Embedded Files
Western Historical Fiction
Date Published: 08-19-2025
Publisher: Artemesia Publishing, LLC
As the Kelly Can Saga continues, Charlie and his wife, Susan, must deal with continued conflict as they attempt to grow their fledgling Kelly Oil Company. Like many other oilmen, Charlie and his partner, Hank Thomas, want to acquire oil and mineral rights to the Osage Nation’s land in northern Oklahoma. This leads them to confrontations with an adversary from their recent past. Susan’s life is imperiled by those evil characters. How will her cowboy come to her rescue and deal with dangerous direct threats on their lives? Charlie rapidly steps up to the challenge as any past Top Hand at the world-famous Miller’s 101 Ranch would.
Excerpt
After lunch the group decided to walk down the hill to the
barns and corrals to show Getty some of their ranch and allow
their meal to settle.
As they stood at a corral, Charlie pointed and said, “Paul, see
the big, beautiful Angus bull? He’s one of the reasons our beef is
in such demand. Do ya see all the cattle out in the near pasture
over there grazin’? We’re mighty proud of them, too.”
Paul nodded, “Very impressive, Charlie. I don’t know ranch-
ing or cattle, but I can hear the pride in your voice. You're every
bit as excited to talk about this as you are about oil. Yep, very im-
pressive.”
Charlie didn’t try to hide his smile. “I am, Paul. I’ll always be
a cowboy, and ranching will be a big part of my life. I’m happy
you’re impressed with this part of our lives.”
They walked around some more so Charlie and Susan could
show off parts of the ranch. After a while, they returned to the
house to continue their discussion.
As they settled in Hank asked, “Paul, do ya have any other
land or rights to drill here in Oklahoma you might be interested
in sellin’ before you head to California?”
Paul looked up at the ceiling, then back at Hank. “I hadn't
thought about it, but I have several possibilities. Some might be
interesting to you. They include land with minerals up at Cush-
ing, over in Garvin County, nearby in Seminole County, and even
over close to the Capitol in Oklahoma City.”
Hank smiled, “What would ya take for the whole batch?”
Paul slumped in his chair with his arms across his chest. “Let
me think a minute.” After a long pause, he said, “I guess $75,000
would be alright.”
Hank looked at Charlie, who nodded his approval. Charlie
said, “Paul, I can draft ya a check right now you can cash at the
Exchange Bank tomorrow for $60,000 if we have a deal. You can
have the deeds sent to Curt for processin’.”
“Your offer is less than I wanted.” He grinned and reached
over to shake hands. “I’ll take it, and the deeds are in a safety de-
posit box at the Exchange Bank. I know you bought the bank.
Harry Sinclair continues to run it, right?”
Charlie shook Paul’s hand. “He does, and I’m glad you are
willin’ to sell.” He looked at Hank and winked. “We at Kelly Oil
need to accumulate more properties; if you had them, I’m sure
there must be value in them.”
Susan nodded. “Harry continues to have a leadership role
for us, but we had one of our bankers from Kansas City move
here to run the bank. Harry wanted and needed to create more
time for Sinclair Oil.”
Charlie left the room to write the check. When he returned,
he handed it to Paul.
Susan stood. “It's getting to be late. Paul needs to get back to
Tulsa if he’s heading to California tomorrow.” She looked at
Hank. “Didn't you say you were going to Shawnee for dinner with
someone?”
Hank hesitated. “Uh... all I’m sayin’ is her name is Polly’. I'll
be back in the mornin’ at about nine if that’s okay?”
Charlie grinned. “Who he has dinner with is none of our
business, and nine’ll be great.”
Paul nodded. “Susan, you’re right. It's time I headed toward
Tulsa. Today's trip was successful for me. I’m $80,000 richer
than when I arrived. I hope we can do some business in Califor-
nia or at least be rooting for each other's success.”
Teaser - April 17th
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E. Joe Brown is an award-winning author of novels, short stories, and memoirs. His current projects include a series of historical fiction novels set in his native Oklahoma. Publication of the first book in the series is scheduled for August 2022. His memoir ‘Mickey and Me’ about meeting his hero, Mickey Mantle, is now featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Joe currently serves as President of New Mexico Westerners, an Advisor to the SWW Board of Directors, and is a member of Western Writers of America and Military Writers Society of America.
He supports his love of music and performance through active membership in the International Western Music Association. He served on the organization’s board of directors for three years. In 2013, Governor Susanna Martinez appointed him a New Mexico Music Commissioner.
Veterans Portrait Project, Military, USAF
Photo Courtesy of
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Joe concluded his lifetime military and civil service careers upon retirement on June 30, 2010. An exciting multi-faceted career of firsts included leading the USAF Range Instrumentation Team to aid the original NASA Space Shuttle program. His team helped create the Shuttle Worldwide Network and supported the first six missions of Space Shuttle Columbia. As the Air Force Flight Test Center Project Manager, he guided the design, construction, and implementation of the Benefield Anechoic Facility on Edwards AFB. The facility tests state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems in a secure environment. His final assignment was in direct support of the two-star Major General at Edwards AFB where he advised on strategic planning to assure future readiness to test USAF and Department of Defense weapons systems.
An alumnus of the Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Joe continued his engineering education during both his military and civil service careers. He completed coursework at the University of Colorado, Georgia Institute of Technology, George Washington University, University of Tennessee, Chapman University, and the University of California at Los Angeles. He later completed a BS in Business Management at Phoenix University and the Executive MBA program with a Strategic Planning emphasis from Webster University.
Joe has been married to his wife Linda for over fifty years, and their sons have given them five beautiful grandchildren.
Contact Links
Website: https://ejoebrown.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EJoeBrownAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223672465-a-cowboy-s-dilemma-3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.joebrown/
Purchase Link
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Dilemma-Kelly-Can-Saga/dp/1963832183/
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