Midnight Run
Tabitha's Cat
Tabitha's Cat
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| Part 2 Joe tethered Cheyenne to the tree as Louise waiting patiently for him. "Lets go over here under the rock, it's dark & private" Joe winked at her. She felt all her Christmas's were coming at once as he waited for her to go ahead of him. "It's alright Louise, we can sit in here it's all quiet like" She sat in the dirt, leaning her back against the cool surface of the rock; there was a large overhang almost like a roof. Joe's jacket scratched the rock as he slid down beside her. "Mmm nice threads you have there" He teased. "They were Thelma's idea, she reckons I can't go riding about in long skirts but anything would be better than these" Her fingers pulled the cloth away from her leg, letting it 'ping' back" "Aye, she's right there & they're not so bad, feel kind of slippery" He ran his hand over her thigh, knowing the effect it would have on her. He found her hand & picked it up, threading his fingers through hers. "Now what was it Louise?" "Huh?.." Oh gawd, what? "You had to speak with me about something lass" his fingers now making spirally patterns on her palm. "Oh yes, well it's those Davidson sisters at the Woolpack, I'm getting awful worried Joe, they've been telling everybody that you & the boys are frequenting the inn & it's only a matter of time before the coppers hear of it." It was hard to talk of such things, squashed up against him like that with his hands so gentle on hers. She looked at him, his face hardened for a second before he turned & smiled at her. "Thanks for that, I'm sure they mean no harm but I'll keep away. I don't think Ned's too keen on me going there for a while anyways, I get too sidetracked. It's good to know we have friends out there like you keeping an eye on things." "No worries Joe..." His hand ran down the side of her face, playing with a curl of her hair, and then his lips were on her cheek all soft & sweet like. “How are you Joe? I mean really?” She didn’t like to interrupt him but she needed to know. “We manage I guess…I miss the home comforts at times, not that they were ever much, but hey a bed to sleep in & a meal every night is a luxury now, & seeing the likes of you, friends…you know? To just be able to roll up anywhere & relax, not having to look over your shoulder all the time would be good.” He didn’t want to say how bad the nights were, that he needed the comfort of the opium his Chinese friends sold him to help him sleep & push his nightmares back to the outer edge of his restless mind. "I've missed seeing you about lass, thanks for coming tonight, it means a lot to me." His voice was husky in her ear, she felt his arm slip about her & he pulled her close, the small stones dug into her leg but she ignored them. Nothing meant more than these quiet moments alone with him... *****
“So how do you know Jim, Thelma?” Ned had finished eating & was sitting back drinking, eyes clapped firmly on her. “Oh, he was in my class at school…I think he’s a year or two older than me.” She had said a quick hello to him in Melbourne but wasn’t sure he knew it was her. “I remember you at school” piped up Dan. He was grinning at her “we used to try & chase you behind that big oak tree for a kiss” Thelma remembered those school games well, all the girls tried to get the boy they liked to follow them behind the tree, but more often than not, it was the younger more annoying ones that turned up. She giggled, remembering a scrawny Dan & some of his mates hanging around the older girls. “No luck for you there then eh Dan?” Steve threw a finished corn cob at him. “I’m sure I kissed her once or twice” He threw it back, hitting Steve in the face. “Ah bulls eye!” “I think you’re dreaming mate” Steve flicked pieces of corn at him. “Sorry, I don’t think it was me Dan…I’m kind of shy like that” She laughed at him as he pulled a face. The boys were full now & Steve leaned back under the bush, falling asleep instantly. They sat around content to just chat & drink the remains of the brandy. Aaron was fidgeting, pulling strands of grass out & chewing the ends off. “You must be hungry Aaron, I didn’t see you eat anything” Thelma asked. “No lass, I would rather leave the food for these guys, I have dinner at home any time I want. In fact I better be off, the missus will be wondering where I’ve got to.” “Does anyone know the time?” She looked hopefully at the men. Ned pulled his pocket watch out. “It’s nearly 1am, time we got a move on too, not good to sit about in one spot for long.” Ned followed Aaron to his feet. “Thanks for coming Aaron, hope it didn’t seem like we wasted your time” He smiled at his mate. “Nah Ned, it’s always good to see you boys are alright anyway.” They clapped each other on the back & he leaned down, playfully nudging Dan’s shoulder. “No hard feelings mate?” Dan half grinned, “No…away yer go Aaron, next time we’ve got the horses, we’ll have a bet on who’s the fastest eh?” “Aye, so we will Dan, you take care-tell Steve goodnight for me” Steve grunted a reply. “I’ll just go & say cheerio to Joe, night all. Nice to meet you Thelma” He gave her a quick hug then headed in Joe & Louise’s direction. “Night Aaron” Thelma stooped to clean some of the mess up, Ned helping her. “I’ll take all the empty tins & that back with me, what would you like us to bring next time” “We’ll be fine for a while love, my sister Maggie is sorting out the next meal for us.” He watched as Aaron slipped into the darkness of the rock, only to reappear smartly. He listened to his soft goodbye & then watched as Aaron headed into the bush, the opposite way from which he had come. “Let them bring more if they want Ned, we’re always starving” Dan was busy filling Steve’s boots with tiny rocks as he slumbered on. “Hush Dan, where’s your manners? We will be fine until we see our sis. Would you come for a walk with me Thelma? I want to talk to you” Thelma wondered what on earth Ned would have to say to her, he hardly knew her. She followed him to a nearby log, sitting a couple of feet from him. “I just wanted to say…about that message I gave you earlier… the one to give me Ma” He looked towards where Aaron had disappeared into the bush. He was whispering now “Tell Ma we will be there in three days, not ten, before dawn. Three days…you got that?” She nodded, wondering why the change in plans but it was not any of her business so she just listened carefully. “And not a word of it to anyone, okay? Thanks Thelma, you’re great. Brave of you to come out here at midnight, I can’t thank you enough. He leaned over & she caught a whiff of brandy as he pulled her close for a quick hug. But he smelt wonderful! Like the bush, the trees & the night time, that slight musky aroma of a man, she inhaled deeply & too soon he was releasing her. “Now don’t you worry about what Dan said regarding Jim, there is no way any of us will be seeing him while he’s locked up.” She sat back reluctantly. “Of course you won’t be seeing him, I…I’m sorry, I was only thinking of myself, was a bit embarrassed” Her eyes dropped from his face to the log they were sitting on, she picked at the loose bark. “When should we stop in at your Ma’s?” “As soon as you are able, just watch out for the peacock, it’s a fierce one” He was laughing, and then out of the blue he asked “Do you have any plans to breed from that mare of yours?” She shook her head, “ Cheyenne ? She’s like my baby. No, I can’t bear the thought of a big nasty stallion with her.” “I know of a sweet natured one, he’s not too big neither-would be perfect with her, well let me know if you change your mind. We best get a move along. Has been a pleasure getting to know you Thelma & thank you for everything.” She looked at his kind face; he really was good looking. “You’re welcome Ned, has been an adventure.” Not to mention thrilling to be surrounded by all these men-outlaws at that! They got back & woke Steve up who cursed when he stood; all the small stones had fallen down to his feet. They packed the remaining food in the bag & headed over to the horse. Thelma untied her & took her to the creek for a drink. All the frogs that were trilling & croaking moments before went silent as she approached. The water trickled over the stones making its own music in the still night. She watched Ned as he eyed up the granite rock. “I’ll get them” Ned walked over to the rock & poked his head under the slab of rock roof. ***** “I think we leaving now lass, I can hear them moving about” Joe murmured hot lips against her throat. “When will I see you next?” She hung on to him, knowing every moment was precious. “We’ll be in New South Wales before the week is out. Can I give you a message to take to my family?” He rummaged in his coat pocket & handed her a small bit of paper neatly folded in half. “Thanks Louise, I know I can trust you with it.” She smiled & put it in her shirt pocket. “Time son” Ned called softly, his body silhouetted against the square of moonlight. One last kiss & they crawled back out, to find everybody all ready to leave, Thelma looking comfortable on Cheyenne . Joe legged Louise up behind the saddle effortlessly & reached up to shake Thelma’s hand. “You take care lass, & don’t be losing that precious cargo off the back there” He winked at her, giving Louise’s leg a final squeeze. “Well lucky I stopped drinking a while back, wouldn’t want to be drunk & careless on a horse now would I?” She grinned back at them all. Louise’s arms snaked about her waist & after lots of whispered goodbyes; she spun the mare back towards the track, happy to feel the breeze on her face & the exhilaration as Cheyenne ’s power thrust them homeward. The End |