Page 35 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

Austin's expression is a mix of hope and uncertainty. "Yeah, dinner. No pressure or anything. It's a – a thank you for helping out the other day. I didn't get to thank you after the vet came by."

The word 'no' is right there on the tip of my tongue. It would be the sensible thing to say, the safe option. But for some inexplicable reason, what comes out instead is, "Yes."

My eyes widen as soon as the word leaves my mouth, my brain catching up a second too late. Austin looks just as shocked as I feel, though there's a hint of pleasure in his surprise.

A slow smile spreads across his face, his accent thickening as he drawls, "Well, I'm mighty glad you accepted, Miss Hayley." His voice, combined with that smile, makes my breath catch in my throat. I'm suddenly aware of the breeze on my skin, and how close we're standing.

"When are you free?" Austin asks, still smiling.

"I'm always free," I say without thinking, then stumble over my words as I try to backtrack. "I mean, I'm free on Saturday. That works. I'm okay with Saturday."

Austin nods, looking amused at my flustered state. "Saturday it is. Do you like fish? Any allergies I should know about?"

I shake my head. "No allergies. Fish is fine."

"Alright, I've got it all planned out then," he says, tipping an imaginary hat.

Feeling overwhelmed, I make some silly excuse about needing to water my non-existent plants, then turn to leave before I can say anything else embarrassing.

As I walk away, I can feel Austin's gaze on my back, making my cheeks burn even hotter. It takes every ounce of willpower not to look back over my shoulder.

When I finally reach the cottage, I close the door and immediately slide down to the floor, my back against the cool wood. My face feels like it's on fire, and I'm sure I must be bright red.

"I just agreed to a date… no, a thank you dinner," I whisper to myself, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. "With Austin. What could possibly be crazier than this?"

As I sit there, my mind races with a thousand thoughts. Part of me feels excited, anticipating Saturday with a giddy sort of nervousness. Another part feels terrified, remembering why getting involved with Austin might be a bad idea.

But then I remember how he looked at me by the lake, the warmth in his eyes and the gentleness in his voice. Maybe, just maybe…

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.Okay, Hayley, I say to myself.It's just dinner. You can handle this. It's not like you're agreeing to marry the guy.

With that thought, I push myself off the floor and head to the bathroom. As I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror – hairwild from the lake, cheeks still flushed – I can't help but laugh at myself.

"Well," I say to my reflection, "I didn't embarrass myself even more."

Chapter sixteen

AUSTIN

As I watch Hayley walk away, I can't hide the smile tugging at my lips.

Well, what can I say, I mumble, causing one of my dogs to whine and look up with curious eyes.

I pat his head gently. "You'll understand one day, buddy."

Glancing down at my soaked clothes and muddy boots, I sigh. "Okay, pack it up. Let's go." I pour the water from my boots, grimacing at the squelching sound.

As we walk back toward the main house, I can't help but think that I was right from the very start – the ranch hasn't been the same since the day Hayley arrived. And now, it seems, neither have I.

Passing the barns, some ranch hands look up, their expressions a mix of amusement and curiosity.

"Boss, where did you go to?" Johnny calls out, his eyebrows raised.

"Boss, you went for a swim?" Mike chuckles, leaning on his pitchfork.

Antonio, always the jokester, grins widely, adding fuel to the fire. "Perhaps we should also go for a swim, as hot as it is out here!" He nudges his buddy, both of them snickering.

My head snaps towards Antonio's direction, my ears immediately picking up his words.

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