Mary Peace Finley
Award-winning author of books for young people
Before Sadie could answer, hoof beats thundered toward them. “Ohhh, no!” Raephy
moaned. “It’s Mr. Black, and does he ever look mad.”
“Mr. Black always looks mad.” Sadie’s fingers gripped Raephy’s skirt.
Jinx dropped the stick at Raephy’s feet, planted his front paws and leaned
forward, eyes fixed. Raephy signaled “stop!” to remind him not to growl.
Mr. Black reigned up in front of them, yanking on the bit. Foam flicked from
the corners of his horse’s mouth. The horse’s eyes showed white. Mr. Black
hiked up the six-shooter at his side and glared down at Raephy. “Which one
are you?” he grumbled.
“I’m Raephy, Mr. Black, sir.”
“Where’s your Pa and that worthless brother of yours?”
“Daddy and Harry are fixing the loading chutes.” Raephy
pointed beyond the station to the two figures working between
the train tracks and the corrals.
© Mary Peace Finley 2012
