Charley Sunday’s Texas Outfit!
By Stephen Lodge

       Charley Abner Sunday is the epitome of an old Texas Cowboy. However, his glory days seem to be behind him, and due to financial problems, he stands to lose the ranch he loves. His grandson, Henry-Ellis, staying with Charley while his parents take a vacation, still sees his grandfather as his hero. As Charley worries about what the future holds and whether or not he can live up to his grandson’s expectations, an opportunity presents itself that could answer all his problems. A cattle auction in Colorado could rejuvenate the ranch and help to turn things around. But Charley doesn’t have the money for such an expensive venture. Enter Charley’s friend Flora-Mae Huckabee, owner of a local hotel and bar. She offers to put up the money for the herd if Charley will go to the auction and bring them back. His reward is ten percent of the livestock – enough to breathe life back into the ranch. However, someone else has plans to buy the cattle, and he will get them any way he can. Meatpacker Sidney Pike has sent his lawyer, Rod Lightfoot, an American Indian, to place the winning bid. When Lightfoot fails to make the auction in time, the cattle go to Charley. An enraged Pike calls every trucking company in the vicinity and threatens to pull his business if they help Charley transport the herd back to Texas. In a move full of desperation and determination, Charley, with the help of his foreman Roscoe, an alcoholic cowboy nicknamed Feather, Rod Lightfoot, Henry-Ellis, a TV crew, and Charley’s dog Buster, decides to take the cattle to Texas the old-fashioned way – a cattle drive. As Charley fights to save his ranch and the respect of his grandson, his life and the lives of his companions will be tested by fire.

     Stephen Lodge, whose screenwriting credits include Kenny Rogers’ Western epic, Rio Diablo, The Honkers starring James Coburn, and Kingdom of the Spiders with William Shatner, crafts an inspiring and human tale that will lift your spirits and make you want to dust off your spurs. The writing is strong and creative. The characters are beautifully crafted with an appealing authenticity. Charley Sunday’s Texas Outfit! has something for all kinds of readers and has my highest recommendation!