“I know it hasn't been easy for you, Harper, and I know what your parents mean to you,” Stefani said softly. “No one could ask for a more loyal or loving daughter.”
“Thank you.” Harper drew a deep breath as she brushed the tear from her cheek. “What I did the other night was wrong. I saw that you and Deacon were involved in a conversation. I wish now that I would have just left when I saw you two instead of coming up to the bar.”
“It doesn't matter now. It's over. There's no use rehashing it again,” Stefani said. “It can't be changed.”
“No, it's not over. I had no right to call dibs on him. He certainly has a mind of his own. I only wish you would have told me you were interested in him.” She swept her well-manicured fingernails through her hair. “He wants you, Stef. He made that perfectly clear. He couldn't stop talking about you.”
Stefani sighed. “He doesn't even know me. And you and I don't really know him either. He could be married for all we know. Unless you found out otherwise?”
“No, he didn't say. But I got the impression he's single. I think you should give him a chance.”
Stefani scowled. “Why? He made his choice. He could have asked me to stay or he could have excused himself.”
Harper raised her eyes in exasperation. “It wasn't me he wanted to be with, Stef. Haven't you been listening? That's what I'm trying to explain. He kept asking me questions about you and was genuinely upset that you'd left. He only danced with me and bought me a drink to be polite. He never even asked me one personal question about myself. It was you he wanted to be dancing with, not me. He made it perfectly clear that he had no interest in me.”
Stefani couldn't believe her ears. This was the first time any man had put her before Harper. And to think a man like Deacon Travis would choose her over Harper was almost too much to hope for. But then again, she had to keep her guard up. There had to be a catch. He was too good to be true. “I'm still hurt, Harper. You couldn't wait to get rid of me and practically tossed me out of the bar. You've never acted like that before.”
Harper sniffed. “You're right. All I can say is I'm sorry. I wish you would forgive me, but I can't force you to.” Her lips trembled. “What can I do to make this right between us?”
Stefani rubbed her temples. She was silent for a few minutes as she studied Harper. She knew her well enough to know that she was sincere. “Nothing. It's just as much my fault. You're right. I should have told you I was also interested in him.” She lowered her eyes.
Harper shook her head. “I'm not interested in Deacon. That's what I'm trying to explain.”
“You could have fooled me the way you were acting around him.” Stefani's eyes narrowed.
Harper shrugged. “That's the funny thing. I thought I was. I made a fool of myself by throwing myself at him, but while we were dancing my feelings just fizzled. I mean he's gorgeous and everything, but we have absolutely nothing in common. He likes all the same things you do, Stef. He was talking about the latest book he read and I can't even remember the last time I even read a book. I think it was in high school. And then he began talking about fishing and how you promised to show him the best spots.”
Stefani smiled. “You must have found something in common.”
“No, we didn't. I've never been the outdoorsy type like you. You know that.” She bit her bottom lip. “You two are perfect for each other. He's everything you want in a man all rolled up into a nice little package for you.” Her eyes brightened. “How did you feel when you were sitting at the bar with him? I'll bet the sparks were flying. Tell the truth.”
Stefani felt her face grow warm. “Maybe.” She cleared her throat. “Okay, I felt electrified. My heart was sparking like crazy. I had feelings I never experienced before.”
“I knew it! Come on.” Harper jumped to her feet. “The least I can do is to get you two together. He told me he's moved into the Browning house.” She raised an eyebrow. “But of course you already knew that. Let's pay him a surprise visit.”
Stefani hesitated. “I can't do that. I don't even know him. He'll think I'm crazy if I just show up on his doorstep.” She decided not to tell Harper about Deacon's visit to the post office this afternoon. Had he really come because he wanted to see her and not just to ease his guilty conscience about what had happened at the bar?
Harper frowned. “Or maybe he'll be pleased. How will you get to know him if you don't give him a chance? If you don't, you'll always wonder, Stef.”
“You're right,” Stefani, said.
* * * *
Stefani stood nervously on the doorstep of the Browning House, now Deacon's new home. She glanced over her shoulder where Harper waited in the car. Harper, grinning, held a thumb up. She drew a deep breath then turned back around and pushed the door buzzer. Her insides quivered as she apprehensively waited for the door to open. It seemed like hours instead of seconds before it finally did.
“May I help you?” a cheerful beautiful brunette asked.
“I'm looking for Deacon Travis,” Stefani said, wondering who the woman was. Possibly someone he'd hired to help settle the house. Obviously he'd employ a housekeeper and maybe even a cook, but this woman didn't look like she was employed in either of those positions. She wore a light pink pullover, blue jeans, and a pair of cowboy boots. Her hair was pinned on top of her head.
“He's out back. Would you like to come inside and I'll get him for you?” She nodded toward the entry hall. “Don't mind the mess. We're still unpacking cartons.”
“No, that's okay. I'll talk to him later if he's busy.” She offered a weak smile.
“I'm sure he can take a break.” She looked at Stefani curiously. “Whom shall I say is calling?”
She felt like an idiot showing up on his doorstep, but now she was trapped. “Stefani. I work at the post office.”
“Oh yes! Deacon told me he'd acquired a post office box, but absentmindedly forgot to include my name. That's a man for you,” she said with a laugh and a quick toss of her head. “I'm Liz Travis. I'll be down sometime this week to put my name on the box, also.”
Stefani's breath caught in her throat. So he was married. “It's nice to meet you,” she finally stammered as her heart shattered and a lump rose in her throat. Her palms grew moist. She needed to get away from this friendly naive woman who obviously didn't know she was married to a cheater. Stefani felt sick to her stomach.
The woman smiled widely. “I must say this is a beautiful little town. Deacon was right about Garden Grove. I think we'll be very happy here.”
A child's voice called to her from another part of the house and Liz turned her head. “That's my son, David. Let me see what he wants and then I'll get Deacon for you. Are you sure you don't want to come inside?”
“No, thank you. I'll wait here. It's a beautiful evening after the rain,” Stefani said trying to keep her wobbly voice under control. There was no way she wanted to go inside the home he shared with his wife.
“Okay. I'll be right back,” Liz said, and then closed the door.
As soon as the door closed, Stefani turned and then stumbled down the steps. She ran to the car where Harper sat with a quizzical look on her face. She was trembling when she reached the car. After she'd settled herself inside, she put her hand to her throbbing head and looked at Harper. “Just get me as far away from here as you can. Hurry!”
“What happened?” Harper asked, surprised. “Who was that woman?”
Stefani's lips quivered. “Apparently Deacon failed to mention that he has a wife and son.”
“What?” Harper's eyes grew wide. “I can't believe that. Are you sure she's not someone he hired to take care of the house or something?”
“She introduced herself as Liz Travis. They have a son named David.” Stefani swallowed hard as she fought back bitter tears. “Just take me home, please, Harper. Now!”
“Oh, Stef, I'm so sorry.” Harper slapped the steering wheel. “He fooled the both of us. Didn't he realize with the size of Garden G
rove we'd be bound to find out? And especially since you work at the post office?” Her eyes darkened. “I'll never trust another man for as long as I live.”
“Me either.” Stefani squeezed her eyes shut to keep her tears from spilling out. “Let's get out of here, Harper.”
Harper started the car and peered through the windshield. “Oh no! What should I do?” she asked.
Stefani, who'd been looking down at her lap, raised her eyes. The front door of Deacon's house stood wide open and Deacon, followed by Liz, was rushing toward the car.
“They don't look upset.” Harper glanced at Stefani and then rolled down the car windows seconds before Deacon and Liz reached the passenger side.
“I'm sorry it took so long for me to find Deacon. He was further from the house than I thought,” Liz apologized. “I'm glad we caught you before you left.”
Deacon grinned as he looked at Stefani. “Does that mean you're here to accept my invitation for a cup of coffee?”
Stefani looked questionably at Liz, then Deacon.
“I see you've met my sister-in-law Liz. Her husband, my brother David, will be joining her here in a few weeks. In the meantime, I've been assigned the job of helping her get the family home settled,” Deacon explained. “Liz, I'd like you to meet Harper Lewis.”
“It's nice to meet you,” Liz said.
“I hope you'll be happy in Garden Grove.”
“I know we will.”
“You're not going to be living here, too?” Harper asked Deacon.
“I'm remodeling the guesthouse out back. I'll be staying there for the time being,” he replied.
“Why don't you two come in for that cup of coffee if you have the time,” Liz offered. “It'll be good to have some women to talk to for a change.” She smiled wryly. “Not that I don't enjoy my brother-in-law's company, but he doesn't seem to have the knack for decorating. Maybe you two can give me some tips,” she said with a wide smile.
“I'd love to.” Harper turned to Stefani.
“Sounds like fun,” Stefani said as Deacon held the car door open for her. Her heart sparked and exploded with joy as she looked into Deacon's eyes.
Stefani had never seen the inside of the Browning Mansion. It was everything she dreamed it would be. The enormous rooms were loaded with crates and boxes waiting to be unpacked. Liz led Harper and Stefani to the back of the house to a bright sunny room casually decorated.
“This is my favorite room, so naturally I finished it first,” Liz admitted. “Once I get the rest of the house settled this is where I'll be spending most of my free time.” She motioned them to the wicker sofas and chairs. The room held an enormous variety of plants. “Eventually I hope to have a small greenhouse.”
“This is a beautiful room,” Harper replied glancing around.
“And what a view!” Stefani exclaimed as she looked out of the sliding glass door to the attractively landscaped backyard.
Deacon turned to Stefani. “How would you like a tour? Maybe you could give me some decorating ideas for the guest house.”
“I'd love it,” Stefani said with a wide smile. “Would you like to come, too, Harper?” she asked hoping she'd decline.
“I'll give Harper a tour later. Right now, I want to find out about where to get my hair and nails done. Is that all right with you, Harper?” Liz asked.
“Sounds great,” she replied with a wink at Stefani.
* * * *
Stefani’s heart thudded so loudly in her ears that she was sure Deacon could hear. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Was she dreaming? It had to be too good to be true. They strolled around the grounds and when Stefani stopped to admire an elaborate flower garden, Deacon led her to a nearby bench.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful,” she said as she gazed at the beautiful display of colorful flowers.
“I want to be perfectly honest and upfront with you, Stefani,” Deacon began. His eyes narrowed as he peered at her.
Stefani steeled herself. She should have known that she was reading more into his actions than he had intended. Why had she come? Her heart couldn’t take these ups and downs. Her happiness suddenly drained from her. She kept silent, but studied his face. She could read nothing in his expression.
He exhaled loudly as he leaned back against the bench and casually stretched his arm across the top of it. “I don’t just work for the company that bought the Ware Plant.” He paused.
“You work for your brother?”
“No. David and I work together. Our family owns the factory. I wanted to get that out of the way.”
Stefani grinned, relieved. “I’m pleased that Garden Grove was your family’s choice, since there are so many closed factories around the country you could have chosen.”
“Me, too,” he replied grinning. “We looked at several, but this location caught our eye. Anyway, I’m happy you stopped by. I was trying to figure out another way to get you to talk to me. I was wrong the other night. I should have left the bar when Harper showed up. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
“You don’t owe me an apology.” Stefani’s face reddened. “None of it was your fault. I’m the one who should be apologizing for treating you so rudely this afternoon.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I hope you forgive me.”
“Let’s call it even. Better yet, why don’t we start over?”
“I’d like that.”
“From our brief conversation it appears that we have a lot in common. Would you have dinner with me Friday night?”
Stefani’s heart flip-flopped with excitement. “I’d love to, but only if you come to my house and let me cook dinner for you.”
“Now, how can I say no to that?” He rose. “Would you like to see the guesthouse?”
She nodded and took the hand he offered.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the guesthouse. She’d expected a small one or two room cottage, but instead he led her through a smaller version of the main house. The only difference was that it had one floor and two bedrooms instead of two floors and eight bedrooms.
“Wow!” she exclaimed. “It’s breathtaking. What a view!” she said peering out of his kitchen window at the woods bordering the property.
He shoved his hands in his pockets as he joined her at the window. “That’s one of the reasons I insisted on staying here even though Liz and David wanted me to move into the house with them.”
“Well, I can see why you insisted on staying out here. It’s so quiet and peaceful. Have you had a chance to explore the woods?”
“No.” He turned his head and looked at her. “Maybe you’d like to come with me when I do.”
Stefani felt like she’d explode with happiness. She still couldn’t believe that she was here with Deacon Travis in his home. “I’d love to,” she replied.
“Good.” He removed his hands from his pockets and took her elbow. “I supposed we’d better get back and join Liz and Harper for that cup of coffee.”
* * * *
Liz and Harper were busy thumbing through magazines when Stefani and Deacon quietly entered the room. David Jr. smiled at Stefani with a toothy grin and then went back to his coloring book.
“Harper has given me some wonderful decorating ideas,” Liz said with a bright smile aimed at Stefani. “She’s also promised to do my nails later. That is if you can stay.”
“I’m in no hurry,” Stefani said returning her smile.
“I’m hungry, Uncle Deacon,” David Jr. said.
Deacon walked over to him and squatted down. “How about I throw some burgers on the grill? Would you like that?”
“We had a late lunch,” Liz explained. “If you and Harper haven’t eaten we’d love for the two of you to join us.”
“I’d love to,” Harper quickly replied as she nodded towards Stefani.
Stefani remembered her tasteless sandwich from earlier. Suddenly she was starving. “Only if you let me help.”
“Yippee!” David Jr. gleefully
replied. “Let’s have a picnic, Mommy.”
“Now that’s a good idea, David. We’ll have a picnic supper on the back patio. You can help Mommy and Harper get everything ready while Uncle Deacon and Stefani grill the burgers.”
Stefani still couldn’t believe this was really happening and only knew that if she was dreaming then she never wanted to awaken. Deacon took her arm and led her to the patio.
“This is a perfect evening for a picnic,” Deacon said as he lit the grill. “Please have a seat and I'll join you in a sec.” He motioned to a large patio table with several chairs surrounding it.
“Can I help with anything?”
He smiled at her. “I think everything's under control.”
Stefani pulled out a chair and sat. She smiled as David Jr. walked to the patio balancing a large tray of hamburgers.
“Here you go, Uncle Deacon,” he said.
“Thank you, David.” He took the tray with one hand and tousled the boy's hair with the other. “How many do you think you can eat?”
David scrunched up his face. “Maybe one cause I need to save room for ice cream.”
Deacon laughed. “Ice cream sounds good. Maybe later we can play ball.”
David turned and shyly looked at Stefani. “You can play, too.”
“I'd like that,” Stefani replied.
“Tell you what, David. Maybe we'll challenge the women. Think we can beat them?”
“Sure we can, Uncle Deacon.”
“Okay, this will be our plan,” Deacon said. He put an arm around the boy's shoulders and talked to him in a low voice.
Stefani observed the exchange between the two. Deacon had a way with children and it was easy to see the genuine love he held for his nephew. She knew he'd make a wonderful father if children were in his future.
David flashed her another smile as he made his way back inside the house.
“What were you two conspiring about?” Stefani asked and then grinned. “Anything I should warn Liz and Harper about?”
Sparks & Cabin Fever Page 5