When Sarah Worley rejects Luke McNeil's proposal to pursue property in the Oklahoma Territory land lottery in 1901, the ranch hand pulls up stakes and goes after her. But he's the last person she wants to see. The land lottery gives Sarah the chance to realize her dream of independence and a home of her own. But with it comes challenges she never considered. When her dream becomes a nightmare, she must decide whether to stay on her land or give up and return to the life she left. Luke hopes that by winning a claim, he can give Sarah the home she's always wanted. How can he prove his love and show the stubborn woman that he's the right man for her? McDonough’s conclusion to her historical trilogy is a lovely choice for patrons who enjoy Western historical romances involving a journey of the heart. A must-have for series ­followers. ( Library Journal 2016-06-01) The third book in “McDonough’s Land Rush Dreams” series blends love, restoration, and intrigue with life lessons of finding God’s wills, handling grief, and letting go of anger and the past. Christian historical romance fiction fans will enjoy. (Nancy Kanafani Christian MARKET 2016-07-01) When Sarah Worley rejects Luke McNeil’s proposal to pursue property in the Oklahoma Territory land lottery in 1901, Luke pulls up stakes and goes after her. But he’s the last person Sarah wants to see. How can he prove his love and show the stubborn woman that he’s the right man for her? Bestselling author Vickie McDonough grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams in her fictional stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie is the award-winning author of more than forty published books and novellas. Her novels include the fun and feisty Texas Boardinghouse Brides series and the Land Rush Dreams series. Vickie has been married forty-one years to Robert. They have four grown sons, one of whom is married, and a precocious ten-year-old granddaughter. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, antiquing, watching movies, and traveling. To learn more about Vickie’s books or to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com   Sarah's Surrender Land Rush Dreams 3 By Vickie McDonough Barbour Publishing, Inc. Copyright © 2016 Vickie McDonough All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-62836-953-3 CHAPTER 1 Gabe Coulter's Ranch Outside of Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory June 30, 1901 What did you say?" Sarah Worley leaned back against the corral railing, staring at her longtime friend Luke McNeil. His vivid blue eyes sparkled, making even the cloudless sky seem dull. He removed his hat, and the light breeze fanned his blond hair across his face. He sobered and cast an uncharacteristically apprehensive glance around the empty ranch yard then refocused on her. Luke took hold of Sarah's hand, sending odd tingles racing up her arm. "I said I want you to marry me. I think we should get hitched." Luke had been the one who made her smile when she'd first arrived at the Coulter ranch over eight years ago and had felt so out of place with the loving family. He was a happy sort, always joking or teasing, but from the look in his eyes right now, he was dead serious. Sarah glanced toward the Coulters' two-story house, almost wishing Lara would call her to come in and help. She didn't want to hurt Luke but neither could she marry him. "I don't know what to say. This is so sudden." "It's not sudden. I've been thinking about it for ages. Say you will. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else." "You wouldn't care that your children would be one-fourth Cherokee?" Heat rushed to her cheeks at such an intimate topic. "Of course not, especially if they have your dark eyes." He waggled his brows and grinned in a manner that made her squirm. Usually he could pull her out of her doldrums on the worst of days. But not today. She tugged her hand from his. "I care for you, Luke, but as a friend, not a beau. You've always been there for me, but you know I have no plans to marry." His lips pursed as he rolled the brim of his hat. "But I thought —" He slapped on his slouch hat. "One of these days you're going to have to forgive your father and forget about what he did." She had forgiven Pete Worley, but she could never forget how he used the women in the bordello he owned — that horrible place she lived for over a year when she was younger. She also couldn't forget how horribly he'd hurt Jo, the first person who ever truly helped her, other than her mother. She grabbed Luke's sleeve when he started to walk away. "Luke, wait. You know my dearest dream is to have a home of my own. You've asked me to marry you, but you live in Gabe's bunkhouse. Have you considered that?" He shrugged. "I've some money put back. Probably enough to buy a speck of property somewhere. I can build us a cabin. Maybe I should've ventured out on my