Heron Lake Plateau under stars

Nobody seemed to notice Towhee's mounting frustration. She was considering the merit of an impatient outburst when little Owen's arrival softened the hardness etching into her features. It warmed the cockles of her heart when his first instinct was to sign a greeting. Shuffling past her godparents, she moved toward the puppy, offering a small smile for other recent arrivals before planting herself beside the tyke.

-Hey, little dude!- she signed to him, then added out loud (and loudly), "I have no idea what we're all doing here. But," and here Towhee returned to silent signing, -It's good to see you out and about. Where are your sisters?-