Sparks & Cabin Fever (4 page)

“I'd love to have those old businesses back. Just so Garden Grove doesn't get so big that it loses its small town charm,” Stefani replied.

“I don't think the citizens of Garden Grove would allow that.” His eyebrows knitted together. “Not everybody, including me, wants a mega mall or strip malls every couple of blocks. I love the small town atmosphere with the mom and pop shops.”

“Good.” She looked down at her empty wineglass. “Are you here only temporarily? I mean until you get the factory up and running?” Stefani wished she could think of something to ask that would determine if he was single. She had to think of a subtle way to bring up the topic. To hell with Harper calling dibs on him. He had a mind of his own, and right now she was enjoying getting to know him and hoped to know him much better before the night was over—unless, of course, he was married.

“So far I like what I see here. I've never been much for big cities even though I was born and raised in one. I like a simpler lifestyle with grass under my feet and fresh air to breathe.” He finished off his beer. His eyes drifted to her empty wineglass. “Can I buy you a drink?”

Before Stefani could answer, Harper came out of nowhere and sashayed up to the bar. She was dressed in a short denim skirt, a low-cut light blue blouse which showed ample cleavage, and navy heels. Deacon's eyes were immediately drawn to her like a magnet. Stefani's heart fell. She hadn't been enough to keep Deacon interested once Harper entered the picture. Even though Deacon claimed he loved the outdoors, when he was indoors, Harper would be his preferred partner.

“I'm sorry I'm late,” she said throwing her arms around Stefani's neck. “Forgive me?” She turned her head and noticed Deacon sitting next to Stefani. She immediately stepped back from Stefani and with hands on hips beamed at Deacon. “I'm surprised to see you here,” she said with a phony accent.

Stefani's eyes narrowed. What a liar! She shot Harper a steely look. Harper lifted an eyebrow slightly. The only reason Harper asked her out tonight was to pretend they were having a girls' night out and then act surprised if she ran into Deacon. She'd obviously planned to come in late then feign surprise at seeing him. Stefani fumed, but she had no one to blame but herself for allowing Harper to use her to serve her own purposes. What did it matter? Deacon hadn't shown anything more than a friendly interest in her. She'd made it out to be more than it clearly was only because that was what she so badly wanted. Deacon had shared some friendly chitchat, nothing more. She couldn't even blame him for leading her on because he hadn't.

She watched Harper, who was pouring on the charm, and was consoled by the fact that Deacon didn't seem to be showing much interest in Harper either, outside of the same sociable chitchat he'd shared with her.

Harper leaned in as the band began playing another song and whispered in Stefani's ear, “Remember what I said, Stef. He's mine.” She patted Stefani's shoulder. “Thanks for waiting and keeping him company for me. I owe you.”

Stefani looked hard at Harper's smug face as Harper wriggled her body between the barstools. Deacon and Stefani's barstools. What would Harper do if the situation were reversed? Would she back off quietly or would she still go after Deacon? Of course Stefani knew the answer. Harper would definitely go after him reasoning that he was fair game until he made the choice of whom he wanted. She frowned as she watched Harper in action. Harper was pulling out all the stops now.

Harper touched Deacon's arm and batted her large baby blue eyes at him. “I guess it's true what they say,” she cooed as she firmly pressed her fingertips into Deacon's bicep.

“And what's that?” Deacon asked.

“Everything really
is
bigger in Texas. And, I'm assuming
everything
,” she said seductively as her eyes drifted to his crotch.

Stefani couldn't believe her ears. Could Harper make herself any more obvious? She'd never been so blunt before. Stefani was embarrassed for the both of them and didn't want to know what Deacon was thinking right now. He'd most likely judge her by the company she kept, thinking she was like Harper. Deacon's opinion of her would certainly take a dive.

Deacon cleared his throat. “I don't know about that.”

“Well, I certainly wouldn't mind finding out,” she said resting a hand on his knee. “Maybe later.”

“Why were you so late, Harper?” Stefani asked.

Harper looked at her almost surprised that Stefani was still there, then put her hand to her lips and laughed softly. “I lost track of time. You know me.”

Stefani rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. Did Harper realize how ridiculous she sounded? “You could have called or at least answered my texts.”

She shrugged. “My phone was in my purse. I didn't hear it.” She sighed. “I need to remember to take it off vibrate when I'm home.”

“That's what I thought.” Stefani blew her breath out. She wanted to tell her what she
really
thought, but bit her tongue and instead decided to change the subject. “I'm glad the Adams Boys are playing tonight.” She looked at Deacon. “They're the best band around, Deacon, if you like this kind of music. They play a lot of older songs, too.”

“I do. I like songs I can understand the words to.” He smiled at Stefani. “Not like some of that stuff out today.”

“The Adams Boys definitely
are
the best.” Harper tapped her foot on the wooden floor in time to the music. “What does a girl have to do around here to get a drink?” she asked Deacon in a seductively helpless voice.

“What you usually do…signal the bartender,” Stefani said flatly.

Deacon grinned at Stefani while Harper shot her a dirty look. He motioned to the bartender.

Stefani's jaw clenched. Deacon appeared to be eating up Harper's act. And an act is what it was, and it disgusted her. She couldn't sit here any longer. She felt like a third wheel.

After Deacon placed Harper's order, he turned to Stefani. “What can I get you? Another glass of wine?”

Stefani shook her head. “Nothing right now. Maybe later. Thanks.”

While Deacon was waiting for the drinks, Harper again whispered into Stefani's ear. “Guess who's going home with me tonight?”

Stefani bit her tongue. The rage inside of her was building. She glanced at Deacon and decided to refrain from making a snotty comeback. At least she'd show him that she had some class.

“Thanks for meeting me, Stef. You can leave now if you want to.”

So, that was it? Never before had Harper asked her to leave. But then, neither of them had ever before encountered a man like Deacon Travis. Stefani's face burned and she swallowed hard as bitter tears formed behind her eyes. She wasn't going to be used like this ever again by Harper. This was the final straw.

Deacon handed Harper her drink. “I just love this song,” she squealed. She took a quick sip and then set her gin and tonic on the bar. She grabbed Deacon's arm. “Come on. Dance with me!”

He shot Stefani a withering look. “I'm not much for dancing. I think I'll sit here and drink my beer.” He rubbed his jaw. “I'm sure you can find a better dance partner than me.”

“Come on,” she insisted. “Just one dance.” She tugged on his arm.

Deacon hesitated. “I don't want to intrude on your girls' night out.” He turned to Stefani.

Stefani tried to read his expression. He obviously didn't want to dance, but she couldn't be certain if he wanted to be alone with Harper either. Or maybe he was just being polite to Stefani, but deep down hoping she'd leave so he
could
be alone with Harper. She was confused.

Harper rested a hand on Stefani's arm. “You don't mind, do you, Stef? After all, you didn't really want to come out tonight. I shouldn't have forced you.” She puckered her lips into her usual pouty look. “I'm sorry.”

Stefani gritted her teeth. “No, I don't mind. I have a splitting headache,” she lied. “Have fun.” She forced a smile.

“Oh, we will,” Harper said with a satisfied look on her face as she linked her arm through Deacon's and steered him in the direction of the dance floor.

Deacon turned his head again and looked questionably at Stefani. She nodded and smiled weakly holding back the hot bitter tears. His eyes narrowed before he turned his attention back to Harper. Stefani watched them as they made their way onto the crowded dance floor. The song was a fast one, but Harper had her arms wrapped around Deacon's neck and her body pressed tightly against his. Stefani watched them for a few seconds, and then walked toward the exit. She was almost to the door when Harper hurried over to her and clutched her arm.

“Thank you for keeping Deacon occupied until I got here,” she said breathlessly. “I wasn't sure he'd be here or not. It's fate! I'll call you tomorrow, Stef, but not too early,” she said with a wicked grin. “If you get my meaning.”

Stefani exhaled loudly. “I know exactly what you mean, Harper.”

Harper giggled then rushed back to where Deacon waited for her on the dance floor.

Tears stung Stefani's eyes as she hurried to her car. She kept her head down hoping no one would notice her. Stefani couldn't decide if she was more angry or hurt. Her emotions fluctuated back and forth between the two. She was hurt that Harper couldn't care less about her feelings and angry that Harper blew her off the minute a man entered the picture.

She finally let the tears fall as she pulled into her driveway. Home. Her refuge. She'd grown up in this modest but comfortable house on a pleasant tree-lined street. She'd never lived anywhere else. Her parents had retired and moved to Florida a few years ago to get away from the bitterly cold winters. They returned every summer. It was still their house, but since it would have remained vacant for most of the year, it only made sense that Stefani should continue living in it until the day came she chose to leave.

She let herself into the house, locking the door behind her. After grabbing a soda from the refrigerator, she plopped onto the sofa. She'd thought about polishing off the bottle of wine she'd purchased a week ago, but opted for a clear head as opposed to drowning her sorrows.
Another Friday night. Alone as usual
. She wished she had stayed home instead of going to The Dusty Road. If she had, she wouldn't be feeling so blue right now. Seeing the only man who'd ever caused a spark of excitement in her made her miserable. Especially since he'd chosen Harper instead of her. Deep stirrings of restlessness seeped through her. If it weren't so late she'd go for a walk or a hike. She gritted her teeth. She'd do that tomorrow. It would help to clear her head. She needed to put things back into perspective. Deacon Travis had made his choice and it wasn't her. She'd have to live with it. But it would be difficult being around Harper if she and Deacon became an item. But in all fairness to Harper, Stefani had to face the facts. She'd never told Harper that she was also interested in Deacon. If she had, would Harper have backed off? She really didn't know since they'd never encountered a situation like this before. Still, Harper had barged right into the bar not caring that she and Deacon were involved in a pleasant conversation. Who knows what might have happened between them if Harper hadn't arrived. She drew a shaky breath. Why hadn't Deacon chosen her? Her lips trembled. That was it. No more wallowing. She set her jaw and came to a decision. She wouldn't waste any more tears on either of them.

But she couldn't stop herself from wondering what they were doing right now. Were they still at The Dusty Road? Or had Harper's wiles already lured him to her apartment? Harper lived in a small apartment, but her circumstances were much different than Stefani's. Harper's parents had had her late in life. They'd owned and operated Garden Grove's feed and supply store until their health problems, coupled with their mounting medical costs, had forced them to sell the business and their home a few years ago. Harper had had no choice but to place them in the assisted living facility. It had broken her heart. She was a dutiful daughter, worshipped them, and would drop everything whenever one of them needed her.

Harper had always been popular. Besides her beauty, she was friendly with a bubbly personality. Stefani knew that Harper would never deliberately hurt anyone, but because she always went after what she wanted, she sometimes knocked others out of her way without realizing it to get to her goal. Even though she and Harper had little in common, outside of being only children, they'd still become fast friends. They definitely had their personality quirks, the biggest of which seemed to be that Stefani was more of an introvert, and Harper was very extroverted. They didn't always meet eye to eye.

Only when Stefani began working at the post office had she started to come out of her shell. That had led her to begin taking more of an interest in her appearance and finally taking some makeup tips from Harper. Of course, she could never hold a candle to Harper in the looks department, but she was attractive in her own right. Her light brown hair was shoulder length, her dark brown eyes were accentuated with long eyelashes, and her body was fit and trim. Still, next to Harper, in Stefani's opinion, she looked plain and not worthy of a second glance.

Harper tried to persuade her to dress less conservatively, put her archaic beliefs in the closet and let herself go for once in her life. But Stefani couldn't. She'd never thrown herself at any man and didn't intend to start. The men she'd dated just hadn't intrigued her enough to begin a relationship. Stefani was a strong independent woman and after the first date, most men never asked her for a second. Harper persuaded her to tone it down reasoning it was okay to be independent, but most men felt intimidated before dinner was half over. Stefani had listened, but would never sell herself short like that. She felt it best to let a man know up front that she had a brain in her head.

Stefani didn't want to spend the rest of her life by herself. She was tired of going to bed alone and waking up alone. But she would if it meant stifling who she was just to please a man. Maybe that's why Harper picked up so many men. Maybe it was only out of loneliness. Was she looking for that one special man too? Had Deacon brought out the same emotions in Harper that he had in her? Had Harper felt heart sparks the minute she was near him? They'd never had feelings for the same man before. Deacon could put a big wedge in their friendship without even realizing it.