"It just means I've done really well if I catch you by surprise." But he does redden, just a little, expression fond.

"I'm glad. It...means a lot to me, that you're willing to try new things with me." Looking back towards the tree, he reaches out and gives a brief squeeze to Herbert's hand before moving towards the trunk. He slings the axe in a little holder on his back, evaluating the best way to tackle this.

"We should get both th-th-the...deer...and this inside, then."