Page 20 of Unexpected Second Chance For Love

The grand opening of the equine therapy business was mere hours away. The Rolling R barn where the therapy took place had been cleaned and decorated with banners. A table of light refreshments was laid out in the corner, along with brochures of services and rates.

Payton had brushed Mabel until she shone and was currently whispering encouragement to the gentle mare as she wound ribbon through her mane. Payton had agreed to work as a therapist in the program and was stepping back her time in the family business. She’d had no conversation with Griffin since the evening last month when they’d attempted to smooth over the past hurts.

Austin had sent a couple texts and made a few calls to Griffin, but all had got unanswered. Following the blowout at dinner, Owen had reached out and they’d talked through their past ghosts to be on better terms. Austin knew that Payton was hurt by Griffin’s rejection, yet she remained focused on her new job and the excitement of following her dreams was a distraction.

Payton caught him looking, and gave him a sunny smile. “I can’t wait to show off all your hard work.”

Austin crossed to her and kissed her. Mabel whinnied her encouragement. “You mean celebrate all our hard work. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Payton leaned her head on his shoulder as she absentmindedly stroked Mabel’s mane. “I never expected when I answered the add for the room to rent that I’d also find a career. And a boyfriend.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she flinched. “Boyfriend kind of slipped out. We haven’t talked labels yet.”

Austin’s gut clenched that Payton would even need to doubt his feelings towards her. “I’m your boyfriend. When the time is right, I hope to be more. But boyfriend works for now.”

Payton’s smile glowed even more brightly. “I have everything I’ve always wanted.”

She didn’t say it but the thought loomed over them just the same. Everything except my brother.

The barn door opened, a pool of sunlight flooding where they stood. “We open at 2 p.m,” Austin began then realized who had interrupted.

As if summoned by their thoughts of him, Griffin stood in the doorway, hands in his jacket pockets, body half turned to run.

“Griffin!” Payton didn’t hesitate to run to her brother, who opened his arms for a hug.

“I came to talk to you, but I need to talk with Austin first.”

Payton’s eyes were questioning as she stepped out of her brother’s embrace. Austin was as surprised as she was that Griffin came at all, let alone wanted to talk to him. Griffin didn’t look like he was ready to punch him, but Austin wouldn’t assume.

“Griffin and I will take a walk. Payton, do you mind keeping Mabel company in case any other guests arrive early?”

Taking his cue, Payton returned to Mabel’s side and her earlier task of grooming while Austin led Griffin outside. Payton may have given them their space but he could feel her eyes on them as they left.

Austin chose the path that circled the property as it was probably prudent to stay close until he knew Griffin’s intention.

“I’m not going to hit you, although I’d like to,” Griffin said as if he’d read Austin’s mind.

“Good to know, although be warned I hit back.”

“I’d expect nothing less.”

The men stared at each other, and Austin was transported back in time to seventeen, when they were boys who loved nothing more than to give each other a good-natured hard time.

The intervening years had made Griffin harder, as it had Austin. They’d both suffered the kinds of losses that changed a person. And both found love.

“I always knew you’d end up with Sarah,” Austin said, giving voice to his thoughts.

“I didn’t. I avoided love for along time.” Griffin ran a hand along his scruffy jaw, no doubt thinking about those years he’d travelled the globe to avoid the pain of his parent’s death.

“So did I,” Austin conceded. “We’re to so different, you and I. We both ran when life got hard.”

“To be fair, you were chased,” Griffin said with a low laugh. “Everyone hated you.”

It was Austin’s turn for a wry laugh. “I was young and didn’t handle things the best, but I loved her. And our child. She was determined to make that drive and nothing would stop her.” Or no one. He’d sure tried.

“If you hadn’t fallen for her…”

“But I did,” Austin interrupted. “I fell in stupid teenage love and she left her boyfriend for me. We conceived a child and would have raised it together if she’d lived.”

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