A Cowboy's Destiny

A young man’s dream of being the best cowboy at the best ranch is tested by something he never expected: his love for a married woman. 

In 1917, 19-year-old Charlie Kelly lives with his family working a large ranch outside Fort Sumner, New Mexico. But Charlie is tired of fixing everyone’s problems, especially the ones his father creates. Charlie wants to become a “top hand” at the world-famous Miller’s 101 Ranch in northern Oklahoma. A confrontation in Fort Sumner forces the Kelly family to leave New Mexico, and is the push that Charlie needs to chase his dream.

But the road to becoming a cowboy at the 101 Ranch takes many twists and turns, and Charlie encounters a major detour when he meets Susan. She captures his heart, despite being married, and Charlie soon finds that his plan faces major conflicts that forces Charlie to make some tough decisions. Through it all Charlie struggles to fulfill his destiny.

Joe Brown has published three memoirs and his writing has been included in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He’s a member of SouthWest Writers, the International Western Music Association, and president of New Mexico Westerners. He’s served as a New Mexico State Music Commissioner and on the International Western Music Association Board of Directors where he’s influenced the culture of New Mexico and the Southwest through music, poetry, literature, and education. He is a proud retiree of the USAF. Joe lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico with his wife.