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Page 349

| "Ashton, we must pray for rain. Surely it will rain soon. It's been so long." |

| Ashton frowned as he looked up at the sky. "Aye, I think that we should get a storm soon," he said, yet doubting it. |

| Sasha swung away from him. She took a wet cloth from a basin of water and began washing the stain of the meat and maggots from the tabletop. "I don't want to hear any more talk of fires or drought," she said, her voice weak. "I want to work this day away just like yesterday, and tomorrow I shall do the same until one day I will work myself right into seeing myself dancing outside in the rain." |

| Ashton chuckled. He took the damp cloth from Sasha and dropped it on the table, then drew her into his arms. |

| "I smell so sweaty," Sasha complained, yet did not pull away from him. He was her solace. He and his arms, and his wonderful kisses. |

| "No sweatier than me," Ashton said, brushing a light kiss across her lips. He smoothed her damp hair back from her brow. "Darling, I must go and check on things in the pasture. Will you promise that you won't work so hard today? It's too hot. It will drain your energy too quickly." Again he brushed a kiss across her lips. ''I can't let anything happen to my bride, now can I?" |

| "Ashton, how can you think of me when it is you who will be out in that baking sun," Sasha worried, touching his cheek gently with her hand. "Look at your flesh. It's baked almost as tight as shoe leather. Even your hat isn't helping keep the sun away from you." |

| "That's just a part of being in this tough, dry, and |

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