Caring for Citrine (The Red Petticoat Saloon)

by Alta Hensley

  She sniffled as she looked down at her feet. “I understand. I’m sorry I put you in the position that you had to spank me.” She looked up into his eyes and smiled. “But I’m happy it was you who punished me.” And she was. She had to admit that she had enjoyed the level of intimacy the punishment caused. A connection formed. A special bond.

  Anson took a moment to think on that, and then nodded. “All right. You need your rest.” He reached for her arms gently and helped her into bed, pulling the blankets up to her chin as her head hit the pillow. “Goodnight, Della. Allow those sweet dreams to come.”

  He leaned down and softly kissed her forehead. She looked up and smiled as their eyes connected. “Thank you, Anson. I’ve never known such tenderness.” Anson didn’t pull away, and his lips were so close to hers that she could almost taste his breath.

  “That’s a mighty shame,” he whispered, his lips still so close to hers. “You deserve it and so much more.”

  As if under a spell, Della raised her head just enough so that their lips touched in the softest of kisses. He didn’t move back or resist, but quite the opposite. He pressed his lips harder to hers and conquered her mouth with his—fully kissing her as a man would a woman. When his tongue danced with hers, Della let out a gasp, breaking the spell they were in.

  Anson pulled away and smiled, but he said nothing more. He tucked the blankets around her one last time and made his way to leave.

  When the door closed behind him, Della allowed the tears to fall. She wasn’t sure why she was crying. She wasn’t sad. She had someone who cared for her. Anson said so, so it must be true. And she’d just received the first kiss of her life that truly meant something. Then why was she crying?

  She continued to sob, realizing she was crying because of the relief. Because for the moment, she was safe, she was warm, and she was free from that awful cough. For at least tonight, she could experience what going to bed tucked in by someone who cared for her was like. As her eyes grew heavy, she hoped to God that for once in her life, sweet dreams would indeed come.

  Chapter Eight

  Della flinched when her bottom made contact with the blanket, fully waking her from her slumber. She reached her arms above her head and stretched the kinks out of her body. She hadn’t slept well, and she wasn’t sure if it was due to what happened last night or the fact that thoughts of the doctor hadn’t left her mind since he kissed her goodnight and left. She couldn’t quite shake the image out of her head of his masculine body trying to keep her warm as he carried her during the sun’s setting. Memories of his tender touch as well as of his stinging one made her gut clench and her pussy throb. And the kiss… She didn’t know what to think about the kiss, and decided it was better to push the thought, and the memory of how he felt and tasted, far from her mind.

  The smell of coffee and eggs cooking downstairs made her stomach grumble, surprising since it felt like she’d eaten more food last night under Anson’s watchful eye than in an entire week combined. She quickly got up and made the bed, paying close attention to tuck and smooth every inch of the blanket to ensure perfection.

  Her bare feet padded against the cold wood floor and she cracked the door open to peek out, smiling when she could hear Nettie humming loudly downstairs in the kitchen preparing breakfast. It appeared that everyone else was still asleep. Not that she could blame anyone. Gems worked late hours, and sleeping past sunrise was not frowned upon in this profession. She closed her door and began to get ready for the day and to go help Nettie with the morning chores.

  When Della made her way to the kitchen, Nettie turned to her with a wide smile. All signs of her anger from yesterday had vanished. “Perfect timing, child. Go over and start working on the biscuits.”

  Della quickly did as Nettie asked, happy that they were back to normal, and it was just another day at The Red Petticoat Saloon. When she looked up from her dough, Nettie was frying slabs of ham still humming away. They worked that way for quite some time, content to just let the sweet melody of humming and sizzling grease be the only sounds to fill the room.

  “So was Dr. Norwood hard on ya last night?” Nettie asked, snapping Della from her thoughts.

  “He was I reckon. But it wasn’t anything I didn’t deserve. I don’t know what I was thinking walking that far into the woods and making you all worry about me.”

  A grunt was Nettie’s only reply as she went to stir a big pot of porridge. A few moments later she said, “Well, are you going to just stand there, or are you going to tell me what happened between you and the doc?” She turned and studied Della with her hands on her hips.

  Della focused her attention on rolling out the dough, uncomfortable with the question. Or was she uncomfortable with the answer? Shrugging as if nothing happened of substance last night, she said, “I saw him loading a wagon full of goods and was curious what he was doing with it all. So I followed him to his…” She paused. How would she explain what happened without betraying Anson’s privacy? She didn’t like keeping things from Nettie, and yet she couldn’t tell Nettie about his Indian son and grandmother.

  “You followed him to his cabin. Did you see his boy?” Nettie asked as she started cracking eggs into a bowl.

  Della looked up surprised. “You know about that? You know he has a son by a savage?”

  Nettie turned around and glared. “Watch your tongue, child. You don’t have no business calling anyone savages. I don’t allow no words of hate in my kitchen, and I know you don’t believe in such ugliness either.”

  Della looked down at her fixings for the biscuits and whispered, “Yes, ma’am. You’re right. Sorry.” She realized how awful that word truly was, especially when referring it to an innocent child. She even felt worse for thinking it about Anson’s son.

  Nettie’s expression softened. “And yes, I know about his son and how he takes care of his family. It isn’t a deep, dark secret. He does good by them. Dr. Anson just keeps his business to himself.”

  “I didn’t know any of this.”

  Nettie smirked. “It weren’t any of your business to know.”

  “Why haven’t I heard about this before? Surely this type of scandal would be the talk of Culpepper.”

  “Well, child, I don’t think you know about all the going ons around here. And no, it ain’t the talk of the town. Folk round these parts have more to worry about than who is having babies with who.”

  “What do the town folk say about the fact that there is an Indian woman living near us? There must be some talk,” Della said as she finished cutting the biscuits in small circles, placing them in the pan to bake.

  “Lord knows there will always be some cackling hens in Culpepper ready to cluck about such things, but other folks mind their own business.”

  “It was surprising. I thought that woman was his wife at first.”

  “She is a kind woman but definitely not his wife. One thing is for sure,” Nettie said as she beat the eggs, “that man has a heart of gold. He takes care of them right. His boy is lucky to have him as a pa.” Nettie smiled at Della and added, “Come on now, let’s get breakfast finished up and served to the gems, and then you and I can sit down and have a little chat about our doctor friend.”

  Della and Nettie finished up with the breakfast rush and finally walked over to the coffee and poured themselves a cup and sat down, staring at the fire, taking a moment to catch their breaths.

  Nettie was the first to get up and end their moment of silence. “Let’s get some food in our bellies so we can get busy on carving up a hog I got delivered this morn.”

  Della nodded in agreement. She didn’t consider herself a daydreamer by nature, but Anson hadn’t left her mind all morning. It was near impossible to focus on anything else. Thoughts of how she would act around him the next time they met flooded her mind as she sipped her coffee and reached for the freshly baked biscuits. She smiled, wondering if Anson would like the taste of them. She’d make sure to cook them for him sometime. Maybe she should wrap a
few up and bring them to his office.

  “So are you just gonna sit there with that big smile on your face all morning, or are you gonna tell me what happened?” Nettie called over her shoulder as she dished them up what was left of the eggs.

  Della hadn’t realized that she was sitting there with a gigantic smile spreading from ear to ear. She tried to stop, but found it near impossible.

  “Della?”

  She turned to her friend and watched her bring over the eggs and place them on the table. “Yes?”

  “You’re lookin’ as if your mind is drowning in your heart.” Nettie walked over to her and moved a wayward piece of hair behind Della’s ear, looking into her eyes. “And I bet there is a little devil inside of you trying to convince you that you ain’t good enough.”

  Her words were like a punch to the gut. “Well… there is some truth in that. I’m a gem, Nettie. We can call it whatever fancy name we want to call it, but I spread my legs for men for money. What would Anson want with me?”

  “Anson…” Nettie’s eyebrows rose, and she smiled as she sat down and started on her breakfast.

  “He told me to call him by his first name now.” She could feel herself blush. “I like the sound of it.”

  “And have you thought about what that means?”

  “This smells delicious,” Della complimented, hoping to change the subject, avoiding the question. Her plate of eggs and biscuits were waiting for her, along with a steaming cup of coffee. That’s all she wanted to focus on right now. “I’m starving.”

  “You both have that look in your eyes.”

  “There’s no look, Nettie. Anson is just worried about my health. He’s a good doctor.” Della paused and almost moaned when she bit into the biscuit, and the buttermilk delight took over all senses. “Oh, Nettie! These biscuits! I think I finally mastered your recipe.”

  “Yes, child, you have. I’m sure Dr. Norwood would like a few. That man sure does like some home cookin’.” Nettie brought her coffee to her lips and sipped while she studied Della. “So now, why don’t you stop shying away from the truth and fess up. Do you have feelings for him?”

  Della nodded in response as she continued to shovel the food in her mouth. She tried not to look Nettie in the eyes in fear that she would see how much she really did feel for the man. “Maybe I have a little. But it’s just because he has been so kind to me, and I’m just not used to that from a man.”

  Nettie studied Della’s every move. Della couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious, but she just continued to eat. How she could still be hungry after last night’s meal amazed her, but the flavors danced across her tongue, her mouth beckoning for more.

  “So I reckon he spanked you good last night, but did more happen? Did you two have a roll in the hay?”

  “Oh no! It wasn’t like that at all. He just kissed me goodnight—”

  “Kissed you?” Nettie let out a good ol’ belly laugh. “I think it is fair to say that the sparks have ignited, and we have a full fire between the two of you now, and I won’t hear another word about it.” She chuckled one last time and finished her own breakfast before speaking again. “Jewel and I spoke of your situation last night. She sees what is happening as well.”

  Della pushed back her finished plate and fiddled with her fingers. Something about Nettie’s tone made her nervous. “I ain’t going to be a burden no longer. I plan on resuming my duties as a gem soon. I don’t want you to think I will be sick for much longer. Anson said he would clear me for work.”

  “You just stop that nonsense about being a burden, child.” Even though the words were stern, the soft curve of Nettie’s lips exuded a gentle warmth from the older lady. “Jewel and I weren’t discussing you as a problem, but commenting on how our little Citrine may have a gentleman suitor soon enough.”

  “That is not true,” Della said as she stood and grabbed her plate to assist in cleaning up. “The only thing in the future for me is getting clearance to work the floor again. It’s high time things get back to normal. I can’t even remember the last time I coughed.”

  Nettie slammed her fist on the table, causing Della to almost drop her plate. “Girl, you put that plate down and sit.”

  Della did as she was asked, not even hesitating. She knew Nettie well, knew her enough to know she could be an ornery old lady if she wanted to be, and she didn’t want to feel the spoon again anytime soon.

  “You might pull off this shielding your heart routine for others, but it ain’t going to work with me. I’ve had just about enough of you putting yourself down and thinking less of the person that I happen to love very much. This is not the time for you to be thinking about getting back to work as a gem.”

  “Oh, but I have to.” Panic started setting in. “If I don’t get back to work soon—”

  “You will just work with me in the kitchen—cooking and opening the door nice and wide to the possibilities of what could be between you and the doctor.”

  “But there is nothing between me and him.”

  “He wouldn’t just kiss you if it weren’t nothing. He wouldn’t have wanted to be the one to take you in hand last night if he didn’t care. And he certainly wouldn’t have carried your nosey butt all the way home if his heart wasn’t falling for the little lady in his arms.”

  Della shrugged her shoulders and looked down at the ground. “I’m a gem. I have no business having feelings for a doctor. For him.”

  “Laws, girl, why the heck not?”

  “He’s a good man.”

  “And you are a good woman. One of the best I know. I’m mighty proud to call you my friend. We all have circumstances in our lives that force us to make the choices we do. You chose your path because you are a fighter. A fighter, you hear me. I won’t stand here and allow you to stop being the little scrapper I have grown to love so much.”

  Della swallowed the lump in her throat and swiped at the loose tear that escaped her eye. She couldn’t help but think that Nettie’s words echoed those of her ma. Both women called her a fighter. Both attempted to tell her she was a woman of worth. But… it was just so hard to believe. “We all have our demons. Mine being my past but also my right now. I am a gem. No man would want a gem more than just for a good time for a night. He’s a doctor and deserves a nice woman to be his wife.”

  Nettie let out a loud sigh. “Della girl, you need to stop beating yourself down. There are times that a woman has to make some decisions in her life and maybe choose a different path than the one she is currently on. Has it ever crossed your mind that you would make just as good a wife as any? Maybe the time will come for you to leave The Red Petticoat. Maybe that time is sooner than you think.”

  “But it’s my home. It’s all I have.”

  “Well that’s just it. That’s what Jewel and I were talking about this morning. The time may come that you, Citrine, may have to shine like the gem you are in someone else’s arms. Someone who loves y—”

  “Oh no! I could never,” Della interrupted, standing up and rushing toward the fire. “I don’t even know why we are having this conversation. It’s silly really.”

  “I want you to promise me something. No more talk of you not being good enough. I don’t want to hear one more word. You are beautiful on the outside and in, and any man would be counting his blessings to have you in his life. If Dr. Norwood is that man, then you have to stop being the only obstacle in the way. If I get wind that you say another bad word against my friend, Della, I’ll sic Mr. Gabe on your hide. Clear?”

  Della nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” Even as she said the words, she knew it was a promise she would most likely have to break. This was just the way her life was. She was a gem, and that was as far as her relationship would ever go with any man. She had come to terms with that a long time ago.

  “And, Della,” Nettie said as Della began to scrape plates of food into the slop bucket. “We always tell the gems who work here to give no man the power to break your soul. Don’t you be the one to start. D
on’t be your worst enemy. Dr. Norwood is a good man, and if there is something meant to be between the two of you, don’t you be the one to step on the toes of fate.”

  Della offered a weak smile and simply nodded. She was grateful when Jewel walked in and interrupted their conversation.

  “Good morning, Nettie, Della,” Jewel greeted in her lovely soft and cheery voice. She looked at Della and smiled. “You look good today. I see your lesson with Dr. Anson left you… glowing.”

  Della’s face heated as she gasped. “No, nothing left me glowing. I mean… er… we didn’t do… he didn’t use my services.”

  “I didn’t assume you performed your gem duties, Citrine, but he did discipline you right? Otherwise Gabriel is not going to be pleased that there were no consequences,” Jewel clarified with a slight scowl on her face as she no doubt remembered her anger from the night before.

  “Yes, ma’am, he made sure I would think twice before returning late again. I’m sorry I worried y’all by coming in after sun down. I lost track of time.”

  “You lost track of good sense,” Nettie added.

  Jewel’s expression softened. “Well what is done is done and has been handled. That isn’t why I’m here to speak with you actually.” She paused to sit down at the table and motioned for Della to do the same. “Dr. Norwood came to me and Gabriel this morning. He asked for permission to,” she paused as if she was searching for the right words, “to court you.”

  Nettie chuckled. “We figured it was only a matter of time for that to be the case.”

  Della sat in place stunned. “He did? He asked about me?” Even though she heard the words escape from Jewel’s lips, they didn’t seem to make sense. It was as if they were all jumbled and floating around the room.

  Jewel nodded. “He did. But we told him what I am going to tell you. We don’t own you, Della. We love you, and we consider you part of the family, but we most certainly don’t own you nor decide how you spend your future.”