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Page 125

| "Stanford, can't we stop for the day?" Bianca asked, drooping in the saddle on a horse next to Stanford's. She placed a hand to her abdomen, the unborn child so still within her. "I need some rest. Please, Stanford, let's not go any farther." |

| Stanford took the cigar from between his lips and tossed it to the ground. He scrutinized Bianca carefully as he leaned closer to her. "You are a bit drawn," he said, forking an eyebrow. "I guess travel on a horse is too hard for a woman who used to spend all her time spreading her legs on a bed." He chuckled and shrugged. "You'll get used to it, Bianca. You'll get used to it." |

| The two horsemen drew rein next to Stanford. "So? What'd you two find out?" he asked, turning away from Bianca. |

| "Sir, we found it," one of the men said, sucking on his yellow, jagged teeth as he laughed. "It's two-days ride north." |

| "Don't test my patience," Stanford growled. "Tell me all about it. What exactly did you find?" |

| "We found Ashton York's sheep run," the other man said, his dark eyes gleaming. "There's a house already built, fences set up, and at least four hundred sheep on property staked off by his men." |

| "So he did this all in secret, eh?" Stanford said, kneading his chin contemplatively. "I thought he would. That's why I sent you ahead." |

| "We did everything you asked," the yellow-toothed man said. "We marked off acreage across the river from Ashton York's." |

| "Were you seen doing it?" Stanford asked guardedly. |

| "No, and there ain't no way of telling we were |

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