Wild Berry Meadow sweet surrender

The exchanged touch and scents, her nose at his cheek and his lifting to brush her ear. A little smile tugged at his mouth, and he said, "I'll always come when you call," and he meant it, of course — but he was flirting. Just a little.

Her show of nerves plucked at his own, but he maintained a steady presence.

"Talk to me," he encouraged, his own voice soft. And, just in case she was unsure how to broach it: "There's no way this conversation ends with me unhappy. Whatcha thinkin', Rainy?"

His tail fluttered at his heels, gently encouraging.