Mary Peace Finley
Award-winning author of books for young people
“McDowell!” Black bellowed, spurring his horse. “McDowell! Texans are driving
longhorns onto my ranch.” Without a thank-you, he galloped away, showering Raephy
and Sadie with gravel and dirt.
“Poor horse,” Sadie murmured, letting Raephy’s skirt hang free.
“Poor Texans.” Raephy scratched behind Jinx’s ear. “All they want is to
load their cattle into cattle cars. Isn’t that what Blackwell Station’s for?
Cattle? It sure isn’t for kids!”
When Daddy told them a train station was being named for their family,
Raephy was excited. “Black” for the rancher, Mr. Black, and “well” for
Daddy, John Alexander McDowell, the ranch foreman. None of their
family or friends back in Pennsylvania had train stations named after
them. It seemed so special—then. “But now—”
“Now what, Raephy?”
Had she said that out loud?
“Sadie,” Raephy sighed, “don’t you miss living in a town with
© Mary Peace Finley 2012
