Divine Intervention

I knew I was in trouble the moment I saw his eyes. They were cold and cruel.  

“Now isn’t this me lucky day!”  

He was leering at me and licking his lips. His clothes were worn and dirty and he had the dangerous, hungry look of someone who was past caring what anybody thought of him. Even before I saw the pistol he was holding in his hand I knew I wouldn’t be able to talk myself out of this situation like I had out of countless others with the drunks at closing time at The Commercial.  

It was Sunday, my day off, and I had decided to pay a visit to my aunt who lived down in the Woolshed valley, about five miles from Beechworth. It was a beautiful warm day and I had enjoyed the walk and the day spent with relatives I seldom saw. Dusk was already falling when I set upon my return journey, idly dreaming as I walked along the quiet road. I got quite warm and when I heard a creek nearby, I stepped off the road to cool down for a moment. I took off my boots and sat on a rock, letting the clear water wash around my ankles. I didn’t hear the man approach and the first I knew he was there was when I heard him speak. 

“Yer the answer to me prayers lass, not that I waste me time with that rubbish, God helps them that help themselves I reckon. Here I was feeling all lonely and there ye are, all by yerself too. If that’s not divine intervention, I don’t know what is.” 

My mind was racing while I tried to stay calm. It wasn’t likely there was anyone else nearby so screaming would do me no good. I would have to play along and bide my time.  

“Yer a quiet one huh? Well that’s no matter to me. Most women talk too much anyway.” He came closer pushing his pistol into his waistband obviously deciding it wouldn’t be needed. He stopped next to me and held out his hand. “Well, come on then, time’s a-wasting!” I clenched my teeth and took his filthy hand and let him pull me up. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me against him and the foul stench coming off him made me gag. He was just about to press his mouth on mine when I steadied myself by holding onto his arm and then brought my knee up sharply to hit him in the groin. I snatched the pistol from his waistband and pushed at him with both hands as hard as I could, and he fell, groaning and cursing. I fired a shot into the ground next to him and then pointed the pistol where his hands were grabbing his privates.  

“I suggest you crawl back into whatever hole it was you came from, before I do all women a favour.” My hand was shaking; I was so angry I nearly shot him there and then. 

“If I were you, I would do exactly what the lass says,” a cold voice from behind me said. Keeping the pistol pointed at the man on the ground I half turned to see Joe standing a few steps behind me, his pistol pointing at the man’s head and his eyes like stone. I let my arm drop as relief flooded me, my knees gave way and I sat on the ground. Joe pulled the man onto his feet and dragged him off and when he came back a short while later, his face was white and angry.  

“Kate, are you alright lass?” He knelt on the ground next to me and pulled me into his arms. “Did the bastard touch you?” He was looking me over, his eyes full of concern.  

“N-no,” my teeth were chattering and I couldn’t stop shivering as the shock finally hit me. Joe held me tight against him, rocking me gently.  

“It’s alright lass, he’s gone and I promise he won’t bother you again.” I didn’t even want to know what Joe had done with him. 

It took me a while to calm down. “How did you… What are you doing here Joe?” I had stopped shaking and was becoming increasingly aware of Joe’s warm hands gently rubbing my back.  

“I should be asking you that. What in heaven’s name were you doing walking around in the dark by yourself Kate?” There was a flash of anger in his eyes but then he smiled. “Not that you didn’t seem to have the situation completely under control. I was riding past on my way to see you when I heard a shot and thought I’d better see what was going on. I never expected to find you and that bastard.” His jaw tightened. “Some men aren’t deserving of the name.” He got up. “Come on lass, I’ll take you back.” 

The ride into Beechworth was very different from the first time Joe took me in. He held the reins in one hand and the other arm was holding me, I had my arms around his waist and there was no pretence as I leaned into him, my cheek against his shoulder. I didn’t care who saw us either, not that there were many people about on account of the lateness of the hour. We hardly spoke, a couple of times Joe hugged me closer and kissed the top of my head. I could have stayed on that horse forever, sitting between his legs with his arm around me. I felt completely safe. 

When we got to The Commercial it was still open.  

“Did you fancy a drink then Joe?” I looked down to where he was standing, waiting to lift me down from the horse.  

“It’s not a drink I’m fancying Kate,” he said softly, “but you’ve had a bit of a shock and I…”  

I wouldn’t let him finish. “Stay with me Joe – please?”  

He smiled. “I think I’d better not walk in through the front door all the same – I’ll see you up in your room then lass.” So I slipped in the back way, managing to avoid meeting anyone and when I got to my room upstairs, Joe was climbing in from the balcony through the open shutters. 

“Are you sure you’re alright Kate?” He held my chin gently, looking into my eyes.  

“I am now,” I whispered and pulled his head down to kiss him.  That’s all it took, his lips on mine, his hands that knew just how to touch me, to erase all memory of other lips and hands not welcomed. Our passion for each other took over, eager fingers undoing buttons and pulling cloth out of the way until it was just skin on skin and we were together.  

Later, still breathless, Joe’s arms holding me against his chest, it came to me. This was the second time Joe had appeared when I needed help. That was divine intervention.