by Maggie Ryan
Jewel’s mouth dropped open and then she called him on what she was pretty sure was his bluff. “You’re right.” Gesturing towards the door, she said, “After you, sir.”
Gabe’s eyebrow cocked but he opened the door and stuck his head out. “All clear,” he said, taking a step out.
“Gabe!” Jewel squealed, causing him to look back. “I was kidding! God knows you’ve already given our gems enough to dream about.” Shaking her head, she handed him one of the towels they’d used to dry off with.
Wrapping it around his waist, his dimple appeared. “Dream, huh?”
Jewel slapped his bare chest but smiled. “You are quite cocky aren’t you, Mr. Vasquez?”
“Just know that the first gem to mention my bare ass is gonna get hers roasted.”
Laughing, Jewel stepped past him and then turned back. “And might I say what a perfect bare ass you have, sir.” As Gabe lunged for her, she dashed away, her shriek of, “I’m not a gem,” doing nothing to slow Gabe’s steps as he chased her, their laughter filling the hall until the slamming of their door cut it off. The thick wood also kept Jewel’s squeal unheard by others as Gabe ripped off her towel and tossed her onto the bed, pulling his own off before joining her.
“You are my gem, my beautiful golden girl,” Gabe countered, “and no one will ever be able to say I don’t keep my word.” Pulling her over his lap and stroking his hand over her bare bottom, he chuckled when Jewel wiggled her butt in invitation. “And no one will ever be able to say that my girl doesn’t get off on a nice, hard spanking will they?”
“No, sir, and if I may, no one will ever be able to say that you don’t have the most gorgeous butt in the west.” Her next sound was a yelp as her lover lifted his hand and gave her the roasting he’d promised.
By the time they made it back to the kitchen, it had been completely cleaned, all the furs that Moses had set on the table or beneath it had disappeared as had the offensive intestines.
“Oh, don’t tell me Moses left,” Jewel said.
“No, he’s out back tending the fire for me,” Nettie said, pouring her a cup of coffee. “The intestines need to soak and be cleaned before cooking.”
“Hmm, fine, and I don’t want to hurt his feelings… or yours, but I’m afraid I just can’t eat them,” Jewel said with a shudder.
“Child, I never planned on it. I’m not one to waste such a delicacy on a woman who doesn’t even appreciate my gumbo. We’ll have roasted chicken as an alternate choice for supper. Now, sit yourselves down. It’ll take just a moment to get your breakfast.”
Jewel and Gabe settled at the kitchen table, both with a cup of coffee. True to her word, Nettie soon slid plates of eggs, thick slices of ham and crisply fried potatoes in front of them. She brought a plate of biscuits to the table and returned to prepping a stew that she’d serve for lunch along with cornbread. Seeing her pull some pans from the oven, Jewel smiled.
“You’re making another cake? Did I destroy the other one in my ridiculous panic?”
“No,” Nettie said, setting the pans aside to cool. “Moses ate the rest of the cake for his snack after we… um, never mind.”
“Wow. He ate half a cake… as a snack?” Jewel asked, her tone showing her disbelief.
“A man’s gotta refuel,” Gabe said as he took a big bite out of his second biscuit.
Jewel could understand that need. “Women too. A slice of that cake was what caused all this mayhem.”
The couple had just finished eating when Nettie returned to the table, placing a wooden spoon in front of Gabe before sliding into a chair.
“You don’t have to show me this,” Gabe said with a chuckle. “I never doubted that you must have a huge stash of wooden spoons hidden.”
“I do but this one is for you,” Nettie said, her hands clasped on the table in front of her. “I’m so sorry about this morning. I never meant for Jewel to be so terrified, or you… um compromised, especially in your own home, but… well, I wanted to explain my behavior…”
Gabe shook his head. “Nettie, you don’t owe us an explanation. You are not only a grown woman; you are a member of our family and this is your home as well.”
“So you’re not upset about… being—both of you being—um, naked?”
Jewel blushed but Gabe just grinned, taking a sip of coffee. “Nope. Jewel assures me that my perfect physique will be the stuff of dreams…”
“Did I mention what a humble man you are?” Jewel asked, rolling her eyes.
Nettie looked between the two and then down at the spoon. “So… you’re not going to spank me?” she asked, her eyes wide.
Gabe laughed. “Nope, but I do suggest you keep that spoon and any others away from Moses. I don’t doubt for a moment that he’d not hesitate to take you to task if you wallop him again.” Standing, he paused at her chair and bent to press a kiss to her cheek. “I’m pleased for you, Nettie. You deserve to find a man who makes you happy.” Turning to Jewel, he said, “Don’t forget, we’re leaving early in the morning.”
“I won’t,” Jewel assured him. “I’m going to go visit Ruby and make sure everyone is set for us to be gone.”
Gabe nodded, moving to drop a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll see you later. Stay out of trouble. You’ll be sitting in a saddle for hours.”
Once he was gone, Nettie stood and refilled Jewel’s coffee cup. “I hope this doesn’t have you doubting being gone,” Nettie said. “I know how worried you are that something is going to happen but I’ll have Moses stay away…”
“Don’t do that on my account,” Jewel said, reaching across the table to take Nettie’s hand. “Good Lord, if any one threatens my gems, one look at Moses will have them regretting that choice. Nettie, I feel the same as Gabe. You give so very much to every one of us and it’s past time you find someone to love. As long as you want him, he’s as welcome here as is John.” She saw the words had Nettie pleased and couldn’t help but add. “As you said, you are a woman with needs… that I can definitely understand.”
“Laws, child, you shouldn’t be thinking of such things about me. I’m old enough to be your ma!”
“But you’re not. You’re my dear sweet, beautiful and…” she giggled, “fluffy, tiny friend.”
When Nettie picked up the spoon Gabe had left on the table, Jewel squealed and jumped up, dashing past her and out the side door, leaving Nettie laughing behind her. Before going to visit Ruby, she did have an apology to make.
How could she have ever struck this man with a rolling pin? The moment he saw her step outside the door, he moved towards her. Seeing the pot hanging over the fire, she was very grateful not to have to walk any closer.
“You all right, Miss Jewel?” he asked.
“I’m fine, Moses,” Jewel assured him. “I just wanted to apologize for acting the fool.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you, Miss Jewel. You ain’t the first person to fear me and won’t be the last.”
Jewel shook her head, knowing it was the sad truth. His size would assure that both men and women feared him and his dark skin guaranteed that people would judge him without taking a chance to know him. But she did know him. After coming down from the mountains with his year’s supply of furs, he’d come into the saloon… not to drink or to bed a gem, but to get a home cooked meal. He’d told Ruby that it wasn’t the music or the sounds of the patrons that drew him in… it was the most tantalizing smell on the air. The moment he was served his first bowl of gumbo, he’d broken into a huge smile and said he hadn’t tasted anything so good since he’d left his mammy back in Louisiana. Ruby, who had still been waitressing before her pregnancy became too far advanced to allow her to do so, hadn’t hesitated to take the man’s hand, pull him from his seat and insist he tell that to the cook. From that day forward, he and Nettie had become an item. Wrapping her arms as far as she could around his bulk, Jewel gave him a hug, laying her cheek against the fur of the coat he was wearing.
“Forgive me?”
He returned
the hug, causing her to gasp as he lifted her off her feet to do so. “No need. The next time, I’ll leave a light on in the kitchen.” He set her onto her feet and she took a deep breath.
“Thank you and as Gabe and I both told Nettie, you are welcome here anytime.” His smile was huge.
“I ‘ppreciate that, Miss Jewel. I’d rather be here than just ‘bout anywhere else.”
Jewel patted his arm, knowing she agreed. Since coming to California, she’d never been more content. Leaving him to his fire, she returned to the saloon.
“Do you mind taking this to Ruby?” Nettie asked, tying twine around a packet. “That poor thing is going stir crazy and I thought a few cookies might help.”
“I’m sure it will,” Jewel agreed. “I need to go by the bank and the mercantile after our visit.” Waving, she returned to her room to get her reticule, making sure the week’s payments were tucked inside. Every Friday she went to the bank and deposited the money her gems had earned into their accounts. It gave her great pleasure knowing that if they chose to leave, whether to marry or start fulfilling their own dreams, they would have funds to sustain them.
“Need company?” Amy asked from where she was polishing the mahogany bar.
“No, I won’t be gone long,” Jewel said, tying the ribbon beneath her bonnet. “Just so you know, I wouldn’t mention anything to Gabe about… um, his lack of clothing this morning.”
Amy giggled and shook her head. “You gotta admit it was quite romantic for him to run to your aid buck naked.”
“Yes, it was,” Jewel agreed, feeling her face flush. “Oh, when I get back, I want to go over some stuff with you and Opal…”
“Of course you do,” Amy said, rolling her eyes. “I’m sure hearing it for the hundredth time will be the one time that matters.” When Jewel shook her head, Amy waved her dust cloth. “We’ll be here. Give Ruby our love and tell her we’ll be by to see her soon.”
“I will,” Jewel said, giving her own wave and pushing through the batwing doors.
“Thank you,” Ruby said between bites of her second cookie. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to a treat.”
“It’s a bit demoralizing to realize you are more excited about some baked goods than my visiting.”
Ruby’s eyes widened and she swallowed and then grinned. “Seriously? I mean, you do know that it was Miss Nettie who baked these cookies, right?”
Jewel laughed and sat back in the chair. “Point taken. So how are you feeling?”
“Like a whale,” Ruby said, sighing and running her hand over the huge mound of her stomach. “Jeb is taking Doc Norwood far too seriously if you ask me. Ever since the doctor said I was growing too much, too fast, Jeb barely lets me have any sweets. I keep telling him that it’s his fault because he’s so big. Of course, his son is going to be huge!”
“How do you know it’s a boy?”
“Look at me!” Ruby said as if her size assured the gender of her child. “I just know it’s a boy. The real question is why didn’t you warn me that pregnancy could be so confining?”
“Maybe because I have no experience with pregnancy,” Jewel reminded her with a laugh. “Perhaps you should be asking Della or Rose?”
Rebekah, known as Red to her husband, and Ruby to her friends at the Red Petticoat giggled. “I think they kept the truth from me. Come to think of it, I’d be surprised if any woman told the whole truth about being in such a delicate condition.” She snorted. “Delicate my ass. If they did, I don’t think many women would want to have babies.” Adjusting herself to sit more comfortably against the pillows piled behind her, she picked up another cookie. “Enough about me. Tell me what’s going on at the Petticoat.”
The two women spent an hour chatting and when Ruby had to grab her tummy as she broke into laughter hearing about the morning’s fiasco, Jewel shook her head. “Careful, you don’t want to go into early labor.”
“Oh, I do, believe me,” Ruby said when she finally caught her breath. “I love this little one but I really am ready for him to be born.”
“He’ll be here soon enough,” Jewel said. Seeing Ruby shove the remaining cookies beneath the quilt and hearing her greet her husband, Jewel turned to see Jeb as she stood. “I need to run…”
“You don’t have to go,” Sheriff Justice said. “I just stopped in the fix Red some lunch.” He looked at the bed and shook his head. “Though, from those crumbs all over her belly, I’m guessing she’s not quite as starved as she always claims to be.” Jewel smiled as Jeb walked to the bed, bent to kiss his wife and then held out his hand. “All right, hand them over.”
“But, honey, they are from Nettie!” Ruby declared, her lips forming a pout.
“Then I’ll be sure to thank her for my dessert,” Jeb said, snapping his fingers. Ruby sighed and pulled the cookies out from their hiding place.
“You are a big meanie, Jebidiah Justice.”
“A meanie who loves his wife and wants her to deliver our healthy son.” He kissed her again and then stood. “I’ll bring you a bowl of soup.”
“Fine, but once I’ve delivered this baby, I’m going to eat an entire cake and you won’t say a single word!”
Jewel couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll come see you when Gabe and I get back.”
Jeb, half a cookie already in his mouth, turned to her. “That’s right. Ya’ll are going up to the mine.”
“Yes, we leave tomorrow. By the way, I wanted to remind you…”
Holding up his hand, Jeb shook his head. “I know… keep an eye on the Petticoat. You’ve already reminded me, Slade and Tey about a dozen times. We’ve got it under control. Just enjoy your trip.” After she kissed Ruby’s cheek, trying not to giggle seeing the former gem shove the cookie she’d managed to slip from the packet further under the quilt, Jewel took her leave.
After making her bank deposits, she visited the mercantile. “Did you place my order, Sam?”
“Sure did, Miss Jewel. Everything should be in in plenty of time,” Sam Singleton said. “Looks like you’re planning a pretty special Christmas.”
“I hope so,” Jewel said. “It’s my first in America and I want it to be special for everyone.” She did a bit of shopping and reminded Sam that when her order came in, he wasn’t to tell anyone but her.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
Walking back towards the saloon, Jewel was smiling. This wasn’t only her first Christmas in the country she’d adopted as her new home, it was the first one where she could decorate all she wanted as her father had considered the frivolity unnecessary. It was the first one where she could set the menu, delighted that Nettie had agreed to make not only traditional foods that Jewel had enjoyed in England, but had asked each gem for their favorite dishes to prepare as well. Jewel and Gabe would open their doors to anyone who had no family or home to enjoy Christmas dinner with. California and especially Culpepper Cove had been good for her and she felt it only right that she share her good fortune with others. Spying Della, her new son in her arms and her step-son, Stone, by her side, she waited until the group joined her on the sidewalk. After admiring Anson, Jr., she said, “I think Ruby might enjoy a visit,” explaining how the expectant mother was questioning why women would want to give birth. “Seeing this little darling and his big brother might help her cheer up.”
“I’ll drop by,” Della promised.
Jewel pressed a penny into Stone’s hand. “Enjoy a treat on me,” she said, ruffling the little boy’s hair. After they disappeared into the mercantile, Jewel walked on, entering the saloon she’d watched grow from a decrepit, abandoned hotel into what had become a home for so many.
Chapter 4
Gabe plundered her mouth once again, his palms cupping her cheeks, before having her pull back when his palms moved to squeeze the cheeks a few feet south before lifting to give each one a swat.
“Ow! What was that for?” she huffed, sitting up, her hands moving to rub her bottom.
&
nbsp; “That’s for distracting me from our plans.”
She smiled and lifted her arms above her head, her back arching as she linked her hands and stretched. The move had her breasts becoming even more prominent, her purr and her wiggle against his groin had his cock stirring and his head shaking.
“You really are a very naughty girl.” Placing his hands at her waist, he lifted her off of him and stood, turning to drop her back onto the bed.
“If you plan on having any breakfast before we hit the trail, I suggest you get dressed.”
“Gabe, don’t you know that man does not live by food alone?” she said, rolling to her tummy, her chin propped on her steepled fingers, her legs bent, her ankles crossed, apparently in no hurry to obey.
Pulling on his clothes, he sat on the edge of the bed in order to tug on his boots. Bending, he lifted her hair, placing a kiss between her shoulder blades.
“Says the woman who chanced death for a slice of chocolate cake,” Gabe said with a grin. “Besides, I know you so very well, I’m willing to bet that you will be a very grumpy little lady if you don’t have time for at least one cup of Nettie’s coffee. Up at the mine, it will be nothing but cowboy coffee.”
“Ewww,” she said, her nose crinkling.
“Ewww indeed,” he agreed, popping her ass again before standing and striding towards the door. Turning back, he said, “Naked or dressed, tummy full or empty, we are leaving in a half-hour… and that includes having time to say your good-byes to your gems.” He grinned as she practically fell off the bed in her haste to get to her feet.
“Jewel is really going up with you?” Ben asked as he tied the rolled blanket securely behind the saddle before pulling Sunshine’s cinch a bit tighter.
“Yes. It’s the first time she’s been away from the Petticoat since we opened. She needs a holiday.”
Ben laughed and shook his head, his hand patting against Sunshine’s golden mane. “Gabe, you do realize that when someone says holiday, most women do not picture riding a horse for hours, climbing up a mountain, crawling into some dark cave, bathing in a cold river, and sleeping in some shabby cabin don’t you?”
