Page 1 of Unexpected Second Chance For Love

CHAPTER 1

The front door slammed behind Payton as she shrugged out of her coat and slipped out of her sturdy work boots.

“Payton—door!” Griffin yelled from the kitchen.

It was a constant battle between her and her oldest brother. Payton didn’t mind the door slamming when she entered, but it drove Griffin up the wall.

Her other brother, Owen—the middle child—was much more chill, thankfully. He and his girlfriend, Victoria, were the only reasons Payton had hung in there this long. But it was time.

She needed her own place.

At twenty-two and freshly graduated from college, she wasn’t ready to buy a home and rentals were hard to find in Wildwood Falls, Montana. She should know—she’d been looking all summer. August had turned into September, which became October—and Payton was no closer to her own place than she’d been at graduation in May. It was discouraging.

She entered the dining room, which was set for five—Griffin, Sarah, Owen, Victoria, and her. The odd one out. The only single sibling who spent all her time with her coupled-up older brothers. She was young and should be sowing her wild oats—not eating a sensible six o’clock supper nightly.

She slid into her usual chair next to Sarah as everyone else besides her and Griffin were already seated. Griffin arrived a moment later with a large casserole dish full of some kind of chicken concoction. It smelled amazing, so she wouldn’t be rude and fuss over the 1950s throwback. The three siblings took turns cooking and tonight was Griffin’s turn.

She knew that he and Sarah had grown up cooking simple meals for Sarah’s younger brother when Sarah’s mom hadn’t been around. They often made those meals for the family these days out of nostalgia. Payton’s own mom was a domestic goddess--until she died when Payton was a teenager.

They’d done the best they could keeping the household running, despite their dad being overwhelmed with grief. His death two years ago was what prompted Griffin to return home. It was hard to believe it had been two years already. It seemed like yesterday.

In the past two years, Payton had watched both her brothers find their happily ever after. When would it be her turn? She’d never even had a boyfriend. A few unimpressive kisses were all she could report for her lackluster dating life. She was ready to be swept off her feet.

“Everything ok, Payton?” Owen asked.

She snapped herself out of her daze to meet his eyes and answer honestly. “I’ve been better.”

All eyes turned to hers and she felt herself flush. Maybe she shouldn’t have admitted that to her family. Four pairs of concerns eyes studied her in silence.

Sarah reached out to touch her hand. “We’re here for you, Payton. No matter what it is—you can tell us.”

Now the moment felt bigger than it should have been. They were acting like she was going to announce something truly awful. Not the simple fact that, at twenty-two, she’d decided it was time to move out.

“I’m alright—really. I didn’t mean to worry you. It’s just that--“

“Who’s the guy?” Griffin demanded.

Sarah speared him with a look that clearly communicated silence. Griffin sat back with arms crossed and waited.

“There’s no guy, Griffin.” Payton added an eye roll to emphasize the ridiculous assumpton. That was Griffin, though—protective older brother to a fault.

“Then what is it?” Owen leaned forward, arms on the table. He looked ready to do battle for her, as well. She appreciated his gentler approach to the older brother role compared to Griffin. She and Owen were the closest, after all. Griffin had left for college when she was ten and he’d been away from home a lot until recently.

Payton took a deep breath before making her announcement. “I’m moving out.”

Everyone gasped and Payton wondered for a moment if she’d said something more dire than announcing a move. She replayed her statement in her mind, but it sounded the same as she’d thought.

“Where?” Griffin was the first to speak. Of course he was.

“I’m not sure, yet. I’ve been looking for rentals…”

“What’s wrong with our house?” Owen asked. “You’re not happy here?” He glanced at Victoria, who looked guilty. She’d just moved in with them over the summer.

“No! I’m not unhappy.” Payton met Victoria’s eyes. “It’s nothing to do with anyone or anything specific. It’s just that I’m ready to be on my own. Have my own space.”

Griffin sat in stony silence and Owen also seemed too stunned to speak. Payton pushed away the guilt that clawed at her. She had every right to want to move out. It was time.

Sarah was the first to break the silence. She was always the one to mediate and smooth over any disagreement. “That’s completely understandable. Where will you live?”

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