Gabe's Golden Girl (The Red Petticoat Saloon)

by Maggie Ryan

  Tugging on his hand, they approached Jeb but had to wait as he was congratulated by those closer to the door. When they finally reached him, Jewel threw her arms around him while Gabe stood shaking his head. “Three?” Gabe asked as if still unsure they’d heard correctly.

  “Yup,” Jeb said, beaming. “My little Red gave me two healthy boys and the sweetest little gal you’ve ever seen.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Jewel said. “And how is Ruby?”

  “She’s perfect,” Jeb said and Jewel just shook her head and smiled. “I just wanted to come tell everyone. I’ve got to get home…”

  “Wait,” Jewel said, “I’ll be right back.” When she returned, it was with Nettie. As Jewel pressed a big basket into the sheriff’s hands, Nettie gave him a hug and then directions.

  “You ain’t gonna have time to do any cookin’. There’s enough food in there for a couple of days. When it’s gone, come see me.”

  “Thank you, Nettie. I’m sure a couple of days will be enough…”

  “Son, you don’t know nothin’ about how much attention one baby takes. Multiply that by three and… well, you’ll find out for yourself. Now, get back to your family. Tell Ruby we’ll be by tomorrow.”

  “I will and thanks.”

  “Congratulations, Jeb,” Gabe said, his color having returned. The men hugged and then Jeb left. It was only a moment later when Jewel moaned.

  “What’s wrong?” Gabe asked.

  “We didn’t ask what their names were!”

  Gabe chuckled. “Probably one, two and three… ow!” He rubbed his arm. “Woman, don’t you ever put that damn spoon down?”

  “Nope,” Nettie said. “Never know when I’m gonna need it to keep some fool in line.”

  Jewel and most of the rest of the gems spent the next morning at Ruby’s house. The saloon had been closed for the day. With the babies, the party, and the weddings, Gabe had insisted that everyone needed time to finish preparations and just rest. When Jewel had worried that the miners might be upset, he’d cupped her bottom and lifted his eyebrow.

  “Then again, they’ll probably understand,” Jewel said. She was now very glad that he’d insisted as it gave them time to hold, rock, and coo over the newest citizens of Culpepper Cove, whose names were Jonah, Jake and Jennifer Justice.

  “All Js, after their papa,” Ruby said, then giggled. “Jeb won’t admit it but I know he’s a little concerned about them all having red hair like their momma.”

  “Ah, I see,” Jewel said. “So you decided that if they all shared his initials they’d what… be perfect little angels?”

  “Well, I figured it couldn’t hurt,” Ruby said.

  When she wasn’t resting or nursing, she opened the gifts the women had brought. The bed was soon covered by tiny gowns and booties, small quilts and diapers. “I can’t even imagine how many of these you are going to need every day,” Della said. “I ‘m still shocked at how many little Anson goes through.”

  “I can’t imagine how you’re ever going to sleep,” Amy said, taking Jonah back from his mother as Opal handed her Jake.

  “Jeb promised to help,” Ruby said. “Doctor Norwood said that they should all be sleeping through the night within a few weeks.”

  “Weeks?” Dottie groaned. “I’d go crazy…”

  “That’s because you don’t get up until late every day,” Onyx offered.

  After Jennifer had taken her turn at her mother’s breast, Jewel took her and handed Ruby an envelope.

  “What this?”

  “A gift, silly.”

  “You already gave me a gift and so far, everything has been absolutely delicious.”

  “That is Nettie’s gift. This is from me and Gabe.”

  Ruby opened the envelope and read the card. “Oh, my… oh, Jewel…”

  “What is it?” Opal asked.

  “Help,” Ruby said with a smile. “We can hire someone to come stay and help with the babies.” Looking at Della, she continued. “I know I should take care of everything on my own…”

  “Are you kidding?” Della said. “Do you remember that you have not a baby… you have three?”

  “You have two…”

  “Yes, and one is old enough to help. Just say thank you.” Della’s smile had Ruby’s smile grow.

  “Thank you, Jewel. Thank you very much. Oh, and thank Gabe too.”

  “I will. You deserve the best, Ruby.”

  They visited for a little longer, but once the triplets were all asleep, Ruby’s eyelids began to droop.

  “I’m going to miss your weddings and the Christmas party,” she said with a yawn.

  “We’ll tell you all about both,” Jewel promised. “Just rest and take care of these red-headed little angels.”

  “I will, thank all of you.”

  With the day free, the gems were able to help Jewel finish the last of the decorations. Digging into a box, Jewel shook her head. “I thought I had more mistletoe than this.”

  Opal laughed as she accepted the bundle from Jewel. “Seriously? Did you forget this is a brothel? Haven’t you seen the men lining up by the door to capture any gem who has to enter the room? We started using the back stairs until some fool put mistletoe at the foot of the stairs.”

  Jewel giggled and shook her head. “It has been very popular hasn’t it?”

  “Yes, and fun,” Amy said, “and a little naughty when you see some man jump out of the tub and try to grab you before you can make it out of the door.”

  The women laughed as Moses helped them replace bunches that were missing all their berries with fresh ones. “Try to stay out of the doorways at least until the party,” Jewel requested. “The red berries look so pretty against the dark greenery.”

  She was returning the paper to the box when she noticed Anna standing almost out of sight around the corner of the dining room. Jewel was about to speak when Anna put her finger to her lips and gestured for Jewel to join her. Leaving the empty box on one of the card tables, Jewel joined her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” Anna said though her eyes were darting around. “Your present is here.”

  “Present?” Jewel asked, looking towards the tree where several gifts had appeared ever since they’d finished setting it up on the stage.

  “Not there,” Anna whispered, pulling on her hand. “At the Bentleys…”

  “Oh…” Jewel said, her tummy flipping and her heart skipping a beat. “When?”

  “When you were with the babies. William came to tell me…”

  “He didn’t tell anyone else did he?”

  “No, you told us to keep it a secret,” Anna assured her.

  Jewel nodded and gave her a hug. “Thank you. Where’s Gabe?”

  “I think he and John were going to the mill to get the boards you wanted to use as tables for the party?”

  “Perfect. If he gets back and wonders where I am…”

  “We’ll tell him you could be anywhere as we’re trying to get everything done for tomorrow.”

  Jewel hurried to her bedroom to change her dress and brush her hair. Looking into the mirror, she saw a woman who was suddenly looking extremely nervous. Her hands were trembling as she twisted her hair into a chignon, securing it with pins. Once she was done, she closed her eyes and said a prayer. After uttering “Amen,” she left the room, glad to see no evidence of Gabe’s return as she hurried to the kitchen.

  Anna looked up from where she was icing a large cake as Nettie was flouring the work table’s surface in preparation of kneading dough for the rolls and loaves of bread she’d be baking. Dusting her hands off on her apron, the cook approached Jewel who suddenly had sagged against the table’s edge.

  “What if this is a huge mistake?” Jewel said softly. “Who am I to have decided that…”

  “Child, you followed your heart and must trust it,” Nettie said, giving her a hug.

  “But…”

  “No buts,” Nettie chided. “This is a good thing.”<
br />
  Jewel nodded and gave a shaky smile. “Well, if it’s not, there will definitely be a butt involved.” Nettie truly was a magician. One moment she’d had both arms wrapped around Jewel, and the next, she not only had a wooden spoon in her hand, she’d already smacked it against the back of her dress. It not only broke the terror that had gripped Jewel when she’d really considered the enormity of what she’d done, but it provided the impetus to get her feet moving again as she jumped back.

  “I love you, Nettie.”

  “Child, I love you too. Now get out of my kitchen. We both have work to do.”

  “Don’t forget if Gabe…”

  “Go!” Anna and Nettie chorused. With a wave, Jewel slipped out the side door.

  Chapter 23

  Sounds of furniture being moved and men grunting filled the saloon. The gems sought safety behind the bar or standing on the stairs as they offered suggestions and watched the transformation.

  “Not so close to the stage,” Silver called out. “Jewel wants space for people to dance at the wedding.”

  Gabe nodded and he and John, both grooms who looked forward to waltzing with their brides, picked up sawhorses they’d borrowed from the mill as Moses and Charlie lifted the long, heavy planks they’d use as a table surface, moving it several feet back. They set up several more tables and then went out front to the wagon, carrying in chairs that they’d borrowed from several families in town, placing them around the tables.

  “All right, ladies, Jewel said she wanted these all to have tablecloths and some decorations.” He pointed to the boxes stacked before the bar and shook his head. “Though I have no idea what she wants where. You’ll have to ask her.” He looked around. “Where is Jewel? I haven’t seen her in hours.”

  “Oh, she’s around,” Opal said, hurrying around the bar and picking up a box. “Don’t worry, we know what to do, don’t we?”

  “Yes,” the gems chorused, all opening boxes and pulling out items.

  Gabe watched for a moment. “I still need to talk to her. I’m not sure how she wants the dining room rearranged…”

  “I do, I’ll show you,” Onyx said, not waiting for a response but moving quickly towards the dining room.

  Gabe thought it was strange that his Jewel wasn’t bustling about in the middle of things. She’d worked non-stop for the past few days, constantly flitting about.

  “Are you coming, Mr. Gabe?”

  Onyx’s question snapped him out of his thoughts and he nodded. After shuffling the existing tables closer together, the men added long planks along the walls to hold all the many dishes that would be offered. The meal would be a buffet so people could make their own choices and no one would spend the holiday serving.

  Gabe sank down into a chair. “I think that’s it. I don’t know about you, but I could use a nap…”

  “No time for naps,” Nettie said, sweeping into the room. “I need you to go to the Bentley Inn and pick up their chairs.”

  “Didn’t we already do that?” Gabe asked, looking around. “Where are we going to put them?”

  “Around the tables, of course,” Nettie said.

  “Maybe Moses can go…”

  “No!” Nettie’s exclamation had both men turning to stare at her. “I mean, I… I need you in the kitchen. My back is aching and I can’t lift that heavy pot.”

  “I’ll go,” Charlie offered.”

  Silver shook her head. “No, honey, we still need to practice a few of those songs, remember?”

  John chuckled. “Guess that leaves me, boss.”

  “No, I-I um need you to help me with something,” Opal said.

  “Can’t it wait?”

  “Not if you want to get married tomorrow.”

  Gabe grinned. “I’m sure we’re both looking forward to that. I’ll go. Maybe Jewel would like to go with me to make sure…”

  “She’s already doing an errand,” Nettie said. “That child has been busy all day. Now, get your behind out of that chair and out the door.”

  Pulling up in front of the inn, Gabe set the brake and jumped down from the wagon seat. Climbing the porch steps, he grinned. He had a lot of fond memories about this boarding house. This had been the first place he and Jewel and the others had stayed while the Red Petticoat was being renovated.

  Before he could knock, the door opened. He smiled. “Hello, Mildred. Nettie reminded me that you had offered to loan us some chairs? I could swear we already picked them up, but…”

  “Come on in,” Mildred said, stepping back.

  Gabe entered and had taken a few steps towards the dining room when he saw Jewel in the doorway of the parlor.

  “I’ve been wondering where you’ve been,” he began and then stopped at the look on her face.

  “Querida? What’s going on?”

  “I wanted to give you a present early,” Jewel said. “I…” she stopped speaking and smiled, turning away. Gabe took a step forwards, thinking he was meant to follow when he froze.

  “Hola, hijo.” Gabe’s heart stopped.

  “Papa?”

  His mother wasn’t as formal. With a cry and with tears streaming, she ran across the room and threw herself at her son, sobbing his name over and over again. Gabe crushed her to him, his own tears streaming. The senior Mr. Vasquez joined them.

  Jewel stood back, her prayers having been answered as she watched the three standing, arms around each other, a family that had gone through tragedy reuniting for the first time in years. When Gabe’s dark head lifted, his eyes shone with a light she’d never seen before, his smile one of a little boy who’d discovered that the thing he wished for the most was underneath the tree.

  “Ven aquí, querida.”

  Jewel hesitated as if unsure but when his parents both stepped away, opening their arms, she walked forward to be engulfed in the arms of those who were to become her family. When the little group moved apart, both men reached into their pockets to withdraw handkerchiefs and hand them to their women.

  “How? When…” Gabe began.

  “Come, sit down,” Jewel said. When he was about to take a seat in a chair, she tugged on his hand and led him to the settee. He sat and watched her smile as his mother sat next to him, her hand clutching his arm as if afraid he’d disappear if she let go. Placing his hand over hers and dropping a kiss on hair that had more gray streaks through the black curls than he remembered, he looked up and smiled as his father, who’d sat down on his wife’s other side. Gabe turned his eyes to Jewel and nodded, ready to listen to her story.

  “I wanted to give you… all of you… the gift of family for Christmas. I know you, Gabe. You are a good man, a loving man, a man who would give his life for those he loved, but you can also be a stubborn man.”

  Lupe laughed, shaking her head as she looked up at her son. “Sí, my son is like his papa.”

  “Then you are a lucky woman,” Jewel said, giving the older couple a smile. “I’ve learned that life isn’t always what we expected but that it can offer joys you never dreamed of and sorrows you are sure you won’t be able to bear. But, it should be lived surrounded by those you love… it should be shared with those who love you.” She paused, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Elena wouldn’t want you to be apart… she’d want you to be together, to remember the love you all shared and to share your lives together… as a family.”

  Lupe’s tears began again, but Gabe understood they were tears of healing. “Lo siento…” Gabe began.

  Lupe shook her head. “No, son. No apologies. No regrets.”

  Enrique reached out and placed his hand over Gabe’s. “Your mother is right…” He paused looking over at Jewel and smiled. “Su bella novia is right. Today we start again. Today we become a family again.”

  Gabe’s eyes were on Jewel and though he’d sworn he couldn’t love her more, he could feel his heart swelling. He stood and took her into his arms. “Thank you… te amo, Jewel.”

  “I love you too,” Jewel said, blue eyes locking onto chocolate
brown ones. “With all of my heart.” Their lips met and the kiss deepened until Enrique chuckled and his wife softly giggled. Breaking apart, Jewel smiled. “Did I forget to mention how romantic Latin men can be?”

  Jewel and Gabe’s parents thanked Mildred and William, reminding them of the party the next day.

  “We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Mildred said, walking them out. “You are going to be a beautiful bride.”

  Jewel gave her a hug. “Ready?” she asked Gabe. “I know everyone is waiting to meet your parents.”

  “Are you saying that everyone knew about this but me?”

  “Um… actually, I’m remembering something my gram always told me,” she hedged with a smile. “When someone gives you a gift, you don’t ask questions, you just accept it as the gift it is.”

  Gabe chuckled and nodded, helping her into the wagon to sit beside his mother. His father was already seated in the back. About to climb up, Gabe turned back to where the Bentleys were standing on the porch with their arms around each other. “I forgot the chairs.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Mildred said. “Moses and John picked them up this morning.”

  They just finished eating dinner when a knock sounded on the side door.

  “Who could that be?” Jewel asked.

  “One way to find out,” Gabe said, moving to the door. Opening it, he began, “We’re clo… Oh, hi, Sam. Come in.”

  Sam entered, a large box in his hands. “I didn’t mean to interrupt but this just came for Miss Jewel.”

  “What is it?” Jewel asked. “I’ve already received everything I ordered. And more,” she said looking to where her future in-laws were seated.

  Sam shrugged. “Don’t know but it must be important because it came in on the stage… all by itself. Someone paid a lot of money to make sure you got it.” He set the box on the table.

  Jewel turned the box around and gasped.

  “What is it?” Gabe asked, concern in his tone.

  “It’s from England… from my gram.”

  As Jewel tore at the paper, Amy teased, “So much for waiting till Christmas morn.”