Upshur’S Dilemma

By Otis Morphew

Billy Upshur had always been a man of reason, able to think out any problem that might arise and handle it objectively. It was his nature if it involved family. If it did not have to do with family, it could most generally be solved with a gun in one way or another. But the one he had on returning home with his family and friends, could not be solved with tact, or with his gun. The one he had now, was one he was trying desperately to push to the back of his mind, hopefully, even to forget. But it was hard, because Jaclyn Garnette was a woman he would remember for as long as he lived.

He would never hurt Connie, that was unthinkable, his love for her was never ending, and just the thought of leaving his beloved family for another woman was devastating to even think about. It would never happen, he knew this, but it was hard to look at Connie with Jaclyn on his mind, thats why he spent a great many late afternoons at the corral grooming the little Roan mustang, and the big black Jim Stockwell had given him. After several months, he did manage to push Jaclyn aside, or so he thought. Because as the old saying goes, when it rains, it pours!

As fate was bound to have it, they were all sitting down to supper late one afternoon when Rodney brought news of a heartbreaking event, one that almost broke his heart, one that would throw him back into the role of gunfighter, and manhunter. Jaclyns Foreman had been murdered, and she herself seriously wounded, and fighting for her life.

To Billy Upshur, they both were considered family, and without saying, when family was wronged, as was his way, he would see about it! Only this time, Connie insisted on going back with him, because Jaclyn was the woman that saved his life, and she was bent on being there for her as well. It also meant that Rodney, and his wife were to go with him also, and he dared not refuse any of them.

Something was definitely wrong in Decatur, Texas, and he had been
summoned by Jaclyns friends to make it right again, and if it was the last thing he ever did, he would see about it!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Aug 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781490790435

Otis Morphew

As I have always been a believer in life on other worlds, this is my first attempt at a novel of this kind. Hope you like it! Of course it is of a western genre, as I love the old west, and love writing western novels. Check them out by using Google, Yahoo, etc., type in Otis Morphew and go to my site. Or go to books and type in title. Thanks, Otis

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Copyright 2018 Otis Morphew.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-9042-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-9043-5 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Trafford rev. 08/15/2018

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CONTENTS

About The Author

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I have always wanted to be an author, well, since I was eighteen or so. Anyway, as a young man, I read books constantly, mostly of a western genre, of which I am truly in love with that era of American history. Most of the material I read at that time, to me, seemed to tell almost the same story each time, different towns and characters, but in general, the same story as the last book. After all, there are just so many different stories and adventures that took place during that time period.

I wanted something different, so I wrote my own stories. My books are all historically correct western novels, correct only to the extent as to infiltrate my story into that time in our past along with the town, events, some of the people there, etc. Hope you like them.

My name is Otis Morphew, I am now eighty years of age and finally a published author. I have written my version of our past. My character is a Paris, Texas gunfighter, he is also a family man with love and respect for justice and the American way.

PROLOGUE

An average lawbreaker’s dilemma, among many, is usually the law its self,…has always been! In the 1880s, every gunfighter’s dilemma, not discounting the law, was another gunfighter’s reputation. He would always wonder if he was as good as that man, should he call him out to prove it? If I do not call him out, will I be called yellow, branded a coward? His reputation is better than mine, I’m afraid I’ll lose if I call him out! However, in most cases of that era, those men who wore a gun, and were good with it were cursed with the desire to be the number one gun,…the best there was.

William Upshur is a gunfighter, a master gunfighter, to say the least, but his dilemma is not the law or any other living shootist, because he has no equal! He does not flaunt that fact because he does not have to. William Upshur, if discussing this with you will say simply that he is just lucky, only as fast as he needs to be in order to survive. In essence, he sometimes thinks of his ability as a curse!

William Upshur’s dilemma is loving two beautiful women at the same time, and would defend either, or both with his life,…if need be! Two different women, yet both are his family, one has his children, and his love,…the other has his love! This was Upshur’s only dilemma, especially when both women know of each other’s love,…his only dilemma, until now! Now, a friend has been murdered, and a loved one has been shot, and the killer wants to steal her property while she clings to life by a thread!

William Upshur is a legend to those who know him, and to those who have seen him, as well as to those who love him. He will never be known well enough to bring other shootists in search of his reputation, because he has none,…it is not important to him! However, he will accommodate them, if they insist!…Or, if they should harm one that he loves, his family and now that someone is going to pay dearly, or, will he encounter his only other dilemma, that age old belief that every gunfighter will someday meet that someone who is faster than he is,…that no matter how good you are, or how good you think you are, there is always someone better than you,…. somewhere!

CHAPTER ONE

Jaclyn Garnette raised both hands and patted the bun of auburn hair into place before covering her head and shoulders with the white, intricately embroidered shawl as she walked back to the table, picked up her coffee mug and drained it before covering the table with a cloth, to wait until she returned from church.

Turning for a look at the dining room, she sighed and walked toward the heavy front door, but then stopped half way across the immaculate room to gaze at the door to her bedroom. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of her young gunfighter again and once more crossed the room, opened the door and went inside.

Sighing, she stared at the bed before going to the bureau, and with another sigh, opened the drawer and removed the neatly folded, sweat stained, dirty shirt, brought it to her face and breathed in the aroma of the mysterious gunman that she had fallen in love with so suddenly. Sobbing silently for a moment, she sniffed and put the garment away, dabbed at her eyes to dry them, closed the drawer and left the room just as the knock sounded at the front door.

Good morning, Hank. She said, as she opened the door and stepped out onto the long, L-shaped front porch. Are you sure, you don’t mind driving me to church, Hank,…you’ve been doing it every Sunday without complaint?

Course not! He replied, suddenly looking down at the floor. I wouldn’t want anybody else doin’ it, Jaclyn!

I know. She smiled sadly at him. Thank you. She allowed him to take her arm and walk her down the steps, and into the open carriage where she watched him climb up into the driver’s seat and cluck the team into motion.

She smoothed the wrinkles from the front of her dress, and adjusted the shawl on her head as she watched his back for a moment, sadly remembering, and reliving the night on the front porch when he had finally gotten the nerve to awkwardly propose. But most of all, the devastated look on his weather-worn face when she refused him,…and he still had that haunted, rejected look on his almost boyish, ruggedly handsome face! He was a very good man, she knew, and loyal to both her, and Maxwell for years before his untimely death,…and an almost selfishly intense loyalty to her, afterward.

There was just absolutely no way, she would have ever been able to make him understand. Because even if she had been in love with him, the transition from being her hired hand, to suddenly sharing her life, and bed, was something that she would never have been comfortable with! But she did not, nor would she ever love him, and he would never understand why?

She looked outward to study the tree-studded road as they passed under the arched entrance to the ranch property, and as Hank climbed down to shut wide gate, her eyes automatically went to the spot alongside the road where Billy Upshur was found shot and dying, her heart giving a lurch as she remembered that, that was why she would never love anyone else!

Breathing deeply of the morning air, she wondered, as Hank climbed back to his seat and started the team toward town again, why she was still so emotional? It had been more than a year since he left, and reality told her that he might never return,…more than likely, would not! She also knew that it was very unhealthy to dwell on a love that could never be!…She just could not help herself. Returning to Church every Sunday had not helped, as she hoped it would. Sandra and Sharon had been a big help, as they were getting together more and more, and had become more involved in community politics. However, none of it had helped to negate the love she had for her gunfighter. She sighed again, but then was startled by the sound of Hank’s voice.

I’m sorry, Hank, She stammered. What did you say?

He turned slightly on the seat and looked down at her. I said, that fella, Bartell was here again yesterday!

At the Ranch?

He nodded. Showed up while me and a hand fixed th’ latch on th’ front gate last night!…Him and that Gunnie a his!

What did he have to say?

"Bastard said, he really appreciated us keepin’ up repairs on his ranch like that,…said he wouldn’t have time to do it, once he got moved in!…Son of a, ahh…he said he would own your ranch before long,…and that me and th’ hands could stay on, IF, we was to help convince you to sell out,…convince you to sell out, can you believe that? Said it would save him a lot a time and money,…and you, a lot a trouble!…Then that, Gunslinger said we ought a really think about it, cause Bartell was gonna own th’ ranch anyway, it was just a matter a time!…Then Bartell said that time was money, and he’d make it worth our while, If we helped!

My word! She gasped. That man has sure got a lot of nerve, I have already told him no! She shook her head in anger then. Well, Mister Bartell is very much wrong about that, Hank,…because, if I was of a mind to sell at all, it most certainly would not be to him,…not now!…What did you tell him?

Nothin’,…I knocked ‘im down!…Couldn’t help myself!

Thank you for that!

Don’t be too qiuick to thank me, Jaclyn, I damn near regretted doin’ it, wouldn’t a done it, I hadn’t been so mad!

What do you mean?

That gunslinger threw down on me,…it was just luck that Bartell stopped ‘im, as mad as he was, cause I think he would a killed me!…Man was sure fast with that gun a his.

Kill you?…Dear God, Hank, surely not!

Maybe not, Jaclyn, but he would a shot me!…Anyway, I think our trouble is just startin’!

I hope not! She sighed. But just in case, when you drop me off at Church, go report all this to the Sheriff….Make him write it all down, so there will be a record of it!

Yess’um, I had already pla,…AHHHH! He gasped loudly, as his breath was forced from his lungs, his shirt seemed to explode outward as she watched him slump downward,…and in that same split instant, she was bludgeoned by a tremendous blow to her upper chest area, knocking the breath from her lungs as well, and slamming her hard against the seat-back. An instant before losing consciousness, she heard the rifle’s retort, as the same bullet that hit Hank, passed through him to strike her. The pain that followed was so intense, and sudden that she could not drag air back into her lungs,…and then there was nothing!

*                        *                        *

Devil Mountain, so named many decades ago by the Choctaw Indians, still stands, dark and ominous, its western face scarred and pock-marked from the aftermath of mortar fire a decade before, remains shrouded in mystery,…and still feared by the Choctaw

But Billy Upshur never grew tired of looking up at the mountain’s towering heights. He knew what this ageless mountain of solid, steel-gray rock stood for!…Knew what it protected! It was respect, not fear that he felt when he looked up at its majestic heights and each time he did, he would remember how they all came to be there!

For almost a year now, every evening before supper, he would feed the few head of livestock like always, and then stare up at the almost black expanse of rock, and today was no exception! He propped a booted foot on the corral’s bottom rail, and after petting the aging Roan Mare on the neck, reached a hand inside his shirt to rub the bullet scar on his left shoulder and at the same time, like always, would wonder why it had suddenly started to tingle so, and itch down deep so he couldn’t scratch it?

As he rubbed the scar, he stared up at the mountain through the thick growth of Pine branches that spread out so thickly above them, and remembered a slender,

dark haired woman, and how she made him feel,…and also of Wes Hatcher, his reason for meeting the beautiful young rancher. Why had she come to mean so much to him, or him to her, for that matter? She was a desirable woman, he thought with a smile,…and she certainly went after what she wanted! But she was very honest, too, he remembered, with respect enough not to want him to do what he was not free to do!

‘Yeah’, he thought longingly. ‘She was some woman’! He turned then when he heard the footsteps on the dry, pine needles and cones that littered the sloping terrain beneath the ageless pines, and watched Connie approach. ‘But she is, too’, he thought with a smile, and reached an arm out to pull her against him.

You know, She smiled. I fail to see what you obviously do out here!…What are you doing, anyway, you’ve been doing this for a few days now?

Doin’ what,…I’m just feedin’ th’ stock?…And I’ve been doin’ this for years!

You know what I mean, silly!…You stand out here for an hour every night and stare up at that mountain!…I’ve just noticed you doing that!

He looked up at it again. I don’t really know, honey,…rememberin’, I guess,…how we got here, and why,…a lot a memories. He took his arm from her shoulders then, to reach and rub the wound.

Billy? She asked, reaching up to touch his shoulder. Is that old wound bothering you?

Well, no,…it’s not really botherin’ me, it just tingles some. Way down deep, like an itch, I can’t scratch!…Pretty strong at times, too!

My Lord,…has it happened before?

No, never,…well, not before a week ago, thereabouts. But pretty much ever since, off and on!…It’s okay, nothin’ to worry about! A little agrivatin’, is all! He hugged her again. School out already?

Already?…That was hours ago!

Guess it was, at that! He grinned, and looked around at the darkening shadows. It is gettin’ late! He reached to rub the Roan’s head as she leaned out over the top rail. Been visitin’ my gal here, too!

We’ve had her for a long time, haven’t we?

Yeah, He smiled affectionately. She was only about two years old back in sixty nine, when I came up here after Willy. No better horse ever lived!…Course, that big black, over there is a strong second! He’s ever bit as fast as this old gal was, maybe faster,…longer winded, too, I think!

I wouldn’t know about all that! She said then looked up at his face. Billy,…what would you say if our children wanted to go away to a college?

A College?…Don’t know that much about ‘em!…What brought that on, they’re doin’ well in class, ain’t they?

Billy,…there’s much more to learning than what I can teach them!…There’s a huge world out there, so much to learn, so many opportunities!…You wouldn’t want them to grow up right here, knowing nothing but, She waved her arm at the trees and surroundings. This,…would you?

Well, I don’t know,…what’s wrong with all this? This is true nature, honey, they have even seen real live dinosaurs!…Will a college do that for ‘em?

You know what I mean,…nothing’s wrong with it, Billy, it’s all wonderful,…for us!…But for a young man, or woman, the world is a place to be discovered, and believe me,…that hunger can turn into an irresistible urge! It will cause them to leave home some day, anyway. But if they go away to school, we will at least know where they are, and more or less how they’ll turn out!…Besides, no one will ever believe they saw real live dinosaurs!

I know that! He grinned. Though I don’t know why not, it’s th’ truth!…So, where does Willy think he might want a go to school?

How do you know it’s William, I’m referring to?

Because he wants to be a lawman, or Lawyer!…It’ll be good that he knows th’ law, whatever he does! I just don’t want ‘im to be a gunslinger, he loves guns too much! A lawman, well that would make me proud, lawyer, too, I guess, they are both a much needed profession,…and he’ll have to know how to use a gun!

Well, you’re right, it is him!…He’s been reading about Southwestern University, at Georgetown, Texas!…It was founded by Colonel Travis, you know, at the Alamo?…Anyway, I just thought I’d bring it up!

Somethin’ like that’s been on my mind, too!…I want th’ best for all of ‘em!

It will be a couple of years yet, but I’ll start the inquiries now!…He’ll have to pass a grueling test to get in,…but he will make it!

Sounds like a plan. He grinned, then reached to take his hat off, to allow the cool evening breeze to wash his face and head. There ain’t another place I’ve ever been like this one!…It can be a hundred and ten degrees out there on th’ road, with no breeze at all,…but there’s always a constant breeze right here! He turned her around, and with an arm around her shoulders, ushered her back down through the large pines to the cabin, and then down the log steps, the Choctaw had built.

Did Peter make it back? He asked, as they walked down to the trading post.

I think I saw his black horse in front of the jail!…And supper’s about ready, Lisa was waiting for the cornbread to brown.

I’m hungry, too!…Ya know what? We need to go check on Doc, and Mama,…what do ya think?

Whenever you’re ready, honey, you know that!…I worry about them, too!

Yeah! He breathed. Me, too!…How about Rod, he in a better mood?

No! She sighed, as he stopped at the rain barrel, and wash basin beside the log store. He doesn’t know what to do with himself these days.

He dipped water from the barrel and placed the pan on the bench. Nothin’ excitin’ ever happens around here anymore, seems like! He washed his hands with the used bar of lye soap, splashed water onto his face and neck.

He was okay while his shoulder was mending, Billy. She said, giving him the towel from the wooden peg. But now,…I don’t know,…I don’t think he should have quit his job!

He dumped the wash water and put on his wire framed glasses. It was his decision, honey!…Besides, he had no choice, with a shoulder that would never heal completely, he couldn’t qualify to be a lawman anymore. I think he done right to quit! He put on his hat and urged her on down around to the front of the store.

I just figured he’d deal with it better’n this,…needs more time, I guess! They climbed the steps to the long porch, and with a last long look down the small valley toward the Arkansas border, entered the dimly lit portion of the trading post to make their way around and past the well stocked display racks and shelves, and into the well lit dining room.

We were getting about ready to start without you! Grinned Melissa, as she was placing the steaming hot pan of sweet, yellow cornbread on the table.

Yeah, Grinned Rodney. Me and Will here are mighty hungry!

Us, too! Chorused Christopher and Angela, and that was followed by a similar response from Cindy.

Well! Beamed Connie happily. We’re all here now! She smiled at Peter and the two Choctaw Policemen, who all nodded in response. Let’s turn Grace!

The meal was eaten mostly in silence, and toward the end, Rodney pushed his plate back and reached to take a folded paper from his shirt pocket while he chewed,…and after swallowing, unfolded it and looked at Billy with a questioning frown.

Got a wire from Jim today, Billy. It was sent to him, and he sent it on to us….It’s from some woman, name a Sandra Baylor,…you know ‘er?

Can’t say I do! He said, shaking his head in thought. Who’s it addressed to?

To you! He said, opening it, to read it. Says here, that a man name a Henry Gates was shot and killed this past Sunday mornin’!…We both know him, don’t we,…I mean, I did meet ‘im, I think?

Yeah! He breathed. We know ‘im!…Name’s Hank, for short,…Foreman at J and M Ranch, in Decatur.

Then, I know, you know Ms Jaclyn Garnette,…She was shot, too!

The blood seemed to drain from his face as he heard the news. She dead? He asked shakily.

Says here, she ain’t, but she’s in bad shape!…She could die, I guess.

That’s the woman that saved your life, isn’t it? Asked Connie, reaching to take his arm, and when he nodded. Oh, dear God!

It say what happened? Asked Billy with a frown.

Only that they were shot on the way to Church,…Sheriff told this Sandra Baylor, he didn’t think Ms Garnette was th’ target, th’ bullet that killed Gates, hit her, too! Bad luck for her, she was a very nice lady!…I recognized th’ name, or thought I did!…Anyway, I recognized Decatur,…so I wired that Sheriff Hogg there to get more details, before tellin’ you!

He say how she is? He asked, staring down at his plate, while at the same time, trying to hide his out of control emotions.

Just what I told ya….When th’ wire was sent, they had taken her to Gainsville, Texas, they have a surgeon there! He looked from Billy, to Connie, and back again.That was on Sunday afternoon, I guess!…Nobody knows how she is, Billy,…but that first wire was askin’ for your help. It said that somebody was causin’ Ms Garnette some problems about her ranch!…This,…Sandra Baylor thinks it’s th’ cause of all th’ trouble there, and th’ shooting!

If she needs your help, Billy, you have to go! Breathed Connie tearfully. She saved your life, you have to go!

My feelings exactly! Nodded Rodney. I didn’t know her, or that Foreman all that well, but they were likable folks!…I’m goin’ with ya, man!

Billy breathed deeply of the lingering aroma of cooked food and looked at Connie, swallowing hard in an effort to talk without showing his fear and concern, and finally. I really think I have to look into this! He said hoarsely, and cleared his throat. I have to!

Of course, you do! Said Connie. And I’m going with you,…Ms Garnette will need me when she wakes up!…And don’t you look at me that way, either, I’ve made up my mind!

Are you sure, honey? He managed, hardly more than a whisper.

Of course, I’m sure, we’re going!…We’ll check on Doc and Mattie on the way!

And I’m going, too! Beamed Melissa. We’ll take the children to Mom and Dad’s, they’ll love watching them!

It’s the very least that we can do, that I can do! Said Connie, and hugged Billy’s arm as she lay her head against his shoulder and dabbed at her eyes. I have so wanted to thank her for saving your life. She sniffed. And now, I can!

Billy’s eyes widened slightly, and he quickly looked at Rodney for support.

Th’ wire don’t say for sure what happened out there, Connie! Said Rodney quickly, his eyes darting from her, to Melissa, and then frowning when he looked at Billy. Lord knows, it could be just a little too dangerous out there!

Fiddlesticks! Remarked