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Page 363

| wakeleaving nothing of Sasha and Ashton's dream untouched. |

| "It will all be gone," Sasha sobbed, stumbling as she moved into the thicker, tangled vegetation. "Everything! Perhaps even we won't survive! Can the river truly be protection enough with the size of this raging fire? Won't I ever get the chance to hold my child in my arms? Oh, what in life is fair? Everything is taken from me! Always!" |

| Finally at the river, Sasha waded in until she was waist deep. Her fingers trembling, she doused the armful of blankets in the water. She wrapped one around herself and then held on to the others to share with Ashton and Crispin. |

| While she breathlessly awaited their arrival, she looked cautiously at the trees that were bent over the river like lovers. When they caught fire they would snap in two and fall into the water! When that happened, she and everyone else would have to be in the middle of the river away from them. She feared growing tired while treading water. How long would she last? |

| "I must keep my wits about me," she whispered, willing herself to calm down. "It isn't good for the baby. I must, first and foremost, think of my baby. Myand Ashton'sbaby!" |

| Overhead, she could no longer see the azure blue of the sky. Smoke was everywhereblack, swirling smoke! That meant that the fire was dangerously close! |

| "Ashton!" Sasha cried, panic once again seizing her. He must get there soon or else . . . |

| The sound of horses approaching, like thunder |

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