A MATTER OF TRUST by Winnie Griggs. Lucy Ames and her son Toby, live in Texas and are out picking berries, when Lucy comes upon a man being beaten, almost to death. Lucy cautions Toby to stay back and she jumps into the fight. No one deserves to be beaten that badly. She recognizes the two men who are beating the poor man as the good-for-nothing Jefferson brothers. She threatens to shoot them with her personal revolver that she carries with her, whenever she and Toby are away from the house. The Jefferson's don't believe that she'll shoot them. so she shoots very close to one brother & then both of the brothers are frightened or just plain cowardly. Lucy and Toby get the injured man, to their house, just barely, given that Lucy is a petite woman and Toby is a small lad of six.

Reed Wilder is in awe of this small feisty woman and her young son. He can't believe they were able to get rid of the Jefferson's, before they outright killed him and stole all of his stuff and his horse. He is scraped raw, up one side, down the other. Lucy's ministrations might kill him or make him stronger. Reed has come to the area, seeking a woman who may have kidnapped his nephew. He can't afford to be waylaid for too long, he is expected to be back in Delaware to take care of some family business.

Lucy, Toby, and Reed have all sorts of adventures during the time that Reed is at Lucy and Toby's home, recuperating from his injuries. Great story, couldn't put it down.

I received a complimentary copy from Wild Heart Books and was under no obligation to post a review. ( )