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Page 48

| toward a saddled horse. "I think you'll not find it hard to get used to this lovely creature, will you?" he asked, stopping to pat the sleek white horse, its mane about him like a cloud. "He was once a brumby, one of Australia's wild mustangs. But now he's tamed and I bought him just for you." He turned to Sasha. "I hope you two become the greatest of friends." |

| Sasha's breath was taken away by the horse with its wide, rigid nostrils and flaming eyes. She reached a hand to its nose and let it nuzzle her palm. "We already are friends, aren't we, Cloud?" she murmured. "Do you like that name? I think it's as pretty as you are." |

| Ashton shoved a rifle into the saddleboot on Sasha's home. "Time's awastin', Spike," he teased, flashing a wide grin at Sasha. "I'd advise you to mount your horse without assistance or you might get labeled a sissy if you ask for help." |

| "Spike?" Sasha said, giving Ashton an annoyed stare. "Truly, Ashton, I abhore that name!" |

| Ashton shrugged. "You're the one who chose it," he taunted. "Not I." |

| "Perhaps I did," Sasha pouted. "But I'm asking you please not to call me that again." |

| Ashton laughed throatily. "All right," he said. "Whatever my lady wants, she gets." |

| "Good," Sasha said, giving Ashton a victorious look. She placed her foot in the stirrup and swung herself into the saddle, watching Ashton mount a red roan beside her, a horse that he had said was fast and easy ridingafraid of nothing. |

| Then she looked down at Lightning. Never had she seen the pup filled with such friskiness. She |

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