Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

30. AUSTIN

Chapter thirty

AUSTIN

Days before the trial:

The sun is beginning to set, but the heat continues to beat down on my back as I mend the fence line, sweat trickling down my neck. It's been a busy morning catching up on ranch work, and there's still plenty to do. Sebastian is working alongside me, while some of the other ranch hands are working on other sides of us.

"Pass me that hammer, would you, Boss?" Sebastian calls out.

I toss it over, watching as he catches it without even looking up. "Nice catch, old timer," I tease.

Just then someone in the distance is half-jogging towards us, but with the glare of the sun it's hard to see.

"Isn't that the kid?" Sebastian comments.

"What kid?" I ask, then I see the cheeky face. "That stubborn brat! I told him to take more time off." I cuss, cleaning my sweat.

Yep, it's Noah, hobbling up the field like a golden retriever. "Boss! Boss! I came to visit, so here I am."

"Soft hands!!!" one of the ranch hands yells, calling Noah the nickname they had given him.

"We might as well call him fireman now. The kid survived the fire!" Another one cajoles, causing multiple people to laugh.

"I'd rather you call me fireman than soft hands," Noah says boldly.

I shake my head, amused. "Noah, didn't I tell you to take enough time off."

"That's what I did. I took enough time off," the cheeky brat grins, not budging.

I'm about to say something else when the sound of tires on gravel catches our attention. My heart leaps – I'd know that engine anywhere.

"Looks like your lady's here," Sebastian says with a knowing smile. "Go on, we've got this covered."

I don't need to be told twice. "Thanks, guys," I call out, already jogging towards the house.

"Boss! Boss!" Noah yells causing me to cringe.

"Fireman, you do good to leave the boss alone!"

The other ranch hands laugh, while some share amused glances, but I couldn't care less. Hayley's here, and that's all that matters.

By the time I reach the driveway, Hayley's just stepping out of her car. Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes, and there's a tightness around her mouth that wasn't there before.

"Hey, beautiful," I say, pulling her into a hug.

Hayley leans into me, her body tense. As we continue to speak, I begin to notice more signs. The way she's forcing a smile, her lips tilting downwards a bit… I have no choice but to ask if she's okay.

She shakes her head, forcing another smile. "I'm fine, just tired. It's been a long week at work."

I don't push it, even though my gut tells me there's more to it. If Hayley needs something, she knows she can come to me. For now, I'll just be here for her.

With a plan in mind, I decide I'll drive Hayley to town. So, the next day, I get to the cottage as early as possible. During the drive, as I continue to look her way, I hope Hayley will say something- but she doesn't say anything.

As we pull up to her office, just when I think I'll have to try again later, she surprises me with a quick peck on the lips before darting out of the car. The sight of her running away, all flustered, is so adorable it makes my heart swell.

On a whim, I decide to stop by Ms. Jenkins' flower shop before heading back to the ranch. I'll get Hayley her favorite flowers, then we can talk. The bell chimes as I enter, and Ms. Jenkins looks up from her arrangement.

"Well, if it isn't Austin Johnson," she says warmly. "Let me guess – flowers for Hayley?"

I nod, feeling a bit sheepish. "You know me too well, Ms. Jenkins."

As she puts together a bouquet, her expression turns serious. "Speaking of Hayley, is everything alright with her?"

My heart rate picks up. "What do you mean?"

Ms. Jenkins hesitates. "Well, I saw her yesterday. She was arguing with someone outside her office. She didn't look good, Austin."

"Did you hear what they were talking about?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

She shakes her head. "No, but the man lingered around after Hayley left. It gave me an uneasy feeling."

"Was it someone from town?"

"No, a new face. It didn’t seem like a tourist either, but I could be wrong."

I thank Ms. Jenkins for the information and the flowers, my mind racing as I drive back to the ranch. Could it have been one of the people Hayley fought against in court? Something doesn't feel right, and worry gnaws at my gut.

I try calling Hayley that evening, but she doesn't pick up. My texts go unanswered too. By nightfall, I'm so worried that I drive to her cottage, but the lights are off. She must be sleeping, I tell myself, trying to quell the unease in my chest.

The next morning, I'm at her door at dawn. When Hayley opens it, the look in her eyes makes my stomach drop. Her face is pale, eyes red-rimmed from crying.

"Hayley," I breathe, cupping her face in my hands. "What's wrong? Please, talk to me."

She breaks down then, tears streaming down her face. I've never felt so helpless in my life. Seeing her in pain is like a physical ache in my chest.

Between sobs, she tells me everything. Hank Ryder, her ex-boyfriend, the one who betrayed her and ruined her career, is back. He's threatening to drag her name through the mud again because he's involving her in the corruption case.

As she speaks, my sadness turns to rage. I have to restrain myself from leaving to find the miserable man right then. Instead, I focus on comforting Hayley.

"I have to go to the city," she says finally. "I need to face this head-on. And I need to do it on my own, Austin."

I nod, understanding but hating the idea of her facing this alone. "Okay. But promise me you'll be careful."

The day Hayley leaves for the city, I try to be brave for her, keeping my emotions in check. But as soon as she's gone, I make a phone call.

"Wade," a gruff voice answers.

"It's Austin. I need your help."

"What can I do for you, boss?"

I take a deep breath. "I need the best investigative team you've got. I want them to dig deep into a corruption case, focusing on a man named Hank Ryder. I want to know everything – any past crimes, any dirt we can find. I want him to go away for a long time."

There's a pause on the other end. "Consider it done. Anything else?"

"Yeah," I say, my voice hard. "Make it quick."

Over the next few days, I use every bit of power, wealth, and influence I have to get the information I need. When the report comes in, my suspicions are confirmed. His rap sheet is a mile long – fraud, embezzlement, blackmail. He's been flying under the radar for years, but not anymore. Not only that, but there are also six witnesses who will give their testimony if needed.

I have to make two last calls.

"District Attorney's office," a crisp voice answers.

"This is Austin Johnson. I have information for you."

As I lay out the evidence we've gathered, I can almost hear the DA's eyes widening. By the time I'm done, there's no doubt in my mind – Ryder's going down, and Hayley will be safe.

Then I call her attorney with the same information along with a promise to scan everything within the hour. After his initial stunned silence, he thanks me profusely and asks for all the paperwork to be couriered to his office instead.

I hang up the phone, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. Relief that Hayley will be protected, anger at what she's been through, and an overwhelming love for this strong, beautiful woman who's captured my heart.

I may be a cowboy at heart, but for Hayley, I'll move heaven and earth. And heaven help anyone who tries to hurt her again.

But what if it's me? What if I hurt her with my interference?

The answer to that question comes sooner than I expected.