Mattie Adams, raised by her mother and stepfather, had a
very unusual upbringing on the American frontier. Until she
was in her early teens, the only home she knew was the
Dorsey gang's hideout in the Rocky Mountains. During that
time, she witnessed the abuse her mother endured at the
cruel hands of her stepfather.
Mattie and her mother devise a plan to escape, but things
don't go as planned. As Mattie makes her escape alone, she
worries for her mother's safety and fears her dead. After
days of wandering around lost, tired and hungry, Mattie is
rescued by handsome rancher Will McCarthy. He takes her to
nearby Wayside Station, but she leaves soon after to go
live with relatives in St Louis. Now, six years later,
Mattie is returning with hope that her mother may be alive.
Will, the one to notify Mattie about her mother, has other
reasons for her return. His ranch, like many others in the
area, is suffering losses to cattle rustlers. It's believed
to be the work of the Dorsey gang, and Will needs Mattie's
help to locate their hideout. The other more important
reason is that since that day six years ago, he's never
gotten Mattie out of his mind or heart. He's determined to
win her love.
Will organizes a posse and they begin their journey to
locate the gang. But while on the trail, someone fires
shots at Mattie. Is the Dorsey gang nearby, or is someone
in the posse trying to kill her? As they near the hideout,
hope of finding her mother alive and safe courses through
Mattie's veins. Will Mattie and Will find love on the
trail, and what does their future hold?
OUTLAW'S BRAT was a fun book to read. It's a great love
story filled with strong characters. I look forward to
reading more of Scofield's books.
Mattie Adams didn't have the usual upbringing that most
girls had on the American frontier. With her step-father
running with the Dorsey gang, she was raised by her mother,
and spent most of her time trapped in a hideout in the
Rocky Mountains. Mattie and her mother attempt to escape
from the hideout. To Mattie's horror, her mother never
follows her out to Wayside Station, and Mattie thinks she
may have been killed. After spending six years in St. Louis
with her closest relative, the townspeople of Wayside
Station urge her to return. She's contacted by Will
McCarthy, a man who rescued her after the narrow escape. A
leading rancher, Will tries to convince Mattie of her
importance. But can Mattie deal with her feelings for him
that he unknowingly stirred within her long ago? And will
she be able to face her terrible past and help prevent more
losses for a town that had ridiculed her for being an
Outlaw's Brat?