1989
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4.2
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THE GUNFIGHTER
A love story set in the old west. Thanks to netseeker2 for "Hank's Hideout" lot (here at TSR) and "All About Style" for the western clothes. If only Pets came with rideable horses, it would make a western era story more convincing! I did what I could under the circumstances! Oh well...
A love story set in the old west. Thanks to netseeker2 for "Hank's Hideout" lot (here at TSR) and "All About Style" for the western clothes. If only Pets came with rideable horses, it would make a western era story more convincing! I did what I could under the circumstances! Oh well... It is 1869, the Civil War has been over for 4 years. Susannah and her husband William and their young son Samuel moved from Kentucky to southwest Texas to make a new start. It has been a struggle to make ends meet, William is away for months at a time driving cattle to Montana. Susannah and her son are all alone in a prairie wilderness, their nearest neighbour is miles away.
It is not an easy life for a woman with an 11 year old boy and a dog named King for company, but she does the best she can to keep the home running and keep them all fed. Late one afternoon, a stranger approached the homestead.
"Mother, look...someone is coming!! Will he be staying for supper?" Samuel was quite excited as they rarely had anyone stop at their home.
"I don't know, Samuel.." Susannah said cautiously. "Let's wait and hear what he wants..." "Hello Ma'am, My name is Ethan Cole. I would be obliged if I could rest and feed my horse, and get a meal, I will pay".
Susannah looked the stranger over. "There is no need to pay. I will feed you and you can stay the night in the barn, if it doesn't offend your sensibilities." Susannah prepared a lunch for their guest. Ethan looked across the table at the boy.
"Tell me son, where is your father? Why isn't he here looking after you and your ma?" Ethan inquired.
Samuel shrugged. "He's off with some cows." After supper, Susannah went out to the barn. "Will you be comfortable enough, Mr. Cole? It's not much..."
Ethan smiled briefly. "I'm used to these accomodations Ma'am."
"Mr. Cole, you aren't in any hurry to get to your destination, are you? Because I could use some help for a few weeks around here...I can't pay much..."
Ethan thought for a moment. Actually he had no destination at all. Perhaps staying put for a bit wouldn't be a bad idea. The woman and her boy seemed like decent folk. It might do him some good to be around a loving family for awhile. "Sure Mrs. Johnson, I can help you out, a little home cooking wouldn't do me any harm..."
Susannah smiled warmly. Why she asked a complete stranger to help her was a suprise to herself, but she had a feeling this was a decent man, even if he wore a gun. "Good! You can start first thing in the morning, the fences need mending...Goodnight Mr. Cole." After the family went to bed, Ethan soaked in a much needed bath to remove inches of prairie dust. He sighed, and thought about the handsome woman and her son. What possessed him to agree to stay a few weeks? "I really should keep moving..God knows who's after me.." Well, the homestead was somewhat isolated, who can it hurt? A couple of weeks have passed. One morning, at the crack of dawn, Susannah is already up and beginning her busy day. Making perserves and growing herbs are just one of many arduous tasks she must do to keep the homestead running. Susannah went out into the yard to tend to her vegetables. She spotted Ethan with his shirt off, his skin shiny with the sweat the hard work was producing.
Susannah could not keep her eyes averted from Ethan. She felt her face flush. She turned and hurried back into the house before Ethan could see her. She felt ashamed and excited all at once. Susannah awoke the next morning in a state of confusion. What was she doing dreaming of the wayward cowboy? Maybe it wasn't such a smart idea to have him help around the place...perhaps she has been alone too long... Later that night, after a wonderful supper, Ethan went out to sit on the porch swing. Samuel followed him. Samuel has been following Ethan around the place quite a bit, the poor boy was starved for male attention.
"Cole, why do you carry a gun all the time?" Samuel asked. "I'm a gunfighter, Samuel. Let me tell you right now it is no life for a man. Always on the move, hired to the highest bidder, sometimes wanted by the law. I've been alone since I was no bigger than you, Samuel...be thankful you have a home and a mother who loves you..." Ethan's voice trailed off. "Cole...have you ever killed a man?" Samuel asked quietly.
"Yes, Samuel...only when I had to. I want you to promise me you will never become a gunfighter...promise me, son." Ethan said firmly.
Samuel studied the hard, scarred face. "Yes Cole, I promise..." Susannah came out onto the porch. "Come, Samuel...time for bed, let Mr. Cole have a moment to himself."
"It was no bother, he's good company...goodnight Samuel." Ethan said warmly. A little later, Susannah came outside and joined Ethan. " It's a beautiful night..." Ethan said.
"Yes...Mr. Cole...Ethan... I heard what you said to Samuel. I...I want to thank you for paying him some attention. You see, he hardly knows his father. First Will was away fighting the war for years, now he's off driving cattle for months at a time...." Susannah said sadly. " Maybe you need some attention as well?" Ethan said. "You have been alone just as much as Samuel, Susannah. A fine looking woman as yourself should not be alone...or lonely."
Susannah felt her cheeks grow hot. She looked into the scarred, handsome face and felt tears spring to her eyes. Susannah gasped and ran down the steps. Hot tears stung the corner of her eyes. She felt mortified. Ethan ran and stopped in front of her. "Susannah...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you!"
Susannah sobbed quietly.
Ethan took her hands. "Don't cry...it isn't shameful to feel lonely. Believe me, I know. Being alone is all I have ever known. I want to tell you that being here the last couple of weeks is the closest thing to happiness I have felt...you...and the boy." Ethan's voice broke. "I'll move on tomorrow...I do not want to be the cause of you being upset..." Susannah stopped crying. "Don't leave Ethan...I want you to stay, for as long as you want. You didn't upset me really. You have made us happy as well. Say you'll stay." she said urgently.
Ethan sighed. "For now. I will stay."
Susannah's heart leapt with joy. They said their goodnights. Before going upstairs, Ethan went in to tuck in Samuel. There was no denying, he loved this boy almost as much as if he was his own. "I'd give anything to watch him grow up.." Ethan said sadly to himself. Ethan now had a room in the house, at Susannah's insistence. As he got ready for sleep, his mind raced over what had transpired between himself and Susannah. His brow knotted in worry. He could not let things progress any further. She was a married woman, and he was a wanted man. Common sense told him to saddle his horse and leave now...his heart would not allow him to do it. Just before dawn, Susannah awoke and made breakfast. She called for Ethan and Samuel, then sat down. She too, thought about what had happened. She could no longer ignore it, she was falling for Ethan. She would have to fight it, she thought to herself. Or should she? Why should she be denied happiness? Married to a man she barely knew...or loved.... Several days have passed, and Ethan is all but finished any work that needs to be done around the homestead. Susannah knows his time of departure is upon them...she goes out into the barn where Ethan is washing up.
"Ethan..." she began, her voice thick with emotion. She ran to his arms. "Please stay with us...or take us with you. I can't bear to see you leave...I love you Ethan. We can all be together, as a family..." Susannah's voice quivered. "Tell me you love me, too..." Ethan did not answer. He immediately grabbed Susannah and kissed her with all the love he had been holding back all these weeks. He had never known such happiness. The sound of riders thundering onto the property, interupting the passionate kiss and causing Ethan to run to the window. Sure enough, what looked like a posse were dismounting from their horses. He knew it, he stayed too long, now they have caught up with him.
"What is it? What's to do?" Susannah said worriedly. "Listen to me..." Ethan said urgently. "Those men are looking for me...I am going to hide up in the loft, it is our only chance. You will have to go and talk with them. I will tell you what to say...understand??"
"I understand...I'll go at once..." Susannah said. Ethan urgently whisphered his instructions. "Ma'am...Sorry to intrude, I'm Marshall Claggett. We are tracking a man wanted for murder named Ethan Cole, has anyone passed through here in the last few weeks?"
Susannah cleared her throat. "Why yes, some weeks ago a man stopped and bought a horse off us." she lied convincingly. "He left us his horse...he never gave his name."
" I would be much obliged if you would show my deputy the horse. Do you know in what direction he rode off?" Claggett inquired.
"Why yes," Susannah said smoothly. "He mentioned something about heading south, and that is the direction he rode." Susannah escorted the deputy over to her horses. "It's here, Marshall!! Cole's horse!" the deputy yelled. Susannah prayed the fabrication she told would stick. The marshall followed Susannah into her house. "I would also be obliged if you would let us search your house and barn. It's not that we think you are lying, it is strictly procedure, ma'am".
"Of course, I understand, it won't take long, will it? Perhaps I can fix you and your men something to eat..." "Thank you kindly ma'am, but after we do our search, we'll be moving on. The rest of my posse is resting by the creek waiting for us." Claggett smiled briefly. "Deputy!" he yelled. "Start searching!" Susannah waited in her house while they searched the property. "Please let them be gone before Samuel gets back , he shouldn't see this..." A wave of sorrow washed over her. Whether they find Ethan or not, she knew she had lost him. After what seemed an eternity, the men came back in. "Well, thank you for your co-operation Mrs. Johnson. We'll be leaving now."
"Sorry I couldn't be more help.." Susannah said.
And with that, the men left. When she was sure they had gone, Susannah ran back out to the barn. Ethan was already out of his hiding place.
"You're leaving, aren't you...and you are not taking us with you..." Susan said sadly. "I can see it on your face."
"Susannah...go back into the house...I will be in directly." Ethan said quietly.
A while later, Ethan came in to parlour. "I'll be leaving now, I want to thank you and Samuel both, for making these last weeks the happiest I have ever known." He sighed deeply. "It's just not meant to be, my dear Susannah."
Susannah looked up from her book. She knew deep down he spoke the truth, but her heart could not accept it. "Is there anything I can say to make you stay? Isn't love enough?" Susannah asked desperately.
"I wish it was...but the facts are you are married, and I am wanted for murder. Life on the run is not something I would wish on the people I love. And staying here would just delay the heartache." Ethan said quietly. At that exact moment, Samuel ran into the house. "Hey, Cole!" he cried happily. He then saw the look of sadness on his mother's face. "What's wrong, mother?" Samuel asked. "I have to go, son. You will both be in danger if I stay." Poor Samuel began to cry softly. Susannah felt as if her heart would break.
Ethan put on a brave smile. "Come Samuel, it will be alright. Remember what we talked about, look after your mother." Samuel ran and hugged Ethan with all his might. "I will Cole...you will be back someday? Promise me you will!!"
Ethan said thickly. "Yes son, I promise if I get this mess I'm in cleared up, I'll be back this way again. I give you my word." "Really Ethan?" Susannah said through her tears. "You are not just saying this...you promise you will come back?"
Ethan hung his head in sorrow. "When and if I'm a free man...I will return. Goodbye...my love..." Ethan was about to get on his horse, when he stopped. He could hear Samuel and Susannah shouting his name, saying good-bye...he knew if he looked back, all his resolve would crumble. With a heavy heart, he left the homestead. 7 years have past. Samuel is now 17 years old, and the man of the house. Not soon after Ethan left, some men from the cattle drive dropped by the homestead to inform Susannah that her husband Will had been killed in a stampede. She felt nothing. The hole left in her heart by Ethan's departure she filled with raising Samuel. Not a day went by she did not think of the gunfighter, and clung to the hope he may return. One summer night at dusk, Susannah was tending to her garden, when Samuel noticed someone approaching the homestead. "Mother...someone is coming!" "Susannah..." Ethan said quietly. "I've come home..."
Her heart leapt in her chest. Her prayers have been answered. Samuel looked on the happy reunion and smiled. Cole kept his promise. The gunfighter was no more. He was home to stay.
THE END.....
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97 Comment(s) posted so far
On Jan 11, 2007 drewsoltesz wrote:
A few notes: Yes, I spelled "Whispered" incorrectly pic #29...my bad...Also, I couldn't find any slim bodybuilder cowboy clothes, so when Ethan has his shirt off, he certainly looks different than when his shirt is on!
Same problem with the cowboy hat, his hairstyle changed with every hat! Oh well...I know the "Wayward cowboy" bit has been done before in movies, "Shane" comes to mind...but I love it! So I hope someone else likes this! Cheers! 
On Jan 12, 2007 RockinRobin wrote:
Really great work! I enjoyed it a lot
On Jan 12, 2007 wrote:
nice story! where did you get the mesh for the horses?
On Jan 12, 2007 Jasmine206 wrote:
Oh. My Gosh. Now THAT was a story! It couldn't have been better. You deserve 100.0, not 5.0.
On Jan 12, 2007 Jasmine206 wrote:
Oh yes where DID you get the horses?
On Jan 12, 2007 Jubilant wrote:
That was a very nice story. I am so glad ethan came home to her. Good job. i really do enjoy your stories.
On Jan 12, 2007 SimsBarbie wrote:
So beautiful!!
On Jan 12, 2007 clcewest441 wrote:
That was beautiful!
Loved it.
On Jan 12, 2007 bonnirgirl39 wrote:
oh What great and beautiful story. Felt like i was back in the old west.
On Jan 12, 2007 phoeebee wrote:
Wonderful work!!! Keep it coming!
5/5 from me!
On Jan 12, 2007 Duxxwatcher wrote:
Very enjoyable story! Thanks!
On Jan 12, 2007 prin6je wrote:
Wow - amazing! Every picture is just perfect, and the story is very well written. Thank you!
On Jan 12, 2007 MoriaG wrote:
(¯`*?.¸(¯`*?.¸(¯`*?.¸ WoW, 1 of the best stories! ¸.?*´¯)¸.?*´¯)¸.?*´¯)
On Jan 12, 2007 MoriaG wrote:
The setting and custom content were perfect! Great Job! I really enjoyed this story. love the horses and outfits, i cant believe what you did!
On Jan 12, 2007 wrote:
Wonderful story!
And I love what you did to the lot! Very nice. And there are "ridable and driveable horses & horses & carriages, chuck wagons, wagons and transoms etc..." all made by my friend Hexameter on MTS2. Just go to MTS2 and do an artist search for his name and you'll have more ridable & driveable horse drawn vehicles than you can shake a stick at! 
And if you want to wait it out for a little while I'll probably be reuploading my Ponderosa lot with a brand new horse drawn vehicle in it, specially made for that lot by Hexameter. Then you'll be able to make more Western themed stories fully propped. 
On Jan 12, 2007 sunaire wrote:
awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5.0!
On Jan 13, 2007 bpwe2 wrote:
Extremely well done! Thank you.
On Jan 13, 2007 happyb8888 wrote:
Everything about this story was wonderful! You did a great job with the scenery and the way you used the horses looked as if they were real. Excellent work!!!!!
On Jan 13, 2007 manuela55 wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 KSkywalker wrote:
Nice Story
On Jan 13, 2007 greedy wrote:
what a great love story
On Jan 13, 2007 kidnumber48 wrote:
I've got to say I prefer your Dracula stories. But that is because I'm not a fan of Westerns. I'll be looking for those rideable horses too. Giddyup Pony!
On Jan 13, 2007 sandybvv wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 GilsLovelyLady wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 lmfjaxxon wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 camarossz28 wrote:
Wow!!! Wow!!! Wow!!! Great, Great, Great Story!!! I Love It!!!
On Jan 13, 2007 phadra122 wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 Deanna73070 wrote:
That was a wonderful story and I was so hoping for a happy ending!!!
On Jan 13, 2007 Daishi wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 AussieElla22 wrote:
I loved that...thank you for taking the time to write and create this and then share it with us. You have a very good imagination and are a very creative writer.
On Jan 13, 2007 Gelika wrote:
Cool story.
On Jan 13, 2007 kamyelena wrote:
no comment....
On Jan 13, 2007 floydine wrote:
Great Story!
On Jan 13, 2007 Hottiesheldon wrote:
well done great story really liked the way that you captured each and every shot and always having a reason for the shot. Ethan was ment for her aye and her son bonded greatly with him i think you captured the hearts of them all great storie make a part two pleeeassseee....
On Jan 13, 2007 toripitt wrote:
luvin the western theme
On Jan 13, 2007 Pete789 wrote:
Genial
On Jan 13, 2007 Simgirl893 wrote:
Nice story. I liked it
On Jan 13, 2007 wrote:
It's a great story make some more like this
On Jan 13, 2007 r0ckstarr wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 wrote:
Really, really, really good!
On Jan 13, 2007 angua wrote:
Great story. It reminds me a bit of the opening to the Jon Shannow trilogy by David Gemmel, but witha much happier ending! My congrats
On Jan 13, 2007 coco_goddess wrote:
Fantastic
On Jan 13, 2007 tesasims wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 theheatmiserette wrote:
Loved it! I was so excited when I saw another story by you on the front page! Good stuff.
On Jan 13, 2007 josh1092 wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007 candy820 wrote:
Great Story hope to see more like this one
On Jan 13, 2007 scrambled76 wrote:
Great job. I loved this story and the western theme.
On Jan 13, 2007 caroltaboada wrote:
Fantastic job! Congrats and thanks for share it!
On Jan 14, 2007 Earcat wrote:
Thank you for posting a great story.
On Jan 14, 2007 plushies_lovergg wrote:
LOVED IT!!!
very realistic.
On Jan 14, 2007 ~!Hawaiian Ginger!~ wrote:
Wow! Awesome job. Loved the storyline and the pictures!
On Jan 14, 2007 veronica_234 wrote:
u r really good at writing storys i loved it u should write more
5
On Jan 14, 2007 jakenjeter123 wrote:
On Jan 14, 2007 horrisdavis wrote:
love the story, thanks for the tip about the horses!
On Jan 14, 2007 kadoatie wrote:
Cute! I loved it. You did a wonderful job.
On Jan 14, 2007 wrote:
Good story, I was hoping Ethan would come back in the end!
Also, I was so into the story I didn't even notice the misspell, the body or the hat thing!
On Jan 14, 2007 vanessa190371 wrote:
good story
On Jan 14, 2007 wrote:
On Jan 14, 2007 wrote:
On Jan 14, 2007 wrote:
On Jan 14, 2007 caclark wrote:
On Jan 14, 2007 greeksim wrote:
Beautiful story with great shots. I loved the use of the CC you have done
On Jan 14, 2007 natwang wrote:
It's wonderful!
On Jan 14, 2007 heyboss wrote:
Great story !! Loved it!
On Jan 14, 2007 susie222 wrote:
Wonderful Story!!!
On Jan 17, 2007 Sarah A. David wrote:
Love the story, it's awesome!!!
On Jan 18, 2007 LIUBlueJeans wrote:
Excellent story! I loved it! Super job.
On Jan 19, 2007 zmd439 wrote:
a great story
On Jan 20, 2007 GFitz wrote:
That was a great story. It flowed just perfectly and the pictures were fabulous.
On Jan 28, 2007 cashcraft wrote:
Wonderful story, so heartfelt and full of emotion. I'm so happy it had a happy ending. Thanks for sharing.
On Jan 31, 2007 wrote:
Great story!
On Feb 8, 2007 jaundyce61 wrote:
Your stories are very good! They play like a movie! Characters are great!
On Feb 9, 2007 Dr-X56 wrote:
On Mar 25, 2007 amd11 wrote:
omg great story
were did you get the horses???????
On Apr 8, 2007 rchris_ness wrote:
You are an amazing writer. Yours stories are wonderful!!
On Apr 16, 2007 biatch1965 wrote:
On Apr 16, 2007 wrote:
what a lovely story .. it almost brought tears to my eyes
On Apr 22, 2007 ukiyo wrote:
Beautiful story! Thanks for sharing it.
On May 4, 2007 AnniKayna wrote:
...sorry,Im too tired to comment any further!!!
loved the story,anyway. bad guys are always fascinating,aren't they?
Ill read the whole Dracula-serie tomorrow,now I need to get some sleep... but you keep writing,ok?
take care
On May 6, 2007 md198 wrote:
Another beautiful story.
By the way, you can get rideable horses and wagons from Mod the Sims 2...but they're based on the car, so it looks a bit weird as you reverse down the drive!
On May 30, 2007 civetinja wrote:
Great story ! Thanks !
On Jul 2, 2007 wrote:
I've read this story before but didn't comment - absolutely amazing, like all the others...very nicely done!
On Jul 24, 2007 wrote:
A real genuine feel for the old west, your love story was touching and very sweet. You have a real talent to spin enjoyable stories!!
On Aug 9, 2007 fairyofdeath wrote:
it was lovely
On Sep 1, 2007 Zayury wrote:
On Sep 7, 2007 sallyhails wrote:
Another lovely story, perfect
On Nov 3, 2007 Emilie Jolie wrote:
AWEEEEESOME!
On Nov 5, 2007 OpheliaNival wrote:
I must say, I'm a sucker for westerns, ever since I was a kid my father and I would watch westernmovies together. Your story is so amazing! I love it!
On Dec 2, 2007 katty007 wrote:
Perfect, as usual
On Dec 20, 2007 Kenvjo wrote:
On Jan 24, 2008 loverien wrote:
The story ended too soon! I'm glad that Ethan and Susannah had a happy ending ... but I wanted to hear more! I loved it!
I especially loved the horses! 
On Jan 29, 2008 SongChild99 wrote:
Sounds familiar....Was there a movie like this?
No matter. Wonderful story as always - thanks much for sharing it with us. ^.^
On Jan 29, 2008 qvisn wrote:
Im so happy for them all. great story, well done. love the whole set and clothing.
On Jul 17, 2008 maxi king wrote:
On Jan 28, 2009 wrote:
a cowboy story xD!!!! hahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!
hahahahaaaaaaa
On Mar 11, 2009 Kvetoslava wrote:
On Jun 16, 2009 fabrizioammollo wrote:
Good story!