Page 12 of Finding Little Fiera

“Please,” Wren added.

“We’ll share our snacks,” Daisy promised solemnly.

Fiera rolled up her sleeves. “Deal.”

They fell into an easy rhythm, laughter punctuating the work as they figured out poles and stakes and who was tall enough to hold what where. Fiera found herself laughing more than she had in months—real laughter, the kind that loosened something tight in her chest. These girls were her kind of Littles. They were fun and clever and bold. And maybe a little too curious for their own good.

When the last tent finally stood tall and proud, the girls collapsed onto the grass, triumphant and breathless.

“That,” Fiera declared, “was absolutely worth the consequences.”

“Right?” Daisy said happily.

Daddies began appearing not long after, one by one, ushering the girls toward dinner with promises and gentle reminders. Hugs were exchanged as they made plans for the next day.

Fiera waved goodbye, her stomach reminding her that she, too, was very hungry.

She paused, glancing toward the cafeteria. The thought of walking in alone made her shoulders tense. Instead, she turned back toward her room, already planning another snack raid. She could make do for tonight.

If she had a Daddy, he’d probably scold her. Maybe even spank her. A shiver wandered down her spine at the thought and settled between her thighs.

But what did it matter? She didn’t have a Daddy. She wasn’t even here to find one. At least that’s what she kept telling herself. As she curled into bed later, full and pleasantly tired, excitement buzzed through her. Summer camp started tomorrow. There would be games, laughter, and, if she was lucky, maybe a little trouble.

And maybe, just maybe, she’d see the cute cowboy again. Fiera smiled into her pillow, already looking forward to morning.

Chapter Five

Fiera found a spot near the front of the crowd. The toes of her red boots darkened to a deep crimson as they soaked up dew. Scents of hay and strong coffee filled the air, and she couldn’t stop thinking about the sweet, maple-syrupy aroma drifting from the cafeteria when she’d passed by earlier. Early morning at the Ranch felt like the world stretching awake, and Fiera stretched right along with it, bouncing once on her toes.

She’d spruced up the tie-dyed camp T-shirt they’d handed out last night to all the summer campers, except spruced up didn’t begin to cover it. She’d cut the sleeves into a racerback, knotted one side at her waist, and safety-pinned a little embroidered star just below the collar so the fabric dipped in a way that showed just the right amount of skin. Her hair hung in a simple, loose braid to keep it out of the way without trying to hide the white forelock in the strands.

They’d picked the perfect colors for the tie-dye, her favorite sunrise pinks and ocean blues. Sniffles sat securely in her pack, chin poking out like a small general surveying the troops.

The clouds were beginning to burn off in the morning sun. She squinted when the sunlight hit her face. Ugh! How had she managed to leave her room without her sunglasses?

Again.

It wasn’t like she didn’t have twenty pairs back in her room. Her eyes were so sensitive to light, yet she always seemed to forget them. She cupped her hands around her eyes as a makeshift shield.

Master Derek’s voice boomed across the field, friendly yet firm. He stood on a small outdoor stage near the barn. An orange flannel shirt covered his yellow camp tee. His sleeves were rolled up, and his cowboy hat tipped just enough to look intentional. “Good mornin’, campers! Welcome to Rawhide Ranch’s final summer camp of the year.”

A cheer rippled through the crowd of campers. Fiera cheered too, a little too loud, but no one seemed to notice. Sniffles bobbed in agreement, aided by Fiera’s excited bouncing.

Master Derek waited for the noise to settle before going over all the safety rules—the boundaries and buddy systems, checking in before leaving areas, and no running near horses unless instructed and supervised. “Littles, you need to remain with your Caregivers at all times during the events and crafting times. If you are caught breaking this rule, I promise you will not like the consequences.”

She could tell he meant it. Of course, most Daddies did, but not all. She’d learned that the hard way. She’d find out soon enough which Daddies were serious and which were just putting on a good show.

Master Derek held out his hand, and a cute girl with shiny brown hair skipped across the stage to his side. Fiera smiled as she recognized her new friend even before she bounced on her toes as Master Derek said, “I’d like you all to meet my Little girl, Sadie. She came up with the idea for summer camp here at Rawhide, and as always, she’s been working hard to make sure you all have a great time. If you haven’t met her yet, don’t worry. She’ll be best friends with all of you before the weekend is over.”

When the applause died down, Master Derek introduced a man named Master Travis, who ran the stables. Tall, with serious, kind eyes. And how was anyonethatput together? He looked like he’d just walked out of a COWGIRL Magazine photo shoot. He probably organized his sock drawer by color.

The introductions continued, ending with Nurse MacIntosh, a strict-looking woman. Fiera made a mental note to avoid her at all costs.

Then a giant of a man with a full, trim beard stepped onto the platform. Fiera’s tummy quivered. It was her cowboy. No, not her cowboy. Not at all. Nothing about that man said peace and relaxation. But it was the cowboy who’d smiled at her yesterday when she’d arrived.

As the man strode across the stage, his boots struck the wooden floor with low, hollow thuds. The sound carried across the grass like exclamation points, each step deliberate, unhurried, impossible to ignore. “Finally, I want you to meet Mason Cody. Master Mason has traveled all the way from Texas to help us with our first-ever Rawhide Rodeo. I’m going to turn this over to him so he can tell you about the special classes and events coming up.”

Fiera’s breath caught.