Page 2 of Unexpected Second Chance For Love

Payton was grateful that Sarah refrained from adding the commentary that rent was expensive in their small town since many locals maintained rental properties for the frequent tourists. Finding a permanent, affordable rent was near impossible. Which Payton had discovered. She may not know where she’d live, but she knew she needed to find something before she lost her mind.

“I haven’t figured that out yet. The rental market is competitive. I’m sure I’ll find something soon.” She wasn’t sure about that at all, but didn’t want to admit it.

Sarah and Victoria murmured agreement. Even Owen offered his support. Griffin was the lone holdout.

“I don’t know about this, Pay,” he said, reverting to her childhood nickname. “It’s harder living on your own than you realize, plus it’s expensive.”

“I have a budget that I plan to stick to. And I need to do this—for myself.”

Griffin grunted and resumed eating as if he’d decided the conversation was finished. She loved her oldest brother—really she did—but his descent into paternal concern at times tried her patience. He acted like her father—as if he had some responsibility to her that she didn’t expect of him. No amount of reasoning ever changed his mind. So she’d stopped trying.

Whether or not she had his support, she was moving forward with her plan.

* * *

Payton walked into her sister-in-law’s coffee shop, Jitters, for her usual morning coffee. Sarah was busy behind the counter and offered a wave over the heads of the customers who waited in line. Payton returned the greeting before she turned to review the bulletin board of community events and announcements.

This had been her morning ritual since May, yet it hadn’t produced a single successful lead on an apartment. Her eyes drifted over the usual assortment of colorful posters and typed flyers. Her gaze caught on an index card tucked into the corner of the board with messy handwriting.

Room for rent.

Payton snatched the card and read through the offer.

Studio suite available immediately—includes kitchenette and private entrance. Must be non-smoker and comfortable around animals. Contigent on background checks and references. Serious interest only.

Payton fingered the card as if it were a hundred dollar bill. This was the answer to her dilemma. She pocketed the card with a plan to call the contact as soon as she’d picked up her morning coffee. Please let this work out.

“Your usual?” Sarah asked as Payton reached the front of the line. Her usual was a plain coffee—no cream or sugar. All of a sudden, it sounded boring to her.

“No, today I’ll try your daily special.” It’s time to live a little.

Sarah gave her a curious look, but fulfilled the order and soon Payton held a pumpkin spice latte. She took her first sip and wrinkled her nose. Pumpkin spice might not be for her. It wasn’t terrible so she’d finish it. Caffeine was critical in whatever form it took. At least she’d stepped out of her comfort zone.

Once on the sidewalk on Main Street, she pulled out her cell phone and juggled her coffee and the index card as she dialed the number. Nerves fluttered in her belly as she waited for an answer. Each ring amped up her anxiety another notch. What if the apartment was already taken?

“Hello.” A gruff voice answered and Payton shivered involuntarily. Something about the voice went straight to her gut, setting off a wave of butterflies that was distinctly not anxiety. It felt deeper, more intimate somehow.

“Hello?” the voice repeated.

“Oh!” Damn her daydreaming. “Hi, I’m interested in the apartment for rent.”

A heavy sigh came over the line. “I said serious offers only.”

“I am serious!” she insisted.

“How old are you?” The man didn’t even apologize for his rude question. No matter, she wouldn’t be living with him—he was just the landlord. Be polite.

“I’m old enough to have a job and need an apartment,” she replied. Her response wasn’t as nice as she’d hoped, but Payton wasn’t one to back down from anyone. Least of all a man who thought she was too young to be serious. She had that problem her entire life and was sick of it.

Another heavy sigh. “I’ll need a background check, references, and a deposit. Your daddy willing to pay first and last month’s rent?”

Payton’s blood boiled at the assumption she wasn’t independently applying for this apartment. “My daddy’s dead,” she said bluntly. “It’s all me. So, you better get used to it.”

Dammit. She couldn’t resist that dig, but she’d probably just cost herself an apartment. The only one that had been remotely affordable for her.

To her surprise, a laugh greeted her statement. It sounded rusty, like his vocal cords hadn’t laughed in a very long time.

“I see,” he replied. “I have someone coming this morning, but I have time at 2 o’clock today if you want to swing by to see it.”

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