Page 76 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

"Hayley," he breathes, his voice filled with concern. Before I can say a word, he cups my face in his warm hands. The tender gesture breaks something inside me, and tears well up in my eyes.

"What's wrong?" Austin asks, pulling me into a tight embrace as I begin to sob. "Did I do something? Please, talk to me."

I shake my head against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. "No, it's not you. Come in, I'll explain everything."

We settle on the sofa, and I pour out yesterday's events—the unexpected visitor, the looming threat to my career and reputation. As I speak, Austin's expression darkens, a different look in his eyes. I've never seen him like this before, and it's both frightening and oddly comforting to see how much he cares.

"I’ll have to go to the city," I tell him, my voice coming out in a croak from how much I cried. "I’ll need to resolve this to cut off the past so I can focus on our future."

Austin's jaw clenches. "I'm coming with you."

"No," I say firmly, though my heart aches at refusing him. "This is something I need to do alone. Please understand."

He looks at me for a long moment, then nods grudgingly. "Alright. But promise me you'll call if you need anything."

I lean into him, grateful for his support. "I promise."

Hank had, of course, sprung the subpoena on me with little time to prepare myself for the court battle. I retained an attorneywho Austin recommended and spent hours going over the documents along with him. I knew I had nothing to do with any of Hank’s wrongdoings, but fear was my constant companion, knowing how devious he could be. Were there things I had done or said innocently that he could and would use against me?

The days fly by, and before I know it, I'm checking into a beautiful hotel Austin booked for me in the city. It's his subtle show of support that warms my heart, even as anxiety gnaws at my insides.

The first day I’m in the courtroom is a battlefield. Not only am I caught in the crossfire, but lawyers from both sides bombard me with questions, each trying to twist my words to their advantage. It always circles back to my past relationship, used as a weapon against me.

"If you stole information to provide to your ex-boyfriend, how can we trust you weren't involved in this corruption case?" The accusation hangs in the air, growing my frustration.

"I never stole any information. Mr. Ryder stole it behind my back. I never once handed over any information," I argue my case.

By the third day of the court case, I'm frustrated and exhausted. And then all of a sudden, everything changes. I'm thrust into a new reality that breaks my heart all over again.

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.

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