Read Online Eyes of Eagles by William W. Johnstone - Free Book Online Page B

off?”
    â€œI see no reason to.”
    â€œJamie? You made some bad enemies today. Them two won’t forget it. They’ll be lookin’ to waylay you. You best walk careful from now on.”
    â€œI always do,” Jamie said softly. And probably always will, he added silently.
    * * *
    The ladies began bringing food over Saturday morning. Jamie had never seen so much food — pies, cakes, cookies, roasts, and the like.
    Jamie wondered if the families of Olmstead and Jackson would come to the party?
    â€œDoubtful,” Sam told him. “We both made bad enemies, Jamie. Those two are spiteful, revengeful men. And their children are just like them.” He smiled. “All except Kate.”
    â€œKate who?”
    â€œKate Olmstead. Prettiest girl in this part of the state. Just about your age. And she’s as sweet as honey. She spends a lot of time with Reverend Callaway’s daughter, Judith. More time with them than she does at home. I don’t think she likes her home life very much. She might be here for the party. She’s a very sweet girl, Jamie. You’ll like her.”
    Sarah looked up from her kitchen work and smiled. “I’m glad you made a friend with Robert Jefferson, Jamie. He comes from a good Christian family.”
    â€œWe get along fine,” Jamie said.
    Jamie scrubbed himself until he shone, bathing in the creek that ran not far from the house. During the summer months, Sam, too, bathed in the creek — it was a common practice on the frontier. When the first folks began arriving at the house, Sam and Jamie were all decked out in clean clothes, and in Jamie’s case, new store-bought clothes. Hannah came out with Reverend and Mrs. Callaway . . . and Kate Olmstead. Hannah was escorted by a huge young man everybody called Swede. But even though Hannah was beautiful, Jamie only had eyes for Kate. He thought she was just about the prettiest thing he had ever seen. She had hair the color of wheat and dark blue eyes. All the young boys followed her around. But Kate had eyes only for Jamie. Jamie got so discombobulated looking at her he walked right into a tree and put a knot on his forehead.
    Sam and Sarah were amused at the boy’s antics.
    â€œI think he’s in love,” Sarah said.
    â€œOh, honey, they’re just kids,” Sam replied.
    â€œSo were we, remember?” she reminded him.
    â€œYou’re right. As usual.”
    Hannah and Swede joined the young couple. They too had noticed Jamie and Kate.
    â€œIt’s about time Jamie had some fun,” Hannah said. “God knows he’s lost most of his childhood.”
    The four of them stood apart from the laughing and gossiping crowd that spilled from the front to both sides of the yard. The Jackons and the Olm-steads were not in attendance, and the general consensus among everybody there was relief.
    â€œIs Jamie really just eleven years old?” Sarah asked.
    â€œTwelve, I believe. But he could easily pass for someone much older. He hadn’t been at the Shawnee town five minutes before he whipped Tall Bull’s son, Little Wolf. Jamie’s a fighter.”
    â€œYes,” Sam said dryly. “I can attest to that.”
    â€œAnd so can them rowdy boys who picked on him in town,” Swede said, his eyes sparkling. He chuckled. “I would have very much liked to have seen that.”
    â€œIt was brutal,” Sam said. “And frightening in a way. The boy fights with a coldness that is scary. And he is very skillful.”
    â€œI’ll tell you what he is now,” Hannah said, and they looked at her. “In love!”

Six
    Four people taught at the local school: Reverend Callaway, his wife, Elizabeth, Abe Caney’s wife, Mary, and Sarah Montgomery. The community had tried to hire a full-time teacher, but so far had no luck in doing so. That summer Sarah tutored Jamie at home, in preparation for the next term. She found him to be