Jewel's Gems (The Red Petticoat Saloon)

by Maggie Ryan

  “This is coming out of your pay!”

  “You can’t do that! Please, I need that money…”

  “You think my customer is gonna pay for this? No! He’s gonna want his clothes white! Not… not pink!”

  “Excuse me,” Jewel tried again and then shouted it for the third time when the man took a breath before continuing his tirade.

  His head whipped around and his demeanor changed instantly. “Oh, I didn’t hear you. How can I help you?”

  Jewel saw the girl roll her eyes at the same time she saw Gabriel coming around the corner. “I have some things I need to have laundered, but perhaps I’ve come at the wrong time.”

  “No, this is a fine time, Mrs…”

  “Miss,” Jewel said, “Miss Jewel.”

  “Ah, I’ve heard your name around town. You bought Jones’s place. I’m Mr. March, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “Thank you. I’m afraid that some of the items I brought with me were damaged in the trip.” Gabriel had reached them and set down the trunk. Jewel opened the lid and heard the man mumble something about ‘white’.

  “I know you heard us, um, discussing a problem, but I want to assure you that we’ll take very good care with your items.” She smiled when he seemed to remember he was holding a sodden, pink shirt and watched as he tossed it back into the largest pot she’d ever seen. “Rebekah made a little mistake but I’ll personally oversee your job.”

  Jewel had no doubt that he would, especially when Gabriel returned with a second trunk.

  “Actually, I’d like to speak with Rebekah… in private if you don’t mind.”

  “Jewel,” Gabriel said in a tone she had come to learn meant he was warning her to watch her manners.

  “It’s quite all right,” Mr. March assured him. “Seeing as how it appears the trunks contain rather intimate items, it’s perfectly understandable.”

  Jewel almost laughed when Gabriel’s eyes slid to the open trunk. Lowering the lid, she batted her eyelashes at him before turning back to Mr. March. “Thank you for understanding the delicacy of the matter. I’ll be in to discuss payment in just a moment.”

  “Certainly, take your time.” He left them and Jewel asked Gabriel if he wanted to wait while she and Rebekah sorted through the intimate items or if he’d prefer to wait with the wagon.

  He gave her a look that had her fighting not to squirm but finally nodded. “That’s fine but don’t take too long. David is coming over to go through the building for the final inspection.”

  “I won’t be long,” she promised and after another glance, he left them as well.

  Jewel wasted no time in moving to speak to Rebekah who looked rather stunned to find her employer gone and a strange woman speaking to her in a much quieter tone. After explaining what she wanted and having Rebekah assure her that it most certainly could be done, the two sorted through the trunks with Rebekah setting aside those most damaged for closer inspection later. “Do you think you can have them all ready in say a week?”

  “I’m sure I’ll have them done before then,” Rebekah assured her.

  Thanking her, Jewel entered the building and discussed both her specific instructions she’d left with Rebekah as well as pricing. If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. She left through the front and Gabriel climbed down from the wagon to lift her up and then sat beside her and clucked to the team.

  “A penny for your thoughts, chiquita.”

  “You forget you are talking to Madame Jewel,” she said, slipping her arm through his. “A penny will buy you far more than just my thoughts.”

  “Why do I have the distinct feeling that I’ll have you across my knees soon?”

  “I haven’t the foggiest idea,” Jewel said, “wishful thinking?”

  “Remember cheekiness will buy you a hot bottom, little girl.”

  Jewel felt a rush of desire run through her and she pressed a bit closer to him. “I remember… I remember very, very well.”

  They’d just finished the final inspection and were leaving when a buggy came down the street and pulled up in front of the saloon. Jewel squealed at the sight of Charlie and a rather beautiful woman seated next to him. Once the pair were on the sidewalk, introductions were made.

  “Welcome, Dorothy,” Jewel said, pulling the woman into a hug. “I am just so happy that you decided to come join us.”

  Dorothy smiled and returned the hug. “How could I not? I kept thinking about Opal and Amy and the moment I made my last payment, I knew I wanted to come work for you.”

  Gabriel was impressed when the young woman reached into her string bag and pulled out a sheaf of papers. “This is my contract and, as you can see, it’s been marked paid in full.”

  “Thank you,” Jewel said, taking the papers. “We’ll get you a room at the inn but it won’t be long before we’ll be moving in here. Oh, what is your favorite color?” Gabriel walked behind the two as they chatted as if they’d known each other for ages. Charlie was grinning from ear to ear as he followed in the buggy.

  ***

  A week later, Jewel felt as if she were going to explode and wasn’t even in Gabriel’s arms. “Stand here,” she instructed, moving Gabriel a foot to the left and then moving John a foot to the right. “Now don’t move.”

  “Jewel, I promise that if a wagon comes racing down the street, I’m gonna move,” Gabriel said.

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that,” Jewel said, looking in both directions as if expecting to see a runaway wagon careening towards them.

  “Chiquita, I was joking. Everyone that would be driving one is already here. Now, why don’t you tell us what’s going on before you burst?”

  “In a minute, I just need to check one more thing. Wait right there!” She ran to the building and pushed through the doors. “Everything set?”

  “We were just coming,” Opal said. “Rebekah wanted a quick tour…”

  “She can have a tour later,” Jewel said, her tone a bit strident. “I’ve got everyone outside but I don’t know…”

  “Relax, we’re ready,” Nettie said.

  The women followed her outside and were soon in place.

  “Ready?” Jewel asked, turning to face the crowd.

  “Way beyond ready,” John quipped. “It’s about time to learn who wins the contest. Everyone in town has been guessing what you decided to name your place. Personally, I’m betting you went with your grandmother’s choice after all.”

  “I’ve got a lot riding on this,” Mr. Bentley said from where he stood with most of the towns people behind the grouping of Jewel’s friends.

  “Honey, there is no way she named it Bentley’s Bar,” Mildred said and the crowd laughed.

  “First, I want to thank…”

  “You’re welcome,” a chorus of voices said, cutting her off.

  Jewel giggled and then nodded knowing they knew how much she appreciated each and every one of them. Turning around, she took a deep breath. She’d promised that David would be a persona non grata in her place if he so much as breathed a word of her choice as he painted the sign. It was finally time to reveal the name she’d fallen in love with. “Okay, David, let it fall.”

  The crowd stood, faces lifted as David and his son pulled on ropes that were attached to a large blanket that began to fall.

  The Red Petticoat was printed in vivid red letters that stood out against the crisp white of the wood.

  Jewel motioned for the women to step forward and they lined up before her, Nettie in the middle, Opal and Amy on one side and Della and Dorothy on the other. Looking at the sea of faces, seeing some brows furrowed, some heads tilted, and some heads shaking as if unable to comprehend her choice, she smiled. “Now, Charlie,” she called out and in a moment a jazzy tune could be heard by those on the street. Jewel nodded to the women and then watched the crowd as confusion left faces to be replaced by understanding.

  With the lifting of skirts and the kicking of legs that revealed dark red petticoats worn by her
gems and a pink one worn by Nettie, the crowd began to laugh and cheer. The women gave the crowd deep curtsies and then the gems milled through the crowd, informing them that The Red Petticoat would have its grand opening the following day. After the crowd dispersed, the others entered the saloon where Nettie had already been preparing a special meal. Their only guests were the Bentleys to give them a special thanks for opening their home in such a welcoming manner.

  “Do you like it?” Jewel asked Gabriel, a bit worried that he’d think the name silly. “I know it’s not as elegant a name as Corazón de Oro.

  “It’s absolutely perfect,” Gabriel said. “A clever name and a clever way to inform your guests that only those wearing red petticoats will be going upstairs. You decided that day at the laundry, didn’t you?”

  Jewel nodded. “Yes, who knew that it would take a mistake to find the perfect name.”

  Opal was standing with Dorothy and said, “Speaking of names, when are you going to give Dottie and Della their gem names?”

  Jewel smiled. “Since Dorothy loves the color green, she shall be Peridot. And, it will be easy to remember as she is already called Dottie.”

  Della spoke quietly, “And mine?”

  “Your beautiful eyes told me your gem name is Citrine. Its brown color can cause it to be overlooked and yet, once pulled from the dirt, you discover what an amazing stone it is. With care and a bit of polish, it sparkles with gold flecks as if truly coming alive for the first time. I hope you like it.”

  “It’s perfect,” Della said, “thank you…” Jewel gave her a hug as she saw tears filling those huge brown eyes.

  “No tears, not tonight. It’s time to celebrate.” And they did. Charlie took a seat at the piano and played several tunes. As he finished the last note of Vive la Compagnie, Jewel knew that The Red Petticoat would echo with music every night. After dinner, the others returned to the Bentley’s for their last night.

  Gabriel and Jewel stood in the middle of the street, their arms around each other and though the encroaching darkness made the sign difficult to see, they both knew that it rested over the doorway to her dream.

  “A penny for your thoughts,” Jewel said.

  “A penny is far less than I’d offer you, chica de oro. I’d offer you the largest nugget you’d ever seen.”

  “Well, until we find that nugget and fulfill your dream, what do you suggest we do?”

  “Oh, I believe I can think of a few things.”

  She squealed as he swept her into his arms and carried her into the saloon that they’d all poured their hearts into. She giggled as he refused to release her, making it a joint effort to close and lock the doors that would keep anyone from entering through the batwing doors she’d kept from the old saloon. He held her as he walked around the room, blowing out lamps and held her as he walked into her new bedroom. He lowered her to her feet and undressed her and then himself and held her in his arms again after he’d laid her on the bed.

  He loved her with a tenderness that had tears filling her eyes and then loved her until she was screaming out in pleasure. He held her close, her head on his chest as they both calmed from the passion they had shared.

  “I noticed that your petticoat is neither pink nor red,” he said, his fingers combing the golden strands of her hair.

  “Hmm,” she said, sleepily. “I haven’t quite decided…” Her head lifted as she squealed. Turning, she saw a perfect red handprint covering most of her right buttock. “What was that for?”

  “The only red you will be wearing beneath your skirts is the red I will paint en tus nalgas bonitas. Comprendes?”

  For some reason she did understand and when he rubbed the spot and then pulled her in for a soul searing kiss, she knew that she’d be perfectly happy leaving her gems to wear those pretty red petticoats.

  The End

  A Note to my Readers:

  I can’t thank you enough for joining me on this journey as Jewel follows her dream to open a different sort of saloon; one where her gems feel safe to indulge in their chosen lifestyle as well as to build dreams of their own. A place where the women live their lives with passion and the men are loving and yet never hesitate to turn a bottom the color of that petticoat she wears.

  This is only the first book in The Red Petticoat Saloon series. Additional books will be offered by some of the most talented authors I know.

  Renee Rose, Stevie MacFarlane, Alta Hensley, Sue Lyndon, Zoe Blake, Maren Smith, Lee Savino, Maddie Taylor, Kate Richards, Livia Grant, Vanessa Vale, Tabitha Black, Abbie Adams, Dinah McLeod and Bethany Burke will all be offering their wonderful books to tell their own gems’ stories.

  I apologize for any mistakes in the languages used and historical facts. French/French Creole mix and Spanish are not my forte, but I wanted to bring a flair of the mix of cultures that helped form our country as it was being settled. Please forgive me.

  We hope you join us for every one and allow yourself a trip back to experience the passion of the Gold Rush. Until then, as always,

  Happy Reading,

  Maggie Ryan

  Maggie Ryan

  Author for Blushing Books. I write both contemporary erotica and historical spanking romances. I enjoy writing about characters that enjoy the provocative D/S lifestyle of today’s times as well as taking a step back into the past to write stories that take place in the Victorian era with age-play as a theme.

  I live in the great Lone Star state with my wonderful husband. I have always loved reading. Growing up in a family with four children, it was difficult finding a place to be alone. I was probably one of the squeakiest clean girls on the planet as I would spend hours in the tub so I could read without being bothered. It wasn’t long before I began to make up my own endings to the books I was reading. From there, it just seemed natural to begin writing my own stories.

  I never try to restrict myself to any one genre because there are just too many delicious possibilities out there and inside my head. I admit to being somewhat of a romantic though as my stories always must have a great deal of love, passion, corporal discipline and, of course, great, mind-blowing sex. I want my readers to be able to see, hear, feel and know the characters that I’m creating as well as I do when I bring them to life and transfer their stories to paper. I want my women to be strong of character but also strong enough to know that submission given in love and trust to your partner does not make you weaker, it makes you far stronger. I want my men to be sexy, strong, demanding alpha males who know how to take what they want while acknowledging it is a gift they have been blessed with by the women that have chosen to submit to them. I want there to be no doubt that they truly would die for the other no matter how others might view their relationship.

  Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Maggie_Ryan

  Email: maggie.ryan.writes@gmail.com

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