CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Janice
T he familiar scent of horses and hay filled Janice’s lungs as she entered the barn. She drew strength from the gentle faces of the animals that had become her sanctuary. Eagerly, she approached Trent, who was carefully tending to a mare's leg.
"Good morning, Janice," Trent greeted with an easy smile. "Ready for another day of learning?"
"Absolutely," she replied.
Obviously, her break-up with Rusty weighed heavily on her mind, but what could she do? Rusty had made it clear he’d lost interest in her. Gave her some excuse about spreading her wings. Once again, it had felt as though he'd been holding back from her. Not wanting to appear weak, Janice had told him that she wanted to break up with him, too.
And honestly, maybe a bit of her did. Life was simpler without him going hot and cold on her, after all. She had a job to focus on, friends to hang out with, a ranch to enjoy. Her feelings for Rusty were so strong, so all-encompassing, that it felt easier to just squash them into a little box and lock them away for the rest of her life. Nothing wrong with that. Especially when Rusty had made it clear that he didn’t want to be with her.
Yeah. It was way easier to just deny her true feelings. Way, way easier.
“Let’s do this,” she told Trent. “I’m gonna give it my all.”
Trent smiled. “That’s great to hear.”
As they worked together, Trent guided Janice through the basics of equine medicine, patiently answering her questions and sharing his expertise. Janice felt a sense of purpose, something that had long eluded her under her father's oppressive rule.
"Now, as you know, the musculoskeletal system of a horse is a complex and finely tuned structure,” said Trent, showing her the mare’s leg. “It consists of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, all working together to allow movement and support the horse's weight."
Janice examined the horse’s leg. “Sunbeam here looks like she doesn’t want to put too much weight on her foot.”
“Correct,” said Trent, impressed. “The legs bear the brunt of the horse's weight and are prone to injuries. The forelimbs are connected to the body by muscles and tendons rather than bones, providing greater flexibility. The hind limbs, on the other hand, are attached to the pelvis and are crucial for propulsion and power. In Sunbeam’s case, she’s had a problem with her deep digital flexor tendon.”
Janice looked closer, her brow furrowed in concentration. “How do you usually treat an injury like this?”
“Rest and controlled exercise are key,” Trent explained. “We also use anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and pain. In some cases, we might apply supportive bandaging or even use therapeutic ultrasound to promote healing. The goal is to allow the tendon to heal without putting too much stress on it.”
Janice looked thoughtful. “There’s so much to take in. I hope I can remember it all.”
Trent smiled at her. “You’re doing great, Janice. Keep asking questions and stay curious. That’s the best way to learn.”
With that, they moved on to the next horse, Janice’s mind buzzing with new knowledge.
When evening fell, Janice reluctantly retreated to her new permanent home: a small, bare cabin at the edge of the ranch. Closing the door behind her, she sighed, looking around at the sparse furnishings.
She ran her fingers across Little Miss Giggles and Little Miss Hug, the soft fabric of her stuffies offering meager comfort in the face of her loneliness. As the shadows lengthened outside her window, she whispered to herself, "I can do this. I'm not worthless."
Despite her words, doubt gnawed at her confidence, threatening to consume her in the darkness. She wrapped a thick woolen shawl around her shoulders, feeling its warmth against her skin but unable to shake the chill that seemed to emanate from deep within her bones.
"Maybe I should call Dad," she murmured to herself, seeking comfort in the thought of hearing a familiar voice.
Since arriving at the ranch, Janice hadn’t gotten in touch with her father at all. For all he knew, she was dead. Even though she hated him, she knew that sooner or later she'd have to at least tell him not to worry about her. No matter how badly he'd treated her, he deserved that at least.
Maybe he had missed her.
Maybe he would apologize.
Janice snorted a wry laugh. "No chance of an apology," she voiced, quietly.
Still, maybe, at least, he would be glad that she was alive.
Picking up her cell phone, she hesitated for a moment before finally switching it on and pressing the call button.
“Here goes nothing,” she muttered, after a deep sigh.
“Janice, where the hell are you?” her father boomed down the phone.
“I'm alive, just thought you should know. I'm safe,” Janice spoke softly, the timidness in her voice a stark contrast to her father’s booming tone. "So, now you know, I'll be g—"
“I know what you've been up to. Rusty called me,” her dad butted in, his voice clipped,and cold. “Twice this week.”
“Rusty called you?” she asked, confused. “Twice?”
“Is it true what he says? Are you out there causing trouble? Doing all that disgusting Little stuff that will bring shame on our family name?”
“Rusty told you I was causing trouble?”
“He didn’t need to,” said Angus. “I can read between the lines. He says you and he were thinking of getting back together. I know what that entails. He’s a dominant daddy, which means you must be. . . . Anyway, he called me again and told me you’re not engaging in a relationship, after all. Practically begged me not to punish you. Told me about a million times there was nothing going on between the two of you.”
Janice’s mind spun. Rusty had called begging her father not to harm her? That was rather chivalrous, wasn’t it? Obviously, Rusty shouldn’t have contacted her father without asking, but the fact that he’d done it for such noble reasons was kind of sweet. Stupid, yes, but sweet.
Even if he had broken up with her, at least it showed how much he still cared.
“Well, there isn’t anything going on between me and Rusty,” said Janice.
“Good. I hope that’s the end of it,” replied Angus. “I hope you’ll see sense and return to me soon. Pick up where we left off. Move to Scotland. Where are you, by the way? I’ve had a lot of men out looking for you. It’s cost me a lot of money, you know.”
Janice felt a surge of anger rise within her, pushing back against the years of submission and self-blame. “No, Dad. I’m not coming home. I’m happy where I am.”
“I hope you’re far away from that idiot Maguire now. He keeps trying to ruin your life, Janice.”
Janice shook he head. “Rusty isn’t trying to ruin anything. He’s just been trying to clean up the mess that you made. I can’t believe you told him to break up with me ten years ago. You do know you ruined my life, Dad?”
Her father scoffed. “Clean up my mess? By dragging you into some ridiculous lifestyle that will only bring shame and disgrace upon us? You know what I think of that Little nonsense, Janice. And it's not just me. The whole damn world feels that way. It’s time to grow up and stop playing childish games.”
Tears welled up in Janice’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall as she steadied her voice to reply. "I'm not playing games. This is who I am, and I won't apologize for it anymore. I refuse. I don't want to be a Laird, and I don't want your Scottish estate." She took a deep breath. “I just want to be me. Because I’m worth something on my own terms. And I don't need you, or anyone else to confirm that for me.”
There was a tense silence on the line, the crackling static filling the void between their words. Janice took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest with newfound determination. “And you know what? You can tell the world what you think of me, but I won't hide anymore. I'm tired of pretending to be someone I'm not just to fit your expectations," Janice declared, the weight of years of emotional manipulation lifting off her shoulders with each word.
Angus Jameson's voice turned icy cold. "You will regret this, Janice. Mark my words. I’ll strip you of your money, your honor, your title. You are throwing away everything for a foolish fantasy."
But Janice stood her ground, her resolve unyielding. "I'd rather have nothing and be true to myself than live a lie for the rest of my life. I won't let you dictate who I am or what makes me happy."
The line went silent, the tension palpable even through the phone. Janice's hand trembled slightly as she lowered it from her ear, her heart racing with a mix of fear and empowerment.
As she hung up the phone, a sense of liberation washed over her, mingling with the lingering traces of apprehension. She had never stood up to her father like that before. It was exhilarating .
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Janice looked around the dimly lit cabin, her gaze settling on Little Miss Giggles and Little Miss Hug perched on the bed. Despite the turmoil churning inside her, she felt a flicker of hope kindling in her chest.
“Guess I’m not so stupid anymore,” she said to her toys smiling.
And part of not being stupid involved facing up to facts.
She was in love with Rusty Maguire.
She was a strong and capable woman.
She was a sweet and kind Little with a great laugh.
She was learning to be the world’s greatest horse physiotherapist!
And finally, she was going to make things right. Somehow.