Page 30 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

"Hayley?" I say, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Chapter thirteen

HAYLEY

One evening, about a week into my self-imposed isolation, I'm out on my usual walk when the sky suddenly darkens.

It’s like in a rom-com. Or a horror movie in this case – depending on what is going to happen next.

Before I can react, rain starts pouring down, heavy droplets soaking through my thin t-shirt in seconds.

The phrase soaked to the skin, never seemed truer up until that moment.

I'm about to make a run for the cottage when movement in the distance catches my eye. Squinting through the rain, I spot a familiar figure sprinting towards the old cow shed. Even in the storm, it’s strange how I instantly recognize that it’s Austin.

I think about another old saying: one never learns their lesson.

I should be going back to the cottage, to number one - avoid the rain, number two - avoid the man, and number three: avoid any further embarrassment.

So instead of heading back, of course I find myself following him, my feet seeming to move of their own accord. The rain is coming down in sheets now, and I can barely see where I'm going, but yep – I still keep walking.

Finally, I see him enter one of the barns. It’s been so long since I came to this part of the ranch, that I was instantly in awe of all the new structures.

As I approach the shed, I hear Austin's voice coming from the very end, low and soothing. "Easy there, girl. It's okay. We'll wait out the storm together."

I peek around the door and see him kneeling next to a heavily pregnant cow, stroking her side gently. The scene is so unexpectedly tender that I forget to stay hidden, stepping fully into view.

Austin looks up, surprise flickering across his face. "Hayley? What are you doing out here?" I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. We stare at each other for a long moment, the only sounds are the pounding rain and the cow's soft lowing.

"I... I was just..." I stammer, suddenly very aware of how my wet clothes are clinging to my body.

Austin stands, concern replacing surprise. "You're soaked. Here." He shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders before I can protest.

The warmth of the jacket, still holding his body heat, envelops me. It smells like him. I mean, I just… he smells like a mix of hay, leather, and something that must be uniquely Austin. I pull it closer without thinking.

"Thanks," I murmur, not meeting his eyes.

"You've been avoiding me," he says. It's not a question.

I nod, not seeing the point in denying it. "I was embarrassed. About the garden thing."

Austin chuckles softly. "I figured. You know, you didn't have to hide. I thought it was kind of cute, actually."

My head snaps up at that. "Cute? I was trespassing and stealing vegetables!"

"From what used to be your family's garden," he points out, his voice softening. But before I can respond, a loud, painful moo interrupts us.

We both turn to look at the cow, and I notice her shifting uncomfortably, her sides heaving with each labored breath. Suddenly, it clicks.

"Austin," I say urgently, "Is she in labor? Has the vet been called?"

He runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. "Yeah, but there's a problem. Small town, with limited vets. Most are out on calls right now, and the one who can come... well, it's going to take a while."

I move closer to the cow, my eyes widening as I see what's happening. It’s a large calf, she already has a prolapse. "We don't havea while. She's crowning!"

Austin curses under his breath, pacing back and forth. "This worries me. I've delivered lots of calves before, but never with the cow having a cervical prolapse."

I watch the cow struggle, her distress growing by the second. A memory flashes through my mind – a similar night years ago, my father's calm voice guiding me through the process.

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