Redsand Canyon Cut slope.

She opened her mouth to ask Killdeer if he had any prospects when he abruptly announced his departure. Towhee’s mouth snapped shut and she blinked. Though puzzled, she leaned into his touch, then bared her teeth to nip fondly at his ruff as he turned away.

It was good to see you, Killer, she said, gazing after him for a beat before turning so she didn’t miss what Fennec was saying.

She chewed at the inside of her cheek when Fennec indicated his sudden exit was part of a pattern. She would take her daughter’s cue—she didn’t seem too concerned—and respect her grandson’s obvious need for space, even though hearing this made Towhee want to chase him down and bear hug him until he talked to her.

Fen said she did plan another litter, which softened her. Her brain made an obvious connection between Killer’s hasty retreat and Fennec’s good news. Maybe he didn’t know how to feel about younger siblings. Towhee tried to remember how she’d felt about her godparents’ later litters, though it had been so long ago, she couldn’t really remember. She liked to think she’d embraced older sisterhood.

I can’t wait for spring, Towhee mused, then asked the question she hadn’t been able to pose to Killer himself. Weirdness about your sitch aside, does he have any plans, I wonder…? You know, he could make you a grandmother this season, she pointed out with a delighted cackle.