“I hear he's from Texas,” Harper continued without missing a beat. “Denise Brenner said when she was ringing up his supplies that his dark penetrating eyes make you almost come in your pants,” she whispered out of the hearing range of everyone except Stefani and the stranger standing behind her.
“Is that right, Ma'am?” a deep booming voice suddenly asked.
Harper almost fell over and her face turned from pink to crimson as she whipped around and came face to face with the object of her infatuation. For the first time since Stefani had known her, Harper seemed at a loss for words. But Stefani knew that Harper would recover rapidly with a witty come back.
Stefani cleared her throat again. “I'll take care of this for you,” she said trying to keep a normal tone of voice while taking the form from his extended hand. “I'll also need to make a copy of your driver's license.”
“No problem.” He pulled a wallet from his back pocket and removed his driver's license, and a credit card, then held them out to her. “Here you go,” he said with a wink to Stefani before turning his attention to Harper. “I'm pleased to meet you, Ma'am. I'm Deacon Travis.” He held out a large hand to Harper.
“I'm Harper Lewis and this is Stefani Walker,” Harper said, quickly motioning toward Stefani as she placed her small hand in his. “And I'm very pleased to meet you.” She coyly batted her eyes at him. “I'd like to personally welcome you to Garden Grove.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” he replied as his twinkling eyes swept over her.
Stefani clenched her teeth. She knew that look in Harper's eyes. She'd seen it too many times before. Deacon was a new conquest and Stefani concluded that Harper was already scheming on how she would get him into her bed. By the way Deacon's eyes had roamed over Harper's body Stefani surmised that it wouldn't take long at all. Harper ran her hands down her curvy hips. Her ample breasts strained against her tight, bright green, short-sleeved sweater. Her tan slacks looked like she'd been poured into them.
Stefani glanced down at her uniform. It was anything but seductive. How could she compete? Why even kid herself? No man ever gave her a second glance when Harper was around. She checked over Deacon's application and then made a copy of his driver's license and rang up his charge. She listened to Harper chattering non-stop while she retrieved a post office box key for Deacon. Harper was certainly wasting no time pulling out all the stops to charm him. Stefani's heart sank. He wouldn't be interested in her when he could have Harper. Who could blame him? She'd fade into the background while Harper, as usual, took center stage.
“You're all set,” Stefani said with a bright smile as she handed Deacon the key, his driver's license, credit card, and the receipt. “Box number five-oh-three.”
“Thank you.” He returned her smile and held her gaze for a few seconds.
Stefani felt her knees buckle. “You're welcome.”
“I sure hope I see you again,” Harper gushed.
Deacon grinned widely. “I'm sure we'll meet again,” he replied as he stuffed the key into his pocket and returned his license and credit card to his wallet. “Now could either of you tell me where I can find some decent food?”
“There's a diner just down the street on the right. Whitman's. You can't miss it,” Stefani replied. “The food's not bad and the prices are reasonable. The only other place is about three miles outside of town.”
“Whitman's sounds perfect. Thank you.” He smiled again.
Stefani felt her legs further weaken as he once again looked into her eyes. His penetrating gaze made her feel as though he were staring into her very soul. Her heart fluttered and she gripped the edge of the counter to steady herself.
“You're welcome.” She returned his smile and watched as he left her window and walked with long swaggering strides to the door. Her eyes stayed riveted to his butt until he opened the door and disappeared.
“He's gorgeous,” Harper whispered dreamily. “Nice ass, too. Where does he live? Give me all the details. Maybe I can think of an excuse to drop by his place. Maybe bring over a home cooked meal.”
Stefani frowned. “You know I can't give you that information, Harper. Even if I could, I wouldn't. He has a right to his privacy. If he wanted you to know where he's staying I'm sure he would have mentioned it.” Her eyes narrowed. “I'm surprised you didn't come right out and ask him.”
She pursed her lips tightly together. “I didn't want to seem obvious.”
“You obvious? Never!” Stefani feigned shock, and then laughed.
Harper ignored Stefani's remark. Her brow puckered. “Please?”
Stefani shook her head. “No. Ask him the next time you run into him. I'm sure you're headed to Whitman's the second you leave here.”
“I wish, but I have to get back to the salon. I have an appointment in fifteen minutes.” Harper's eyes narrowed. “Well, I've got first dibs on him.”
Stefani's jaw tightened. “Doesn't he have a say? Maybe he's married or isn't looking to get involved with anyone. At least let the guy get settled.”
She bit her bottom lip. “I don't think he's married. I didn't see a ring on his finger.”
“That doesn't mean anything. A lot of guys take their rings off while they're working.”
“Nah. I think he's single. I have a feeling.” Harper tilted her head.
Stefani sighed. Harper was irresistible to men. She'd been born with a natural beauty, the type of beauty all women wished they possessed. And Harper knew how to flatter a man to get exactly what she wanted. Stefani often wondered just what it was Harper was looking for in a man. Harper had dated several whom Stefani thought were perfect for her, but none of the men ever seemed to measure up to what Harper was seeking and the relationships never lasted for more than a couple of months.
Stefani noticed the line of disgruntled customers. “I've got to get back to work, Harper. There's a line and it's getting longer. I'm going to get in trouble if I don't. I'll give you a call after work.”
Harper's face brightened. “Let's go to The Dusty Road tonight. Deacon might stop in.”
“Or he may not.”
“Where else would he go? I doubt he's the type to sit home on a Friday night twiddling his thumbs.”
“He could have a wife,” Stefani reminded her.
“I told you I don't think he does.” She frowned. “With the looks of him, I doubt staying home is something he does either. Come on, Stef. It's Friday night and it's band night at The Dusty Road. You owe me for not telling me he was here.”
Stefani sighed. “I don't enjoy the bar scene. You know that.”
Her lips turned up into a pout. “I just know Deacon will turn up. Come on.”
“Why don't you go by yourself? You've never had a problem going alone before.”
“He's different. I don't want him to think that I normally pick up guys in bars.”
“Even though that's all you ever do.”
Harper ignored Stefani's sarcasm as she batted her long fake eyelashes. “I would do it for you. You know I would. Come on, Stef. Please?”
Stefani frowned. “The minute you spot Deacon you'll drop me like a hot potato.”
Harper lifted an eyebrow. “You know I wouldn't do that, Stef.”
She grunted. “Right. How many times have you left me sitting alone while you took off with a new conquest? It happens almost every time we go out.”
Harper scowled. “You make it sound like I leave you stranded or something. I never left you alone in the bar. I only left you alone while I was dancing.”
“While I sat alone twiddling my thumbs for most of the night.”
“It's not my fault you refuse to put yourself out there and let a guy know you're available. You don't have to sit alone. You could be out there on the dance floor, too, having some fun for a change.”
She looked at the line. “I really need to get back to work,” she whispered as she eyed Kathie looking at her, this time with an annoyed expression on her face. “I'm going to get into t
rouble.”
“Please?” Harper persisted. “Come out for just a little while. We'll take our own cars so you can leave anytime you want to.”
Stefani had to get rid of her and fast. “I don't know. Maybe.”
“Good. I'll meet you there at nine.”
“I said maybe,” Stefani reminded her, but Harper was already halfway to the exit.
* * * *
Stefani glanced around the large room jammed with tables pushed back to the sides to make room for the dancers. She scanned those settled at the tables and others standing either alone or in groups near the band, which was tuning up in preparation for their first set. As she made her way to the long scuffed bar, the band struck up a popular tune. Couples immediately filled the dance floor.
She glanced at her wristwatch. Harper was thirty minutes late. She texted her and waited for a few minutes, then sent another text. No response. That was par for the course with Harper. She had a bad habit of turning off her cell phone or putting it into her purse where it was impossible to hear it, especially if she had it on vibrate, which she usually did. Harper had a pager to notify her of any problems with her elderly parents, though. She never went anywhere without it and kept it within hearing range at all times. Harper often got on Stefani's nerves, but she had to admit that Harper was a loving and dutiful daughter to her elderly parents. Her parents came first in Harper's life. She'd drop everything the minute her pager went off.
Stefani ordered a glass of wine then sat on a bar stool, positioning her body so that she faced the crowded room. The bar's décor was plain. Actually, the building used to be an old barn. The younger crowd always packed the place on weekends, especially Friday nights. Stefani didn't come here often, but when she did, she noticed how the crowd seemed to get younger and younger, and then realized that it was because she was getting older. She waved to a few people when they called out to her. There were a few others her age or older, but she still felt out of place. Especially sitting at the bar alone. She thought that it made her look desperate.
She sighed heavily. Still no sign of Harper. She'd wait until ten, and if Harper didn't show by then she'd head home. She wished she wouldn't have come in the first place. She was growing increasingly more uncomfortable as she watched the happy couples dancing and enjoying themselves. She didn't belong here. She belonged at home curled up with a good novel.
The Dusty Road was packed to capacity since there was the usual Friday night band. Occasionally a band also played Saturday nights, but never a Friday night went by that a band wasn't present. Garden Grove didn't have much else to offer in the way of entertainment. There wasn't even a movie theater anymore.
Garden Grove at one time had been a small, but thriving community. Until the town's only manufacturing plant, which had employed a good portion of the citizens, had closed its doors after operating in Garden Grove for almost one hundred years. The closing of the plant had signaled a death knell for the small town that used to boast a large department store, movie theater, three restaurants, a hotel, and numerous shops. Stefani longed for those days when she had to go no farther than Main Street to find anything she was in need of. She missed the old drug store with the lunch counter and the snack shack where the kids would hang out after school. She'd spent many long lazy afternoons there as a teen. Now it was boarded up along with many of her other once familiar haunts.
She sighed. She'd never liked change, but there was nothing she could do about the economic downturn of Garden Grove. It was only one of many small communities that was rapidly turning into a ghost town. Harper worked at a hair and nail salon, and Stefani knew she only stayed in Garden Grove because of her elderly parents. They were in declining health and lived in Garden Grove's assisted living facility.
She wondered what had brought Deacon Travis here. He'd listed his address as the old Browning house. The Browning's had moved away a couple of years ago and their house had been on the market almost as long. She was surprised that anyone would buy it. Not because of the property, but because of the price. It was the most beautiful and expensive home in town with lavish rolling lawns and the most elaborate and striking gardens Stefani had ever set eyes on. It sat on several acres and had been in the Browning family for generations. But it, too, had succumbed to the times. The heir to the Browning fortune had been young and foolish, squandering away most of his inheritance. The last Stefani had heard, he'd set off for California with dreams of making it in the film industry. Only someone financially well off could afford the home. It must have been a very quick and private sale or else she, as well as the rest of the town, would have heard about it.
If Deacon had a wife, he hadn't listed her name on the post office box application. Could he actually be single? Her heart fluttered. Her initial reaction to Deacon Travis surprised her. She'd never had such a reaction to a man before him. But, instinctively, she sensed he was different from the men around here. Maybe that was the reason. He wasn't from around here and she knew nothing about him. But she'd also never seen a man with such refined good looks. She scolded herself. She'd never been one to judge a person just on their looks and now realized she was acting like Harper. Well, it didn't matter. Even if he were single, he'd never be interested in someone like her. No, he'd be more drawn to sexy and vivacious Harper. But then again, just maybe he'd be interested in someone who could hold her own when it came to discussions on world events. Harper wasn't much of a conversationalist unless the topic involved the latest fashions, hairstyles, or shopping.
Harper warned Stefani that getting herself so worked up over politics and everything else happening in the world was a turn off for most men. Harper had no interest in world events. She only cared about what was happening in her own little corner of the world. But those were the topics that interested Stefani. She liked to keep abreast of what was going on in the world outside of Garden Grove. She craved lively intellectual conversations with the occasional debate thrown in for good measure. She also loved art museums and the theater, but Harper thought those were dull pass-times and a waste of her time. Even a walk or hike in nature couldn't stimulate Harper. She was content to while away her hours reading fashion magazines and watching reality television. Stefani loved to read, and in the winter months preferred curling up with a good book instead of watching television.
Stefani took a swallow of wine. She glanced at her wristwatch again and then checked her cell phone. She gritted her teeth. Her body tensed and she bristled. She shoved her phone back into her pocket. She was lost in thought and didn't notice someone had come up to the bar and was standing next to her.
“Is this seat taken?” a deep voice with a familiar Texas drawl asked.
Stefani, startled, almost lost her grip on her wine glass. She turned her head and looked up into the dreamy dark eyes of Deacon Travis.
“No…no, please sit.” She steadied her nerves as he sat on the bar stool next to hers. As he shifted his weight on the bar stool, his rock hard thigh brushed against her and a hot searing spark shot through her. She stiffened and looked down into her wineglass. She realized that she'd succumb to him in a heartbeat if he asked. That shocked her. The emotions flowing through her were foreign to her, but definitely pleasurable. As she glanced at him, she let her imagination run wild, imagining Deacon's magnificent body pressed up against her own.
Her nipples hardened and strained against her bra. Her face flushed. Harper was right about one thing, Deacon Travis definitely was gorgeous. Tonight he was wearing black jeans, an olive green short-sleeved shirt opened at the neck, and black boots. She wished she'd worn a skirt, but had settled for a pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved pale pink blouse. She wore a pair of flats on her feet. Her neck and ears were adorned with a simple gold chain with matching earrings. Most of the people here dressed casually. Very few of the women were dressed in skirts or dresses, but it would have been a way to impress Deacon with her best asset—her long shapely legs.
“It looks like the entire town is her
e tonight,” Deacon observed as he held up his empty beer bottle, catching the bartender's eye when he looked their way. “Is it always this packed?”
It dawned on Stefani that he must have been here for a while since he'd already finished a beer. She hadn't seen him as she'd scanned the crowd looking for Harper. It didn't matter. All she cared about was that he'd noticed her and wanted to sit with her. She noticed a lot of single women in the crowd and felt a sense of satisfaction that she'd been the one he'd chosen to spend time with. Her insides quivered and now she silently prayed that Harper had bailed on her. She would certainly forgive her if she had.
“You'll soon find out that The Dusty Road is about the only entertainment in town on Friday and Saturday nights, especially with the Friday night band.” She smiled at him. “Unless you prefer the weekly game of bingo over at the community center.”
The bartender quickly retrieved another bottle of beer, opened it, and set it on the bar in front of Deacon.
Deacon picked up the bottle and took a long swallow. His eyes crinkled with laughter as he looked at her. “I think I'll pass on the bingo. Is there a movie theater? I didn't see one.”
She shook her head. “We don't have one anymore. We used to have a pretty decent one until Garden Grove went belly up.”
He nodded. “It's happening all over. Hopefully things will turn around again soon.” He shifted his weight on the barstool. “Do you come here often?” he asked peering intently at her.
His eyes were so penetrating she thought he could read her mind. If he could, he would see that she was imagining his naked body caressing her own as she spread herself wide, pleading with him to still the burning ache within her. “No, only once in a while. I'm meeting Harper. She's running late.” She'd debated mentioning Harper's name, but didn't want him to think this was a regular hangout of hers.
“She makes quite a first impression,” he said with a chuckle as he lifted what Stefani interpreted as a suggestive eyebrow. “I take it you two are close friends.”
She nodded. “Since kindergarten.” Here goes, she thought. He'll want to find out all he can about Harper. For a few fleeting moments she'd almost convinced herself that he might be interested in her. She should have known better. Next to Harper, she was plain. Hell, almost every woman she knew looked plain next to Harper. She bent her head and swallowed hard. She didn't want him to see how hurt she was. She should excuse herself and leave, but for some reason she couldn't get her body off the barstool. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes. Harper wasn't here, she was. Maybe she could think of something to say that would pique his interest and take his focus off of Harper, if only for a few minutes.
Sparks & Cabin Fever Page 2