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Page 260

| Ashton nodded. Tears shone at the corners of his eyes. |

| The sky had shed its clouds, and the sun overhead was so brilliant it made Sasha draw her eyes into a squint as Ashton finished reading words from a Bible over the fresh mound of earth dug on the top of the knoll that overlooked The Homestead and the vast spaces of the outback. Sheep grazed peacefully nearby and birds sang in the eucalyptus trees that swayed with the wind only a few yards away. |

| "And so, Rufus, my good friend, I shall say my final good-bye," Ashton said, closing the Bible. He clutched it with one hand and held it behind him. "Mate, we shall meet againin that great beyond." |

| Sasha lowered her eyes and sniffled, then looked guiltily up at Ashton again, knowing that what she had planned would make him rant and rave at her again for her stubbornness. |

| But she would not allow him to order her to stay behind while he rode off with his men to search for Ajax. She felt that she had as much right to go on this manhunt as anyone else. She had respected and loved Rufus. She might even get a chance to finally find out what had happened to sweet Lightning! |

| And she did not want to stay behind at The Homestead, not knowing when she might see Ashton again. There was no doubt of the danger he would be in by searching for men like the kangarooers. Nor was there any doubt that she was putting herself in danger by wanting to be with Ashton should he have an encounter that might delay his ever coming home to her again! |

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