Page 39 of Finding Little Fiera

Before Fiera could answer, Daisy gestured with her fork at Master Mace. “Why would she when she can go straight to the horse’s mouth.”

Sadie appeared puzzled for a moment and then grinned. “Ah, good point. Okay, no piggies are involved, though we really ought to consider one of those races where you try to catch a greasy piglet. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“Yes!” Daisy agreed while Wren shook her head and Fiera would swear she heard her Daddy mutter something about God helping him.

“We don’t have enough piglets for that or sheep for that matter which is why it’s not a mutton bustin’ contest either. Maybe next year?”

Fiera’s head had been on a constant swivel attempting to keep track of the conversation. When the three girls paused, she saw her opportunity. “So, no piggies or sheep which means…”

“Broncos,” Sadie threw in. “Littles riding their Daddies like a horse and that’s just one of the events!”

Wren bounced in her seat. “I have been stretching since six a.m. I refuse to cramp mid-glory.”

Fiera’s stomach flipped. Not from fear, but more anticipation. She glanced at her Daddy.

He was already halfway through his eggs, eating like a man with a mission. “I told you you’d need to fuel up,” he murmured without looking at her. “You’re gonna need to dig into those eggs and ham.”

“I am perfectly fueled by pancakes,” she informed him.

“There’s nothing perfect about being fueled by nothing but sugar and spice,” he corrected calmly.

Sadie snorted.

Fiera elbowed him lightly. “That’s rude.”

“But accurate. And we’ll be talking about elbowing Daddy in the ribs later.”

He finished his coffee, then looked at her plate. “Eggs.”

She made a face and groaned. But when his eyebrow lifted, she forked a bite into her mouth.

“That’s my girl.”

Mine.

The word hit her again, quiet but steady. It did something warm and quivery in her tummy.

Temporary.

The other voice in her head was a downer, so she ignored it.

Wren leaned across the table. “So? You never answered. Are you two gonna do the bucking bronco event or not?”

Fiera swallowed her eggs. “I?—”

Master Mace cut in smoothly. “That’s up to her.”

All three girls turned to her like she’d just been handed a crown. Heat crept up her neck.

“I don’t know,” she hedged.

Sadie gasped. “You have to! It’s the best part. Well, one of them. Everyone will cheer, and it’ll be chaos, and somebody will probably fall off.”

Daisy grinned. “Last time I came, someone lost a boot.”

Wren pointed at Master Mace. “You look strong.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “I manage.”