Redhawk Caldera And the two of us went up in smoke

She didn't reply, but she didn't run away either -- was this a good sign, or a bad one? Elwood couldn't be sure. He studied her face carefully, recognizing the surprise and fear that flickered across her expression as she stared at him, wide-eyed. He half wanted to throw his forepaws up in the air and yell, "Gotcha!" and play the whole thing off as a joke, but deep inside he knew it was a conversation that they needed to have sooner or later. If they didn't address it now, it would just surface again in a few months -- and what would happen when Finley went into heat? It would be better to be prepared one way or the other rather than be blindsided as they had been last time.

"I kind of think it would be...nice to have another litter," he continued through tight lips. His words became more rushed and jumbled as he progressed. "I mean, Fox is due any day now -- and she and Peregrine have both asked me what our plans are. It could be a great lesson for Eljay and -- and I think it might be good for us. I know you have your doubts, but you've been a wonderful mother..." ...when you weren't running away from our family, he thought, and nearly grimaced. But what we the odds that she would freak out again? He flashed her a nervous smile, shifting his weight and snapping his mouth shut to give her a chance to gather her thoughts.