Sparks & Cabin Fever Read Free

you with?”
    Harper lifted her eyebrows. “Come on, Stef. Once you see him, you'll know what I'm talking about,” she said dreamily.
    Stefani was startled when her eyes finally located him. He suddenly appeared behind Harper. Her legs weakened at the sight of him. He smiled at her and her heart flip-flopped. His warm friendly eyes crinkled at the edges. She was sure the sparks shooting from her heart were visible to everyone in range. Her fingers trembled. She had to stay in control, but it wasn't easy. She drew a deep silent breath, which usually calmed her, but this time it didn't help. What was wrong with her? No man had ever had such an effect on her. It was an instant physical attraction, and an emotion she was unfamiliar with.
    â€œDid I mention that he's the sexiest man I've ever seen?” Harper's eyes smoldered with desire as she continued gushing about him.
    Stefani cleared her throat and motioned with her eyes, hoping Harper would pick up her signal to stop talking. But Harper was so caught up in her excitement that she didn't notice. “Harper, I think—”
    â€œI 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.
    â€œIs 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.”
    â€œNo 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.
    â€œI'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.”
    â€œThank 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.
    â€œYou're all set,” Stefani said with a bright smile as she handed Deacon the key,