Fortune's Journey by Bruce Coville Read Free Book Online

them—Mr. Patchett moving on. After a moment he made an owl-like sound. The troupe continued forward. Before long they had reached his side. It frightened Fortune to see how worried he was.
    When he had counted to be sure they were all there, he moved on again. Soon the owl sound drifted through the night. They followed his path once more.
    Traveling in this fashion they came to a clearing at the edge of town. There, standing in a pool of moonlight, was Jamie Halleck. He held the reins of the lead pair of the troupe’s team, which he had already harnessed to their wagon. The silvery light caught in his chestnut hair, making it appear like some strangely cool fire. A flicker of a smile played over his lips.
    â€œGood work, lad,” said Mr. Patchett, striding to his side. He took the reins from Jamie.
    â€œI don’t know how we can ever repay you,” said Walter, stepping up beside him. “You have done us a great favor.”
    â€œTake me with you,” said Jamie simply.
    â€œYou must be out of your mind!” cried Edmund.
    â€œI was not speaking to you,” said Jamie. “I was addressing Miss Plunkett.” He turned to Fortune. “I would like to be allowed to accompany your troupe on its trip to San Francisco. I will work hard and help you in whatever way I can.”
    The simple request was obviously difficult for him to make, and she realized with sudden certainty that he had never asked anyone for a favor before.
    Jamie was gazing at her intently. She saw nothing childlike or moonstruck about him. But his eyes, large and warm, were pleading with her.
    She thought about the harpy he lived with. In the short time they had been there, Fortune had seen and heard enough to know that Myra Halleck made her son’s life a living torment. It was so strangely different from the way her parents had treated her that she had hardly been able to understand it. She knew that Jamie would never turn on his mother, never lash out at her. But he would leave the woman. Fortune’s mind took the next step forward and realized that not only would he leave her, but that he had to do so. And they were his best hope for making that break.
    Jamie smiled, and her heart ached as she realized what a gallant gesture it was.
    What do I do? He’s acting like it doesn’t really matter. But I can see how much it does. She swallowed and faced the hard fact. He wouldn’t dream of mentioning that I owe him my life. But I do.
    â€œLook, it was nice of you to help us,” said Aaron curtly. “But you’d better…”
    â€œYou’d better be ready if you’re planning on coming with us,” said Fortune, using the tone of voice that said I am the leader of this troupe.
    For a moment she was dazzled by the smile that broke across Jamie’s face, the joy she read in his eyes. Then he nodded slightly, and said, “Much obliged, miss,” as if it was nothing at all.
    He hurried to the side of the clearing and came back leading a horse. It was already saddled, and there was a rifle strapped to its side. He had a carpetbag in his hand and a bundle of books under his arm.
    â€œWhat are those?” asked Mrs. Watson, always curious at the sight of printed matter.
    Jamie smiled. “My Shakespeare!”
    â€œOh, dear God,” sighed Edmund, putting his hands together, as if in prayer. “Be merciful to your humble servants and spare us from would-be actors!”

Chapter Five
    When they were far enough from the town, Jamie filled them in on the events that had followed the fire. He was riding next to the wagon, and his voice came out of the cold darkness. He spoke clearly to be heard above the creaking of the wagon.
    â€œIt started with the keg of whiskey someone broke out to thank the folks who helped put out the fire,” he said. “I suppose the men did deserve a drink. But it didn’t take long before there was a fair number of them as drunk as