Once Upon a Western

Adventurous, imaginative Mary Rose simply wants to explore a little more of the Wyoming mountains around her grandmother’s ranch. She knows that once winter arrives, she’ll be stuck at the ranch for months and months. She seizes her chance for one last autumn outing and heads for a beautiful lake her new friends have told her about. But a blizzard descends while she’s out riding alone, trapping her in a cabin inhabited by three fierce and furry strangers. Whether you got to know Mary Rose in her Little Red Riding Hood adventure, “Cloaked,” or are meeting her for the first time, you’ll find plenty of excitement in this short story sequel!

When a wagon train of Black pioneers rescues the seven orphaned Dalton cousins from the side of the trail, it seems like an answer to their prayers. As they roll west toward Kansas, fourteen-year-old Levi Dalton is dazzled by the beautiful Mrs. Mallone. She’s a healer, and her knowledge of medicines and herbs inspires Levi to want to become a doctor. Maybe then he can stop people from dying of fevers and illnesses like his folks did. But Mrs. Mallone’s stepdaughter, Hopeful, warns Levi not to become too attached to the healer. Levi dismisses her warnings and his own misgivings until the day he sees something dreadful. Levi knows he needs to tell someone what he’s seen before it’s too late. But will anyone believe the story of a fourteen-year-old orphan? Will anyone stand up to evil, no matter how beautifully it’s packaged?