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Page 261

| Running her hand down the front of her skirt, she could feel the bulkiness of the breeches that she wore beneath it. For her plan to follow behind Ashton on horseback, she had decided it would be best to wear men's attire again. And as soon as Ashton rode away all she had to do was jerk off her skirt, slip into a loose shirt, and yank on her boots. She would follow behind him far enough so that he would not notice until they were deep into the outback that he could not chance sending her back alone. He would be forced to let her join the manhunt, whether he liked it or not! |

| Crispin cleared his voice noisily as he stepped closer to Rufus's grave. He clutched his hat, squeezing it hard between his long, narrow fingers. "My friend, what can I say?" he began, choking back a sob. "So much is missing in my life without you. You always made me laugh, even when I wanted to cuss. What can I say? Except good-bye and . . . and make 'em laugh wherever you are, do you hear?" |

| Ashton looked over his shoulder at his men waiting for him on their horses, their saddlebags filled with enough equipment and food to last for several days in the outback. |

| He then turned to Sasha and placed his fingers gently to her shoulders. "I've got to go," he murmured. "I'm glad you've not caused a fuss about wanting to go with me. It's not a place for a woman." |

| "I understand," Sasha said, blinking her eyes up at him. "Please be careful, Ashton. That bunch of kangarooers looked so dangerous." |

| "Don't worry about me," he said, drawing her into his embrace. He hugged her tightly. "But I'll be |

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