by Maggie Ryan
“Oh… I… oh, God, no, I can’t…”
“You’ll cum with me or I’m going to spank you until your ass is scarlet. Is that what you need, Opal?” He adored her whimpers and gave her sensitive clitty no mercy. His fingertips circled, massaged and rubbed until she was quivering.
“Yes… yes… I’m going to cum!” When he slammed into her and pinched her clit, she screamed and bucked hard. Her entire body convulsed and the contractions rippling through her bowels pulled his release from him. His own groan joined hers as he exploded deep within her. With the last jerk of his cock, he bent over her, his chest heaving as his lips found her ear.
“Hard enough?” Her long moan and her whimper as his tongue dipped into the shell of her ear before his teeth nipped her earlobe, preceded her answer.
“Yes, definitely hard enough.”
Chapter Thirteen
The remainder of the voyage saw smooth seas and no further confrontations between the women. Juliette talked to the men on board; gathering additional information about what to expect once they reached the gold-fields. Though she turned down many propositions for ‘entertainment’ to pass the time, her growing stack of coins told her that her gems were assured that boredom would not be a problem for them.
Captain Stewart proved to be a good asset as he gave her the name of a respectable boarding house where she could seek accommodations while in the city. She also took his advice to keep alert to heart.
“You ladies are easier pickins than nuggets,” he told her one evening when he was enjoying a cigar and she was enjoying the breeze at the rail. “San Francisco will be a great city but for now, well, it’s wild and full of desperate men chasin a dream.”
“You’re not a dreamer, Captain?”
“Lass, the Prosperity is my dream but I’m one of the few who are lucky enough to live my dream. For every man who strikes it rich, there are thousands that I’ll be taking home with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.” He blew out a ring of smoke and gave her a hard look. “I’m not one to butt into anyone’s business, but I know you are the leader of your group. Don’t let your guard down, not for a moment. Dreamers are one thing but there are those willing to take every advantage of anyone who appears weak. You be careful, promise?”
“I promise,” Jewel said. “Thank you, Captain, I’ll remember what you’ve told me.” He flipped his cigar into the ocean.
“See that you do, little girl. See that you do. You’ve got people depending on you doing just that.”
***
On the morning they reached San Francisco, she and the others watched as the ship approached Clark’s Point. “Have you ever seen so many people?” Opal asked.
“Or so many ships,” Amy added. The bay was full and as they waited their turn to dock, they could see hundreds of men scurrying about the wharf.
“You know, they actually beached the James K. Polk here to make a landing for passengers,” Juliette informed them. “This is where the people of California also received news that they became the thirty-first state to join the Union.” Sliding an arm around Nettie, she added, “I’m very glad to have learned that slavery is illegal here and hope that one day soon, the horrid practice will be outlawed everywhere.”
“How do you know all this stuff?” Amy asked. “I don’t even know much of England’s history.”
“I spent many years in school,” Jewel said. “I thought being a good student would make my father proud of me. Even though that was futile, I loved learning. Books were an escape for me. I guess I’ve never stopped wanting to learn all I can.”
The time she’d spent talking with the men on both ships, reading the newspaper to her great uncle, talking to Henry and to the captain proved time well spent as they disembarked the ship. Making sure that John had the address of the boarding house the captain had recommended, she left him to secure transport of their trunks, passing him some bills. Turning her attention to hiring a carriage to transport themselves, she was interrupted.
“Two bits each!” Nettie said her face showing her shock.
“It’s okay…”
“It’s highway robbery, that’s what it is,” Nettie argued.
Seeing the carriage driver she’d just hired stiffen in indignation and open his mouth, Juliette was quick to open the door and usher Nettie and the other women inside. “It’s a matter of supply versus demand, Nettie. Prices for everything are shooting up daily with the influx of people.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” Nettie continued.
“At this rate, we’ll all be hip dip in some river potting for gold,” Amy said, giving an exaggerated groan. “I don’t like cold water and can’t even swim.”
“It’s called panning, not potting and I don’t believe it will come to that. Look, all of you just relax. This is exactly why we brought so much with us,” Juliette said. “We just need to get our business done as quickly as possible. I’d rather spend my money in Culpepper Cove.”
Securing rooms at the Emory Inn, a boarding house a few blocks from the wharf, had Nettie’s lips compressing and her blue eyes flashing at the price. Jewel managed to get her upstairs and into a room they’d share before she exploded. “I appreciate your concern, mama bear, but pull your claws in. I knew what to expect and I promise, we’ll be fine.” Leaving her to unpack the cases they’d need while in the city, Jewel checked the other women who were settling into their room.
“I am going to the land office…”
“We can start helping as soon as we unpack,” Opal said, “I’m thinking a flash of ankle will be enough to entice all those men roaming around.”
“No,” Jewel countered. “Unless you want the Emorys to kick us out, there will be no clients here.”
“But…”
“Please, just unpack and keep an eye on Nettie. For a moment I thought she was going to put a hex on Mr. Emory. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” With their assurance that they’d obey, she left to secure her ownership of the claim.
***
“What do you mean I don’t own a gold-claim?” Juliette said. “You are looking at my claim and the transfer of ownership! My barrister assured me that everything was in order!”
“You misunderstood me,” Paul Adams said. “I said that you do not own an entire claim. You own half of one.”
“Half? I don’t understand.”
Turning the paper around so that she could follow his words, he pointed to a section of the claim. “As you can read, the claim was registered by partners…”
“Who sold it to someone who then paid their legal fees to the Davidson law firm whose senior partner lost it in a poker game…”
“I’m not arguing that, ma’am, I’m just stating that however the claim came to be in your hands, it is still gives you ownership of half the claim.”
Juliette read the passage again and sighed. Why hadn’t she questioned the wording before? Had Henry known? Deciding it didn’t really matter, she nodded. “Okay, what does this mean?”
Paul sat back in his chair, “It simply means that you and Mr. Vasquez will need to come to an agreement on the division of costs and profits.”
“Who is Mr. Vasquez and where can I find him?” Juliette asked, pushing her shock aside and moving on to the task at hand. “I don’t have time to traipse around San Francisco looking for someone I’ve never met.”
“Looking at the file he had opened on his desk, Paul answered. “I suggest you look for him in Culpepper Cove as that’s where your claim is.”
“Fine, can you provide me with the name of someone who’d be willing to take us there?”
“Us?”
Juliette nodded as she tucked her papers back into her reticule. “I’m traveling with four others. We have quite a few trunks to transport as well.”
“Well, I suppose you can add discussing hiring laborers with Mr. Vasquez as well. He might not be receptive to paying wages…”
“I’ll be paying whatever wages are required,” Julie
tte said.
She didn’t elaborate and he finally shrugged his shoulders and told her she could post a notice in his office as well as at the assayer’s office if she wanted. “Men are always looking to make a few dollars to spend on supplies. I’ll warn you though, hearing that some greenhorn is seeking workers might find you overwhelmed. Some of these men…”
Juliette cut him off. “May I trouble you for some paper?” After writing out her notice on the two sheets he passed her, she asked, “Is there anything else I need to to secure my claim… my half-claim that is?”
Closing the folder, Paul shook his head. “No. I have your information registered.” Standing, he held out his hand. “I wish you the very best of luck but if mining isn’t to your liking, I’ll be here to transfer your share.”
“I’m sure that won’t be an issue,” Juliette assured him, shaking his hand. “If you are ever in Culpepper Cove, perhaps we’ll enjoy a cup of tea.”
“I’d like that,” he said, giving her a smile as he escorted her to the door. “For some reason, I feel as if you will make a mark on the mining business.”
“I assure you that’s my plan.” She left after watching him post her notice on the wall. She’d studied other posts while waiting her turn to see the registrar and smiled noticing that Mr. Adams moved a few to leave hers prominently displayed.
The bank was an easier errand. Learning that there was indeed a bank in Culpepper Cove, the manager suggested she open an account in San Francisco as well. Knowing she’d most likely need to do business in the larger city, she took his advice and placed half of the funds from her dowry into an account. The rest as well as the funds she received from selling the townhouse would be deposited in her new home bank when she arrived in Culpepper.
The bank manager had given her directions to the gold assayer’s office which was only a block away. The place was crowded with men but every one of them turned towards the door when she walked in. She gasped and stepped forward at the sight of a jar filled with gold colored powder that was sitting on the counter.
“Oh, is that real gold! I’ve never…” her words froze in her throat when she was suddenly face to face with the small black hole at the end of the barrel of a huge revolver.
“Step back,” a man growled.
“I-I was only… I didn’t mean…”
“Step back!”
“Put that away, Frank, you’re scaring her to death. I don’t think this little chit of a gal is any real danger to you.”
“She should know not to come close during a weighing,” Frank said, replacing his gun in his holster and yet Jewel noticed he kept his hand on the grip.
“May I help you, Miss?” the clerk asked and when she still couldn’t seem to speak, he gestured to the paper in her hand. “Do you need some help with some paperwork?”
“Oh… um, no. I mean yes. No… I just wanted to ask if I might post this?”
The man took the paper when she lifted it and read it aloud.
“Well, lookee here, boys, seems the purty lady is lookin’ for a ride.” Jewel felt her face flood with heat when a man standing closest to her put his hand to his crotch and jutted his hips forward. “I can giv ya a ride.” As the room erupted in laughter, she snatched the notice from the clerk’s hand and turned to flee only to slam into what felt like a brick wall.
With a whimper, she looked up and saw one of largest man she’d ever seen. His duster strained across his chest and shoulders as if barely able to conceal the muscles she knew for a fact were beneath the tan cloth. Hair the color of midnight lay against his collar. Her stomach flipped when she saw eyes the color of her coffee before she added milk focusing on her. His chin was square and his cheekbones were high.
“Miss, are you all right?” he asked. Jewel looked at the huge hand he’d placed on her arm to steady her after she rebounded off his chest. The moment she saw the gun worn on his hip, she pulled away and raced around him and out the door, the notice fluttering to the floor.
Once outside, she ran halfway down the block before slowing. She’d spent time with prospectors on both ships and while she had known them to be a little rough around the edges, none had been crude and none as large and as solid as the man at the door. As her breathing calmed, she decided to walk back to the boarding house. As she’d told the others, she would never tire of learning and walking among the people who made up the most popular city on the west coast would certainly be an education. Besides, with only one notice posted, she had to come up with a way to tell Nettie they were likely to be in the expensive city for a while.
***
By the time she returned to the boarding house, the day was fading. She had walked further than she’d intended, gotten turned around twice and though she’d seen a great deal, she was relieved to walk through the front door. Voices drew her towards the dining room where the residents were enjoying the dinner included in the price of their room.
“Sorry, I’m late,” she said, moving around the table to take a chair between Nettie and Opal.
“You’re in trouble,” Opal whispered, “John is out looking for you.”
“Oh, good, he must have arranged our luggage… wait, what do you mean I’m in trouble?”
Opal smiled and passed her a bowl of steaming rice. “Let’s just say that he mentioned something about his palm itching.”
Juliette could feel her cheeks heating as she took the bowl and scooped some of the rice onto her plate. “You forget, John works for me.” Ignoring Opal’s giggle, she took the platter of fried chicken, adding a drumstick to her plate. It wasn’t until she’d taken a spoon of beans that she realized she was smelling aromas she’d last enjoyed in New Orleans. Taking a bite of the rice, she savored it before speaking to the man at the head of the table.
“Mr. Emory, I must say this is quite delicious. Is your cook from Louisiana perhaps?”
“My missus does the cooking and she was born and raised right here,” he said, “never stepped a foot outside of California.”
“Well, she certainly has a way with spices.”
“You can thank Miss Nettie,” Walter Emory said as he took a big bite of chicken. “She stepped right in when the missus began to feel poorly.”
Juliette looked to see Nettie grinning. “You cooked all this?”
“I did indeed,” Nettie answered. “Mrs. Emory will be havin’ that babe at any time. She don’t need to be workin’ in some hot kitchen.” Juliette saw their host spooning a huge helping of rice onto his plate and covering it with another huge serving of beans.
“You are an amazing, kind woman, mama bear,” she said, reaching to pat Nettie’s hand.
“I’m a smart one too,” Nettie said softly. “I just got our rent cut in half as long as I fix all the meals while we’re here.”
“Nice of you to join us.” Juliette looked up to see John entering. “I’ve been looking for you for almost three hours.”
“I told you where I was going…”
“And since the bank closed two hours ago, can you imagine why I might be a teensy bit worried.”
Ignoring Opal’s whispered, ‘uh oh’, Juliette said, “I decided to walk back.” When she saw his eyebrow cock, she knew he was wondering why it took two hours to walk a few blocks. She was not about to admit she’d gotten lost. “I took the opportunity to do some additional research. We’ll discuss it later. Please, enjoy the meal that Nettie prepared.” She was pretty sure she heard hear him mutter something about a spoon but she certainly wasn’t going to ask for clarification when other boarders were listening to the exchange.
After dinner, Nettie retired to the kitchen, accompanied by Mrs. Emory. They’d discussed recipes and Nettie wanted to put some bread together to rise for tomorrow’s baking. “Are you sure you want to work,” Juliette asked, “I assure you that we’ll be fine.”
“I need to stay busy and Mrs. Emory needs all the help she can get,” Nettie said, insisting the very pregnant woman take a seat and just watch the bread prep
aration. “This is a way I can help. Now, scoot. I’m sure John has a few words for you.”
Juliette left the kitchen. Did no one understand that she was the one in charge. Walking into the parlor where boarders were scattered about tables playing cards or in chairs reading newspapers or books, she joined Opal, Amy and John. “John, is there anything I need to know…”
“How about admitting that walking…”
“I meant about the trunks? Are they all stored safely?”
“Safely…” His pause told her he was still not ready to move on from what he obviously considered her bad choice.
“Look, I’m sorry if I worried you. I appreciate your concern but I was fine. When I got lost…” Damn, she hadn’t meant to discuss that and quickly moved to cover her error. “I mean, everyone I talked to was friendly and helpful.”
“Well I’m thinking it would be very helpful if you remember that you hired me to keep you safe.”
“And don’t forget, your grandmother made him swear…”
“I don’t need your help,” Juliette hissed as Opal laughed and Amy grinned. Deciding to change the subject, she said, “Do you want to hear what I learned or are we going to sit here and talk about…”
“Your naughtiness?” Amy offered, sending Opal into another laughing spell.
“Good grief, if you two don’t straighten up, I swear I’m gonna spank you myself!”
“You can learn how from John,” Opal gasped out. By the time they got themselves under control, John had calmed and Juliette had admitted she’d made an error, promising not to walk the streets alone again. With the topic of spanking tabled, she told them about her discoveries.
“So what do we do while we wait for someone to offer to haul all our stuff?” Amy asked.
“Well, in my walk, I saw several establishments that appear interesting,” Juliette said, lowering her voice. “If I’m going to open my own house, it would serve me well to see how others are doing it.”
