Blacktail Deer Plateau Mistaken Identity

He grinned. "All luck. And my sister's somewhere around here as well, apparently," Shale added. "Though I guess not here here. Which is kind of strange, but I get it." Spot had always been an independent spirit. No doubt why she didn't want to live under Grayday's rule, benevolent as it likely was.

"And don't sell yourself short," he continued. "Everyone's gotta start out somewhere. You should have seen Day when he was your age. But. . .then again. . .I didn't see Day at your age. God, the seasons are going by so quickly." He knew he was rambling, and he shut his mouth, giving Pema a kind if a little shy smile instead.

Grayday was right: she was sweet and kind, and the good looks didn't hurt. But she was young, younger even than Lucy had been when they had first met. He was old, with baggage. And Murdock was sniffing around after her already.

Best not to pursue this, though he would at least try to spare her from his older brother's affections.