page_77

< previous page | page_77 | next page >

Page 77

| could see the muscle that it was taking for Ashton to keep afloat, the waters seemingly eager to swallow him and the tub whole. |

| Sasha turned to eye the men who stood alongside the river watching Ashton. She doubled her fists at her sides and glared at them. "Are you going to just stand there and let him drown?" she cried. "Isn't there a brave one among you? Does Ashton have to do it all?" |

| There was no response and she truly understood why. Ashton had taken on this chore by himself. No one could do anything to help him at the moment. But then, to her surprise and satisfaction, both finally reached the other side of the river unharmed. |

| Ashton dragged the tub to shore. He hung his head for a moment and took several deep breaths, his lungs aching from the battle with the water. |

| Then he turned and looked across the river. "Now you see how it's done!" he shouted. "I suggest you follow my lead. There was more than one tub in the dray. Fill them full. Bring them across!" |

| After making sure the tub was far enough from the bank so that the water could not reach it, Ashton dove into the river and fought the current as he swam back across. Dripping wet, he climbed on land and stared at the bullocks. Sasha came to him and placed a hand to his cheek. |

| "Please don't do that again," she begged softly. "I died a thousand deaths watching you in that water." |

| "There's much to get across," Ashton said, wiping a hand across his brow and shaking water from it. "Just stand aside, sweet darlin'. I'll come for you later." |

| "Ashton . . ." Sasha argued, then drew in a quiv- |

< previous page | page_77 | next page >