Page 9 of Finding Little Fiera

Mace lifted his gaze and waited.

“She’s from Wilder, Wyoming.”

Interesting. He was headed to Wilder after this week. The foreman position at the Three Eagles Ranch had been a godsend. He needed a fresh start on new ground. If life suddenly wanted to throw him a bone, who was he to turn it down? From what he’d heard about Wilder, getting a lay of the land in advance would be a good idea. Maybe this girl could help.

Then he noticed the twinkle in Derek’s eyes. What was the Master of the Ranch playing at? “Even though you haven’t actually met her, based on that scene earlier with the taxi, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I think you’ll like her.”

Mace didn’t dare hope. Not with the fickle turns life had taken lately. But he had to ask. “You mean the one with all the suitcases?”

Derek’s mouth curved, slow and knowing. “I do. She’s here because life sometimes gets the best of us, and she needs time to recover. Given what we know, lack of supervision is not herfriend. So I’d like you to take that responsibility from her if she agrees.”

For a moment, Mace couldn’t move. The world felt still, as if life were waiting to see what he’d do with the information. No one knew more about the nasty tricks life could play than Mason Cody. What would he be getting himself into?

Derek went on, his voice firm. “I don’t make matches lightly. I’ll be watching and listening to make sure everything is going well and that she’s getting what she needs. But when situations like this drop into my lap this neatly, I pay attention.”

Mace nodded. He thought of all the times circumstances had yanked him forward, then let him go at the worst possible moment. His intuition was to be pessimistic, especially after all he’d been through recently.

Maybe this time was different. What did people say? When you’re at the bottom, the only way to go is up. Mace lifted his glass in a small, private toast. To order. To control. To the possibility that, just once, the universe wasn’t winding him up just to watch him tumble. With a grin, he nodded his consent. “I’ll do it, but like you said, only if she’s on board with it.”

Derek nodded. “Let’s see what the lady says.”

Chapter Four

By the time she reached her room, Fiera’s arms were working about as well as wet spaghetti noodles. She’d really overpacked. After wrestling the suitcases inside, she let them drop with a thud that echoed slightly off the wooden walls. Thank goodness the wide plank flooring was softened with a large area rug.

She stood there for a second, breathing and listening to the quiet hum of the space. The room smelled of clean linen and pine. Squinting at the sunlight spilling warm and golden through the glass doors that led to a balcony, she tipped the sunglasses resting on her head to cover her eyes.

Everything in her wanted to explore, but first things first. Lugging her largest suitcase to the extra-long luggage rack, she hefted it up and took out her two favorite blankets. The soft, furry one went over the bedspread first. She loved how it felt under her when she slept. Next, she shook out her white blanket and hugged it tight. She called it her cloud because it was so soft. That’s what it felt like.

She did the same thing with her pillowcases before changing the lightbulbs from white to soft amber, which made her room cozier and reduced glare while darkening shadows. Thank goodness the overhead lights could be adjusted to candlelight.That was important to her, since her Waardenburg Syndrome caused her to process the world in layers. With the softer lighting, she absentmindedly pushed her sunglasses back to the top of her head.

Now for the fun part. She unpacked her stuffies, arranging them on the bed the way they sat at home so they would be comfortable. She stacked her coloring books on the small desk near the fireplace and lined up her snacks neatly in the kitchenette.

Ugh!

She’d brought enough to survive a minor apocalypse. But she’d learned long ago what she needed. Last of all, she put her clothes away in the drawers and the closet. The room looked… lived-in and familiar.

Once her belongings were settled, Fiera pushed open the double French doors of her suite and stepped onto the narrow wrought-iron balcony, letting them swing shut behind her with a soft, deliberate click. The sudden burst of noise surprised her, and she gave a silent thank-you for her soundproof room. Peals of laughter and teasing filled the air. The low echoes of Daddies’ and Mommies’ voices saying things that made their Littles squeal sparked a longing in her she hadn’t expected.

After a moment’s hesitation, she rested her hands on the cool railing but didn’t look down.

First, she adjusted her sunglasses, sliding them from the top of her head onto her nose. The tinted lenses softened the glare, dimming the world just enough to make it manageable. Her shoulders loosened by a fraction. Only then did she tilt her chin and let herself see.

The center court opened beneath her like a living postcard. It looked just like the photos in the brochure and on the website.

Three large jacuzzi tubs steamed gently along one side of the resort pool which shimmered in the afternoon light. Theother side butted up against a splash pad with fountains and sprinklers to play in. Littles swam leisurely laps or floated on their backs, some laughing, some quiet.

Lifeguards were posted at every corner, alert but unintrusive. Mommies and Daddies sat poolside, close enough to touch, near enough to intervene if needed, alert enough that no one had to wonder if they were paying attention or could easily step in should some Little get into mischief.

On the far side of the court, a playground spread out in bright, cheerful geometry. Swings, slides, and climbing towers stood ready to provide adventure. A few Littles played there now, moving carefully but joyfully. Once again, staff members stood nearby, guiding with gentle hands and firm voices.

“Feet first.”

“Wait your turn.”

“That one’s not safe without your Daddy. Let me help you check with him.”

She couldn’t suppress a shiver of delight at how the rules were enforced without embarrassing eager Littles. Fiera swallowed hard as another feeling rose inside her. It wasn’t jealousy. Well, not exactly. It was more like wanting something you’d convinced yourself could only be pretend for you, then realizing it could have been real all along.