Redhawk Caldera fits of fire and falling feathers

Almost as though she was participating in the conversation, Lucy made the cutest little sound. Elwood withdrew his paw, tucking it up against his chest as Finley commented on his apparent lack of intelligence. He stuck his tongue out at her, then crossed his eyes. "You right. Me dumb," he teased with a chuckle.

His expression softened as Finley eyed the three puppies and posed a question about the darkest babe. She had spent the last few days in a haze of sleep, so it didn't surprise him that she didn't know Lucy's name. In fact, this was probably the first real conversation he had had with her since before the birth.

He nodded gently. "Lucy," was his quiet reply. He still had no explanation really for where the title had come from, but it seemed to fit the small black cub.