Alex's breath is hot against my ear. "That's what makes it so exciting."

  I suppress a giggle. He's right – sneaking around like this, with hidden kisses in shadowy corners, is thrilling and dangerous. My parents would freak out if they knew about us.

  Despite knowing how my parents may feel, I can't resist Alex's teasing tactics and the way he looks at me. Like I'm the only girl in the world.

  His fingers trail down my spine, leaving shivers in their wake. "I've been thinking about you all day," he murmurs.

  My cheeks flush. I know the feeling. Ever since Alex came to the farm as a consultant, I haven't been able to get him out of my head. The stolen glances across the dinner table, the "accidental" brushes as we pass in the hall – it's been building to this hidden romance for weeks.

  I tightly clasp my arms around his neck, heart racing. "Me too."

  Alex's lips meet mine, hungry and seeking. My lips part, deepening the kiss. His arms hold me tight as we melt together, all thoughts focused on each other’s body.

  Our kisses grow more heated and urgent. I search for the warmth of his bare skin, pulling him closer. His soft whiskers brush my cheek as he nestles into the nape of my neck.

  "We ... we should go somewhere more private," I gasp out.

  Alex pulls back, eyes glinting. "I like the sound of that."

  Taking his hand, I lead him away from the barn. The late afternoon sun beats down as we pass the grazing cows. They pay us no mind, lost in the field of grass.

  We duck behind a tall stack of hay bales so that we’re hidden from view. It’s just us.

  Alex wastes no time pulling me into his arms. Our need for each other is pulsating through every inch of our bodies as we explore each other. The urgency to have him inside me is unbearable. My hands find the strong curve of his bare back and inch him closer. An exploding tingling sensation goes through my body as Alex finds my bare breast.

  Nothing else exists in this moment. Voices…

  Damn, Dad’s voice comes in loud and clear as he shouts at a defiant calf. We freeze, breaths catching in our throats.

  “It's my dad.”

  Heart hammering, I press myself against Alex, willing us to melt into the hay bales. He wraps his arms around me protectively. Neither of us dare move a muscle.

  Dad's work boots thrash through the grass just feet from us. I squeeze my eyes shut; silently praying he doesn't come any farther. He pauses when he hears Mom’s voice from a distance. After what seems like an eternity, he turns and walks away.

  Beside me, Alex is a statue, barely breathing. I can feel his racing heartbeat against me.

  We remain frozen for a heartbeat longer, scarcely believing our luck. Then we exhale in unison, a rush of relief.

  Alex's grip on me loosens. "That was close," he whispers.

  I nod, still trembling. "Too close. I wish we didn't have to hide this," I whisper.

  I’m really not sure why I feel the need to hide this from my parents but something tells me it’s too soon for them to find out. Alex is still the determining factor in our farm’s future.

  “Can you imagine how awkward the dinners would be?"

  "I know." I sigh, hating the circumstances that force us to sneak around.

  Alex tilts my chin up, his expression earnest. "It won't be like this forever. One day, when the time is right, we'll tell them. But for now ..."

  His voice trails off. We have to be patient. I manage a smile.

  "For now, I guess we'll just have to keep stealing moments like this."

  Alex grins. "I like the sound of that."

  He leans in for another long, deep kiss. We'll go back to playing it cool tomorrow, but right now belongs to us. Lost in Alex's embrace, I let the outside world slip away.

  Chapter 21

  Alex

  I’m jolted awake by Chloé's shaking hands gripping my shoulders. "Alex, wake up! You have to stop them!"

  Her voice cracks with panic. I blink, disoriented. "Stop who?" I look around in a daze. The sun is just about to rise.

  The rumble of heavy engines answers before Chloé can. I freeze… adrenaline spiking through my veins. Trucks.

  Chloé's face crumples. "It's Farmology. They're here to take the cows."

  No. I leap from the bed, my heart pounding. I can't let this happen. This makes no sense. I emailed them and told them to cancel the plan to cull the cows.

  I race outside, Chloé at my heels, just as the last truck rolls up the drive with the Farmology logo as big as life on its side. Workers pour out, cattle prods in hand. My guts twist.

  "Stop!" I rush toward them. "You can't take these cows!"

  The workers ignore me, moving with chilling efficiency. "We've got orders from headquarters." To them, I'm just a meaningless farmhand.

  "Wait," I clarify. "I'm the Farmology rep in charge of all the culling decisions. As I said, those orders are forfeit."

  The trucker walks up to me and simply shrugs. "You the rep, you said?"

  I nod.

  "Take it up with headquarters."

  I grit my teeth, desperation rising. I have to do something! But without blowing my cover, I'm powerless.

  Chloé appears at my side, her eyes welling with tears as Betsy is herded into a truck, along with the dozens of others. Some of the cows are petrified, running in every direction.

  "No, please!" she cries.

  Her parents hurry over, faces grim. "It's out of our hands," her dad says gently. "We have to let them go."

  Rage and helplessness churn inside me. I have to stop this, but how? My mind races, then settles on one option. Dad. He can fix this.

  I slip away, pulse hammering. This ends now.

  I duck behind the barn, hands shaking as I pull out my phone. I’ve got to keep it together.

  Dad answers on the first ring. "Alex?"

  I pace, gravel crunching under my boots. "It's Farmology. They just took a bunch of cows from the Sanders's farm."

  Dad hesitates. "I'm sorry, son. But that's business."

  "Can't you stop it?" I plead.

  "Son, I thought you wanted this done your way. Now you want me to fix it?"

  My jaw tightens. What was I even thinking, calling my father? That man would never hand out a favor to me without throwing it in my face. But Dad's power is the only hope I have.

  "Dad, please," I whisper. "You have to call the guys at the Minnesota headquarters and reverse this order, now."

  "Look, son. This is just business."

  I grit my teeth. "What do I have to do to make this stop?"

  My father remains silent for a few seconds. "You really want this to stop?"

  "Yes," I say, although I know that a simple yes won't be enough.

  "Well, then." He begins to outline his condition, just as I expected. "You need to return to New York and take your role as COO. Once you say you'll do it, I'll see what I can do."

  "Dad, please, there must be another way."

  "That's the only way, son. You get some, you lose some, don't you?"

  "Dad, I can't –" I begin, trying to reason with him. But before I can complete my sentence, he ends the call. Dad just used his number on trick of the trade on me. When there's nothing to gain from talking to someone, don't waste hearing another word. With my father playing his old cards against me, I realize how wrong he is. Negotiations are a necessity, not something forced on you.

  I try calling back, but he doesn’t pick up.

  Shit. I'm in this alone.

  I rush back to the Sanders' sides, where the Farmology trucks are still idling. Chloé stands nearby, tears streaming down her cheeks as she watches the workers wrestle the old cows on to the truck.

  My heart aches for her. I have to do something. Striding up to the nearest worker, I demand, "Stop loading those cows right now!"

  The guy eyes me warily. "Who the hell are you?"

  "I'm ..." I falter, but then I press on. "The Farmology rep. These cows don't deserve this. You can't take them to slaughter!" My biggest regret is that I tagged the unproductive cows last week.

  The worker scoffs. "Look buddy, I'm just doing my job. The cows are going."

  He turns back to the trailer. Rage and helplessness wash over me. I grab his shoulder. "I said stop!"

  The guy whirls, shoving me back. "Back off! This is a private property of Farmology. The cows were signed off to us while the Sanders were in contract with us. You tell those folks to read the fine print, will you?"

  I stumble, catching myself. The other workers are watching now, hands on their holsters. My chest heaves. I'm no match for them.

  A sob escapes Chloé. She rushes forward, throwing her arms through the grill, trying to put them around Betsy’s neck. "Please don't take her! She's like family!"

  One of the men pulls her away roughly. "Lady, we got orders. The cows are coming with us."

  Chloé crumples to the ground, weeping. I kneel and wrap my arms around her shaking shoulders. She turns her face into my chest.

  "Shhh, it's okay," I murmur, though I know it's not. I stroke her hair helplessly as the trucks rumble away, carrying Chloé's beloved cows to their fate.

  I hold Chloé as she sobs, her body wracked with anguish. The rumble of the trucks fades into the distance, but her cries echo across the empty pasture.

  "They're gone," she chokes out. "All of those poor, innocent creatures ..."

  Footsteps approach behind us. Chloé's parents kneel down, faces etched with concern. Her mom reaches out, gently touching Chloé's shoulder.

  "Sweetheart ..."

  Chloé lifts her head, eyes red and swollen. "How could you let them take my cows?"

  Her dad sighs heavily. "The farm is struggling, pumpkin. We didn't have a choice."

  Her mom wraps an arm around her. "I know it's hard. But the cows won't suffer, I promise. Farmology treats livestock humanely."

  Chloé shakes her head bitterly. "It doesn't matter. I'll never see them again. They're going to die."

  I feel so powerless as Chloé continues to cry in my arms. Her parents gently rub her back, murmuring words of comfort, but nothing seems to console her.

  My mind races with thoughts, churning with frustration. I have to do something. I can’t let those cows be taken away. There must be a way to stop this.

  I think of the Farmology head office. Surely, if I explain the situation, they’ll reconsider. But even as the idea forms, I know it’s futile. By the time I could get through to someone, it would be too late.

  My fists clench helplessly. Those trucks are getting further away with each passing second, carrying those poor cows to their doom. And here I am, unable to do anything about it.

  I’m jolted from my thoughts as Chloé lifts her head. Her eyes are red-rimmed but determined. “We have to go after them. We can’t let them take my cows away!”

  My heart sinks. “Chloé, I don’t think ...”

  “No!” She shakes her head fiercely. “I won’t give up on them. We have to try!”

  Seeing the desperation in her eyes, I know I can’t say no. I take a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s go.”

  Chloé’s parents start to protest, but she’s already pulling me towards the ranch truck. As the engine roars to life, I stare down the long dirt road. Somewhere out there, those trucks are carrying Chloé's beloved cows away.

  And I'll be damned if I don't do everything in my power to bring them back.

  I peel out of the ranch, tires spitting up gravel as Chloé and I speed after the trucks. She's gripping the dashboard, green eyes blazing with determination.

  "Faster, Alex! We have to catch them!"

  I press the pedal down, urging the old truck to its limits. The trucks couldn't have gotten far. If we hurry, maybe we can intercept them before they reach the highway.

  I spot them as we top the hill – two big rigs crawling along the county road. My heart leaps. "There they are!"

  Chloé lets out a cry of relief. But as I start to close the gap, the trucks pick up speed. I clench my jaw, coaxing every last ounce of power from the straining engine.

  It's no use. The trucks are too fast, and our old clunker is no match. As we watch helplessly, the rigs turn onto the highway and disappear from view.

  "No!" Chloé pounds the dashboard in frustration. Tears shine in her eyes once more.

  I swallow hard. "Chloé, I'm so sorry. I tried ..."

  She shakes her head, wiping fiercely at her cheeks. "It's not over yet. We'll find another way to get my cows back. We have to!"

  Seeing her faith despite everything makes my heart ache. I wish I could promise her we'll succeed. But I know the reality – there's nothing more we can do. Those cows are gone.

  Unless ... a desperate idea forms. I'll give up my life's dream of getting the freedom from the clutches of my father's hand as COO of Farmology.

  I'm lying to myself when I say I can't do anything. I can do something but that something requires is a wretched prospect.

  But what other choice do I have to ensure the happiness of the woman I've grown to love?

  I take a deep breath. "Chloé, there might be one way. But I need to make a call first."

  Her eyes widen with fragile hope. "Anything, Alex. Just tell me what to do."

  My hands tighten on the wheel. "We need to head back to the ranch. I'm going to call my father."

  Chapter 22

  Chloé

  The empty sheds gape open like missing teeth, shadows creeping across the dirt floor where the cows should be. I wrap my arms around myself against the hollow ache in my chest. They're just cows, and yet this place feels desolate without those poor old soles.

  I spot Alex across the yard, phone pressed to his ear, his other hand raking through his dark curls in agitation. His brows are furrowed and his arms are flailing. I'm too far away to hear his words, but his body radiates tension.

  Why is he talking with such intensity? Alex didn't tell me more than that he needed to speak with his father. What could his father even do against a powerful multi-billion-dollar conglomerate?

  My thoughts churn like storm clouds as I watch him pace. I wonder how scared the cows must be. My thoughts enter dark, unbridled areas of my confused mind. How would they be culled? Will they be together, watching each one fall right in front of their eyes, petrified at the massacre unfolding?

  I shudder at the thought and force myself to stop thinking.

  Alex glances my way mid-sentence, then looks quickly aside when our eyes meet. He turns, giving me his back as he continues the call.

  I'm startled from my brooding as a figure appears across the ranch, passing by Alex and making its way toward me. Matthias approaches, his boots scuffing up dust. He touches the brim of his trucker cap in greeting, mouth already stretching into a crooked grin.

  "Howdy, Chloé," he drawls, leaning against the fence rail beside me. "See you got yourself into a bit of trouble here. Cows all done taken away, huh? Unfortunate affair, I say."

  I press my lips together and nod, avoiding his gaze.

  "Now that's a cryin' shame," he continues, glancing around the empty pasture. "Waste of good beef, if you ask me. Say, if you need any help from me, you just say the word. Be happy to help you out." He takes a step forward, then another, getting closer to me than my comfort zone allows.

  I take a half-step away, folding my arms across my chest. "No thank you, Matthias. I've got it handled." My voice comes out colder than the wind gusting across the pasture.

  He holds up both hands, backing away. "Alright then, no offense meant. I guess it makes sense that you don’t need my help, say with that billionaire boyfriend of yours helpin' you out. Reckon, you never told me who 'e was." He touches the brim of his cap again, winking. "Keeping little secrets, eh?"

  My hands clench into fists at my sides. I have no idea what Matthias is talking about. But I know one thing: I don't need Matthias filling my head with nonsense.

  "I have no idea what billionaire friend you're talking about, Matthias." I sigh. "Look, my family and I are really struggling right now. Would you mind just giving us the space we need?"

  "What billionaire friend, you say?" Matthias looks shocked, shaking his head at Alex. "Well, that's Alex Elliott. Son of Benjamin John Elliott, and I watch the news 'round here, like all dairy farmers 'n cattle ranchers. Ain't Benjamin the CEO of Farmology?"

  I shake my head. "Benjamin John Elliott is the CEO of Farmology, yes. But that's Alex Burrow, Matthias. You're mistaken. Where did you hear the name Alex Elliott?"

  "Well," says Benjamin, taking off his hat and scratching his head, looking utterly confused. "I was walking by that Alex bloke right now, and I swear he said to put him through to his father Benjamin John Elliott. ‘I'm his son, Alex Elliott,’ he said 'nd he sounded pretty darn pissed."

  My mouth drops open. Benjamin Elliott – the billionaire owner of the biggest agribusiness in the country?

  Alex is ... his son?

  This makes no sense. I stagger back like I've been slapped, bile rising in my throat. I know I should give Alex the benefit of the doubt, but I also know Matthias wouldn’t lie to me about something like this. There's no way Matthias made this up. He's speaking the truth. The half-empty pasture blurs before me. I thought I'd finally found a man I loved, but it was all a ruse. Alex Burrow doesn't even exist.

  I’m without words. I've never felt so betrayed.

  Just then, I watch as Alex ends the call and walks towards us. "Chloé," he says, a huge smile spreading across his face. "I've got some amazing news –"

  I take a step back. Alex looks at Matthias and frowns. "What are you doing here?" he asks Matthias, but shakes his head and focuses his attention back to me.

  "Sorry, as I was saying, Chloé, the cows ..."

  I stare at him, this man who I thought would be one of the most important pieces in my life. He now looks and feels like a complete stranger. Who is he? Whatever does he want?

  Within milliseconds, I feel like I don’t know who I’m speaking to.

  "You ... lied to me. This whole time." My voice shakes. "Was this all just a ploy to get information on our farm?"

 

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