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“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?” Everett asked Trevor.

Trevor cast a meaningful smile at Ashley. “More serious than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“Even if it means losing the election?”

“No matter what.”

Again Everett let out a defeated sigh. “Well, just for the record, I think this is political suicide. You’re going to alienate every voter in this state. And if you think today’s article was bad, just you wait. The press will cut you to ribbons and make today’s story seem like a piece of cake.

“Just for once, it would be nice if you would do things the conventional way.” He looked at Trevor’s thick, unruly hair, the faded jeans and the cotton shirt with the rolled-up sleeves. “But then you never do, do you?”

Trevor crossed his arms over his chest and frowned at his campaign manager and friend. “Do you want to resign?”

Everett weighed the decision. “No. At least not yet, unless you’d rather have someone else.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Trevor forced a smile that was as charming as it was self-effacing. “Who else would put up with me?”

“No one in his right mind.”

“Good.” Trevor clasped Everett’s hand. “Then everything’s settled.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Everett wiped the accumulation of sweat that beaded his balding head. “Oh, hell. Let’s go over campaign strategy, what little there is left of it.”

The two men discussed politics on the leather couch in the study while Ashley poured them each a cup of coffee. After she had placed the cups on the scarred oak table, Trevor took hold of her wrist and forced her to sit next to him before asking her opinion on several issues.

Never one to withhold her opinions, Ashley pointed out what she considered flaws in the campaign, and even Everett had to grudgingly agree with some of her opinions. More than once, out of the corner of her eye, she caught Everett silently nodding encouragement to her, while she explained her feelings regarding Trevor’s campaign and the issues.

Trevor smiled at her continually and attacked Everett’s arguments calmly. He explained that he wasn’t against the timber industry as a whole. How could he be? Daniels Logging Company was a part of his heritage. He only objected to some of the shady business practices of a few of the companies, a prime example being Stephens Timber.

“I still think you should wait to announce your engagement,” Everett offered, a hopeful light showing in his eyes. “At least until after the primary. Once you’re the party’s candidate—”

“No dice.”

“But with this article and all, it might look as if you’re buckling under to bad press.”

“I don’t care how it looks.”

“All right, all right,” the campaign manager said in utter defeat. “Have it your way—you always do anyway.” He snapped his briefcase closed and sighed. The round man left the house shaking his balding head.

“Maybe you should listen to him,” Ashley suggested, once Everett had driven away and Trevor had closed the door to take her into his arms.

“Why start now?”

“I’m serious—”

“So am I.” They were standing in the foyer of the large house. Thin shafts of wintry sunlight pierced through the long windows on either side of the door. The strong arms around her tightened.

“Look, lady, you’re not weaseling out of this marriage no matter how hard you try.”

“But your career—”

“Can go to hell if it means I have to knuckle under to the Claud Stephenses of the world. I’m sick and tired of worrying about how anything I do will reflect on my political image. I like to think that I learn from my mistakes, and I’m not about to repeat them. You’re going to be my wife come hell or high water!”

“As if I don’t have any say in the matter.”

“You said plenty last night,” he reminded her, kissing her tenderly on the lips. A warm rush of desire began to flow through her.

Ashley smiled and shook her head. Be

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