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Page 139

| "That's good," Ashton said, turning to look at the sheep again. |

| "Perhaps the kelpie will teach Lightning how to become a sheep dog," Sasha said, flicking her hair back from her shoulders. |

| "Crispin chose wisely when he chose that dog," Ashton said, leaning his weight on the porch rail with his hands. "The kelpie is a hard-working dog that can handle our Merino sheep. They are a tricky and delicate breed, but these that we have at our sheep station are healthy and should bring top dollar for their wool in England's textile market." |

| Crispin appeared from around the corner of the house, grunting as he labored at carrying a large copper tub to the foot of the steps. He set it down and smiled up at Sasha. "This is my welcoming surprise for you, Sasha," he said, wiping beads of perspiration from his brow. "I've already ordered some of the men to go to the river to bring up several buckets of water." |

| "Why, how sweet of you," Sasha said, placing her hands to her throat. "My word, how I do need a bath!" Then she looked shyly at Ashton. "But how can I take a bath? There is no privacy in our house." |

| Ashton went down the steps and grabbed the tub. He carried it past Sasha. "Sweet Darlin', whenever you need privacy, you can have it," he said, taking the tub in the house and setting it before the fire as Sasha came to stand beside him. "The whole outdoors is my second home, don't you know?" |

| Crispin leaned his head inside. "And there's a large pot of kangaroo stew cookin' for supper in the bunkhouse," he said. "So there'll be no cookin' for you tonight, Sasha." |

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