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Page 158

| "Why did you have to do that, Ashton? Now I shall smell as bad as you do!" She tried to jerk away from him but he held her firmly in place. |

| "Best you get used to my new fragrance," Ashton said gruffly. "Little darlin', mixing with the sheep and caring for them like I have to is a very dirty job." |

| His lips crinkled into a tormenting smile. "But I reckon I can count on you to keep my clothes clean for me." |

| "I wouldn't count on that if I were you," Sasha said. "I am not your maid, you know." |

| "No, you aren't my maid," Ashton grumbled. "But there are certain things a woman does better than a man." |

| "Washing clothes is one of them, I presume," Sasha said haughtily. "Perhaps I could prove you wrong. Why don't we exchange our duties for just one day and see who does what best?" |

| Ashton smiled smugly down at her. "I would be willing to give it a try," he said, chuckling. "That is, if you prefer to be the one who smells, not the one who is doing the smelling." |

| Sasha's reserve weakened beneath his steady gaze. She swallowed hard, then gulped when with that swallow came the sting of the awful odor of his clothes. She jerked herself free and scrambled to the door to suck in several breaths of fresh air. |

| "So?" Ashton teased her as he came to stand beside her. "Do you want to change places today? I think I could mop the floor adequately enough. Do you think you can rope a few stray cattle?" |

| "You ought to have to mop the floor while I watch, laughing," Sasha said, sweeping a loose strand of hair back from her eyes as she glanced up |

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