Page 3 of Hunter
I look over at the bar, where Hunter and Sawyer have attracted a bevy of women. On the count of three, they all throw back a round of shots. I watch as Sawyer orders another round from the bartender.
Not far from them, I spy McKenna trapped in a conversation with a group of older ladies.Maybe she needs saving, I think, and grateful for something to do.
“I’m not being a very good maid of honor,” I tell Harper and Joe. “I should go check on McKenna. See you two later?”
As I cross the dance floor, I glance at Hunter one final time, determined not to let him spoil this weekend for me any further. Contrary to what he may think, breaking up with him wasn’t easy for me, but it was a smart and sound decision that protected us both from a lot of unnecessary heartache.
I don’t regret letting him go,I tell myself.
Now I just have to find a way to make myself believe it.
Chapter 1
Hunter
“Hunter Stewart? Sure I remember you! I didn’t know you folks were interested in getting into the TV biz. I would’ve hit you up ages ago as a location scout. We need those folks for every reality show we make.”
Here’s something most people don’t understand about Alaska.
It’s small.
Reallysmall.
Sure, it’s the largest state in the United States by landmass, but we’re the smallest when it comes to population. That’s right. Number one in size. (Heh heh.) Number fifty in inhabitants. That means that the degrees of separation between me and someone else who grew up herecan be, andoften are, pretty tight.
Right now, I’m talking to my dental hygienist’s nephew, Nick, who works for KYES, the UPN affiliate in Ketchikan, Alaska. He never lived in Skagway, but he spent a few summers up here with his aunt and uncle, and we met through his cousin, who was one of my classmates. He remembered my family as soon as I mentioned my name and where I was from.
“This is a little new for me,” I tell him. “Aside from hosting guests at our campground in Dyea, we mostly do tours and transfers out of Skagway. But when I heard thatThe Astonishing Racewas doing an Alaska-only season, I thought I’d reach out and see if there was any way we could work together.”
“I’m glad you did,” he says, shuffling around some papers in the background. “I need someone, and fast. We’ve already got aLocations Manager and one Locations Assistant, but we’re still missing one more Locations Assistant. You interested?”
To be honest, I didn’t expect it to be this easy.
I haven’t talked to my family about working withThe Astonishing Racethis summer, and even with McKenna taking on more responsibility this season, there’s a good probability I’ll still be needed in Skagway. But I like the idea of bringing in a new income stream...in addition to my other, more personal, reasons.
“Tell me a little more about the job.”
“Sure. The show’s route is south to north, split into three segments. First part is the panhandle. They start in Ketchikan. We ferry them to Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, and Whittier. Second leg is Whittier to Anchorage, to Talkeetna, and finally to Fairbanks.”
“By car?”
“Nope. Buses, vans and hired drivers.”
“Third leg?”
“We fly ’em from Fairbanks to Nome, and then from Nome to Utqiagvik.”
“I have to be frank, Nick, I haven’t traveled a whole lot up north. Never even been to Utqiagvik.”
“You still know a hundred percent more about that area than our contestants do.”
That’s probably true.
Nick continues. “You’ve seen the show, right? They do two challenges a day—one general challenge and one detour—then they race to the pit stop, and they’ve got about twelve hours to eat, shower, sleep, etc.” He pauses for a second. “Any questions so far?”
“Not really. Seems straightforward. Tell me about the job.”
“Right. So our Locations Manager for this show is Rick Jones, son of Landry Jones. You know Landry?”