Page 50 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

I nod, bracing myself for the inevitable small-town gossip. "Yes, we carpooled today."

Mrs. Jenkins' eyes sparkle with interest. "Are you two... dating?"

I deflect as best I can. "We're just friends, Mrs. Jenkins."

She smirks, a clear indicator that she doesn't believe it one bit. "Well, you better act fast. There are multiple women in town looking for a chance with him. You're lucky to be so close."

"It's not like that," I insist, but she waves off my protest.

"Take it from me, dear. Snag a good one while you can."

I force a smile and excuse myself, my mind whirling as I enter my office.

The days pass in a blur of activity. I meet with Mr. Thompson about his property dispute, poring over land surveys and property lines. Later, I help Mrs. Rodriguez finish drafting her will, ensuring her wishes for her estate are clear and legally binding.

As I prepare for a court appearance, reviewing my notes for a civil case involving a contract breach, I find my thoughts drifting to Austin. His smile, his kind eyes, the way he always seems to know just what to say... and how he acts towards me.

Sighing, I am about to drive home when Mrs. Jenkins' words echo in my mind. “Multiple women are looking for a chance with him. You're lucky.”

I lean back in my seat, memories of my last relationship surfacing. It had ended badly, leaving scars that, even three years later, haven't fully healed. For the first time, I admit to myself that I'm scared to get into another relationship, to risk my heart again.

As if sensing my thoughts, my phone buzzes with a message from Austin:

Hey, Miss Lawyer. Have you had dinner? Interested in some good old-fashioned pumpkin pie?

I can't help but laugh, staring at his text. The warmth spreading through my chest makes my cheeks feel hot despite the windows being rolled down.

Changing routes, I decide to go to the main residence to collect the pie.

Not because I want to see him, but because of the pie.

As I pull into the driveway of the house, my headlights illuminate an unfamiliar car. My curiosity is piqued, and I wonder if he has a guest over… Perhaps one of the ranch hands?

After all,who could be visiting at this hour?

I step out of my car, keys clutched tightly in my hand and approach the front door. Before I can knock, it swings open, revealing a stunningly beautiful woman.

“He- llo?”

"Oh! You must be Hayley," she says, her voice warm and friendly. "I'm Sarah. Are you here to see Austin?"

"Yeah…" I mumble.

"He’s in town. He asked me to drop off some documents for him."

Relief floods through me, followed by a twinge of... something else. Disappointment? No, that can't be right.

I shake off the feeling as Sarah continues to talk.

I didn't know a close friend… I mean, close friends are the only ones you allow into your house that's not family, especially when you're not there? Right…?

"Austin is seeing some guests in town, do you want me to send a message to him?"

"No, no… I just. I wanted to say hi," I respond, swallowing back what I want to say.

It seems so silly telling her I came here for a pie.

As we chat, I can't help but notice how effortlessly graceful she is, and how her laugh seems to light up the room. A knot forms in my stomach, and I'm disturbed by my reaction. Am I jealous? Of a woman I’ve never met? I push the thought away.

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