There was a moment of quiet as Penny seemed to be lost in her thoughts, and Gabby remained quiet. She didn't wish to bother or upset the other girl, and she had her own things on her mind. Life hadn't exactly been quiet recently, after all. But she blinked a moment later, drawing herself back to the present.
"May I pet him?" Gabby looked to Lucky again for a moment before smiling to Penny. She didn't step forward yet, not wanting to startle the girl or the dog.
She was, admittedly, a little confused by Penny's blush, but bit her lower lip at the other girl's words. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that," she said softly, looking down to her feet. "My mother never minded when I would go. She encouraged it, but- well, I suppose that might have been more to get me away from my father." Her own cheeks flushed faintly at the admission-- she rarely spoke of her father. Gabby brightened a moment later with a cheerful smile. "But the woods are beautiful, especially this time of year!"