Page 20 of My Darling Clementine

“Keziah?” a deep voice whispered into the darkness.

“Come in, Clem,” she said, “close the door, and I’ll light the lamp.”

“Are you setting me up for an ambush?” A strong, angular face peered around the door. “Stranger things have happened, like an unusual beauty chasing me into the night, seeing through my disguise when no one else ever did before, and giving me her hotel key.” She peered around the dark room.

“I won’t ambush you, if you don’t ambush me.” Kizzy spoke in low tones and struck a match. By its flare, she saw Clem step in and throw the key in the lock.

The tall woman who looked like a man, her eyes wide and appreciative, took in Keziah sitting up in bed in her nightgown. “I’m sorry if I’m late,” she said with a quiet chuckle. “It took a while for the clerk to doze off, and after that fuss he made earlier, I didn’t want you to get,” she grinned, “a wicked reputation.”

“I appreciate that,” answered Keziah with a whisper and a wink. “It doesn’t take much to get one out here.”

“Not for someone who looks like you,” Clem’s eyes moved over her, “traveling without a man by her side.” Curious eyes searched her face. “Why is that?”

“I don’t need one.” Kizzy tried not to bristle.

“I understand.” Clem nodded and grinned. “Me either.”

“Exactly. Teach me to do it.”

With the only chair filled with Keziah’s open suitcase, Clem sat on the edge of the bed without invitation; a brazen move, yet given the situation, appropriate. “Teach you to do what?”

“This.” Kizzy gestured at her clothing, her way of sitting, her attitude. “The way you look. And that,” she added when Clem scoffed. “You act like a man, too. Teach me.”

“Why, Keziah?” Clem scooted closer and picked up her hand, holding it. She turned it palm-side up and brushed it with her lips, keeping her voice low. “You’re a bewitching woman the way you are.” She leaned in close enough for a kiss but didn’t take it, instead waiting and watching. “Tell me what you want.”

“Call me Kizzy.” She closed half the distance between them. Clem’s warm breath smelled of cinnamon and cloves, beyond tempting, as she answered in a whisper grown rich with emotion. “I want to mine for gold in California. If I don’t have to worry about being a woman, I know I can do it.”

Clem pulled back. “What the hell? Are you kidding?” But she leaned in again, staring at Kizzy’s mouth while considering her words. “I don’t want to burst your bubble, pretty Kizzy, but please face facts. A lot of people think they can do it,” she said, nodding with assurance. “Many die on the way, others come back weak and broken, their dreams of gold crumbled to dust, sorry they ever left home.”

Kizzy opened her mouth to protest, but Clem crushed their lips together in a bruising kiss. Although no other part of them touched, the heat between them grew palpable. “Believe me,” she mumbled against her lips, kissing her silent. When they broke, Clem whispered, “Mining takes physical strength, endurance, and mental determination.”

“How would you know?” Ticked off, and intrigued, Kizzy uttered the direct challenge with the full power of her personality, making Clem laugh out loud before they both remembered to be quiet.

“Because I’ve done it, staked a claim and struck gold. I went to Boston for my father’s funeral, but I’m headed back now to California.”

“Oh.” Kizzy softened her challenge and patted Clem’s arm. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Charmed, Clem took both her hands, explaining, “I’m going in a late wagon train with Jed Cushing, the same wagon master I went with three years ago. I commissioned a wagon I’m picking up tomorrow, and heading for California two days later.”

Kizzy jolted. Opportunities like this came along once in a lifetime.

Seizing her chance, she turned on the charm, using her beauty as she never had before. “Listen, Clem,” she stared into her eyes, “I’m like you, hearty and healthy, young, determined, and I’ve got enough money to start up near Angel’s Camp, stake a claim along the creek.”

“Interesting. You’ve done some research.” Clem raised an eyebrow over twinkling eyes. “I’m headed back to Mokelumne Hill, a spot not far from there.” Catching Kizzy’s excitement, she slid up the bed to sit nearer. “I’ve heard there’s a lot of gold there. Men talk about nuggets as big as your fist.” She leaned one arm over Kizzy’s lap.

She sat straight up, thrilled. “You’re going to Calaveras County?” She squealed, then gasped as Clem kissed her quiet.

Firm, eager lips covered hers, tasting sweet and spicy. A questing tongue teased its way into Kizzy’s mouth, exciting her in whole new ways. Hers flicked back, dueling darts of pleasure that heightened her awareness and deepened her desire. When they parted, she couldn’t help herself and mewled like a kitten.

What was that? No one’s ever kissed me like that before.

Clem’s eyes glittered in the lamplight. She stared at Kizzy as if captivated and smiled. Both hands rose to cradle her face, kissing her lips, eliciting another intoxicated moan. A surge of desire swept between them.

Clem scooted even closer, still talking. “I’m leaving day after tomorrow, and will be staking a new claim in California by Christmas.” Her thumb stroked Kizzy’s sensitive bottom lip. “Out there, you can be whoever you want to be and there’s no one to say different. I’m already a self-made man; I’ll make a name for myself.” She leaned in for another kiss.

This one lasted longer, with even more intensity. Kizzy’s heart beat harder, wanton desire raged within her. All the pent-up emotion, fear, and frustrations over the last two days made Kizzy want nothing more than to let go of rational thought, revel in the touches that felt so good, pull this handsome woman on top of her, and let her body make the decisions for the next few hours.

Kizzy took a deep breath and pulled back to clear her head. “Take me along, I can help you.” She placed a hand on Clem’s chest, whether to stop her advances, beg for understanding, or to investigate what lay under that shirt, she wasn’t sure. “I’m serious,” she whispered. “Teach me how to live like a man. If you show me how to prospect, I’ll help you on your claim when we get to California.” She batted her eyelashes, making her eyes larger. “I’ll make it worth your while, I promise.”