Oakley: 5 Oaks Ranch, #2

By Stephanie 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?
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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 Hurt
• Release date: May 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513095776

Stephanie Hurt

Stephanie Hurt lives in Georgia with her husband Tommy and their son Hunter, along with two dogs, Daisy and Jake. When Stephanie is not lost in one of the worlds that she creates, she’s an accountant and children’s minister. She has been writing the stories that fill her mind since she was a teenager. The moment a story comes into her mind, she’s mesmerized and soon she’s diving into the story with a cup of hot green tea and a notebook. Before long, the story has bones and is ready for the laptop. She happily types away in the early morning and at night. You can always find her with a notebook full of stories that have yet to come to life. Follow her journey in each of her over 40 published works! Stephanie Payne Hurt loves to hear from fans and hopes that she’s helped them go to another world for at least a while! Connect with Author: Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephanieHurt4 Email: https://[e-mail] Website: www.stephaniehurtauthor.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephaniePayneHurt Sign up for my newsletter at www.stephaniehurtauthor.com to keep up with upcoming events and new releases.

Book preview

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 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 so wrong 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 strange brother. He was too easy to get a rise out of.

Chase what do you want? I know you have something better to do then annoy me.

No, I thought that was my job to annoy you Oakley. That’s what younger brothers are for.

When Oakley groaned again, Chase decided to quit giving him a hard time. I really do have a reason for finding you. The builder just arrived and is waiting in the office for you.

Oakley turned quickly, Why didn't you just say that instead of making the man wait while you ran your mouth uselessly. He walked past Chase, then turned back, knowing he couldn’t stay mad with his brother. Keep an eye on Ellen.

Ellen can handle herself just fine without anyone watching over her shoulder. If you keep up this big brother act with her, you’ll end up getting decked by a woman. He looked at his brother seriously.

As Chase watched his brother walk to the end of the stables his smile broadened. So, it was