Second Chance at Love

by Rhonda Laurel

  “She does have this annoying habit of thinking she knows it all.”

  “Most times she does.” Austin gave him a onceover. “You’re sweet on her.”

  “No.” Alex waved a hand. “We just keep running into each other around town and butt heads every time.”

  “And? I smell a story.”

  “Well, we were involved in the fender bender, which was totally her fault by the way, but I offered to pay for the repairs to her station wagon, which she rejected. She reads me the riot act, and basically calls me an elitist pig, and takes off.”

  Austin let out a hearty laugh. “But in her version of that story, you totally ran into her.”

  “She told you about it? Figures. She’s so obstinate she can’t admit she was wrong.” Alex folded his arms across his chest. “So I try to have a civil conversation at the carnival—”

  “You dunked her in the tank.”

  “Well, yeah.” Alex rotated his arm. “I played baseball in high school.”

  “If you wanted to piss her off even more, then you certainly succeeded. Sounds like there’s some sparks between you two.”

  Alex shook his head vehemently. “Turns out she’s the kids’ art teacher.”

  “OK. So you’re hot for your kids’ teacher.”

  “Still.” Alex fingered his wedding band. “I’m not ready for anything like that.”

  “I know about your wife. I think it’s a damn shame she was taken from you right when you were in the middle of living your dreams.” Austin braced his shoulders. “But there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the company of a woman you like. Especially someone like Peyton.”

  “For someone who is running away from commitment, you have a lot of sage advice.”

  “Comes from getting kicked in the ass by love.”

  “Sounds like you have a story too.”

  “Being unlucky at love is a Holbrook trait. Logan and my dad keep trying, but I prefer to stay on the sidelines. It’s safer that way.”

  “Maybe you’ll break the cycle.”

  “Maybe.” Austin scratched at his beard. “Listen, I was thinking of putting together a poker night. It’s one of the things I miss most about Texas. Poker nights at the Twelve Horseshoes and my knucklehead brother. Maybe you can swing by.”

  “Sure. I’ll bring my friend Grayson. Just let me know when, and I can arrange it with my new sitter if all goes well. Her name is Aubrey and she’s Riley Sloane’s sister.”

  “She’ll work out fine. Aubrey is a sweetheart. She and her friends come here some times to ride. I have to shoo her friends away because they think chasing an older man is exciting, but she’s great.”

  Alex bid Austin farewell after the kids were finished with their lesson and had lunch. So Austin and Peyton were friends, were they? Good friends by the sound of it. She’d confided in Austin about her encounters with Alex, and Austin sensed there was something brewing between them. But it was also none of Alex’s business with whom she spent her time. Still, finding out his new friend wasn’t a romantic rival put him in an upbeat mood. The fact that the news made him feel anything was unsettling.

  * * *

  Peyton gripped her basket as she strolled the planted rows of cabbage at the farmer’s market. In addition to house-sitting for her friend and covering for her at the carnival, she’d been roped into attending a meeting about the upcoming film festival. She was relieved to hear that Skyler’s movie marathon had been officially put on the list for view at the small, two-screen movie theater in town. But someone else had to come up with the idea of hosting a play to attract Hollywood actors to exercise their acting thespian muscles. They’d tossed around the names of some stellar B movie and television stars, in addition to some theater performers who were making a name for themselves off Broadway with their eyes fixed on the Great White Way. It had now morphed into an actor’s bazaar. As if there weren’t enough famous people flanking their quiet town.

  She glanced down at her basket. She had everything she needed, including a lovely bouquet of flowers she intended to have her recovery patient students sketch in the art room at the hospital. She got in line and was happy that it was moving quickly because this was only one of several stops she had to make today.

  She looked up as she paid the cashier and spotted Chloe in the aisle. Oh no. That meant her dad was around somewhere. Peyton looked like a total mess today, with a pair of ripped jeans and a blouse she usually wore when she was painting. And if that wasn’t enough, she’d donned a pink plaid handkerchief with a peace symbol on it around her hair. She shouldn’t care what she looked like. She didn’t want to look nice for him—it was the principle of the thing. He always looked fabulous when she saw him. He probably looked down on her for looking like she’d just finished painting a house.

  “Ms. Colfax!” Chloe called out.

  “Hi there, Chloe.” She gave her student a big smile. “What brings you to the farmer’s market?”

  “We’re picking up next week’s veggies. Dad doesn’t like the ones at the supermarket.”

  Neither did she. Half the time she felt like the vegetables were rotting as she stood in the checkout line. “Cool. I love the butternut squash and green peas.”

  “I like corn and tomatoes.”

  “You’ve come to the right place, Chloe. The farmer’s market has lots of vibrant colors all around.” She pointed to the table packed with fresh-picked vegetables. “You might get an idea for a new project.”

  Chloe looked around, her eyes wide.

  “Ms. Colfax,” Alex said as he approached with Noah. “Good to see you. I see you’re stocking up on veggies too.”

  “Yes, this farmer’s market is the next best thing to growing and cultivating them yourself.” She flashed a tight smile. Of course he looked magnificent. The snug-fitting blue dress shirt complemented his eyes and showcased his upper body definition. Did the man ever have a bad hair moment? It wouldn’t kill him to put on a loose-fitting shirt with a missing button or something.

  “You put together a stunning bouquet. What’s the occasion?”

  “I love to have flowers around my place and I have an art class in the rec room for the neurosurgery patients at the hospital tomorrow. They will be bringing these flowers to life on a canvas.”

  “Not to mention it’s good exercise for the brain.” He nodded. “I heard good things about your classes. The staff agrees it’s very beneficial to patient healing and well-being.”

  “Thanks.” Did he just give her a compliment? “I’m happy to hear that it helps.”

  “Like you said. There’s more to life than linear thinking.”

  “Dad.” Noah tugged on his arm. “Can we get some shaved ice?”

  “Sure.” Alex retrieved his wallet and handed his son a twenty-dollar bill. “Keep an eye on your sister and come right back. I’ll be watching.”

  “OK.” Noah took Chloe and walked over to the refreshment stand.

  After the kids left, she and Alex ended up just standing there. Alex had turned to watch the kids, but she got the feeling he was also paying attention to her…while trying not to look like he was paying attention to her.

  She put her free hand on her hip. “Are you stalking me?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I was about to ask you the same thing. You seem to be everywhere I go.”

  “It’s called small-town living. I’m not one of the doctor groupies chasing you around town.” She squinted. “I don’t know why these women think you’re a hot commodity.”

  “I’m a hot commodity, eh?” His self-satisfied grin made her want to throw a squash at him.

  “There is no talking to you.” She hoisted her bag in her arms and turned to leave.

  “Wait a second.” Alex stepped in her path. “I find it hard to believe we can’t have a civil conversation.”

  “Believe it.”

  “I’m willing to put our fender bender to rest. You’re my daughter’s favorite teacher, after all. I owe it to her to make the effo
rt.”

  “Her favorite?” She hadn’t known what to expect when she’d started teaching the class. It made her feel good to know she was reaching the students.

  “Absolutely. Thanks to you, we spent last Saturday at the Craft Barn.”

  She looked at him for a moment. He actually sounded sincere. “I can only take a small amount of credit for that.”

  He glanced at her grocery bag. “Can I help you to your car?”

  “Thanks, but I’ve got it.”

  He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Listen, about Chloe’s drawings…”

  “Yes?”

  “I was overly antagonistic that night at the school. You were trying to tell me your observations about my child, and I became defensive. I guess I’m still sensitive about being a single dad. Sometimes good advice is filtered into my brain as criticism.”

  “It wasn’t my intention. I should have been more sensitive.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want any special treatment. I openly reject the Fragile Single Dad syndrome.”

  “I reject the Flighty Artist pathology,” she countered with a grin.

  “Good.”

  There was an awkward silence between them.

  “What types of vegetables do you like?” She couldn’t think of anything else to say.

  “I try to get them to eat leafy greens. Anything with antioxidants that gives them a natural energy boost without the aid of sugar.”

  “Do you steam or roast?”

  “I like to grill.” He grinned. “But I like to roast too. I like a little char on my veggies.”

  She giggled. “If you close your eyes, it almost tastes like meat.”

  “Huh?”

  “Something my dad used to say when he charred our veggies beyond recognition on the grill.” She waved a hand at him. “I like smoothies. I use kale as my base, then I add in other things to give it more flavor and texture.”

  “I have one of those fancy smoothie blenders.” He beamed. “I like banana and strawberries mixed. But I’ll throw in a few blueberries too.”

  “Do you like butternut squash? There’re plenty of things you can do with it.”

  “Like what?”

  “I make an awesome butternut squash ravioli with steamed baby cabbage and a beet salad on the side.”

  “Sounds scrumptious.” He groaned and rubbed his tummy. “Is that an invitation to dinner?”

  She didn’t know what to say, which was just as well, because the kids came running back with their frozen treats.

  “Well, I have to get going,” she said quickly. “I’m having some friends over tonight and I’m making a vegetable lasagna.”

  “You have friends?” Noah gave her a quizzical look.

  Alex gave him a rub on the head. “Noah. Teachers are people too. I’m sure Ms. Colfax has an active social calendar.”

  Peyton laughed. “Your dad is being generous about how busy I am, but when I’m not putting together lesson plans and cleaning paint brushes, I do get out like a regular person.”

  “Come, kids, let’s get the show on the road.” He pulled a list out of his back pocket. “It was good seeing you, Ms. Colfax.”

  “You too, Dr. Popovich.”

  “Alex is fine.” He gave her another one of those smiles that melted her a little each time she saw them. “Are you sure I can’t help you to your car?”

  “Thanks. But I can manage.”

  Peyton tightened her grip on her bags and the bouquet and she walked toward the gravel parking lot. She had a few hours before Austin and Carrie came over for dinner. She thought they’d make a cute couple, and hoped Austin wouldn’t be upset with her for setting them up. But it was just a dinner, even though she was a little nervous about it.

  She glanced back at Alex, who was inspecting some carrots. Suddenly she felt like painting. Maybe she could get in a few hours of painting time before her dinner party.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Alex leafed through the budget report for the previous quarter while taking a bite out of his turkey sandwich. It had been a busy day so far, and he was just getting around to eating, grabbing lunch from the cafeteria but opting to eat in his office. Grayson wasn’t around, and he really just wanted to unwind and be alone with his thoughts. Things were shaping up in his department, but he’d made no headway pushing the mobile clinic initiative forward. Every time he’d get in touch with someone, they’d refer him to someone else. He’d see if he could get some straight answers at the next department head meeting.

  After he scanned the same lines of the budget report for the third time, he realized he was barely paying attention to the words and numbers on the pages. He tried to concentrate, but his gaze kept going to Peyton’s photograph on the wall. It had been a week since he’d seen Peyton, and he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind. She really was a wonderful photographer. She had amazing composition and knew how to use natural lighting to her advantage. It was as if he were there with her on the beach watching the sun set and he could feel the cool breeze against his face. The moment would be perfect if he leaned in, ran his fingers down her long, dark brown hair, and kissed—

  He shook his head. There was no denying she was attractive. OK, she was stunning. She had arresting eyes and a pretty smile. She had a style that was all her own that he found refreshing.

  He was still thinking about her when his cell phone began to ring. He looked at the display—it was Derek. “Hey, little brother,” he said. “What’s going on? How’s my niece?”

  “She’s fine,” Derek replied, his voice warming as he talked about his daughter. “She’s more curious than ever, eating some solid foods, and holding on to things to stand up.”

  “That’s my girl. She’s way ahead in her developmental skills. I want more pictures. I need a new one for my desk at work. And take some more video with your phone. I don’t want to miss a thing.” He picked up another document. “How’s my beautiful sister-in-law?”

  “She’s having a tough time today. We planned our first overnight date night since Lex was born. She doesn’t want to leave her.”

  “Ah. Who’s babysitting?”

  “Her mom and dad. They’ve even volunteered to come here so Lex is close to her favorite things. But that doesn’t mean my wife isn’t a nervous wreck.”

  Alex smiled. “Where are you taking her?”

  “I was thinking of staying over at a fancy hotel in New York City. We can catch a play and grab dinner.”

  “It’s a good start.”

  “I hope so. By the way, have you heard from Theo?”

  “Last time I talked to him, he was in Utah at a motocross race. He said he came in second place.”

  “At least he’s still in one piece.”

  “He said he’d be visiting soon.”

  “Good. How are things in the sunshine state?”

  “Things are good. We’ve settled into the house nicely. Met some more of the neighbors. The kids are making friends and they like school.”

  “How are things going with you?”

  “Work is challenging. I like that. I’m pretty sure my staff hates me. I added myself to the surgery rotation and spontaneously accompany doctors on their rounds,” he said as he signed off on a requisition for maintenance supplies. “Apparently I’m cramping everyone’s style with rules and grand expectations that they do their jobs efficiently.”

  “I thought you were through with all of that since you’re the department head?”

  “They wanted a young figure head, but I prefer to sing for my supper. I’d rather oversee an angioplasty than sip on Bloody Mary’s at the country club or golf with Grayson.”

  “Grayson knew you were the right man for the job, but he probably also thought you two would re-live your wild college days together.”

  “I love him for recommending me for the position. He was just as vocal as you were about my need for a change of scenery.”

  “So you don’t miss Portland?”

  “
I’ll always miss Portland.” He cleared his throat.

  Derek hesitated for a moment, then pressed on. “Are you getting out and making new friends?”

  “Sure, I met Austin. He’s a nice guy.”

  “I meant female friends.”

  “I’m way too busy to socialize.”

  Derek sighed. “Alex.”

  Alex looked at Peyton’s beach photo. “Well…I have encountered this force of nature.”

  “Do tell.”

  “I’m minding my own business, pulling out of the school parking lot, when this crazy woman whacks into my car. She gets out and insists it’s my fault. Then I start to see her around town. Come to find out she’s the art teacher at the school and she works with head trauma patients here at the hospital, helping them with art projects and things like that. We called a truce for the sake of the kids.”

  “She sounds like fun.”

  “She’s trouble.”

  Derek chuckled. “Marco’s having a wine tasting at his vineyard on Saturday. He asked me to get in touch with you to see if you’d like to come. Why don’t you take trouble with you?”

  “Why? Did you hear anything I just said?”

  “Yeah. I just heard my big brother, the most articulate man I know, ramble on like a nervous teenager over a woman who apparently struck his car and a nerve.”

  “She’s mule-headed and thinks she’s right all the time.”

  “Imagine that? Hector Projector would find someone else who embodied the same qualities as him.”

  “I don’t think I’m right all the time. Just ninety-three percent of the time.”

  “What’s the harm in spending some time with her? I know my brother. You want to know why she got to you.”

  “I was off my game that day.”

  “Your defenses were down.”

  “There’s an age difference.” He’d taken a peek at her bio in the hospital directory.

  “How much?”

  “Five years.”

  “That’s not bad.”

  “Five years could mean a whole generation gap.”

  “Come on, you’re not robbing any cradles. What’s this spirited tornado’s name?”