Page 39 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

As I drive up to the house under the star-filled Texas sky, I find myself looking forward to whatever comes next in this unexpected, wonderful new chapter of my life.

Chapter seventeen

HAYLEY

I’m in a dream. That’s all it can be. As I slide down the inside of my front door, I pinch myself. Nope, not a dream.

Tonight night was magical. I kissed him! Okay, it was on the cheek, but that was NEAR the mouth. Right? I should have really done it up good. A big one on those luscious lips of his.

Are men supposed have luscious lips, I wonder to myself. I don’t know why not. Austin sure does.

Sitting here with my legs pulled up and my arms wrapped around them I feel like my life has taken a huge detour. How did I get this far from the ‘inner-city loner, I can do it all woman’ of less than a half year ago?

This man, this cowboy, has taken my heart. I can admit it to myself. He is everything a woman could want. He’s smart, handsome, generous, handsome, rugged, handsome. Okay Hayley, enough. But those muscles … Can I add hunky?

I can sit here for hours or get to bed and get at least a few hours of sleep. Tomorrow is a big day. I signed the rental agreementand the storefront on Main is all mine. All mine if I make the monthly payments, that is.

I get to ‘hang my sign’ as they say.Hayley Miller, Attorney at Law. It’s been ready at the sign maker for a few weeks, and I’m stoked. I worked for a firm in the city, but this is something altogether different. Now it’s basically: No clients. No money. No money. No rent payment.

So, I have been thinking and planning on how to raise those clients. Every other bit of gossip flies around town, so why shouldn’t this?

Shower, skin care, brush the hair and snuggle in. That sounds like the perfect close to a perfect evening with my cowboy. And yet, sleep evades me. Between tonight’s wonderful time with Austin and my new business opening tomorrow, I see the clock hands for way too long before I drift off.

Morning brings unexpected excitement. Pulling out my emerald green business suit and white silk blouse that I haven’t had on in months makes me feel giddy at the prospect ahead of me.

But then come the nagging worries. Will I have anyone walk through my door? Will anyone take me seriously as an attorney? Will I be effective if anyone actually retains me for a legal need?

Hayley, snap out of this!

There is no reason to expect failure and every reason to assume success. Yes, there it is. I found my mantra.

Jumping into my car I rev up the music, roll down the windows and hit the gas. The cold morning air does its job. As I pass by the ranch house I wonder if Austin is in. Is he up? (of course it’s almost eight o’clock.) He’s probably out with the dogs or already on top of a horse.

That man is such a dichotomy. He does all his own books for the ranch business, then he turns around and, in an hour, he’s digging up manure or breaking a stallion. What woman wouldn’twant a man like that? Don’t put me on any ‘don’t want him’ list! I’m totally into that face, those shoulders, muscles everywhere, and mostly that cowboy smile.

Turning onto Main Street, I figure I’d better concentrate on more ‘legal’ stuff. Or at least how to arrange the rental furniture that was delivered yesterday. I need a comfortable waiting area with access to one of the bathrooms. And that reminds me of the beautifying needs thereof.

I need the privacy of a closed-door office, which luckily is already in the building. Apparently, a real estate firm was the prior renter which makes the whole place perfectly suited to my needs. My personal office upstairs is rather large so it nicely holds my desk, file cabinets, several client chairs, and the gorgeous velvety green sofa I could not resist for the back wall. And for clients who cannot manage the stairs, a small elevator is available tucked into the main reception space. All-in-all it’s perfect.

The only thing missing is, of course, people… other than me. I decide to take a stroll and who is across the street? It’s none other than Austin, so I wave him over for a tour. I’m counting him as a second person!

Chapter eighteen

AUSTIN

Earlier …

Bzzt. Bzzt.

Bzzt. Bzzt.

Large horse flies buzz around the horses, adding to the humid air. I shovel the manure to be transported to the farm, and although my hands are busy – my mind wanders far away.

It's been five days since my date with Hayley, and I haven't seen her around the estate. I think the date went well, but I wonder if she's avoiding me again. I decide I'll go to the cottage tonight to check if she's all right.

I pause my work on the farm, my gaze drifting to the path leading towards the cottage. Sebastian catches me staring and approaches and asks: "Boss, you okay?" I look up, realizing I have paused mid-shovel.

"I'm fine," I assure him, wiping sweat from my forehead. "Sebastian, take the reins for the current operation. I need to head into town to order some more feed."

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