Blacktail Deer Plateau I read the news the other day

Grayday made a sound at the back of his throat and quickly turned his head away to hide the deep emotions Dawn's words were dragging up. His little baby girl was all grown up, even if she wasn't about to become a mother just yet.

"Well - maybe you'll get some new siblings to practice on this spring," he said when he'd reigned himself in, his voice just a bit throaty. But he misjudged his self-control; as soon as he looked at Dawn again, he had to tuck her under his chin for a quick cuddle. "I'm proud of you, Dawn. Damn proud."

He stepped back and gave her a serious look. He'd been thinking about this for some time, now, and had finally come to a decision. "With everything that's going on, I'm going to need some help. I want you and Pema to take on leadership roles. You don't have to, but it would really help me out." He licked her cheek. "What do you think?"