Page 6 of Unexpected Second Chance For Love

Austin pinned her with his gaze to communicate how serious he was about this request. “We keep our lives completely separate. No socializing or hanging out. Our only interactions are related to the business.”

She looked hurt and he felt like an asshole, but it had to be said. He knew Griffin would not want him associating with his sister and Austin had enough drama when he’d left Wildwood Falls to last a lifetime. He didn’t need to stir up trouble.

“Fine, if that’s how it needs to be.” She put her hands up in front of her to convey honesty. “I’ll keep to myself and be the perfect tenant. Our only communication will be horse related and I’ll only see you in the barn.”

“Good. Then, we have a deal.” He reached out to shake and swallowed her much smaller hand in his. Her handshake was firm and the warmth travelled from her hand up his arm to warm his chest.

This was the worst idea he’d ever had. Payton was going to be trouble.

CHAPTER 3

Payton juggled a cardboard tray of coffees as she walked down Main Street. Wildwood Falls was stunning this time of year with leaves in red, orange, and yellow hues. Fall was in full swing and the air had a crisp bite that foreshadowed the colder days of winter.

She attempted to adjust her scarf without toppling the coffee, but it was no use. She was almost to the door of the business she ran with her brothers and just needed to make it a few more steps.

Both Griffin and Owen were sitting at their desks when she knocked on the glass door with her foot. Owen scrambled up to hold the door for her and she set the treats down on her desk.

“To what do we owe this kindness?” Owen asked with a laugh as he snagged a drink.

“I thought I’d surprise my brothers for a change.”

“Suspicious,” Griffin teased. “What do you want?”

How did he know? Although it wasn’t so much what she wanted as it was the news she had to break to them. She was moving out this weekend.

“I have good news, actually,” she said, attempting to infuse as much cheer into her voice as possible.

Griffin’s eyes narrowed and he paused mid-reach for his coffee. “What kind of news?”

“It’s good news—nothing scary I promise.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Owen was busy digging into the bag of pastries she’d brought from Jitters, Sarah’s coffee shop. He looked up with curiosity.

“Out with it, Pay,” Griffin demanded.

“I found an apartment.”

The bag of pastries Owen held dropped to the desk with a plop as both of her brothers looked at her in shock.

“That’s good news,” Owen replied, hesitation evident in his voice.

“Where?” Griffin asked. His lips curved into a frown.

Payton rolled her eyes at her big brother’s protectiveness. “I found a great apartment to rent on a local ranch. It’s in my budget and I’ll be helping the owner with an equine therapy project.”

“That sounds like the perfect arrangement,” Owen said around the donut he stuffed in his mouth.

“Sounds too good to be true,” Griffin replied. “Which ranch? We know everyone in this town and I hadn’t heard of anyone renting out an apartment.”

“Or starting an equine therapy program,” Owen unhelpfully added.

“I found the listing on the bulletin board in Jitters,” Payton said instead of directly answering the question.

“Which ranch, Payton?” Griffin was nothing if not persistent.

“The Rolling R,” Payton said casually as she sipped her coffee.

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