Redsand Canyon led by a beating heart

It was not long before her husband returned, a plump rabbit in his jaws. She returned his nuzzle, kissing his cheek in turn before he settled down. Normally she might ask how his day was first but the hunger gnawed at her gut and she found herself tearing into the rabbit with little delay, leaning lightly against him as she did so as she craved his close proximity. His nose ran along the side of her abdomen and she pulled back, licking her chops to clear up some of the blood lingering on her lips, a soft smile finding her features. They are growing. “I would hope so.” There was only a light tease in her voice before she nuzzled lightly at his neck. “They’re certainly making me eat Mereo out of house and home right now.” Her appetite had definitely returned.
 
The light and calming touches made it hard for her to worry about anything. It was like all of her worries left itself at the door. I love you. The words caused her heart to flutter and then skip a beat. For a moment, she didn’t respond, but then she was nuzzling him back once more. “I love you too.” She repeated the words back. She had known it for awhile, but had not said the words because she hadn’t wanted to spook him. She wanted him to find his feelings and if he were to say those words, that it was him saying them, not any kind of pressure associated with her saying it first.