Page 20 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

Before I can retort, Sebastian cuts in. "Leave the boss alone, Johnny. Focus on that nail before you hammer your thumb instead."

Sighing, I can relax a bit. With Sebastian supervising, the work is progressing faster, and by two hours later, the barn repairs are finally complete. I'm now standing on the roof we just built, checking the expanded side we added to see if there is anything else we need to do.

"Sebastian! Come up here for a second." I call out to him.

“In a second boss,” he yelled back, handing over the lead for the cows to the other ranch hands, so the cows can be herded back to the barn.

Within seconds, he is already up on the roof with me.

“You see a problem or something boss?”

“No. The barn is okay. I was thinking…. Russell will be here soon with the new stock. When they arrive, will you have the trailers stop near the entrance? The horses will need to stretch their legs and get a lay of the land before we take them to the stables." Just as I finish explaining, my phone rings, and it couldn’t have been more perfect timing. It’s Russell.

"Hello?"

"Austin, we're at the main gate."

"Perfect timing," I reply, glad that the horses made it down here in one piece. "I'll send Sebastian to open it up for you."

"Great. We've got quite a caravan here. Where do you want us?"

I run a hand through my hair, mentally mapping out the ranch. "Have the trailers stop near the entrance. You can bring your truck up to the main house."

"You got it. See you in a few."

As I end the call, I turn to Sebastian, who's been patiently waiting nearby. " Can you head down and open the main gates? Russell and the new stock have arrived."

Sebastian nods, already moving. "On it, Boss. Anything else you need?"

"Just make sure they know where to park the trailers. I'll meet Russell up here."

As Sebastian scurries off the roof and jogs off, I watch the distant gates swing open. A line of trailers begins to roll in, kicking up dust as they make their way along the path. They come to a stop near the entrance, just as instructed.

Russell's red truck breaks away from the pack, continuing up towards the house.

From my vantage point on the barn roof, I spot an unfamiliar car coming up the ranch road. I frown, trying to place it. It looks like Mrs. Tanya's car from town – she's always trying to sell me insurance. With how busy we are, I really can't deal with her right now.

As I climb down, I call Sebastian on the phone. "If that's Mrs. Tanya, tell her I'm busy and I'll see her later, okay?"

At the same time, Russell kills the engine and hops out, a wide grin on his face. "Austin! Good to see you, man. You ready for this?"

I match his smile, stepping forward to shake his hand. "As ready as I'll ever be. How was the drive?"

"Long, but smooth. You've got some beauties in those trailers. I'll tell you that."

I nod, my excitement growing. "Can't wait to see them. I told Sebastian to let them roam in the front pasture for now.” I say, telling him my idea.

“Good idea.” Russell agreed. “They’ve been cooped up for hours.”

He then claps me on the shoulder. "How’s ranch work, I see you already rebuilt the barn"

“Couldn’t wait any longer. There are a lot of things I need to do.”

From then on, we began discussing the horses, their vaccinations, and some of my pregnant cows. As we are talking, Sebastian comes back, looking confused.

"Boss," he says, "about that visitor..."

"What did Mrs. Tanya say?" I ask.

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