Chapter 8: Getting to Know Each Other) How is he,Josie? He was awake a little while ago,Uncle Henry. Let me know when he wakes up. I will. I hope he'll be alright,Josie thought to herself. "No, Pa, don't go out to meet them." They'll kill ya. It's alright,shh. It's just a dream. Was I having a nightmare? You were,but you're alright now. Did something happen to your pa,Jamie? My pa was foreman on a ranch outside of town. I grew up there. One day some rustlers shot him dead in cold blood. I'm sorry for your loss. How long ago was it? It happened last year. Were you close? He loved me more than anything. So did my daddy. My daddy died, too. So I know how you feel. Now I live with my uncle's friend. What about your mama? She died when I was twelve. I lost my mama,too. She died of a fever when I was ten. How did your pa die? He was killed by someone who tried to rob him. I was away visiting a friend when it happened. My daddy's friend Sheriff Colton Myers found him and told me. He wanted to take me in but being a sheriff he couldn't guarantee that he'd always be there. How did you come to be here? Well, we were going through some of my daddy's papers and one of them had Uncle Henry's name in it. So Sheriff Myers wrote to him asking if he'd take me in. And Uncle Henry wrote back and said he'd take me. And he came out to Waco and picked me up. And here I am. Are you hungry? I could stand some nourishment. I've got some soup on the stove. That sounds just fine. I'll be right back. He's awake,Uncle Henry. That's good to hear. Would it be alright to talk to him? I don't see why not. Hello,young man. Good to see you sitting up. I'm Henry Garth, Josie's guardian. Pleased to meet you,sir. I'd like to thank you for your kindness. You're welcome,son. I don't believe I got your full name. It's Jamie Cole,sir. Jamie Austin Cole. You know cows? I grew up on a ranch where my pa was the foreman. Are you looking for a job? Yes,sir. You've got one here. Thank-you,sir. You can start as soon as you're better. Did you see the men that shot you? One was fat and had a mustache and dirty brown pants. And the other was young with black hair and a dirty cowhide vest. We'll do the best we can to catch them,son. What do you prefer to be called? Well, most folks just call me Jamie. You get some rest, son.
