by Livia Grant
Over the next few hours, Charlie relaxed, recognizing that Gabe was keeping the crowd on a pretty tight leash. Gabe always said it was much easier to keep a crowd in line than it was to restore order after losing control. That meant having the servers slow down on whiskey deliveries when customers had had enough and steering the rowdy patrons to the bathroom to cool off.
Still, Gabe had to eject a couple new guys in town who hadn’t learned the rules of the Red Petticoat Saloon. Yet, through it all, Emelie’s confidence blossomed. He was so proud of her as she used her angelic voice to enthrall the audience number after number. Her vocal range was extraordinary.
By eleven that night, his little angel was threatening to drop where she stood. She wasn’t used to being on her feet for such a long period and her voice was beginning to tire.
As soon as they finished the set at midnight, Charlie decided it was time for Emelie to rest.
He took the steps up the stage and to the delight of the crowd, scooped the star of the show into his arms.
“What are you doing? We still have two more hours to play!” Her words might have been asking him to put her down, but she relaxed into his arms with a sigh. Her words were slurring she was so exhausted.
“Correction. I have two hours to play. It’s past your bedtime.”
“No! I can’t quit yet.”
“Emelie, honey. You’re falling asleep on your feet.”
“I am not.” She yawned, snuggling her head into the crook of his neck.
He was already at her door. He leaned down to turn the knob, crossing to her bed and laying her down gently. He moved to the bed table, striking a match and lighting the bedside lamp, casting a golden glow around the small room.
She looked so young and innocent when he looked down at her from above. Her golden hair was splayed out across the pillow like a heavenly halo. Her lips were perfectly plump and he fought the urge to kiss her.
“Let’s get you undressed. You’ll sleep better getting out of this outfit.”
He took it as a promising sign that she didn’t protest when he sat next to her and rolled her to her tummy. He went to town on the too-tight corset that had pressed her melon shaped breasts up and on display all night. As soon as he loosened the stays, she let out a groan of satisfaction that made them both chuckle.
By the time he’d pulled her shoes and stockings off and moved to help her out of her skimpy dress, Emelie’s eyes were already closed. He was losing her.
“Come on, darlin. I need a bit of help here.” But it was no use. She was already out cold.
Charlie stripped her bare, removing even her chemise and drawers. This was how she’d sleep in the future. Naked and ready for their frequent lovemaking.
But not tonight. He wanted her to remember their first night together. He shifted his turgid package around in his trousers, acknowledging it was going to be another long night.
He leaned down to kiss Em on her forehead, pulling the sheet up around her and putting the lamp out as he left to go finish his last set.
***
“Time to rise and shine, darlin.”
Emelie had been having the most wonderful of dreams. She didn’t want to wake up yet. She burrowed into the covers, rolling over and lifting the pillow over her head to block out the bright sun coming in through the window.
The crack of a hand on her backside got her full attention.
“Owie!”
“Don’t make me regret letting you sleep in. I knew you were tired, but we’re going to be late if you don’t hop up soon.”
Her heart lurched. It was Charlie. He was in her room. She didn’t want him to see her first thing in the morning. She needed time to tend to her necessaries.
He pulled the thin sheet back, uncovering her. An uneasy feeling invaded as it felt as if the room was cool against her skin. She moved her hands down from the pillow and shot up with a start, covering her body as best she could. In the process, she managed to bonk heads with Charlie who was leaning close.
“Ouch! Don’t look! I’m naked!”
“Oh for goodness sakes. I know that.” His fingers rubbed his forehead.
“How do you know that?” Her forehead hurt.
“Who do you think got you ready for bed last night? You collapsed after the set at midnight. Don’t you remember?”
She didn’t remember. Not exactly. Shadowy memories flashed, yet she was unsure if they were part of her sexy dreams or memories of her time with Charlie. She blushed thinking of him being alone with her nude body.
“We didn’t… I mean…”
He smiled, placing his finger under her chin to make sure she was looking at him as he teased her. “No, darlin. When I make love to you—and I will have you soon—I’d prefer you actually be awake to participate and maybe even enjoy yourself.”
She was sure her face was the color of the apples on the tree right outside her window. “Charlie Walker, you are incorrigible.”
“Yes, but you love it.”
She didn’t deny it. He was right.
She tried to pull the sheet up to cover herself again, but he’d have none of it.
“I mean it, Em. We’re gonna be late.”
“Where are we going? Isn’t today Sunday? Don’t tell me the saloon is open on Sunday.”
“Well, it didn’t used to be, but demand overruled being closed. However, no business is conducted until later in the afternoon. As for right now, it is morning and where do people usually go on Sunday mornings?”
She knew it was an innocent question from Charlie, but shame consumed her as memories of a lifetime of Sunday mornings at home with her family pressed in. Their time preparing for Sunday service had usually started with morning prayers and meditation. Not one single time had it included unwed naked women being visited by eligible bachelors. It was a stark reminder for Emelie of how much her life had changed in the months since she’d left home.
Charlie didn’t seem to notice the dousing of her mood. Instead, he moved to the armoire to pull out her one and only gown, other than her gem uniform of course.
He turned back to her. “Tomorrow, I’m going to take you to the mercantile. We’re going to buy you some material to make some new dresses and pretty under garments for when you aren’t working. Do you sew?”
“Yes.” She was too busy burying herself in guilt to be listening.
“Wonderful. You’ll have a whole new wardrobe in a few weeks.”
He wouldn’t let her wallow in her guilt. He pulled her to her feet. She barely caught the sheet with her fingers as she stood, pulling the cotton around her to restore her modesty in the smallest measure.
He led her to the washbasin where he’d laid out her tooth powder and brush along with lotion and a small bar of scented soap.
“Now, I’m going to go finish getting ready. You have ten minutes and I’ll be back for you. If we hurry, we’ll have enough time to enjoy one of Nettie’s biscuits and honey before we have to leave.”
In the silence of the room after he’d left, she looked at her reflection in the small oval mirror on the dresser. The woman who stared back at her might look the same as she had all her life, but she knew that what was underneath that skin had been irrevocably changed in her time away from home. She wasn’t looking forward to stepping foot into a church where the stark changes would surely overwhelm her,
Would God even be happy to have her in his house again?
***
The biscuits and honey were as heavenly as she’d suspected they’d be knowing Nettie’s talent as a chef, yet with each step she took down Gold Street towards the only church in town, the heavier those biscuits got in her stomach. Families mingled with couples and miners in the streets, all headed in the same direction.
By the time they arrived at the church, there was a long line of parishioners queued up waiting to shake the hand of a man she assumed was the resident pastor of Culpepper Cove. He was tall, standing a head above most men and two heads above the women.
“Relax. I can feel the tension rolling off you.” Charlie leaned close, squeezing the hand she had linked through the crook of his arm as they’d walked over.
“Easy for you to say. You know these people. All they know about me is I work in the town brothel.”
“Enough. The gems are respected here in town. It isn’t like it is back east. I don’t want to hear you put yourself or them down again, understood?”
He raised his eyebrow and her tummy clenched. He’d done that once before—right before he’d pushed her nose into the corner the day before.
Without thinking, she whispered, “Yes, sir.”
She wanted to wipe the grin right off his face. “I do like how that sounds.”
“Like I said, incorrigible.”
They were at the front of the line. She’d obviously been talking louder than she thought because the beautiful blonde woman standing next to the pastor grinned and agreed. “Yes, Charlie certainly is incorrigible. I have to agree.”
Before Emelie knew what was happening, Charlie had released her and was pressing forward to give the beautiful woman a friendly hug.
Emelie stood in shock at their public display of affection. She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her on the spot, as she knew all eyes were on them, probably wondering why she wasn’t enough for Charlie. Bad enough they were from the Red Petticoat, but now he had to make a move on the preacher’s wife in front of God and everyone.
“Don’t let it upset you. I’ve had to get used to this reaction each time Callie sees anyone from the Red Petticoat. I used to let it bother me that she’d run full out to collect a hug from Gabe or Charlie, but I’ve learned to accept it. You should too.” The pastor held his hand out with a smile. “Lawrence Black. You must be Silver. The whole town’s tongues are wagging about the new gem with the voice of an angel.”
There was so much to be disturbed by in that introduction she didn’t know where to begin. “The whole town is talking about me?”
“Indeed. It isn’t every day an angel drops into our midst.”
She couldn’t stop the snort of laughter. “I’m hardly an angel. In fact, I was wondering if you’d even allow me entrance today considering where I work.”
Pastor Black leaned in to talk softly in her ear, “I would have thought Charlie would have explained that my Callie once worked at the Red Petticoat. She has very fond memories of her time there with her very dear friends.”
“You mean that story is true?” she asked incredulously.
“Every word.” He turned towards Charlie to shake his hand. “It’s about time you showed up. The new piano will be arriving in a couple of weeks. Don’t forget you promised to come help us christen it into the congregation.”
“I didn’t forget. Maybe Emelie can help us with that. She has the voice of an angel, perfect for a church dedication.”
“I can’t wait to hear her sing,” Callie gushed, holding her hand out to Emelie. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Emelie. I hope we can be friends.”
This wasn’t going anything like she’d dreaded. “I’d like that. Very much.”
Charlie put his arm around her waist, to pull her along. “We’ll talk with you after the service. We don’t want to hold up the line behind us.”
They were half way up the stairs to the sanctuary when he leaned in. “I told you to trust me. Everything is going to be fine.”
She started to relax as they stepped into the back of the place of worship. Rows of pews lined the long aisle. She expected Charlie to take a seat towards the back, but he marched them forward, closer and closer to the raised altar.
With each pew of families they passed, Emelie became less comfortable. Mothers hugged their children close, more than one covering their young child’s eyes as if to shield them from seeing Charlie and Emelie.
Tears pricked when she realized that might have been her own mother and sisters at another place and time in her life. That she’d become the sinner to be shunned broke her heart. The only thing she was grateful for was that her parents weren’t there to see how far she’d fallen.
As they reached the front of the church, Emelie was surprised to see Nettie, Gabe and Jewel sitting in a pew directly in front of the large lectern. Charlie placed his hand lightly in the small of her back, guiding her to join them. When Gabe patted the seat next to him, she knew they’d been saving seats for her and Charlie.
There was plenty of time before the services began for Emelie to begin piecing things together. The others in the pew with her all held their heads high, unafraid to worship alongside the good citizens of Culpepper Cove. Gabe and Jewel held hands as they waited quietly. Charlie followed suit, taking her right hand into his left, twining their fingers together intimately.
When Pastor Black and his wife had greeted all parishioners out front, they walked down the aisle together. Emelie was shocked when Callie choose to sit in the pew on the other side of Charlie, sending a clear message to all in attendance that the leaders of the church not only condoned the happenings at the Red Petticoat, but that they welcomed Callie’s old friends with open arms.
Emelie tried to relax and enjoy the service. It was very different from the kind of old-world services her father led, yet the hymns chosen for the day were favorites. She tried to hold back, not wanting to overpower the congregation with her voice, but with each bar that passed of Holy, Holy, Holy, Emelie raised her voice in celebration. By the time the song ended, she felt the heat of everyone’s stare.
Pastor Black motioned for the congregation to take their seat. “I can see that the rumors around town are true. We do have the voice of an angel among us, folks.”
Charlie squeezed her hand tighter, signaling his support. It was when Gabe took her other hand to squeeze it that she jumped with surprise. She’d been so intimidated by him, but he leaned in and whispered, “Jewel and I are so glad you are here, Emelie.”
Was it possible she’d found a new home? In that moment, she felt surrounded by the kind of love she never thought she’d find again. While it was a blessing, she knew she once again had something to lose. She spent the rest of the service silently praying for God’s forgiveness for killing the gunslinger.
***
Sundays were Ruby’s day off which meant Amy and Silver worked extra hard keeping the full house of customers’ glasses and stomachs full. Emelie sang less and served more. The boldness of the saloon customers made the patrons back at Mr. and Mrs. Patton’s pub on the wharf look like saints. She lost count of the number of pinches and slaps to her bottom by eight that evening, yet the tips were rolling in fast and furious.
She found Charlie’s mood to be sour when she joined him at the front of the room for a set of music.
“Is there even one man who hasn’t felt you up yet?” His brown eyes sparked with anger. He’d shaved that morning before church and she found herself missing his trimmed beard she remembered rubbing against her neck as they’d kissed the night before.
She tried to make him smile. “I’m pretty sure that portly man at the end of the bar hasn’t touched me yet, although I’m not entirely sure that he’s still awake.”
“This isn’t funny, Emelie.”
“Oh I don’t know, it’s a little funny. You’re kinda cute when you’re jealous.”
“I’m not jealous. I just…” Charlie cut off when he realized there was zero chance of convincing her otherwise. “Fine. I don’t like men touching what’s mine.”
Emelie had fun teasing him. “And just who said I was yours? I happen to like that man at the end of the bar.”
“The one sleeping?”
“Yes. I’m pretty sure he’d never try to spank me.”
Charlie hugged her against his body, pressing his hard cock against her. “I happen to know you enjoyed that spanking more than you’re letting on. If you aren’t careful, young lady, I’ll be demonstrating exactly how much again later tonight.”
Her core clenched with an excitement she’d onl
y known since meeting Charlie Walker. She swore she could feel the skin on her ass tingling at the mention of another spanking.
“Let’s not be hasty. I promise, I’ll be a good girl.”
He leaned closer, whispering against her ear and sending a shiver through her entire body. “Then I’ll be sure to give you a good girl spanking.”
She didn’t have time to ask what that was. The pounding of fists on the tables, shouting for their next set interrupted them. “Silver, Silver. Silver.”
“We’ll have to finish this discussion later—in the bathing room.” Charlie grinned.
Despite the heat in the room, she felt the goose bumps all over her body with his naughty promise.
***
The rest of the night dragged by for Emelie. She looked forward and dreaded midnight in equal measure. Nothing but impure thoughts consumed her as she finished the final hours of her shift. She flirted with customers, aware of Charlie’s glowering, suspecting her bottom would be paying the price for every tease.
She sang a long set each hour, enjoying the way they made beautiful music together, wondering if they would do other activities beautifully together as well.
By midnight, she was once again feeling dead on her feet. The excitement of Charlie’s teasing hours before had worn off and she found herself wanting nothing more than to collapse in her bed.
“Come on, little girl. It looks like it’s past your bedtime.”
She couldn’t stop the yawn as Charlie held her hand, pulling her gently down the nearby hall. She half expected him to stop at her room. Despite her fatigue, her pulse quickened as he led her to the bathroom, stopping to knock first. When no one answered, he tested the door, grinning when it opened to an empty room.
“Tonight I’m going to be more vigilant.” He turned the key on the inside of the door, locking out any unwanted intruders. The sound of the lock clicking had them snapping together like two magnets.
Charlie’s hands roamed over her body as his tongue plundered her mouth. She could feel each piece of her clothing being loosened and dropping to the floor until she was down to her chemise and drawers.