Page 15 of Finding Little Fiera

Reaching over, he lowered the sunglasses he’d given her back onto her nose. “These belong on your nose, not your head, when you’re outside.”

When they arrived, the lasso area buzzed with anticipation. Someone had placed coiled ropes along the barn fence. Littles gathered in clumps, talking and laughing.

Master Mace stopped with her at the edge of the crowd. “Wait right here,” he said, pointing to the ground where they stood. “I need to make sure I have everything I need for the class. I’ll come back soon to check on you.”

She nodded, but something in her chest sank. Putting on what she hoped was a convincing smile, she said, “Okay.”

He hesitated, as if he wanted to say more. Instead, he gave her a small smile and turned away.

Fiera watched him go, telling herself not to expect him to return. People said things. Promises were easy. It had been her experience that was as far as it went. She’d never been worth someone actually following through on their promises.

She shifted her weight from foot to foot, her fingers brushing Sniffles’ ear.

He won’t come back. Why would he?

It would be humiliating. Better to go before he had a chance to hurt her. That was what she told herself. Still, she stayed right where he’d told her to wait.

Chapter Six

Mace checked his rope twice, once out of habit and once because his mind kept drifting.

The neat coils lay at his feet, the rope supple and familiar in his hands as he flexed it, testing its weight and balance. He had everything he needed: extra loops, gloves, chalk for the posts, and a quiet signal he had worked out with Thorin and Wylde in case a Little tried to rope another person.

But his attention kept circling back to his breakfast with Fiera. He didn’t make a habit of clocking Littles like inventory. He’d learned the hard way that people weren’t problems to solve. But the Little who occupied his thoughts right now was very alluring. Awareness was part of being a good Daddy, and from the moment he’d tapped her shoulder, something in him had leaned forward.

More Littles made their way back to the area he’d set aside for classes, but his mind was focused on her. Fiera was a good name for her. She certainly had fire. Hell, he had a sneaking suspicion that she was fire with strength and untamed passion.

The fire in Fiera wasn’t defiant. As far as he could tell, she didn’t challenge him for the sake of doing it. No, Fiera’s fire was part of who she was, not a reaction to others. She had anintensity about everything. She moved fast, talked bright, and joked sharp.

Her brattiness, if it could even be called that, was more defensive than provocative. It was like life made a habit of playing with Fiera, too. Her fire was a way to stay ahead of disappointment. It was how she kept herself from being left standing with an empty chair and too much solitude.

He needed to know why. His hands itched to touch her, to comfort and soothe her. She was a puzzle he wanted to solve so he could be the Daddy she needed. Even if it was just for the rodeo camp. He’d already figured out she wasn’t acting out to earn punishments. It wasn’t a game, and she wasn’t putting on a show for attention. She needed structure from a Daddy who showed up every day.

He could be that and more. Staying objective would be the wise move. The vulnerability in her brilliant blue eyes spoke to the Daddy in him. Damn, he liked her.

He liked how she’d seen through his pancake excuse immediately and agreed to eat with him anyway. He liked how she’d bristled at the milk, then drank it while glaring, as if daring him to comment. He liked that she’d followed him to the sink, grumbling, but allowed him to wash her hands properly once she got there.

He grinned. She was standing right where he’d told her to, but she was shifting side to side, putting one foot as far out of the area he’d pointed to as she could. Fuck, she was cute. More than that, she was smart. Smart Littles were dangerous, challenging you, forcing you to be better. They made you want more.

He scanned the lasso area, raising his voice to call everyone in. “All right, campers. Gather up. Let’s get eyes on me.” Boots shifted on the grass, rustling as Littles scampered closer. He waited until they settled before speaking, keeping an eye on his little firefly.

Mace started with the basics, describing the stance, the grip, and how the rope should rest easy in the hand instead of fighting you. That done, he moved on to demonstrating how to swing the loop, slow and deliberate, showing how the rope moved when you respected it instead of forcing it.

As he spoke, his gaze flicked to where he’d left Fiera, but she wasn’t there. His jaw tightened. He didn’t raise his voice or stop the demo. He simply glanced around. With the things she’d done to her camp shirt, she should be easy to spot.

He found her several yards away, half-turned toward another Little, her eyes shielded by her hand, her body angled forward as if she were about to take off running. Holding back a sigh, Mace let his face settle. If their next discussion went as he hoped, her first rule would be to keep her sunglasses on when she was outside. But now he had a different problem.

She wanted to test the waters with him? He had no problem with that. She’d soon find out he was an excellent swimmer.

Now, how to get her attention without distracting the rest of the class? Especially when she wasn’t looking at him. That was easily solved by giving a loud whistle. She spun to face him, eyes wide. Glancing around, he was satisfied all eyes were on him, keeping her from being the center of attention.

She stared at him, arms crossed over her chest. Anyone would think she was acting like a brat, but her eyes told a different story. She’d been surprised when she turned to face him and found she was no longer close to where he’d told her to be.

He’d been right. She was no brat. That didn’t mean she wasn’t in trouble.

If there was one thing the years had taught him, it was how to throw the Daddy look. He didn’t show anger. There was no need. He just turned down the warmth in his gaze and didn’t smile. All he showed was calm, unmistakable authority.

Fiera felt it. He saw the exact moment she did. Her shoulders stiffened, her head snapped back, and her eyes met his. For a heartbeat, she froze. Then she moved back into place, right where he’d told her to stay.