Cowboy Kind of Spark: Only an Okie Will Do, #5

By Becca Turner

Cassidy Bradwell becomes a single mother-to-be after her ex-boyfriend's untimely death. Offering support in her grief is Easton Bell, her longtime friend and her ex's brother, who's secretly loved Cassidy for years. However, when Easton's dying father's last wish is for them to marry, their lives become entangled in a web of emotions.

Easton's hidden love for Cassidy clashes with the guilt of hiding his brother's secret.  When his father dies suddenly, Cassidy and her unborn baby are the only things helping him hold himself together. On the verge of revealing her true feelings for him, Cassidy discovers the truth about the night his brother died, shaking the foundation of her relationship with Easton. Facing broken trust and fearing a repeat of heartbreak, Cassidy must decide whether to let go of the past and embrace the future that might await her and Easton.

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The West isn't won until a cowboy holds your heart. Filled with stubborn and swoony cowboys and heroines with backbones who star in heart-warming small town romances, the Only an Okie Will Do storyverse ticks all the boxes.

 

If you enjoy emotional closed door romance stories with low level heat, you'll want to read them all.

 

Book 1: Cowboy Kind of Trouble
Book 2: Cowboy Kind of Commitment
Book 3: Cowboy Kind of Reckless
Book 4: Cowboy Kind of Peace
Book 5: Cowboy Kind of Spark
Book 6: Cowboy Kind of Harmony
Book 7: Cowboy Kind of Courage
Book 8: Cowboy Kind of Hooked
Under Oklahoma Skies: An Only an Okie Will Do Collection
Under Oklahoma Stars: An Only an Okie Will Do Collection

• Language: English
• Publisher: Becca Turner
• Release date: Nov 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223322931

Book preview

Prologue

Four years ago...

Easton? Have you seen Mason?"

Cassidy’s voice came out weaker than she wanted. She didn’t mean to sound so pathetic. Or to bother Easton about where his brother might be.

I haven’t heard from him in a day or two. What’s up?

He didn’t exactly sound concerned about his brother.

She gripped her phone tighter. I thought he was supposed to pick me up at six to go to prom. When he didn’t, I was able to catch a ride with some friends. I tried calling him. It went straight to voicemail every time.

At ten-thirty, she knew Mason wasn’t going to pick her up in Tulsa. He’d ditched her...again. All night long, she’d pretended to have fun with her friends, but she’d continually worried about her boyfriend.

Easton was silent, but then he let out a long breath. Where are you?

She heard him moving around his house. Footsteps. The jingle of keys. The rustle of his coat.

Downtown Tulsa. She stared out the front window of the hotel where her school held the senior prom.

What’s the address? I’ll be there in a little while.

Her face burned. No, oh God, no. Please don’t come here. I’m not asking for a ride.

Except her friends had left already, and she wasn’t sure how she was getting home. Her parents, probably. They wouldn’t make a fuss about coming to get her, even though it was late.

Cass.

She swallowed. It wasn’t the first time he’d come to get her from a party or even taken her to one because of Mason’s inability to keep a promise. It wasn’t like Easton kept tabs on his little brother, but somehow, she always defaulted to calling him.

If it wasn’t for the fact that they barely ever touched, she might’ve been dating him instead. Her mom complained often enough about how she was at Mike Bell’s house or garage more than she was home.

She did everything in her power to keep Mason’s interest, but he was like a rabbit dog. All he had to do was catch the scent of something that excited him, and he forgot her. Cassidy squeezed her eyes shut. When Mason paid attention to her...she couldn’t get enough of him.

I’m getting in my car. You’d better give me the address.

She sighed. You don’t have to. I’ll call my mom.

I’m backing down the driveway.

There was no way because she’d called his dad’s landline.

She mumbled the hotel for him. I’m sorry for bothering you.

Stay put. Don’t wander around downtown, no matter who wants to go. I’ll see you soon.

She lowered her phone and worried the last of her lipstick from her mouth. Her classmates, the juniors, and their dates were either leaving or saying lingering goodbyes in the hotel lobby. It was all she could do not to cry. Mason had ruined prom.

If she settled into a chair and stayed quiet, maybe the hotel staff would leave her alone. Some of her classmates were staying the night here, but she knew there wouldn’t be room for a third wheel. The last thing she wanted was to witness any of them bumping uglies.

Even if Easton left a couple of minutes after they hung up, it would still take him over an hour to get to her. She wished like hell she had a change of clothes, because she looked like Ditched Prom Queen Barbie.

Her curls were starting to slump and somehow, she’d gotten a runner in her panty hose. Blisters like quarters were growing on her heels. It didn’t help that the balls of her feet ached from the three-inch high heels she’d chosen.

The day’s paper laid on a table near one of the overstuffed chairs, so she buried her head in it, hoping no one noticed the large amounts of glitter falling off her skirt.

Soon, the lobby emptied, and Cassidy risked folding down the paper to look out the window again.

On the sidewalk, her class enemy, Brenna Killpatrick, and her boyfriend Seth Darby were sucking face like it was their last night on earth. Brenna’s GPA was the exact same as Cassidy’s and it looked like a tight race for valedictorian.

Not that Cassidy cared whether she got to wear a special stole at graduation, but it irked the hell out of her that Brenna was a master at backhanded compliments that always left her feeling stupid. They could work together, make harmless small talk when required, but they were never going to be best friends.

Seth came up for air and made eye contact with Cassidy.

Shit.

Suddenly, he pointed at her and said something to Brenna.

Brenna had made a smart aleck comment about Mason’s whereabouts earlier. Cassidy had lied her ass off, telling everyone he was at work. At night. Hanging drywall. It was for a super important client in a rush.

She was pretty sure no one believed her because she was always making excuses for him.

It was damned old. He could be so charming and funny. When he took her places, they always ended up laughing and he never refused to pay when they went out to eat. If Mason could get his head on straight, he’d be a great catch.

Like Easton. He seldom dated, but the few times Cassidy had met someone he called a girlfriend, she’d been a little jealous of how Easton treated women. She never heard him make a lame excuse not to go on a date. And if his girlfriend called, he usually answered if he wasn’t at work. He didn’t deliberately ignore her.

She loved hanging out at the shop where Easton worked with his dad. Mike loved classic cars, although he worked on everything. He was good friends with her dad, and he was funny without being too annoying about it.

Mason wouldn’t say that. He got along with his dad like oil and water. She couldn’t count the number of times she’d seen Easton clench his jaw while his dad and brother argued. Usually about why Mason wasn’t at work or where his paycheck went.

He had a slight problem with gambling too much while playing poker. And he liked to drink, even though he was still three years from twenty-one. Sometimes things got uncomfortable if Mason was in a bad mood and they were at his house while his family was home.

In short, Mason had a lot of flaws. She hoped he’d grow out of them as he got older. Someday, she could see them getting married if he worked out his issues. They were young and wanted to have fun. It wasn’t like she could blame him for that.

Easton, on the other hand, had done a bunch of community college classes to get a mechanic’s degree and help with the family shop. He seemed pretty determined to take over Bell’s Garage when his dad retired.

God knew, she’d had time to talk to him about it. Sometimes while she waited for Mason to get home, she’d crash on the Bell’s couch while Easton was there. He was easy to talk to, but even if he didn’t want to talk, she’d grown comfortable sitting in silence with him.

He’d never once told her to shut up when she was rambling about art, which she loved. Mason had a bad habit of tuning her out when she started talking about painting. And she’d been stunned the day before her last birthday when Easton said if she wanted, he’d drive them to a Native American art show in Tulsa.

Mason had shut that down before Easton finished. He’d protested that Cassidy wanted to have fun on her birthday, not take a nap. Easton had stared at her for a moment, but when she didn’t argue with Mason, he’d shrugged it off.

She’d never forgotten how he’d offered.

And she desperately wished she’d told Mason where to shove it, because the day after her birthday, he’d broken up with her. Their whole problem was that they couldn’t walk away from one another other for very long.

The hotel door opened. Brenna strolled in, wearing her huge pink princess dress with a sweetheart neckline. A tiara sparkled in her perfect hair. She must’ve reapplied her lipstick while Cassidy was ignoring her because it looked shiny and fresh.

Brenna pretended to be surprised to see her. Cassidy, what are you still doing here? Mason never made it?

You know he didn’t. She pasted on a smile. I’m waiting on a ride. It’s no big deal.

Seth snickered. Is your mommy coming for you?

Cassidy straightened her posture. No.

It’s probably Bailey. Brenna elbowed Seth. Cassidy interrupted her sister’s honeymoon for a ride.

Brenna was so dense. Bailey and Dawson aren’t married yet. Actually, Easton agreed to pick me up.

She wasn’t sure why she bothered to tell them. It was nobody’s business.

Brenna’s pale blue eyes glimmered. Which one of them is better in bed? Or are you into threesomes?

Cassidy stiffened. I’m not doing anything with Easton. We’re friends.

"I’ll be your friend. Seth grinned. I’ve been known to get real friendly at times."

Knowing Seth, he had a flask hidden in one of his pockets. He’d crossed the line into blurting out stupid shit without thinking. Not that he ever stopped to think. Football and Breanna’s boobs seemed to be first and foremost in his mind. Sweetie, you don’t have enough in your wallet to buy the amount of soap it would take to get me to touch you.

For a second, Brenna and Seth looked shocked.

Occasionally, Cassidy came up with a real zinger. As the youngest daughter, she’d learned early on not to take any shit off her sisters.

Easton’s car pulled into one of the parallel spots in front of the hotel. The glass wasn’t enough to muffle the Z28’s rumbling purr.

God, she—and every other red-blooded female in Swells—loved that car. And as much as she loved the way Mason looked, she had to admit Easton was damn sexy behind the wheel.

Brenna narrowed her eyes. Are you suggesting my boyfriend has a disease?

The slight swoop of Brenna’s head and her raised finger gave off an I’m-about-to-kick-your-ass vibe. Her manicured talons and the stilettos she wore could potentially do some lasting damage that might affect how Cassidy’s senior photos turned out.

Her and her big mouth that just wouldn’t stay shut. You might ask him to take some of the money in his wallet and get you a test, Bren. Just to be sure. Gotta go. My ride’s here.

She grabbed her purse and dodged around the couple, through the glass door to the sidewalk.

Easton was about to get out when he saw her.

She threw a quick glance behind her, then moved to open the passenger side door. We’ve gotta go. I pissed off the class bitch.

Easton’s mouth twitched. What did you do?

She recounted the story—omitting the part where Brenna suggested Cassidy was banging both brothers—and he laughed as he started the Z28. They left the parking spot with the squall of tires.

While he navigated the nearly empty downtown streets, Cassidy melted into the tuck-rolled upholstery.

Thanks again for coming. You really didn’t have to.

He shot her a wry glance. Oh, yeah? It sounds like they’d have found you in a dumpster tomorrow morning from the way you shot off your mouth.

I’ll deal with it Monday at school. If she’s still talking to me at all. If I’m lucky, she isn’t. All the dirty looks in the world never hurt my feelings.

They drove in silence as he got back on the interstate. The comfortable silence that always settled between them.

Are you hungry?

She laughed. You have to ask? I haven’t had anything except protein shakes for a week to get into this dress.

One corner of his lips rose. You look beautiful.

It should’ve been his brother saying that. And just maybe it would’ve been enough for him to get lucky. But now...

Thanks.

Easton stared at her—a little longer than he should have, considering they were on the interstate—and she licked her lips as a burst of...something worked its way through her.

Excitement. She used to feel that way when she started dating Mason. Sometimes, he’d surprise her by being sweet and she still did, but the look on Easton’s face, the way his eyes moved across her features, that was his I-want-it expression.

Stop it. You’ll make things weird with him.

He’s a damned idiot. Easton put his gaze back on the road and gripped the steering wheel tightly. He’s got a woman like you hanging off every word, but he’d rather be getting drunk somewhere and probably losing his paycheck at poker.

It’s okay, she muttered. It’s not like prom is really a big deal.

Easton grunted. What do you want to eat?

Tacos. Oh, God, and please a churro.

She wasn’t even embarrassed to put away four tacos in front of Easton and finish it off with dessert. They’d been spending time together too long for her to worry about that.

Gotcha.

He found a drive-thru, ordered, and turned them around on the interstate.

Where are we going? She rifled through the paper sack, digging for her share of the tacos. This isn’t the way home.

You’ll see.

She’d devoured three tacos by the time he whipped the car into the parking lot at Turkey Mountain. Um, I think there’s a curfew here, Easton. We’re not supposed to be here this late.

He parked the car and looked her dead in the eye. Would that stop Mason?

I guess not.

He grabbed the sack, opened his door, and slid out.

If the cops came, she was in for a huge ass crawling when she got home. But if Easton wasn’t worried, no need for her to either.

A chilly wind blew across them as they left the car. Easton helped her sit on top of one of the picnic tables near the trailhead. They finished off the food in silence while the wind gently brushed through the leaves just emerging for spring.

"God, I may have to cut myself out of this dress. Those were the best tacos ever. And that churro. To die for."

Even with nothing but the moon and stars to give off light, she caught him staring at her again.

What? Do I have sauce on my face? She grabbed a paper napkin and wiped her mouth.

Easton smiled and shook his head. He really is the stupidest person alive.

Who?

He rolled his eyes. Who do you think?

Why? Because he decided going to prom wasn’t as fun as I promised it would be?

Even if he could’ve gotten laid.

Doesn’t have anything to do with prom. It’s you, Cass. You’re pretty and smart. You worship the ground he walks on when it should be the other way around. He doesn’t deserve you.

His gaze was pinned on the moon above them.

I like him, she whispered.

Why? He disappoints you all the time. How many times have I come to get you because he couldn’t be bothered?

She twisted one of the napkins. A few times.

More than a few. Dad’s tried to tell him that he should treat you better.

Her face got hot. He did? He feels sorry for me?

You’re better than Mason. Even Dad knows it.

She lowered her hand to her lap. If I break up with him, I won’t be able to hang out at the shop anymore. I like it there. I like being friends with you and your dad.

Easton turned his gaze on her. You’d be better off without him. Someday, he’s going to really hurt you. Then what? You’ll probably end up hating all of us.

I wouldn’t! And...maybe he won’t.

His look was full of pity. As if.

She shivered as the wind picked up.

You cold?

A little. I didn’t bring a jacket. I didn’t have one that complimented the dress.

He shrugged out of his jacket and passed it over. All yours.

Such a gentleman. She slid her arms in the sleeves and folded the sides around her body. The satin lining warmed her skin and the exterior smelled like citrus and leather.

He didn’t say anything as he stared up at the stars.

I wish he’d change. Sometimes he’s really attentive and I feel like we’re meant to be together. Sometimes he does something like tonight, and I hate myself for wanting to be with him.

Easton’s hand crept toward hers. It was warm and a little rough, strong, and gentle as his fingers laced between hers. He was a sweet kid. I don’t know what happened. After Mom died, he was different.

She remembered when Easton’s mom passed away after being sick for a long time. Mason had been gone from class for a couple of weeks while the family grieved. Her mom and dad tried to help Mike as much as they could. Eventually, the Bells seemed to adjust to life without Ruby, but Easton was right. Mason wasn’t quite the same.

I can’t imagine how hard it was for you guys. She squeezed his hand. You don’t talk about her much.

He shrugged. She was a great mom. I probably remember her better than he does. Maybe it messed him up somehow.

Maybe.

But Dad never once treated her like Mason treats you. He needs his ass kicked. Anger burned through Easton’s words. Seriously, you can’t let him keep doing it.

I guess I can keep doing whatever I want. I’m eighteen. We’ll figure everything out.

He faced her, dark eyes snapping. Do you love him?

Yes. No. Maybe. She lifted her chin. Of course.

He scoffed. I’ve never been in love, Cassidy, but I’ll bet you money when someone’s in love with you, they don’t treat you like a dog left chained up outside and forgotten.

She recoiled. He doesn’t do that.

Yeah, right.

How dare he criticize her relationship? Easton and Mason could get along, but most of the time they chose not to. Easton didn’t know every aspect of her relationship with his brother. I’m ready to go home. Past ready.

He didn’t hesitate. Easton rose and held out his hand to help her down.

She ignored it, climbed off the bench, and brushed debris from her ass.

Hey.

What? She turned to look at him.

Easton held out his hand. Would you like to dance, miss?

A no formed on her lips, but she hesitated. The easy-going smile on his face made her anger melt.

Me? Why, I’m flattered.

His hands found her hips and the front of her dress brushed his chest. Wearing nothing but a plain t-shirt, jeans, and boots, Easton still made a pretty good Prince Charming.

Cassidy closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulders. Feeling bold, she started humming as they swayed.

What’s the song?

Easton’s voice rumbled in his chest.

She giggled. "Sorry.