Page 40 of Finding Little Fiera

Fiera pictured her arms around his shoulders, the world bouncing beneath her, laughter and wind, and being held up high where everyone could see. Her pulse skipped.

“I’ll do it,” she cried out.

Master Mace nudged her knee with his under the table. He checked his watch, then stood. “All right. I gotta make sure the field’s set and the bulls are aired up.”

Sadie perked. “The real ones, right?”

He gave her a look.

Sadie was persistent. “Right? My Daddy said we could.”

Fiera was pretty sure that trick wouldn’t work, but she crossed her fingers just in case.

“If it’s up to me, we’ll be using bouncy balls. And don’t think I’m not stopping by your Daddy’s office on my way out and double-check his suggestion.” He leaned down slightly toward Fiera, voice lowering. “You stay put. Finish your food. I’ll be back.”

She straightened automatically. “Yes, Daddy.”

His mouth curved just a little before he brushed his knuckles along her shoulder and headed out. The second he was gone, all three girls leaned in.

Daisy lowered her voice as if she was sharing state secrets. “They’re doing stick horse barrel racing too. With actual cones and timers.”

Sadie glanced at Wren before turning to Daisy. “That sounds like fun. I dare you to run the race backward.”

Daisy’s eyes narrowed. “I will if you will.”

Sadie grinned. “Wren and I accept.”

“Hey!” Wren glared at her friend. “Did you not just hear my whole stretching since six a.m. thing? I can’t win if I’m running backward.”

“I knew you’d be too chicken,” Daisy said. “I guess it will be the rest of us then. You’re in, right, Fiera?”

If they had to ask, they had a lot more to learn about her. “I’ll do anything that makes it more challenging and exciting.”

“Woo-hoo!” Daisy said. “Everyone who’s in give me a high five.”

Sadie, Daisy, and Fiera all slapped each other’s hands as high as they could.

Wren sighed and raised her hand. “Fine,” she said. “I’m in. Who needs a medal anyway?”

Sadie’s eyes went wide. “Okay. Now on to the good stuff. Laura.”

Fiera’s stomach dipped.

“What about Laura?” she asked lightly.

Sadie lowered her voice. “Did you see her face?”

Wren perked up. “Oh, I saw it.”

Daisy stabbed her fork into her eggs with purpose. “She looked like someone told her the rodeo was canceled.”

Fiera laughed, unable to help it. But under the laughter, a knot twisted low in her belly.

She didn’t want her friends to be looking for trouble with Laura. After all, Fiera was the one who’d started everything by not wearing her sunglasses.

She’d been defensive the day before, but she could admit it now. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw what Sadie was talking about. Laura glared at them from across the room. Fiera had hoped Laura would feel better today, and it seemed her attitude had only gotten colder.

“She keeps glaring,” Sadie continued. “Like she’s waiting for something.”