Page 41 of Finding Little Fiera

Wren leaned closer. “We could put salt in her orange juice.”

Daisy’s eyes lit. “Or ‘accidentally’ spill syrup in her hair.”

Sadie gasped. “Oh my gosh, syrup would be legendary.”

Fiera burst out laughing but shook her head. “You guys are terrible. But we shouldn’t?—”

“Strategic,” Wren broke in to correct.

Someone cleared their throat softly. Someone with a deep Daddy voice. All three girls froze.

Master Mace glared at the girls at the table. Wow, her Daddy had a good glare and how had he gotten back so fast? “Nobody’s puttin’ anything in anyone’s drink.”

“Yes, Sir,” Sadie muttered automatically, and everyone else at the table echoed her agreement.

Fiera ducked her head. She hadn’t wanted them to do it. Not really. Fiera had thrown the first stone, and Laura’s pride hadtaken the hit. Fiera couldn’t blame her for looking for payback. And that worried her.

She cut into her eggs, appetite dimming slightly. Master Mace noticed. Of course he did.

“Eat, little one,” he murmured low enough that only she heard.

“I am eating,” she whispered back.

He nudged her plate closer. “You’re pickin’.”

She stabbed a piece of ham and popped it into her mouth to prove him wrong.

Satisfied, he turned to Sadie. “I still have to go check on the game setup, but Master Derek asked me to tell you he’d like to see you as soon as you finish eating.”

Sadie leaned across the table, planting her head on her folded arms with a groan. When she lifted her head, she looked at Fiera. “But seriously. She keeps watching you.”

Fiera shrugged like it didn’t matter. It did. There had been something in Laura’s stare. It wasn’t simple anger; it was calculation.

Wren tilted her head. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Fiera said automatically.

Master Mace pressed a kiss to the top of Fiera’s head, a silent reminder he was always there for her.

She exhaled. “I just don’t want drama.”

Daisy snorted. “Honey, you walked into a Ranch full of Daddies and Littles. Drama is part of the decor.”

Sadie nodded solemnly. “Like antlers.”

Despite herself, Fiera laughed, but her chest felt tight. She didn’t want to be the reason for tension. She didn’t want Master Mace dragged into something messy because she broke a rule.

She risked a glance at him. He was relaxed, talking to one of the camp helpers about the game schedule. He didn’t seem to be bothered. And why should he be? Her Daddy was strong.

Your Daddy is temporary.

The word pricked again. She took a bite of pancake, chewing slowly. Laura could glare all she wanted. Fiera wasn’t backing down, but she also wasn’t going to start anything. Not unless she had to.

Sadie bumped her shoulder. “If she does anything, you tell us.”

Wren nodded. “We’ve got you.”

Daisy lifted her fork like a sword. “Ride or die.”