Lost Creek Hollow when she came back

not at all did she want the man to leave. mona's days were spent almost solely with ashlar for company, and the need to talk to another adult was pressing. "i miss running," she murmured, pressing beneath the trees a few paces more so they could talk at a normal pitch while remaining in sight of the den. "i have run 'round most of the teekons," the cardinal mused, settling herself beneath a pine. 
was she so old now, to only have her memories of that time? ashlar would be large before mona knew it, and there would be time then to pursue what she had loved. for now, mona was content to sit in the pleasant warmth of the day with gannet, eyes half-closing as a breeze passed through the canopy overhead.