Under Oklahoma Skies - Only an Okie Will Do

Under Oklahoma Skies contains three novellas set in Swells, Oklahoma in the same storyverse as the Only an Okie Will Do series.

Cowboy Kind of Heritage

Dean Trulove, a third-generation owner of Trulove Cattle Company and Stockyard, has waited for the day he'd inherit the business. Unfortunately, it comes at the cost of his mother's heart problems and his dad's subsequent retirement. To relieve some of the pressure, he attempts to pick up a damsel in distress at the local watering hole. Even when he discovers she's his new employee, he can't flip the off switch on his object of desire. All the warnings in the world from his old-fashioned father won't wrestle him away from a woman as skittish as any unbroken horse that's passed through the stockyard pens.

London Bingham is in a bind-she's got an unexpected bundle of joy on the way, but luckily, she accepts a new job with an understanding boss. Her only problem is, her sexy boss's dad, a formidable man with an ages-old stick up his derriere about unmarried mothers in the workplace, makes for an uncomfortable situation. As much as she'd like to give in to her persuasive boss and build a relationship, it's causing work-place trauma and domestic drama.

To Dean, it's clear that London needs a good ol' cowboy to show her that she can have it all-a family, a career, and a man with a heart wider than the Arkansas River to remind her that even a woman from the wrong side of the tracks can find the happiness she deserves.

For many, Christmas is a joyous time of year meant for families and friends to gather near. For Everly Thibodaux, it's a time of tragedy and heartbreak. Her twin brother died before the holiday in a freak accident, leaving her alone and empty. Her brother's best friend, the man she carried strong feelings for, witnessed the event that shattered both their worlds. All her anger falls on him for destroying her life.

Swift Scott's life crumbled until he fell into a bottle to drown the pain of losing a friend and the misery he caused for the girl he loved. After two years of self-destruction, he pulls himself together and moves back to Swells, hoping for reconciliation and forgiveness from Everly. Except that Everly, like him, is stuck in a well of heartache and grief. He knows he can't force her to love him or even tolerate his presence, but he'd settle for seeing her smile again, no matter what the cost.

In a small town like Swells, they can't avoid each other forever and circumstances draw them together again. As the one person who truly understands her heartbreak, Swift can be the only man who he helps Everly learn to love again.

Austin Locke is a devoted dad, an all-around cowboy, and...a total fool. Stuck on his self-absorbed ex-girlfriend for far too many years, he's given up on finding true love. His little girl could use a mother, but they get by, depending on one another as they travel from rodeo to rodeo. A chance meeting with breakaway roper Natalie Corbin opens Austin's eyes. She offers the kind of attentiveness and openness that's been missing in his daughter's life. Not to mention Natalie is sexy and funny, which sweetens the deal, even though they both know with their hectic rodeo lives, they can't make any kind of relationship a permanent thing.

Natalie knows broody-natured guys are often heartbreakers, but she's drawn to Austin and his adorable, lonely daughter. When she meets his ex, she can immediately see why he built a wall around his heart. Neither of them are looking for a serious commitment, but it would be easy to fall for the handsome cowboy and his daughter. Even as she gets to know-and care for him-there seems to be some kind of trouble resting on his shoulders. As their time at the rodeo draws to a close, they either have to make a move toward happiness or the weight of Austin's secret will force them