Chapter 23 #2
She placed her hand over his heart and whispered, “I cross my heart, too, Daddy. Together we can…”
“Come through any storm,” he said when she became too choked up to continue. “Don’t worry, little firefly, Daddy’s got you.”
He took her hand in his, and they entered Master Derek’s door together.
Fiera was once again struck by Master Derek’s office.
She’d been in her principal’s office back in Wilder with many students over the years.
This office had the same feel, only Master Derek was much, much scarier than any principal she’d ever worked with.
Being the nice man she knew him to be didn’t make him any less frightening. Master Gavin stood behind Master Derek’s desk. She tried to figure out how things were going to go from Master Gavin’s expression, but his look was unreadable.
Glancing around the rest of the office, Fiera almost tripped when she saw Sadie, Wren, and Daisy seated on the couch along the wall. They smiled at her, which made her feel better. But it also confused the heck out of her.
What were they doing there? They must have come straight to Master Derek’s office after the art show. Were they the reason Master Derek had called the rest of them here?
She would have to wait until later to ask because Master Derek was talking again. And since she didn’t have her hearing aids, she had to look at him to make sure she didn’t miss anything.
“Mace, if you and Fiera will sit here,” Master Derek said, indicating two leather chairs in front of his desk. “And, James, if you and Laura will take the other two seats.”
“I apologize for the delay in getting started,” Master Derek said.
“I had some things that needed looking at before we began. We’ll get to the art tent event in a few minutes.
There are other things I want to discuss first. Now, as I understand it, Miss Sharpe, you and Miss Tate have had a hard time getting along almost from the beginning of camp.
Miss Tate, would you like to explain that to me? ”
Laura leveled accusation after false accusation at Fiera, going all the way back to when Fiera accidentally bumped into her playing freeze tag.
Fiera tried several times to interrupt and tell her side of the story.
Each time Master Mace squeezed her hand and tugged at his ear.
She didn’t need to be a mind reader, or lip reader for that matter, to remember that meant he wanted her to wait. But it was so hard.
By the time Laura was finished, Fiera was ready to pop. It was so unfair. If Master Derek believed Laura, Fiera’s time here was over. She’d have to leave without her Daddy.
“All right, now, as for what happened in the art tent. Master Gavin told me Miss Tate accused Miss Sharpe of cheating.” Looking over at the couch, Master Derek crooked his finger. “Sadie, Wren, Daisy… come here, please.”
“Yes, Daddy,” Sadie called and skipped to Master Derek’s side behind his desk. Wren and Daisy joined her.
None of them looked at Fiera. Fiera’s heart sank. This didn’t bode well. She didn’t think she could bear to hear what was coming.
“Sadie, would you please tell me what you saw happening at Fiera’s and Laura’s tables while Master Gavin was trying to explain the directions for the contest?”
“I’d be happy to, Daddy. Laura and her friends started saying all kinds of mean things to Fiera.
Laura made fun of Fiera’s hair. She even said Fiera looks like a Disney villain.
I don't know if you're up on your Disney villains, Daddy, but any Little worth her salt would know they were calling Fiera Cruella De Vil. That’s the worst.”
“It’s so mean,” Daisy added.
“Yeah, and that's not all,” Wren said.
Sadie nodded. “It’s true, Daddy. The other girls at Laura’s table joined in. They are the same girls who were in the pool last night, remember?”
“I remember,” he answered.
“Well, they called Fiera a skunk, and they told her that she smelled bad. It was awful, Daddy. Fiera tried to pay attention to Master Gavin, but she couldn’t focus because of all the mean things they were saying.”
Master Derek’s blue eyes turned to ice. “Is that true, Miss Tate? Did you say those things? And have you been spreading rumors about a fellow camper, accusing her of cheating and deliberately causing you harm?”
Laura remained silent. Finally, her Daddy, Master James, spoke up. “Laura, is this true?”
“But, Daddy… she—”
Master James cut her off, “I don’t think I asked what she did, young lady. Have you been spreading rumors about Fiera and saying mean things to her?”
“Why is everyone picking on me? I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. She did run into me on purpose. She was cheating, and she did cheat on her picture.”
“Well, technically, maybe,” Wren said. “But I was watching when you took those paints over to Fiera’s table. I don’t know what you said, but I know you talked her into believing it wasn’t wrong for her to use them.”
“That’s not all,” Daisy said. “I watched too. After Laura put down the paint, she picked up Fiera’s hearing aids and put them in her pocket. I’ll bet, if you check, they’re still there.”
“They are not!” Laura yelled, starting to cry. “I mean, I didn’t take her stupid hearing aids.”
“Then you won’t mind if your Daddy checks your pockets, will you?” Master Derek said.
His growl made Fiera shiver.
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Master James said. Laura put her hands over her pockets as if to stop her Daddy, but one look from him had her moving her hands. She gave him a sheepish smile as he reached into her pocket and pulled out two black hearing aids.
“Those are mine,” Laura cried. “They’re just earphones, not hearing aids.”
Master James looked down at the hearing aids, disappointment all over his face.
“Laura, it’s time to stop lying. These are not earphones, and you know it.
” He handed the hearing aids to Fiera. “I’m so sorry.
I don’t know what’s come over her, but she won’t be bothering you anymore.
As soon as Master Derek is finished with us, we are going to our room and packing our bags. We’ll be gone within the hour.”
“Daddy, no!” Laura cried out. “That isn’t fair. She started it.” Laura pointed at Fiera.
“I think that’s for the best. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you won’t be allowed to visit Rawhide Ranch again. We have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying of any kind. I take the physical and emotional health of all my guests very seriously.”
Master James nodded, regret in his eyes.
“I understand. Laura, don’t you have something you’d like to say to Master Derek before we leave?
And I suggest you think carefully. You have a long car ride ahead of you.
The next words that come out of your mouth will determine just how uncomfortable that ride will be. ”
Laura’s eyes were glittering, but Fiera was pretty sure it wasn’t unshed tears of remorse. Nevertheless, through gritted teeth, Laura said, “I’m very sorry, Master Derek.”
Master Derek nodded.
Master Mace shook Master James’s hand. “I wish you the best of luck, James. I wish things had worked out differently.”
With a grimace and a nod, Master James grabbed Laura by the hand and dragged her from the room.
Master Mace gave Fiera’s arm a reassuring squeeze. Fiera’s head was spinning with the turn of events. Laura was gone. Fiera had a Daddy who was going back to Wilder with her. And she had three totally awesome friends.
Fiera was twitching with excitement. All eyes were on Master Derek. “This meeting is over. Master Mace, you and Fiera are free to go. Master Gavin, please let the ladies waiting outside know that I will be with them shortly.”
With a squeal of glee, Fiera ran to her friends and hugged each of them. “Thank you so much! You three are the best friends ever!”
“You too,” Sadie said. “I guess all those lip-reading lessons I’ve been taking from Moses paid off.”
“I’ll say,” Fiera said. “It sure paid off for me.” She was smiling so hard it made her cheeks hurt.
“I’m glad it all worked out,” Master Derek said, looking over at Master Mace.
Master Mace walked over and shook his hand. “I appreciate you taking care of this situation. You really know how to cut to the chase.”
Master Derek gave a grim smile. “It comes from a lot of practice.” Turning to Fiera, he said, “I’m very sorry you had to deal with that, Fiera. This Ranch is supposed to be a safe place. I should have stepped in sooner.”
That’s when it occurred to Fiera that she hadn’t felt unsafe at all. Master Derek had done a great job. “But you did, Master Derek. You gave me my Daddy. And he’s been by my side, keeping me safe the whole time.”
And just like that, she missed being in his arms. She moved back to his side, and he held her close.
“I’ll always take care of you,” her Daddy said. Looking down at her, he gave her a quick kiss, “Now, I think I promised you a ride, babygirl.”
Oh, he had. And if she was lucky, it wouldn’t be on Giddy.