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Page 62

| mellowed when she looked down at Lightning, who was trying to get comfortable beside her. "Come here, sweet puppy," Sasha whispered, beckoning with a hand. "Just because I'm sore at Ashton doesn't mean that I am at you." |

| Lightning's tail began to wag. The pup scooted on her stomach up to Sasha's hand and curled up next to her as she began to stroke her soft fur. "Thank you for coming to make me feel better," Sasha whispered. "I'm glad you are finally used to seeing me in clothes other than a dress." She sighed. "Now I think I can go to sleep. But only if you will stay with me." |

| The horses grazed peacefully among the snow gums, and the voices around the campfire faded as the men went to their tents. Sasha watched a tall shadow moving around outside her tentAshton. Her pulse began to beat faster. He was going to be sleeping in the tent next to hersso close, yet so far. |

| A part of her wanted to stick her head from her tent and apologize for being so cross with him tonight, yet another part of her warned her to be as distant with him as was civil, for she needed to prove her independence. They were partners. She had to prove her worth. To do so she must not allow herself to behave like a schoolgirl with a crush. |

| Sasha drew Lightning closer. "I do have a crush on him, Lightning," she whispered. "But you'll keep my secret, won't you?" |

| Everyone but Sasha seemed to be asleep. Hugging Lightning to her, she stared at the sides of the tent. The flickering shadows from the outdoor campfire were writing weird lines on the thin canvas; the |

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