***
After Leann left, Ralph quickly packed his fiddle. He had come to the picnic for the sole purpose of seeing Leann, now he wanted to get on home to the afternoon chores. He needed to make time for a visit to the Clark farm on Thursday, his usual night. Leann would be looking for him. Nothing short of the end of the world could keep him away from her any longer.
He turned to leave and found Ginger at his side. Would she ever leave him alone? The time had arrived for her to find someone else to pester. He flinched when Ginger slipped her arm under his. He needed to stop this right now. Green eyes shone and red hair bobbed. She was a pretty thing, but she couldn’t hold a candle to Leann.
Ralph removed her arm from his. "Ginger, you know how I feel about Leann. I don’t want you to think I will ever court another woman."
Ginger’s mouth formed an O. "Are you sure, Ralph? We can have a great time together."
"I’m sure. You’re a beautiful woman, but I’m not the right man for you. You need to find someone who’s available to court you like you deserve. I’m not that man."
"Are you in love with Leann?" she asked with a pout in her voice.
"Yes," Ralph stated emphatically while pushing his hat back, swiping his forehead with his sleeve. "Desperately."
"You haven’t been acting like it." Ginger put her hands on her hips with eyes flashing.
He looked into her eyes then shook his head. "Sorry, Ginger, if I gave you reason to believe Leann and I were through. We’re having a hard time in our relationship right now, but I intend to get all that straightened out."
"Thanks for telling me. Is there anything I can do?" Ginger relaxed and smiled.
"You’re a good friend to me and Leann, but there’s nothing you can do. I have to set things straight myself."
"Don’t wait too long. Her heart may turn in another direction."
Ralph couldn’t help but embrace Ginger. "Thanks for understanding." She returned his embrace with a passion that seemed more than a friendly gesture.