Page 77 of Finding Little Fiera

Fiera watched them walk out the cafeteria door. That was how she was the first to spot Master Gavin. He walked straight to their table.

“Fiera, I’m so glad I caught you. I wanted you to have this.” He opened his art satchel and handed Fiera her painting.

Fiera’s heart soared. “Thank you, Master Gavin! Thank you so much!” Turning to Master Mace, she said, “Look, Daddy. See? I made this for you! That’s you on the horse, and the storm is the color of your eyes. Do you like it?”

“I love it, firefly. It’s the best painting I’ve ever seen.”

His words warmed Fiera’s heart. She’d never been prouder of anything more than that painting.

“I’m not finished,” Master Gavin said. “I also need to give you this.” He pulled out a gold medal that read “Best Use of Color”.

“Oh wow. Thank you.” She took the medal, her eyes bright with tears. She’d never won a medal before coming to Rawhide. Now she’d won two!

“Here, firefly, let Daddy help.” Mace took the medal from her and hung it around her neck. Sadie and Daisy clapped and cheered. It was a perfect moment. “We best gettin’ on the road, babygirl.”

Mace watched as the girls hugged goodbye. Although he didn’t let it show, he was as sorry to leave as Fiera. To say his life had changed at Rawhide Ranch was the understatement of his life.

As he and Fiera headed for the front doors, Master Derek stepped out of his office. He met them just inside the main door.

“You on your way?” Derek asked, extending his hand.

Mace shook his hand and said, “We are. Thanks for the invite to help in your rodeo.”

Derek grinned. “I think you did more than help. The feedback I’ve gotten has been nothing but positive. Everyone is asking if we’ll be doing it again, so I might be giving you a call.”

“That would be great. I look forward to hearin’ from you.”

Derek’s expression grew more serious. He turned to Fiera and said, “I’m sure Little girls about to go on long trips should visit the bathroom one more time.”

She looked straight at Master Mace and said, “Nuh-uh. I don’t have to pee at all.”

Right. He’d had this conversation with too many Littles to fall for that. “Maybe not now, but you will. I want you to go try.”

With a sigh that said everyone in the room was crazy except for her, Fiera turned and headed for the Little girl’s room.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Mace asked, “Somethin’ you wanted to tell me?”

“There is,” Derek said, his face grim. “I’ve had a call from Wilder from a man named Boone Daniels. He owns the ranch bordering the Three Eagles Ranch. Apparently, he has a private security business. He’s heard some talk around Wilder, and it seems our friend Erwin Pierce has been letting everyone know he’s none too pleased with Fiera. Says he still loves her and, once he’s taught her a lesson, he’ll take her back. I just thought you should know.”

Mace saw red. That fucker had better not come near Fiera. Not if he didn’t want to be eating through a tube for the rest of his life.

“Thanks for lettin’ me know. I’ll be havin’ a talk with Erwin the Vermin as soon as my boots hit the Wilder town limits.”

Derek grinned. “Erwin the Vermin? Come up with that yourself, did you?”

“Unfortunately, I learned it from Fiera. And speakin’ of Fiera, you are quite the matchmaker, aren’t you?”

Derek didn’t bother to deny it. “Best part of my job,” he said. “Well, one of the highlights anyway. I’m glad it worked out for you and your Little girl.”

Mace caught a movement in the corner of his eye.

Derek extended his hand again. As they shook hands, Derek said, “I do keep tabs on the people I help connect. And if I hear that you aren’t taking proper care of that Little girl, we’ll be talking again.”

Mace made the choice to be thankful he wasn’t the only one who cared about his little firefly. “I’m gonna take good care of her.”

Derek nodded and stepped back as Fiera skipped toward them. The weight of Derek’s words lifted from his shoulders. She was the sunshine in his world. He would make sure she never lost her joy.

“Okay,” she called out when she was almost close enough not to have to yell. “So, I had to pee a little bit, but not much.”