Chapter 3
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.
Three, two, o ? —
“The Raingers? They don’t have an equine therapy program. And why are they renting? They don’t need the income.”
“They’re starting the program. And my background is a good fit for their needs.”
Griffin scowled. “Are you working for them or renting?”
Payton squirmed under her brother’s stare. “A bit of both, actually. But don’t worry—it won’t affect my time here. This is strictly a side gig.”
For now. She planned to apply for the full time position when it was posted.
“You working for Liam?”
“No.” She didn’t have to make it easy for Griffin to figure this out. He’d lose it when he realized who she was working for—and living with.
Griffin narrowed his eyes. “Who then? None of his sisters are involved with the equine side of things.”
Payton took a deep breath and huffed it out. “Austin.”
The name hung between them like a grenade. Griffin looked like she’d just told him unicorns were real. Owen gasped from across the room. No one spoke for a long moment until Griffin broke the silence.
“The hell you’ll live with that man. He has some nerve showing his face in this town again.”
“I’m a grown adult. And I’m not living with him. I’m renting an apartment. What do you care anyway? I never understood your issue with him.”
“Because you were a kid when it happened. Where’s this apartment?”
“A separate apartment attached to the main house.” Payton didn’t add that Austin would also be living there, though they had their own separate entrances. She’d have no interaction with him except regarding the business.
Payton wondered what had happened between Austin and her brother. She assumed it had been a fight of some sort but Griffin’s tone suggested it was more serious than that. Her gut clenched. She trusted her brother, but she’d never had anything but a positive interaction with Austin.
Except this afternoon. That had been weird. Her pulse usually didn’t skitter when she was around him. And butterflies had seemed to take up residence in her stomach the moment she’d seen him again. That was a fluke, she was sure of it. She surely wasn’t still harboring a childhood crush. The man she met today bore no resemblance to the young man she’d known.
“Where will Austin live?” Griffin didn’t give up.
“He lives in the main house. But we agreed to keep to our separate quarters and only interact when it relates the the business.”
Griffin’s frown deepened. “I don’t like this, Pay.”
“You don’t have to like it, but you have to respect my decision. I’m a grown adult with my own income—and it’s time I live on my own.”
“Except you’re living with Austin,” Owen pointed out. Most unhelpful brother on the planet.
“He’s my landlord. It’s completely different from living with him.”
Owen looked thoughtful. “But it’s preferable to living at home with us. If we’ve done something to make you uncomfortable…” He trailed off, seemingly uncertain how to continue.
“It’s nothing any of you have done. It’s just something I need to do for myself.”
Why couldn’t her brothers understand this?
“What day do you move? We’ll be there to help.” Owen, as the middle brother, was always trying to smooth things over and keep peace between stoic Griffin and exuberant Payton.
“I don’t have much to bring because the place is furnished. So, I should be ok on my own.” She walked over and ruffled Owen’s hair. “Thanks for the offer. It means a lot.”
The Walker siblings weren’t much for talking about emotions, but they were there for each other and their love ran deep.
* * *
Friday morning, Payton drove under the sign that announced the Rolling R ranch. Her small SUV was loaded with boxes that comprised her entire life. It was humbling that packing up her belongings was such a simple task. Twenty-two years on the planet and all she had to show for it was boxes of books, clothing, and a few knick knacks that had belonged to her mother.
She parked in the designated space near the house next to an extended cab black truck that belonged to Austin. He was home. Payton was hoping that Austin would be occupied in the barn or on an errand. For some reason, it unsettled her to have him at the house when she was moving in. She exited her SUV and collected the box on the passenger seat, which contained her equine therapy books.
She hefted the box and carried it around the side of the house, where her separate entrance was located. She balanced the box on her hip as she dug into her pocket for the keys. She opened the door and set the box down to the side.
Moving to the center of the space, Payton catalogued her new home. Light wood floors shone in the sunlight spilling in from the open door and large windows in the living space. A small, yet efficient kitchenette was along the back wall with enough space for a small table and chairs. A door straight ahead led to the main house. It had a lock from the inside, so she didn’t have to worry about unexpected visitors. The living space featured a comfortable sectional, coffee table, and television. There was a tall bookcase to the right that divided the bedroom area from the living space. Behind the bookcase, there was a queen size bed, nightstand, and a chair that looked perfect for curling up with a book.
Joy bubbled up in Payton’s chest. This was her space. Home. She could decide what to do, when, and how to decorate. Finally, at twenty-two, she was on her own. She spread her arms out and spun in the center of the room.
Moving to her new bedroom, she flopped on the bed, arms wide. She couldn’t help but laugh with pure happiness. Today was the first day of a whole set of new adventures. It felt like turning a page from girlhood into womanhood. After all, that was her goal—to have the freedom to discover herself and meet someone. Payton wanted to have fun—without her watchful brother’s interference.
This was the perfect setup. She had her own entrance and space, but was surrounded by people. Austin lived in the house and his siblings in the nearby cabins. She didn’t have to worry about feeling alone because all she had to do was step outside her door and the working ranch was just beyond.
Payton made several more trips from her car to the house, finally depositing the last of the boxes in the middle of the living room. She left the front door open to appreciate the fall weather and sank down on the couch , breath quick from exertion and a fine bead of sweat on her brow. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, reveling in the silence.
She wondered if Austin was in the house as it had seemed quiet on the other side of the door. Not that she’d stood at the door joining the spaces and listened. That would be silly. And Payton was anything but that. Curious maybe as to what her landlord was up to on this gorgeous day.
“Knock knock,” a deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts. Austin.
She ignored the thrill that raced through her. Living here would be a challenge if she reacted strongly every time the man opened his mouth.
Payton opened her eyes to see him silhouetted in the doorway, the early afternoon sun highlighting his sandy blond hair with gold. His green eyes were focused on her like lasers and she warmed under his gaze.
He was dressed in worn jeans that hugged every curve and an old band tee shirt. She wasn’t familiar with their music, but recognized the band as one Griffin listened to growing up. In his left hand, he held a six pack of beer, which he held up in front of him.
“Housewarming gift,” he said.
And was that a blush? Seeing Austin’s cheeks flushed pink sent butterflies dancing in her stomach.
“Thank you,” Payton said as she rose to take the beer from him. Their fingertips brushed briefly and an electric shock ran up her arm at the contact. “Would you like to come in?”
Austin stepped carefully over the threshold. “I don’t want to bother you and we agreed to only interact for work. I came by to make sure you have what you need.”
“And to bring me a housewarming gift,” Payton teased. She hadn’t expected to see him at all, let alone for him to come by for a seemingly social visit. She pulled a beer out of the cardboard container and offered one to Austin.
He hesitated for a moment and she thought he’d refuse, but he accepted the drink and took another step into her living space. Payton took one for herself then set the rest in the fridge for another time. She then realized she didn’t have a bottle opener..
“Umm,” she began as she glanced around the kitchen hoping one would magically appear.
“I left some utensils in this drawer,” Austin said, as he stepped around her and pulled open a drawer next to the fridge.
He expertly opened both their bottles then returned the tool to the drawer.
“Thank you,” Payton said. She sipped her beer, grateful for the distraction. Now that Austin was standing so close to her in the small space of her kitchen, her nerve endings were abuzz. She stepped back to put some distance between them.
For a few moments, they sipped their beer in silence. Then they both started talking at once. They laughed and Austin gestured for Payton to go first.
“How is the business planning going?”
“It’s good. I had a good session with Mabel today and think she could be a good fit. I could use your opinion.”
Horses were a subject Payton was passionate about. She was looking forward to this project almost as much as moving out on her own for the first time.
“I’m leading a few excursions this weekend with the family business, but I have time Monday.”
Austin nodded. “Sounds good. Shall we meet in the barn at ten a.m.?”
“It’s a plan,” Payton agreed.
Austin set his half-finished beer on the counter. “If you need anything, let me know.” He lingered in the doorway before finally stepping onto the porch and offering a wave over his shoulder as he left.
Payton watched him go, excitement bubbling in her gut. She usually dreaded Mondays but this time, the day couldn’t come soon enough. She was anticipating time with the horses. It had nothing to do with their handsome owner.