Haunted Wood de dragul tău

She couldn't possibly hope to collect herself anytime in the near future, though Meerkat had a few moments to make an attempt as she led @Issorartuyok toward the neighboring woods to the south. Her heart did a funny little dance against her ribs as she kept her brown eyes trained straight ahead, guiding the way beneath the nearly bare treetops. Perhaps unnecessarily, she sought some semblance of privacy.

The yearling stopped in a small, sun-dappled clearing. She took a breath, squared her shoulders and finally looked at her companion. His words raced through her mind. "Young Meerkat would be an exceptional and treasured wife. I simply do not know if it is what she wishes..."

But instead of asking him about it or, better yet, answering his question, Meerkat felt the need to say, "I'm sorry she put you on the spot like that." Had he only said what he'd said because of Towhee's presence? Had he meant it? Or had he only told her mother what he thought she wanted to hear?