jet, headed for the Great White North. A few hours ago he wasn’t even sure Teleworld would let him compete on the show. And when they did give him the news, they coupled it with another doozey—that he’d be on the next flight. Without even having the chance to meet the partner they’d just sprung on him. Just how many more surprises did Teleworld have planned?
    A youngish guy standing in the aisle was still trying to talk to him. He’d been hanging over Redd’s seat, yammering away for the past ten minutes. No matter how badly Redd wanted to sleep, he was obviously not going to go away easily. As if surviving the Yukon wasn’t going to be ornery enough, now Redd had to endure the plane trip with a man who wouldn’t shut up.
    “What did you say your name was?” Redd asked with absolutely no curiosity whatsoever.
    “Devon. I’m part of the camera crew.” The impish face grinned widely. His bright expression was in contrast to the bland gray tee shirt he wore. “Of course I already know your name, Mr. William Redding.”
    “I prefer to be called Redd.”
    “Should I ask why?”
    “No.”
    “Well, it’s good to meet you, Redd,” Devon chirped, clearly undeterred by the single word response. “It looks like we’re going to get to know each other real well.”
    “Not too well. Either now or later.” Redd yawned deliberately widely and prolonged.
    Devon winked. “Don’t be too sure about that. Blocking me, or the rest of the film crew out, won’t be possible I’m afraid.”
    “I can try,” Redd quipped, closing his eyes.
    “Yeah, good luck with that. So tell me, if you’re the strong, silent type, how come Teleworld picked you?”
    “Because I’m hot.” Hot under the collar anyway. Can’t you please let me sleep?
    “True, you are hot,” Devon agreed, flashing a wicked grin. “But I thought it was a little early in the game for me to tell you that. Lucky for you, I’m happy to make an exception.” Devon’s grin was so wide it threatened to bust out of the plane’s cabin.
    “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll pass.”
    “My loss.”
    James, another cameraman, hissed at Devon from an aisle over. “Devon, can’t you at least wait a day before you hit on the show’s stars?”
    Thomas, the senior cameraman and location expert , piped up. “Grouchy stars make for grouchy shows, Devon. Mark will fire you for sure if you keep bothering Mr. Redding.”
    Devon waved away the chastisement with a laugh. “Hey, Redd here wants to talk to me. In fact, he’s begging.”
    “It’s your hide,” Tom said, cutting off the conversation. James was apparently done giving his warnings, too.
    Devon looked at Redd playfully. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
    Redd rolled his eyes. The film crew was entertaining. But no matter how amusing they were, the only entertainment he wanted right now was his dreams. “Look,