Page 21 of Rusty

Janice

"Hey Janice, you gonnaeat that chocolate pudding?" Sara asked, eyeing the untouched dessert on Janice's tray.

Janice hadn't made much of an impact on the food on her plate. Her mind was a million miles away.

"Uh, no," Janice admitted, pushing it toward Sara. "I’m not really hungry." Her stomach churned with anticipation as she pushed her food around her plate.

"Thanks!" Sara said, grinning as she plucked the pudding away from Janice, and dug into the sweet treat.

How was she meant to eat anything after what had happened this morning?

She'd actually spent time with Rusty. Good time. Quality time. And she'd enjoyed it.

Rusty was the same, but different. Still confident and quiet, but so much wiser and more mature than he had been. He'dreally put careful thought into doing something special for her, and it had left her feeling stunned.

It had been a long time since someone had taken such an interest in Janice’s wellbeing. Since someone had really looked at her, really listened to her, really . . . liked her. Not that Rustylikeliked her, obviously. But he did tell her he hoped they could be friends. And he did seem to care. Maybe he just felt guilty for the way he left her. But if guilt was all he felt, then why did he suggestspankingher?

God, it was all so confusing.

At first, Janice had been shocked when Rusty had said he'd like to spank her. When they were dating, he had never even suggested anything like that. Now and then, when they were roleplaying, he’d given her corner time or told her she couldn’t watch cartoons if she’d been naughty, but he’d never smacked her ass. Nothing more than a playful slap during sex, anyway.

Janice couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through her body at the thought of having Rusty's strong hand on her backside.

"Earth to Janice!" Sara's voice snapped her back to reality. "Are you okay, hon?” She had chocolate pudding smeared around her lips.

"Sorry," Janice mumbled, feeling her cheeks grow warm.

"What’s on your mind?" Sara asked, licking away the sticking pudding.

“I’m meeting Rusty tonight,” Janice said quietly, feeling herself blush even more fiercely.

“Interesting,” said Sara. “Tell me more.”

Janice twirled her fork in her cold mashed potatoes. She sighed and pushed her plate aside. "I'm just . . . nervous," she confessed. "I know I need to be careful around Rusty, but when I'm with him, I feel these flutters in my tummy."

"Sometimes you have to follow your heart, even if your brain says something different," Sara said with a smile, her blondehair bouncing as she nodded. "And remember, I'm here for you if you need me.” She nudged Janice. “By the way, if Rusty does anything bad, I'll get the Mischief Makers to play pranks on him every day for a whole week. And if it’s really bad, amonth. I’m not just talking little pranks either. I’m talking top-tier ones. Like, horse poop in his shoes."

A giggle bubbled up from deep within Janice, escaping her lips before she could suppress it. Just then, a realization hit her—she hadn't giggled like that in years. The lightness of the moment settled around her like a comforting blanket, easing the tension in her shoulders.

"Okay well that's the cutest laugh I've ever heard," Sara said, smiling.

"Thanks you," Janice whispered, feeling grateful for her new friend's support and understanding.

"Promise me you'll take care of yourself, okay?" Sara said, squeezing Janice's hand reassuringly.

"I promise," Janice replied, her voice steady and determined. She knew that reconnecting with Rusty would be a delicate dance between past and present, but she felt more grounded and confident with Sara's support.

"Good," Sara said, releasing Janice's hand and giving her a warm smile. "Remember I’m right here if you need me.”

Janice spotted Chuck across the dinner hall, his bearded face a picture of concentration as he discussed something with another ranch hand. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she excused herself from Sara’s company and approached him, her heart racing with anticipation. She had to make the most of this opportunity if she wanted to stay at Littlecreek Ranch.

"Excuse me, Chuck?" Janice asked, her voice wavering slightly.

Chuck looked up, his expression softening when he saw her. "Ah, Janice. Glad to see you've been settling in so well. How can I help you?"

"Can I have a moment of your time to discuss working here at the ranch? I'd love to make myself useful.”

Chuck smiled. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better, little one. What kind of work did you have in mind?”

---