Hushed Willows Taking on the day

Her eyes widened in surprise, her head whipped back, and her shoulders followed. Steph hadn't expected that reaction from him, and her heart hammered in her chest. She hadn't meant to startle him at all. Sunny lifted Minnow and took her into the den while Steph moved slowly into a sitting position. Her ears swiveled back in an uneasy feeling. She had no idea what just happened. 

Sunny reappeared and apologized. No, I should be the one apologizing. I didn't mean to startle you, she said softly. She couldn't really meet his eyes as she had before, and she cleared her throat in an effort to clear out the awkwardness of the situation. It didn't work. I should probably go ahead and find a spot to sleep for the night, she suggested, giving him an out to any further conversation.