Page 14 of Rediscovering Rubi

Rubi couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve heard that. I’ll definitely keep my eyes open.”

They spent the rest of the morning meeting a very talkative parrot named Bossy P, who spent most of the time riding on Reese’s shoulder, plus Stella the sweet cow, an adorable bunch of goats, pigs, and sheep, and Alfie the alpaca made an appearance, as well.

After the tour Reece asked, “Wanna go sit down and have some hot cider? My hands are a little cold.”

“Mine, too. And hot cider sounds like the perfect cure.”

Reese took her cell phone from a pocket and quickly typed out a text. “It’ll be here in a few minutes. Come on—grab a hay bale and have a seat.”

They sat down on a bale covered with a blanket, and Rubi inhaled the scents of fresh hay and fresh air.

“I can’t imagine how wonderful it is to live here,” she said.

“I know how lucky I am. I came here under sorta difficult circumstances—with my animals—and the folks here really saved all of us. Since then we’ve been rescuing more animals and giving them a home here on the Ranch or finding forever homes for them. And I found my forever home here, too, with Arlo, my husband and Daddy.”

“I thought you might be a Little,” Rubi said, smiling.

Reese grinned and stuck her legs out. “Was it the bright pink boots?”

Rubi laughed. “That was part of it, probably, and the matching ribbons in your braids. But it’s more something about your personality. You really have such a sweetness about you.”

“Oh, not all the Littles are sweet!” Reese said with a grin. “I mean, they are, but you haven’t seen a Little bratting yet, have you?”

“I guess not. But we’re here for a few weeks, so I imagine that’ll happen sooner or later.”

“Ooh, here’s Claudia with the cider!”

Rubi turned to see a tall woman with gorgeous long brown hair walking into the barn carrying a tall thermos and carrying three mugs by the handles.

“Rubi, this is my friend Claudia. She’s new-ish to the Ranch.”

“Bonjour! It’s nice to meet you,” Claudia said with a hint of a French accent. She set the mugs down on another hay bale, opened the thermos and poured, then handed them each a mug, taking one for herself.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Claudia.”

“I hope you don’t mind,” Reese said, “but I asked Claudia to join us.”

“Of course I don’t mind,” Rubi answered, scooting over and patting the blanket next to her. “I’m happy to make new friends. I haven’t done enough of that in recent years.”

“Thank you.” Claudia sat between them and blew on her own mug of cider.

“What brought you to Rawhide Ranch?” Rubi asked.

“A terrible divorce and turning forty, I suppose,” Claudia said with a wry laugh. “My friend Micah told me about the job listing—I wait tables in the restaurant, mostly, and sometimes watch the front desk or work in the store when I’m needed. This place has been a true blessing for me.”

“Are you a… Little? I hope it’s okay that I’m asking.”

“Oh, yes, of course; it’s fine to ask. This is a safe place for all of us. But no, I’m not an ageplayer. I’m a submissive. Or, I used to be, before… well… I used to be.”

Rubi let out a soft sigh. “Me, too.”

“Oh?” Claudia asked. “But you’re here as a guest, yes?”

“Yes, with my husband. We used to go to the clubs, but it’s been years. I’m just not sure… well, it just feels like there’s so much I don’t know about how we’ll be together at this point in our lives, in those roles, specifically. I’m forty-nine years old. I’ve given birth to two kids. My body has changed so much. And it’s not only the way I look, but I have no idea what I can take. I used to be a bit of a masochist; I loved impact play. But now? I just don’t know. And to be honest, that’s sort of terrifying.”

Claudia put a hand on her arm. “Yes, of course you’re scared. Of course you’ve lost your confidence. I’m forty, and while I never had children, my body has changed, too, in different ways. Gravity gets all of us, in the end, doesn’t it? And as women, we’re so programmed to believe our worth centers entirely around our looks. But, Rubi, it’s really all about the dynamic between the two of you. The exchange of energy. That’s not to say I don’t understand how you’re feeling. I do, trust me. And… I think that’s why our friend here texted me to bring the cider today,” she said, turning to Reese.

Reese’s cheeks pinkened, but she nodded, smiling. “I thought you two might really understand each other.”

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