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"Great I'll throw on my work clothes and meet you in the barn in fifteen minutes"

Jack raced back into the bedrooain Quietly he dressed in his work clothes, then went to the bed and dropped to his knees

She was turned toward hirayed pillow Desire shot through him like a molten streak as he stared at her full, parted lips The quiet whirring of her breath caressed him God, she was beautiful

"Lissa?" he whispered, stroking the velvet-soft side of her face "Wake up"

She blinked awake At first she looked confused, then she saw Jack and gave him a slow, lazy smile that made him ache to crawl in bed beside her "Mornin', Jack"

"Mornin', Lissa Jim Hannah and the men are here to help me shear the sheep"

She brushed a lock of hair from his eyes "Sounds like hard work"

"It is Backbreaking"

Disappointuess you'll be tired tonight" He grinned "Not that tired" "Promise?"

He leaned over and gave her a rousing kiss "I promise"

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McGuffey's First Eclectic Reader lay open on Katie's school desk She stabbed her forefinger under the letter and stared at the page Concentration pulled her mouth into a taut frown The letters danced around and mixed themselves up, but she just took a deep breath like her ain

It was easy to cal in school didn't cause that horrible panic and fear anymore Miss Ames had promised not to call on her to read out loud until Katie herself said she was ready, and knowing that she wouldn't be embarrassed freed her to concentrate on the task at hand: learning to read

B-A-R-N Barn Barn! It said barn

Katie felt like she was gonna float right off the chair Grinning, she poked Savannah in the side "It says barn, Vannah I read it!"