After Nathanial Younger's no-good whore mother died, his outlaw father forced him into a life of crime at a tender age. Details of that time are sketchy to Nate. Maybe he has just blocked out those bad memories. People from his past have never mixed well with the life he gained after being adopted by the famed lawman Nolan Crosson.Now a strange couple from the East Coast have interfered in his life not once, but twice. Nate has to admit he does share facial similarities with the lady in the photograph that they shove at him. Do they really believe he is their nephew? This has to be a mistake. But Judge Prescott, who signed his adoption paper, sends an official summons to appear in court, so he must believe the Fletchers have a chance of winning and removing Nate from his loving home—Ma and Pa, his little sister, and Jesse.Nate is frightened, and the timing cannot be worse—Ma sick with child, Pa and his deputy on the trails too many hours each day,...

As gunfire boomed overhead, lead flying every which way, Mississippi grabbed the money sacks, jamming them into Butch's saddlebags. His own horse was step or two way—too far to worry with the cash. He could be shot down in that distance. He gave Butch's horse a hard slap on the rump. The mare leaped forward, then took off running. Mississippi jumped into his saddle and sank spurs. How had he gotten roped into riding with this greedy, bloodthirsty gang? If he ever saw an out, he'd damn sure take it.