Double trouble by Barbara Boswell

announced his disdain of marketing studies and principles when applied to the business of getting elected.
    And it was a business. Determinedly, Kayla pushed the thought of him from her mind. She wasn't wasting another second on a man she hadn't seen or heard from since Friday night, when she'd left him standing on the deck of Bootleggers. Obviously, he considered her too diabolical to pursue, despite his fierce, sexy insistence that they were damn good together," that he "couldn't forget" her.
    He had sounded so convincing! Kayla's lips thinned. Wasn't such insistent sincerity, or at least the illusion of it, the hallmark of the successful politician? Matt Minteer could afford to scorn the communications consultants and analysts who made a career out of helping less talented politicians hone their skills. He didn't need them any more than he needed her.
    And what was even more infuriating than his blatant rejection was that it stung!
    "You've got the fighting spirit, Kayla," Elena Teslovic's voice, filled with approval, jolted Kayla from her reverie. "I can tell by the expression on your face. You look ready to cram the opposition into a shredder."
    "A lapse on my part," Kayla said quickly. "Never wear your emotions on your sleeve. Even when an emotional display is called for, make sure your emotions are always completely under control." She inhaled sharply. "I sup-

    pose that sounds as if Tm some sort of manipulative sneak but-"
    *'Not at all," Elena interrupted heartily. "Who wants a representative with no self-control? Believe me, honey, one thing I've learned in my years as a public health nurse is how< to control my temper—and my tears."
    Kay la smiled. She hked the other woman's frankness and can-do spirit. Pushing up the sleeves of her loose plum-colored sweater, she got down to business.
    "The first thing you have to do is what you've already been doing, but on a much wider and more organized scale. That is, make sure Wilson's constituents know his voting record. Every voter must be made aware that Wilson is feuding with virtually everyone in a leadership position here in Harrisburg, thus destroying any chance he has of effectively representing his district "
    "Hey, Earth to Matt." Luke Minteer waved his hand in front of his older brother's face. "Do you read me?"
    Matt drew back and swatted him away. "Bug off, Luke. I'm thinking."
    "You were in another world," Luk^ said bluntly. "No doubt the same one you've been lost in all weekend."
    "I was in the same world as you this weekend, little brother," Matt growled. "In Johnstown for Gram and Pap's sixtieth wedding anniversary. We have miles of videotape to prove it. There are more camcorders at our family get-togethers than at the Democratic National Convention."
    "You were there in body only, your mind was definitely somewhere else," Luke persisted. "You successfully fooled most of the family, but I could tell you were on automatic pilot and so could Mom and Anne Marie. I fended off their * What's with Matt?' inquiries by telling them that you were^ preoccupied with the new bill you're introducing this week,

    but I know you weren't. You've lost your head over a sexy ittle political consultant and frankly, I'm—"
    ''You're way off on that one," Matt interrupted, scowling.
    "Am I? Then you wouldn't be interested in hearing about my meeting with Kristina McClure this morning? I artfully arranged to drop by PITA headquarters and just happened to run into her. She is a looker." Luke smiled wolfishly. "Of course, so's her twin sister, the delectable Kay la. Hey, maybe you and I could arrange a double date? You and Kayla, me and Kristina."
    "Get real." Matt stood up. "And then get lost." He leaded toward the door of his office. "I'm on my way to unch."
    "I know. With Steve Saraceni. The Milk Producers Association has hired him to lobby price supports. For God-sakes, Matt, snap out of this daze you're in or Saraceni will have you signing over your firstborn child to the