Page 43 (2/2)

"You mean to the Morrisons’?"

Ralph Southworth looked at hied Ralph was a goodAccording to people James trusted, Ralph Southworth was the bestJames elected to the superior court

"What’s with you lately, James?" Ralph asked abruptly He pulled out a chair and sat down across fro if not direct "What ot back from vacation, you haven’t been the sa Ralph the truth Part of hi Su to be ashaeto face the truth, Ja his sudden e, especially to the as He preferred to leave things as they were and invite Ralph to the wedding in April So far, he’d told no one about Su band at home

"Have you ever been in love?" he asked, unable to resist

Ralph shook his head adamantly "Never, and proud of it"

James’s eyebrows shot to his hairline "I see"

"Wooodstupid at this point Unless it’s with someone who can help you politically, of course Now, if you toldMary Horton…"

"Who?"

"Mary Horton--never oing to fall for someone now, just make sure it’s a woman who can help you politically"

"She can’t"

Ralph tossed his hands in the air "So to say that Listen Keep your head screwed on tight and your pants zipped up The last thing we need now is a scandal, understand?"

"Of course Summer’s not like--"

"Her name is Summer?" Ralph rolled his eyes expressively "Jan, and I’ involved with a wo for trouble"

"Don’t you think you’re being unfair?"

"No Where’d you as"

Ralph’s irl," he muttered

"No--but she’s an actress"

Ah blood pressure and don’t want to know anyto do with you," Ja it difficult to quell his irritation Ralph made Summer sound like…like a ot involved with a stripper a few years back?"

"Summer isn’t a stripper!"

"It ruined hi to happen to you"

"It won’t Further about her in those terht of Ralph’s reaction, James didn’t think noas the time to announce they were already married "If you must know, I intend to marry her"

"Great Do it after the election"

"We’ve decided on April"

"April!" Ralph barked "That’sot it What difference would a fewfor Ja?"

"I don’t know"

"Are you afraid you’ll lose her?"

"No"

"Then put off the wedding until after the election Is that so much to ask?"

"I’ht red polish to her toenails, "this year or last"

"What do you mean?" Summer asked

"You" She swirled the brush in the red paint and started with the little toe on her left foot "Last year, after you broke up with Brett, you hed "This year isn’t much better, is it?"

"Not that I can see Listen, I understand how uy’s hot No wonder you fell for him If the situation was reversed, you can bet I’d be just asApril’s right around the corner"

Suainst the back of the sofa "I didn’t knoas possible to love someone as much as I love James"

"If the number of times he calls you is any indication, I’d say he feels the same about you"

"He works so hard" Suht calls ca hours in order to free up time he could spend with her