Bearclaw Valley so close to what

there was an appreciation for cole's constant reassurance to her woes. so many times now in such short time had he encouraged her or lifted her spirts, so much so that nephele had suddenly become aware of her own despair. what he must think of her, swimming in this misery!?

she burned with embarrassment for her own heartache and turned to fixate upon anything but herself.

cole's words suggested an understanding found only in experience and she wondered aloud then, "do you have kids of your own?" he looked an age to have a few by now. "you sound like you have experience with young ones."

her eyes gleamed with interest for the man to share his own relations. he knew of her own. hell, he'd escorted her entire world across an open wilderness and she knew nothing of him.