Chapter 19
The next couple of weeks went by in a blur of therapy sessions, wedding planning and running of the ranch. Mallory finally lost the casts and worked toward full time work again. Ridge improved daily through therapy and the therapeutic effect of being in love.
Ridge hired a new ranch hand and surprised everyone when it turned out to be a woman. Everyone accepted her except Oakley. It rubbed him the wrong way to have a woman working on the ranch like a man. Even though it was clear she was up to the task it bothered him.
One day he walked into Ridge's office. "I need to talk to you about Ellen." He sat down across from his brother in a frustrated huff.
"What's on your mind?" Ridge looked up from the order he was writing out.
"Do you really think she's cut out for ranch work?"
Sitting back watching his brother grinned. It was obvious to everyone that Oakley wasn't happy with the newly hired hand. "She's worked as hard if not harder than some of the guys that have been here for years. I'm keeping an eye on her as she's still in the probation period." Then he sat forward and looked at him directly. "Do you have a problem because she's a woman?"
"You know I'm not against women in the workplace, I just think its hard work for a woman." He ran his fingers through his hair and stood up.
"Well why don't you focus on your final tests and let me handle her." Oakley was scheduled to graduate in just a few weeks.
"I just think it's a mistake."
"I'll keep that in mind." He stood up and walked around the desk. "Why don't you work side by side with her unloading the hay truck this afternoon? Then you can adjust your opinion." Grinning he slipped by his brother and headed out to ride the fence line.
Oakley decided he'd do just that. Since he didn't have an afternoon class it would give him a chance to prove his brother wrong. Walking out of the barn he felt a renewed purpose.
That afternoon Oakley arrived at the barn just as Ellen pulled up with the loaded hay trailer. She noticed him coming toward her walking with a purpose. The other ranch hands had given her a hard time until they saw she could do the work almost as well as them.
"I'm here to help unload the hay." He said as he pulled on his gloves.
"That's nice, but I can get it if you have something else to do." She knew he was working on his final exams for vet school.
"Oh, I'm available right now. I'll study later." He reached up and unlatched the back gate on the trailer. Together they lowered it to the ground and stepped up to grab the bales.
"Alright then." She shrugged and grabbed a bale, and then with the other hand she grabbed another one.
He followed her into the barn with the bales. She didn't seem to have a problem with the hay. Then he caught himself watching her walk in front of him, groaning he dropped his bales in place and stomped back to the trailer. What was wrong with him?
Then he noticed Chase leaning in the doorway watching them. He was chewing a piece of hay and grinning. "When did you start unloading the hay trailer brother?"
Oakley shot him a hard look and grabbed two more bales. "I decided maybe I needed to help out a little more now that the schooling is almost over." His voice was tight with anger at Chase.
"Oh, ok. I'll just take a break and watch." He sat down in a chair and propped it back against the door. "I'm sure Ellen's glad for the help." Chase grinned when she rolled her eyes at him. They'd worked together on the rodeo circuit and he was well aware that she was more than capable of unloading the hay alone.
""Well, it's a lot of work for just one person." Oakley said as he made his way back for more bales.
"I said I could get this." Ellen stopped with hands on hips. "I'm not helpless."
Oakley stopped mid stride and turned to look at her. "It's not about being helpless."
"Then what's it about? You seem to have a problem with me and I want to know what it is?"
Chase laughed and sat up again. "She's got you there Oakley ole boy."
"Stay out of it Chase." He ground out and walked up to stand in front of Ellen. "Ok, let's get this out in the open. I have a problem with a woman doing this type of work. It's my opinion that this is too hard for a woman to do."
Fuming she looked up into his eyes. She was at least a foot shorter than the handsome cowboy, but the depth of her anger made her feel taller. "Good thing you didn't do the hiring. I've been doing this sort of work most of my life and can handle it just fine. Ask any of the other hands, I'm pulling my own weight, so why don't you just go back to your studying and leave the hard work to those that can do it."
He reached out and grasped her arms in a vice like grip. "Look lady, I don't want to see you getting hurt out here. I'm sorry if my opinion steps on your pretty little toes, but it's the way I feel."
She looked down at his hands on her arms, hating the way her heart took a leap at his words. "Take your hands off me." Her voice spewed venom and he let go of her as though she'd burned him.
"Just get the trailer unloaded by yourself then." He knew he had to get out of her presence. She affected him in a way he didn't need right now and touching her was a mistake. Turning on his boot heel he walked by Chase.
Chase looked up grinning. "I think she won that round, don't you?"
Oakley never looked back as he rounded the corner of the barn.
"That brother of yours is a piece of work." Ellen said as she continued to work.
"You're not telling me anything I don't already know." He walked over and picked up two bales. When she glared at him, he tossed the bales back down, knowing he didn't want her venom. "Sorry, it's habit."
"Sorry, I'm just used to doing things for myself." She kept walking toward the hayloft.
"Don't worry about him. He'll get used to you being a woman soon enough." Deep down he knew his brother was smitten with the new lady on the farm. It should be exciting how this worked out.
Ridge stepped out of the barn grinning. "What's up with Oakley? He blew by me with a scowl that could wither a cactus."
"He's just upset that Ellen let him have it."
"I guess he needs to be put in his place every once in a while." He started back in the barn. "Don't forget to go by and get fitted for your tux. Mallory just called to tell me to remind you."
Groaning as he turned toward his truck. "I'll go now before that woman of yours throttles me."
"Good idea. She's a little stressed about everything getting done."
He pulled his phone out to let her know Chase was on his way to the tux shop. The wedding plans were going well and he couldn't wait. Mallory had made the choice of the wedding taking place under the big oak tree. At first he was uncertain, but when she laid out the plan, he knew it was perfect.
As the wedding day drew near everything fell into place. Then the morning of the wedding Mallory took a deep cleansing breath. It was here. Their wedding was only an hour away. She stood in the main house looking at herself in the mirror. Maggie wiped tears as she stood behind her.
"Quit that before you have me crying too." She grinned at her soon to be sister in law.
"I can't help it, you look so beautiful." Maggie wiped another tear away. "You should see your groom. He's so handsome and nervous."
Mallory laughed. "Your brothers are having a good time with that I'm sure."
"They've already gave him a heart attack by saying the wedding bands fell into a vent."
"They didn't?" Mallory shook her head in humor.
"Mom had to step in and straighten it out."
Ridge stood in the window of his room wondering how Mallory was doing. He was a bundle of nerves. Would he be a good husband? The love he had for her was beyond anything he could imagine.
Oakley stood up and walked over to put his hand on Ridge's shoulder. "It's time to go out to the pasture."
"Let's go." They walked out to the truck that was waiting for them. The guests were being ferried out in buggies.
Maggie watched them leave
and turned back to smile at her new sister. "Well the guys are leaving now, so you need to make your way down to your special carriage."
Mr. Cauthen had a special carriage rented that was white and covered in red roses. As soon as Mallory saw it she grew misty with tears. "This is so sweet." She kissed him on the cheek. "You're wonderful."
"I wanted it to be perfect." He helped her up into the carriage. At least her dress was tea length so that the grass wouldn't harm the hem.
The ride to the wedding seemed to take longer than normal. But as they rounded the corner and the wedding came into sight, she smiled. This was it.
She stepped out of the carriage with the help of Chase and Luke. They looked so handsome in their tuxes and cowboy hats. Then Mr. Cauthen extended his arm. He led her to the head of the white carpet runner that served as the aisle.
Then her eyes met his. They held as she made her way toward him to violin music. Tears formed in both their eyes. Their love was radiating all around them. He took her hand as soon as she reached him.
Leaning down he whispered. "You're radiantly beautiful."
"And you're devastatingly handsome."
The minister cleared his throat to get their attention, causing the audience to snicker. "We're gathered together to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony?" The vows were said and rings exchanged. When he kissed her to seal their vows a loud roar met them. Everyone was on their feet and clapping.
Their reception was set up at the main house. They danced and ate with their family and friends. When they left for the honeymoon, it was on two horses draped in white satin and roses. He surprised her with a cruise to the Caribbean.
The love they shared had healed him and he felt whole again. She knew that the man she married was still the hard edged, sometimes stubborn soldier, but she wouldn't take him any other way. As they entered their marriage nothing could get in their way.
That night as the ship left the port and water swayed them to sleep, neither knew the world existed. It was only them and their love. Together they'd conquered the world.
Coming soon, Oakley! Don't miss one romantic moment of the Five Oak Series and the lives of the Cauthen brood.
About the Author
Stephanie Hurt was born in Georgia. She currently lives in Pike County, Georgia, along with her husband Tommy and teenage son Hunter. She's an accountant and also the Children's Ministry director at her Church. She's been writing stories since she was a teenager, but only in the last couple of years decided to publish her novels. She mainly writes romance novels.
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