Jewel's Gems (The Red Petticoat Saloon)

by Maggie Ryan

“Jewel, you need to consider…” Gabriel began and then nodded at the determined look on her face. “Jewel will need to see the release of her contract.”

  Charles evidently saw the exchange as he said, “Look, you don’t have to give me a decision now. I’ll give you a few weeks to consider my offer as that will give you time to get settled. I hope you’ll give me the opportunity to audition but even if you don’t, I’ll bring Dottie and the release.”

  “You don’t need to audition,” Jewel said. “Give me a few weeks to get the saloon open and then come. I wanted music and yours made me happy.”

  Gabriel added his two cents by saying, “I hope I don’t need to ask you not advertise your plans? Tompkins isn’t aware of our destination and I’d like to keep it that way.”

  “I completely understand,” Charles agreed. “Now, I’ve held you up long enough. Have a safe journey and I’ll see you in a month.” He gave Della one last hug. “Take care of yourself, missy. I expect to see you a bit rounder when I come.”

  “Don’t worry,” Della said, “Miss Nettie makes me eat all the time!”

  Charles stood and waved as Gabriel climbed onto the wagon, lifted the reins and clucked to the team. Jewel and Della both waved and then she grunted when the wagon dipped and then bounced, lifting her up and then dropping her back onto her seat.

  “Ow!” she moaned and then blushed when Nettie chuckled and Gabriel grinned. Leaning close to him, she whispered, “Meanie,” to which he responded with, “Brat.”

  ***

  Gabriel wasn’t sure which Jewel was going to enjoy more as they stopped hours later at a small creek. Sharing the delicious luncheon Della and Nettie were spreading out on a blanket beneath the shade of a tree or being able to walk. When he saw her walking in circles, massaging her backside, he figured he had his answer.

  “You okay?” he asked, not surprised to see her hands dropping instantly to her sides. Grinning, he leaned closer. “The no rubbing rule pertains only to the day of the punishment. Rub away, chiquita.”

  “Thank God,” Jewel said, returning her hands to her posterior. “Sitting last night was bad enough but this bouncing is driving me to tears.”

  “I’ll offer my sympathies,” Gabriel said, pulling her into his arms, “but not my apologies.” He kissed her cheek and then took her hand and led her down to the creek.

  “Is there gold in this one?” she asked, bending forward as if expecting to see gold nuggets instead of river rocks.

  “Not here anyway,” he said, motioning towards the left. “There are many little creeks running through the Sierras. Some are fed by underground springs and some are tributaries of larger rivers. Not all will contain gold.”

  “Oh, I guess that’s why it’s called prospecting and not just, I don’t know, picking up nuggets?”

  Gabriel laughed and nodded. “I guess. We’ll cross a few of these smaller creeks on our trip but I’ve purposely chosen a route that keeps us away from those being worked. There is no reason to put anyone in danger and I assure you, the men who work these claims are very possessive of their stakes.”

  She was silent for a moment and he knew she was taking in the information. He’d been amazed at all the questions she’d asked about anything she didn’t understand. Her enthusiasm for research had been confirmed in his talks with the others. “Culpepper Cove was built along the Culpepper River. There has been gold found in that river and in the foothills above the town.”

  “That’s where the Corazón de Oro is, right? In the foothills?”

  “Yes, and that’s what makes it harder to mine. I’m glad John has decided to give it a try. I’ve got two other men working on it now and we could use more. I just can’t afford…”

  “We can’t afford,” Jewel reminded him. “Partners share the costs, remember?” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “And, then we’ll share all the profits when we hit that vein.”

  “You have my hopes growing daily, chica de oro,” Gabriel said.

  “I like that,” Jewel said with a smile, “little golden girl.”

  Gabriel bent to kiss her properly and then nuzzled the spot on her neck that Opal’s powder failed to conceal completely, only breaking away with the sound of Nettie calling to inform them that if he intended to eat more than a scrawny neck, he’d better get his behind over to the blanket.

  His grin matched Jewel’s as he shook his head, calling out, “Yes, ma’am, Miss Nettie, we’re coming.”

  “Well, I most certainly am very close…” Jewel said as she batted her eyelashes and swished her hips as she walked back towards the others.

  “Cheeky,” Gabriel muttered, his cock swelling as he imagined taking a far longer taste than that single kiss he’d given her sweet pussy. Hearing her giggle as she looked back, her eyes dropping to his groin, he muttered, “Diablito,” and in two strides, caught up to his little devil and slipped an arm around her waist. She had already become far more to him than just a partner in the mine. Even if they never found that vein, he felt he’d already struck gold.

  ***

  By the time they’d forded the third creek, Jewel’s excitement over the new adventure was lessening. Her bottom truly ached and even Nettie had begun to grunt a bit as she bounced about on the hard seat.

  The women worked together to prepare dinner as John and Gabriel set up the two tents. Despite their aches, the girls’ enthusiasm returned at the sight of millions of stars appearing in the black velvet of the sky. The group sat around the fire that the men had lit and sipped coffee from tin cups and nibbled on the cookies that Nettie told them Della had baked. The young woman was obviously unaccustomed to receiving compliments as tears welled and slid down her cheeks. Nettie pulled her close and gave her a hug, silently letting her know that she was now part of their rather odd, but very loving family.

  As Gabriel stood guard, the women made use of the bushes, all giggling in their nervousness as he reminded them to look before they squatted.

  “Does anyone else wish they were a man right now?” Jewel asked, looking around for any snakes, scorpions or spiders before pulling down her drawers. Her ass was already hot enough and didn’t need a venomous bite to cause it to sting any more.

  “You have to admit it’s far easier to answer nature’s call,” Opal said and then added, “but, I’d much rather be filled by a cock than to have one. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it must be when the poor little things are hard and trapped beneath clothing.”

  “Opal! You are so naughty!” Jewel gasped as she stood and adjusted her clothing and then said, “It’s not the little ones that concern me but, oh, when the muy grande ones swell even larger, well, that discomfort I can understand.”

  “Well, aren’t you the naughty little linguist,” Opal quipped and they all giggled, each having no problem visualizing exactly what her words had evoked. If Gabriel wondered at the peals of laughter, he wisely didn’t bother to ask for the source.

  Once they returned to the camp, the laughter began again as the women looked at the tents. “Please tell me you weren’t thinking all five of us are going to fit in one of those?” Opal asked, pointing to the nearest tent.

  “I thought you liked to cuddle,” John said, earning him a punch on his arm.

  “No, you women take the tents,” Gabriel said. “John and I will take turns sleeping by the fire and keeping watch.”

  “You aren’t expecting trouble are you?” Jewel asked nervously.

  “No,” Gabriel assured her, “but we’ll keep watch anyway. You just get some sleep.”

  They managed to stifle their giggles as Nettie crawled into a tent, her backside swaying as she swore she’d never fit. Not only did she, Della was soon tucked in beside her as the other three women shared the other tent.

  “Do you need to lay on your tummy?” Opal teased and then squealed when Jewel swatted her bottom. “Geeze, I was just teasing.”

  “I know,” Jewel said with her own giggle. “I just wondered how it felt to swat some
one.”

  “Well, I don’t suggest you attempt to further your research with Gabriel as a subject. I’m pretty sure he’d not find it amusing.”

  Jewel turned onto her side, her hands tucked under her cheek. “I suppose not but my aching butt does make me wonder at the fairness of it all. Besides, even if I did think he’d allow it, I’ve seen his behind and believe me, I’d quite likely bruise my hand.” The three erupting into gales of laughter had Gabriel calling out for them to quiet down and get to sleep. His tone silenced them for a moment and then they giggled, albeit into their hands when they heard him chuckle as well.

  The night passed quietly and after breakfast, they pulled out.

  “How much longer?” Jewel asked as the sun moved across the sky.

  “About an hour or so,” Gabriel answered. Hearing her sigh, he added, “It wouldn’t take half this time on horseback, but I assure you that your sitting in a saddle wouldn’t make the trip pleasant.”

  “For your information, my posterior is feeling much better,” Jewel quipped. “I just can’t wait to finally arrive. I’ve been dreaming about Culpepper Cove for months. It’s time to see my new home. I’m anxious to meet everybody.” Turning, she looked up at him. “Do you think they’ll like me? Or… or find my whole dream to be silly?”

  Gabriel dropped an arm around her and pulled her closer to his side. “I have absolutely no doubt that they won’t be able to help but fall in love with you and as for your dream, I can guarantee it will set the town on its ears.”

  “It’s not their ears I’m worried about,” Jewel said, squirming a bit. “I’m just hoping they don’t try to string me up by mine!”

  Despite her worries, the moment the town came into view, she was up on her feet only to be yanked down again. “Ow!”

  “You’ll be saying more than ow if you try that again,” Gabriel warned. “It won’t be fun trying to build your dream with a broken neck.”

  “Sorry,” Jewel said, bouncing on her seat. “Oh, it’s bigger than I thought. You said it was little!”

  “Well, in comparison to San Francisco or New Orleans, it is small.” He began to point out various spots, explaining that most inhabitants didn’t live in the town proper but on homesteads that spread out for several miles. As they crossed a wooden bridge over water that was running far faster than that of the creeks they’d crossed, he informed her that it was Culpepper River.

  She gripped his arm as he pointed out the forge where she could hear the ringing of metal as the blacksmith plied his trade. They passed a few other outbuildings before they reached the main street.

  “That’s the bank and over there is the sheriff’s office,” Gabriel continued the tour. “The mercantile is over there and there is a laundry beyond.”

  “A laundry? I’d never considered an actual laundry,” Jewel said, craning her neck as if she could see far enough down the street to spy the unexpected building.

  “There are hundreds of miners in these hills,” Gabriel explained. “They might not wash as often as others, but there does come a time when they appreciate clean clothes. Oh, and that is the saloon I was telling you about.”

  Jewel looked to where he’d indicated and saw a large building. “It’s huge!”

  “The building is huge, but the saloon takes up only half of the downstairs. Brett sees no reason to have to take care of the rest. It was originally built as a hotel but prospectors don’t tend to spend coin on a room when they can spend it on liquor. They sleep at their claims for the most part anyway. The tents you ladies slept in will go up to our claim.”

  Jewel was quiet for a moment as her head swiveled around. “It’s in the perfect location,” she mused, “you don’t suppose this Brett might be interested in becoming a partner?”

  “I’d think that though he might jump at the chance, you’d regret the decision. Brett Jones isn’t the sort of man who’d contribute to the workload. He’s far more the type to drink you dry.”

  “Hmm, well, I suppose I can build from the ground up, but it seems a shame to waste a building that’s already here.”

  “Give yourself a day or two to explore,” Gabriel suggested.

  “I don’t have time to explore,” Jewel countered. “As much as I so enjoyed sleeping on the ground in that marvelous tent, I’d rather have a proper place to rest my weary head.”

  “Don’t fret, chiquita. There is a small hotel just a few places down. I’m sure we’ll be able to get a couple of rooms.”

  “Why didn’t you say so?” she said, giving his arm a slap. “I was thinking I’d have to do something bad enough to get arrested. I’m sure there are cots in the cells—right?”

  “Keep swatting me and I’ll ask Sheriff Justice to give you a personal tour.”

  “Seriously, there’s a sheriff whose last name is Justice?”

  “Yup, guess he knew what he’d grow up to be,” he said and then added, “And, chiquita, Jebediah is a very good friend of mine.” He grinned as she gasped and then ran her hand over the spot she’d swatted.

  “That’s Dr. Norwood’s office,” he continued, pointing out another building. “Perhaps he can give you a jar of salve for the bottom I’ll be spanking if you don’t behave yourself.” Nettie’s chuckle could be heard when Jewel lifted her hand again and then dropped it back into her lap.

  Gabriel began to pull on the reins as they reached the building he’d mentioned. Though it was half the size of the Emory Inn, it looked nice with a front porch that had two rocking chairs and baskets of flowers and greenery hanging from the eaves.

  Tears spilled down her cheeks but he knew they were from happiness. He climbed down and then swung her down, smiling at her squeal of laughter. Within minutes, all of them were standing on the street, looking around.

  “Welcome to Culpepper Cove,” Gabriel said, pulling her close and dropping a kiss on her forehead. “Now, let’s see about making that dream of yours come true, shall we?”

  Chapter Twenty

  As Gabe had predicted, they were able to secure not one but five rooms, making Mrs. Bentley smile. “It’s not often we have such a full house,” she explained. “We’d not intended to even open a place but once all our babes grew up and made homes of their own, well, it just seemed a proper thing to do.”

  “Don’t let her fool you,” Mr. Bentley said. “She just misses having a house full.”

  “How many children do you have?” Jewel asked.

  “Oh, only eleven,” Mildred answered. “I so wanted a dozen but the good Lord saw fit to short me one.”

  Jewel was sure her face showed her amazement. Eleven! She simply couldn’t imagine that many people depending on her.

  Gabriel chuckled and reached out and placed a finger beneath her chin, pushing up to close her open mouth. Bending close, he spoke against her ear. “You seem to forget, you already have three little gems of your own and another coming. Just eight more and you’ll have a dozen.”

  She giggled and nodded, following him up the stairs. John and Gabriel had insisted that there was no need for Mr. Bentley to help them and the elderly man didn’t make much of a protest. The men brought in only what the women would need, leaving the trunks in the wagons until Jewel had a place to unpack them.

  “We’ll leave you to clean up,” John said and Opal corrected him.

  “Freshen up, is the polite term; otherwise it sounds as if you are informing us that we are very dirty indeed.”

  “Shall I mention the dirt you have on your cheek?” he teased, causing her to rush to the mirror above the washstand in the room she and Amy would share. Before she could swat him, he ducked back down the stairs.

  “We’ll be back after we house the horses and the wagons,” Gabriel said. “Don’t go anywhere until I get back.”

  “Why? This isn’t San Francisco. I didn’t see anything that looked remotely dangerous,” Jewel protested. “I want to walk around and get a feel for the place.”

  “Unless you want to feel my hand against your cute
little behind, I suggest you wait. He dropped a kiss on top of her head and lifted his eyebrow as she lifted her foot. “Your choice, little one.”

  Jewel wisely made the correct one and moved to unpack her valise. She hung her clothing in the armoire and then washed her face and hands at the washstand before going across the hall to check if Nettie and Della needed help. When Jewel had offered to get another room, Nettie had shaken her head, stating she and Della were quite accustomed to sharing a room.

  “I insisted she rest,” Nettie said quietly, nodding towards the bed where Jewel could see a dark head laying on a pillow.

  “She needs it,” Jewel agreed. The two worked quietly together and soon had the empty valises stored in the bottom of the armoire. Opal and Amy were also finished and the four went downstairs.

  “Come, I’ve made a fresh pot of coffee,” Mildred said, waving them to seats in the small front room. “Tell me, what are your plans for Culpepper Cove? I admit, I peeked out the window and from all that luggage in those wagons, I dare say I don’t think you are just passing through?”

  Jewel hesitated but then took a deep breath. Her plan wouldn’t be a secret for long and this was the perfect opportunity to get an idea of what the residents might think. Taking a sip of her coffee, she smiled and said, “I’m here to open a saloon.” When that didn’t have the woman running from the room or calling for her husband to come throw their guests out, she continued. “Not just a saloon, but a restaurant and a bathhouse. I wish to offer entertainment… um, both musical and… um…”

  “Comfort of the rather intimate sort?” Mildred supplied.

  “Oh, I suppose that’s a rather lovely way to describe it,” Jewel answered, purposely keeping her eyes off Opal and Amy who were smiling into their cups.

  “I might be old, Miss Gardner, but I didn’t have those eleven children by immaculate conception. Mr. Bentley and I are firm believers in our good Lord’s words and don’t believe he put his children on this earth not to enjoy all he created.”

  Jewel felt her mouth drop open and closed it when Nettie said, “Child, you are going to be catchin’ flies.”