JEANNIE, A TEXAS FRONTIER GIRL, BOOK 3 Will the Indian children be accepted by their classmates at school? Will fifteen-year-old Jeannie FINALLY be ready for her horse ranch? Will Slim become her ranch foreman? Will Helga become a schoolteacher? Will she marry? What has happened to Billy Joe? What has happened to Henry? Will Jeannie ever marry? These are a few of the unanswered questions as we continue to follow the adventures of Jeannie, Helga, and their friends, as the girls become young women on the West Texas frontier of the l880’s. “An Accident” Suddenly Helga cried, “Look over there!” She pointed toward the pasture. “Gray Wolf and the dogs are running back this way. They are in a big hurry.” “Where is the rabbit?” Prairie Flower wondered. Jeannie watched the little group draw closer. “What’s wrong with Junior?” she murmured. “He’s lagging far behind Gray Wolf.” She rose and peered ahead. “Looks like he’s running on three legs. He’s holding a back leg up close to his side. Oh, my grannies! His leg looks all bloody.” Coming closer, Gray Wolf called, “Junior hurt. Foot hurt.” Little Fawn rose and stood beside the girls. Gray Wolf reached his mother and fell into her arms. “I see jack rabbit,” he explained, gasping for breath. “Junior chase rabbit. I shoot arrow.” He lowered his head, shamefully, inside his mother’s arms and moaned, “I shoot Junior!” With her heart pounding hard, Jeannie raced to meet Junior. There was a tiny arrow poking all the way though his right, hind foot. “Come here, boy,” Jeannie said softly, trying to calm herself. She lifted the big dog up in her arms. He was heavy, but she leaned her weight back as she carried him toward the shade of the oak tree. Helga had already moved the baskets aside and cleared a space for him. Junior whimpered in pain and licked at Jeannie’s hand with his long tongue as she gently put him down on the blanket. “Don’t touch arrow. I fix foot,” Little Fawn said. “I hurry back.” She raced toward her cabin beyond the bunkhouse, while the solemn-eyed children sat beside Junior. “I sorry,” Gray Wolf said, fighting back tears. “I sorry, Jeannie.” “It’s all right,” Jeannie said, putting her arm around Gray Wolf. “It was an accident. I know you didn’t mean to shoot Junior.” Gray Wolf nodded. “He die?” Prairie Flower asked as two tears escaped from her eyes and slowly rolled down her cheeks. “I don’t think so,” Jeannie said, scratching behind Junior’s ears. “I’m sure your ma will fix him up.” With her face almost as white as her hair, Helga gazed at the bloody foot and whispered, “Poor Junior. I know he is in great pain.” Then she looked up and said, “Here comes Little Fawn, now.” Little Fawn knelt and put a basket of strange-smelling, warm water on the blanket. She moved beside Junior. “First, we take arrow out of foot. Hold Junior still.” Jeannie knelt in front of Junior, wrapped her arms under his front legs, and held her face close to his. “Be still, Junior,” she whispered. “Don’t move. It will only hurt for a little while.” Grasping the tiny arrow, Little Fawn yanked hard, and out it came. Junior gave a sharp howl and then put his head back down on the blanket. “Good dog,” Jeannie said, patting his head. “The worst is over.” “Soak foot in medicine water,” Little Fawn said. “Texans call medicine, snakeweed. Good for snake bite. Good for foot. Keep foot small. Put foot in water now.” Helga gave Jeannie a puzzled look. “Little Fawn is going to soak Junior’s foot in warm snakeweed water, so it won’t swell up,” Jeannie said. She gently turned Junior around and put his back against her stomach. Then she slowly dipped his injured foot in the warm water and held it there. Junior tried to lick Jeannie’s check, closely pressed against his face. Soon, he relaxed and yawned. “That’s a good sign,” Helga said. “Junior is acting just like Baby Frankie when he is getting a bath. He yawns and gets sleepy, too.” The little children giggled. Then Gray Wolf turned anxious eyes to his mother. “Junior’s foot be well?” When Little Fawn nodded, Gray Wolf sighed with relief. Later, Little Fawn put a thick ointment on Junior’s foot. “Mashed sage leaves take away pain. Help heal,” she explained, wrapping a strip of cloth many times around Junior’s foot. “Well, I’m sure going to remember all these mighty fine, Indian remedies you taught us today, Little Fawn,” Jeannie said. “Snakeweed for snakebite and swelling. Sage leaves to take away pain and help heal wounds.” “Good Indian medicine,” Little Fawn said. “Good for folks--good for critters. Junior’s foot be well soon.” “Thanks, Little Fawn,” Jeannie said, scratching behind Junior’s ears. He lay comfortably stretched out on the blanket with his sleepy eyes beginning to close. “I sure appreciate all you did for him today.” Little Fawn smiled and said, “I know more. Want to make hair pretty and shiny?” “Ja, I like to know how to do that,” Helga said with immediate interest. “Squeeze yucca cactus flowers. Get good oil for hair.” “Is that a fact?” Helga asked. “Why, I’m going to try that sometime.” “I reckon, I’ll go get Diamond now,” Jeannie said rising. “I’ll put Junior across the saddle in front of me, so I can hold him, and we’ll ride on home.” “Come, my house,” Little Fawn said. She and her children gathered up her baskets and materials. “Get more medicine for Junior.” “Thanks, Little Fawn. I’ll do that,” Jeannie said. She turned to Gray Wolf and ruffled up his straight, black hair. “Don’t you worry none,” she said. “Junior is going to be fine, many thanks to your ma.” “I sorry. I bad hunter,” Gray Wolf said sadly. “Why, you aren’t either,” Jeannie said stoutly. “I know you almost got that rabbit. Even my pa and my brother Henry don’t always get a rabbit the first time they shoot at it.” Gray Wolf’s eyes brightened. “They miss?” “Many times,” Jeannie said, stretching the truth. After all, Gray Wolf needed to go home without all that guilt he was feeling. Gray Wolf took a deep breath and put his shoulders back. He filled his arms with several of his mother’s baskets. “See y’all in a little while,” Jeannie called, watching the Indian family trudge toward home. “I’ll be there as soon as I get Diamond from the corral.”

Reader Reviews for "Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Book Three"

Reviewed by Victoria Murray	2/10/2004
My daughter and I have been following "Jeannie A Texas Frontier Girl" since the series first came out and we have become such huge fans of this delightful writer! So much in fact that my daughter made it her mission in life to have the Jeannie series put in our local libraries as well as her own school. Ms. Horan unknowingly has become quite the "CELB" in our town. If you are a person (age does not matter)who enjoys exciting adventure stories then this is the series for you! The characters are so true to the lifestyle of this time period and the plot quickly draws the reader into the story holding them captive until the last page has been read. Terrific Job, Evelyn! (Highly Recommended!)
Reviewed by Christy French	1/27/2004
Book Three in the "Jeannie, a Texas Frontier Girl" series by author Evelyn Horan finds Jeannie and her best friend Helga growing up and facing changes in their lives, which happen almost too quick to breathe. Jeannie's brother, Henry, marries Linda Mae, and before long, Jeannie finds she is to become an aunt. Billy Joe begins to work for the new bank in their small town, and he and Helga agree to become engaged. Jeannie works out an arrangement with Helga's father to buy land from him for the horse ranch she has long dreamed about. She begins to make plans to build her ranch and asks Slim to be her ranch foreman, unaware of the interest Billy Joe's brother, Jack, has begun to show toward her. Along the way, Jeannie learns a poignant lesson when she is forced to deal with prejudice against the Comanche family in their community, from whom she learns how to weave baskets and to utilize plants for medicinal purposes. America's present-day Laura Ingalls Wilder, Ms. Horan is an author who possesses the unique ability to weave an entertaining, inspirational story with factual history. As with the first two books in the series, the reader is left eagerly anticipating what will happen next to Jeannie, her family, and friends. This is one series I would like to see continue on - reading each book feels like spending time with an old friend - and would love to see in classrooms across America. A delightful read for the child in all of us.
Reviewed by Kathy Bosworth	12/7/2003
This is a delightful, must read for young girls. Although, I must admit that even as an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed it too. This is the third book in a four part series. It follows young Jeannie and her friends and family as they face hardships during the late 1800's in west Texas. Young readers are in for a treat as they experience Jeannie's many adventures. Her courage and strong will help her face the loss of a favorite pet, deal with the prejudice of townspeople toward Indian children in her school, and train her beloved horses. Family ties and values were such an integral part of life on the plains. This story captures the heart and soul of pioneer living, as seen through a young girl's eyes. I highly recommend this book. More books like this are needed to keep young girls reading. It is exciting, yet educational, for you young readers to learn the customs and daily life of a different era. I eagerly anticipate book 4!! Excellent job Ms. Horan. (As reviewed for Denise's Pieces Book Reviews)
Reviewed by Evelyn Horan	11/4/2003
In a letter to Evelyn Horan, Bev, Scott Professional Book Reviewer and author writes: Once again gifted writer Evelyn Horan has surpassed expectations with Book Three of her "Jeannie, Texas Frontier Girl" series. Often times series books lose their momentum as they move toward conclusion, not so with the "Jeannie" series, as Book Three leaves readers with a near cliffhanger that makes us eager for Book Four. Horan’s knowledge of that period of time (1880) in Texas adds interest to her plot and gives readers an inside peek at the growth of our nation and Texas as a state. Jeannie touches on the tension between the Native American Indians and the settlers, the speed with which young people had to mature, and the joyous way that neighbor helped neighbor. Jeannie and Helga spend the summer preparing the Indian children for school and training Diamond’s off- spring, Morning Star, to accept saddle and rider. It is the last year of school for both girls and though they are best friends their dreams for the future are very different. Pick up a copy of "Jeannie" Book Three to find out what the future holds for Helga and Billy Joe and for Jeannie and her dream of owning her own Horse Ranch. "Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl," masterful series by talented writer Evelyn Horan, is geared for the young reader, but I promise it will interest and entertain readers of all ages. Congratulations, Evelyn! I can’t wait to read JEANNIE, A TEXAS FRONTIER GIRL, BOOK FOUR. Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge" and "Ruth Fever." Reviewer for Intriguing Authors and Their Books at http://www.funeralassociates.com/authors.htm Many thanks, Bev Scott.
Reviewed by J.C. Pinkerton	7/15/2003
by JC Pinkerton (author and editor) at Hi Evelyn, I found an hour to myself today and looked at some of the authors at AuthorsDen. Hope you are having a good summer and guess what I'm up to again - re-reading my two Jeannie books. I enjoy reading them again in the summer. Looking forward to Jeannie Bk. 3 J.C. Pinkerton - Editor Kidzlit.bravepages.com
Reviewed by Grandma Dolly	5/24/2003
I am creeping up on 89 years of age soon, and I have just finished reading both Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl Book One and Jeannie A Texas Frontier Girl, Book Two.I am looking forward to the publishing of the next two books in the series. (I was an only child with an ailing father, so I was out in the field working with him more than playing with dolls ----as 'water boy' and then graduating to more important tasks as my strength matched the tasks. So I do understand Jeannie very much.) . I am looking forward to the next two books about Jeannie and her family. Grandma Dolly

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