Oakley

By Stephanie Payne Hurt

After finishing school, Oakley starts working at the 5 Oaks Ranch with the rest of his siblings. When Ridge hires a female ranch hand, Oakley’s old fashioned way of thinking causes tension at the ranch. Will he be able to see Ellen as a capable addition to the ranch along with the rest of the family?
•••
Both have a love for animals that drives them together, but will they be too stubborn to see what is right in front of them? Find out the story of the second of the Cauthen siblings from the 5 Oaks Ranch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie Payne Hurt
• Release date: May 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311531735

Stephanie Payne Hurt

Stephanie Payne Hurt has been writing stories since she was a teenager, but only started publishing her work in 2012, 30 years later. The romance genre drew her in at an early age. Since 2012 she's published over 35 Romance novels/novellas.Stephanie is a busy lady. She's a Children's Minister, Accountant, wife, and mother along with a blogger and writer, along with starting a publishing service called Horseshoe Publishing alongside her publisher. It's been an exciting ride and she looks forward to what the future holds for her writing.Currently, she writes romance ranging from Christian, Contemporary, Suspense and Cowboy. Her work is available at many online retailers, on her website, and in a bookstore in Zebulon, Georgia near her home.Come by and visit her at http://www.stephaniehurtauthor.com/ and subscribe to get updates and release dates, also her monthly newsletter!

Book preview

OAKLEY

2nd Book in the Five Oaks Ranch Series

Stephanie Payne Hurt

Oakley©2015 Stephanie Payne Hurt

Smashwords Edition

Five Oaks Ranch Series

Horseshoe Publishing

Cover Designer: Kaleigh Payne

Any person mentioned in this book is not based on any person, living or nonliving.

This book is a work of fiction. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher.

Chapter 1

Oakley stood just inside the barn trying to get his anger under control. That woman would be the death of him. What was Ridge thinking when he hired a woman to do a man’s job? All his life he’d protected women and played the chivalrous man. He was old fashioned and he didn’t agree with a woman doing hard ranch work.

Maggie walked up behind her brother as he brooded. She knew that look well and was glad it wasn’t directed at her this time. Who stomped on your foot?

He jumped when she spoke and turned to look down at his sister. I didn’t get my toes stomped. The words were pushed between his teeth as he tried to calm his anger.

She watched where his gaze went and knew what had affected him. Grinning she ran her arm through his and leaned her head on his arm. Oh Oakley, don’t you know that women can do the same work as men?

Maggie you know as well as I do that some jobs are best left to men. Dad doesn’t let you do some of the jobs on the ranch and there’s a reason for that. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

Don’t be such a prude. Ellen is more than capable of handling the job. She walked over to the doorway for a better look. I’ve seen her on the rodeo circuit and she can pretty much handle anything that comes her way.

Oakley watched the envious glint come into Maggie’s eyes. He knew her dream was to try out rodeo, but she stayed with her horse shows. Their parents had made it quite clear that rodeo was out of the cards for her. It didn’t help her case that she had four overprotective brothers too.

Grinning, he draped his arm across her shoulders. Well that doesn’t mean it’s right. He said as he watched Ellen climb the fence and drop down on the other side. She was definitely different from the women he knew.

She elbowed him in the ribs and laughed. You just don’t like a woman doing a job better than you. Maggie made a quick exit before he could respond.

He leaned in the doorway and watched as Ellen grabbed the reins of the horse that she was working with. When she deftly slung her legs over the saddle and settled in to teach the horse he was mesmerized. She knew how to work a horse and he had to admit that it impressed him.

Brother you need to quit staring at her. One day she’ll get tired of that and give you a black eye. Chase lounged in the opposite side of the doorway with a huge grin.

Grunting in frustration Oakley turned to go back inside the barn. I wasn’t staring, just observing.

So there’s a difference? Chase tipped his hat back on his head and grinned even broader. I think you have a thing for Ellen.

You think a lot of things Chase, but that doesn’t make you right. Oakley walked toward one of the stalls to check on the horse he’d been working with.

Chase laughed and walked out to get a better look at the horse Ellen was working with. She looked up as he walked up to the fence.

Good morning Chase. She said as she nudged the horse toward the fence. The smile came quickly as the horse responded without resistance.

Looks like he’s coming along nicely. He draped his arms over the top rail as she climbed down and wrapped the reins on a rail.

He’s got a ways to go, but things are going well so far. She pushed the gate open and stepped out of the ring. I want to ride him out to the far field and let him ride hard to see how he responds.

That’s a good idea, but be careful, when you give him the lead he might take the challenge and run with it.

I think he’s ready. Taking her gloves off she nodded to the ranch hand waiting to put the horse back in his stall. How’d you do last night at the show?

Reaching up he pulled his hat off and scratched his head. Not good, I pulled a bad ride from the hat and ended up in the dirt twice before the buzzer.

Sorry about that. She looked up toward the barn and motioned with her bottled water that she retrieved from her bag by the fence. Did Oakley finally give up the watch?

Laughing, Chase leaned his back on the fence. I think so for the moment.

He really has a problem with my working on the ranch. Ridge wouldn’t hire someone that didn’t have the strength to do the job.

Just overlook him. He’s got the ‘Women can’t do a man’s job’ syndrome.

The rest of you don’t feel that way do you? Her voice rose with slight anger.

No, just Oakley and it’s not that he thinks you can’t do the job, he thinks you shouldn’t. Shrugging he started toward his truck beside the barn. He’ll come around.

Grumbling under her breath, she walked toward the barn. I hope so, because this staring at me constantly is getting on my last nerve.

Oakley stepped out of the stall and bumped into Ellen as she walked by. He immediately jumped back and apologized. Excuse me. I wasn’t watching where I was going.

She ground her teeth together. The man that was on her mind, causing her not to watch her path either now stood before her. It’s alright. Coming from the bright sunshine into the darkness of the barn had me a little off. But that wasn't all that had her off. Every time she was around Oakley she couldn't quite catch your breath, but what was it about this cowboy that mesmerized her so?

Shrugging her shoulder she turned back to look at him.

Can I ask you something seriously?

Sure what's up? His mind reeled with wonder as he looked at her. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Then shaking his head quickly he tried to throw those thoughts out. Why was he thinking this way about her when he didn't have time for a relationship?

Am I not doing my job correctly because you're constantly staring at me and scowling like I’m doing everything wrong. What's the problem? Placing her hands on her hips she stared him down, effectively making him uncomfortable.

I don't have a problem with the way you do your job. What I have a problem with is a woman doing a man's job. Sorry but it just rubs me the wrong way.

For a moment she just stared at him. Who gave him the right to decide what a woman could or could not do? Let’s get one thing straight. She poked him in the middle of his chest with her finger as she emphasized her point. I’m not your everyday frilly girl. I can handle whatever this ranch throws at me. Moving close enough so that he could feel her breath on his chin she almost growled, Even the egotistical views of a caveman.

With that said she whirled around and walked to one of the stalls leaving him shocked. For the first time in his life he was speechless. He watched as she walked past him leading a large stallion to the ring.

Maggie stood in the shadows watching the exchange. Smiling she turned and headed back to the house. Her brother needed that speech. Maybe now he’d be more willing to accept her ability to do ranch work too.

Chapter 2

As the day drew near for Ridge to return from his honeymoon, Oakley struggled with his Neanderthal ways. As he watched Ellen work closely with the other cowboys he realized he was jealous, but jealous of what? This baffled him. He’d always known what he wanted and it had always been clear he wanted to be a large animal veterinarian, plain and simple. But lately he wanted more. He wanted more from life but how much more? He'd stood by and watched his brother Ridge fall in love and the change that it made in him. Was he ready for that kind of change in his life?

Later that day as he stood near a mare that was ready to foal his mind drifted to his conversation earlier with Ellen. Was it really so bad for her to do the job of a man? Then shaking his head he knew deep down in his heart that he’d never accept a woman doing a man's job. He had to get his mind on the job.

Why does this woman have to affect me so much? He turned when someone behind him laughed.

Has Star started giving out advice now about women? If I’d known she gave out advice I would have done more than just ride her across the pasture.

Oakley groaned as Chase stepped into the stall. Chase, get a life.

Chase just laughed as usual, No brother I think it's you that needs to get a life if you're asking for advice on women from a horse.

I'm not asking the horse for advice; I was just thinking out loud. Is there a law against that? Oakley glared at his brother, trying hard not to lose his temper.

Let me guess you're having women trouble. I didn't know you had a woman. Chase leaned in the doorway of the stall and grinned. He knew Oakley was getting riled and it only spurred him on.

I don't have a woman Chase.

"Okay, so you're talking to a horse about a fictional woman. That’s just plain out

Reviews for Oakley

[benn9314 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great book about the west that has romance and excitment