When The Runway Went South

by Lois Kasznia

  "I sure do appreciate it." Ally propped her feet on a footstool.

  "Tell me, why did you come here?" Caleb had made himself comfortable while sipping his whiskey. "I mean, you're this famous model in New York."

  "I got tired of the whole scene." Ally shrugged. She met his intense gaze. "It had been fun for a while, but not anymore. I still have obligations to fulfill so I will be going back occasionally for some shoots. One thing I promised to myself is not to do something that makes me I'm unhappy."

  "What do you want to do?" asked Caleb more than intrigued. "Not too many people can just walk away from a million dollar career."

  "The job is a lot harder than people give you credit for. It’s long hours under hot lights, and working with some very temperamental photographers," laughed Ally.

  "Back to the 'what do you want to do' question?" Caleb asked again.

  "Something constructive, helping people, being involved in the community. I could've stayed in New York, but I decided to help Kat with the business she's trying to establish." Ally stopped short, knowing she had talked too much. She ran her fingers through her hair and tried to fix it into a ponytail. Caleb stilled her hand and smiled at her.

  "Leave it down."

  "It's so curly." Ally shook her head, surprised at Caleb's touch. "Enough about me, what about you?"

  "My story isn't that interesting. Is your boyfriend upset you moved down here?"

  "Ally is done with men," said Kat as she entered the kitchen. She glanced down at the drinks with a bemused expression. "I see you've started without me."

  Chapter Five

  "Kat, let me help you." Ally rushed to get the food out while Kat checked up on her Cornish hens. Caleb got Kat a beer and they sat down comfortably at the table and dug into the food.

  "This sounds interesting," said Caleb as he addressed Ally. "You've given up on men?"

  "Can we change the subject?" Ally dug into her food.

  "No, it's funny," said Kat with a laugh.

  "No, it isn't. Kat, please?" Ally didn't want to talk about it, but Kat would not let it drop, as the beer helped loosen her tongue.

  "Ally drove Mom and Dad insane in her boy crazy days," began Kat. "We called her a 'bad boy' magnet. She could find one within a ten mile radius."

  "Shame on you," teased Caleb as he looked upon Ally with an amused expression.

  "Then she met a really nice guy. Mom and Dad flew up from Houston to meet him. They couldn't believe it. Their little Ally had changed her ways.” Kat shook her head.

  Caleb had not taken his eyes off of Ally for a second. "And?"

  "He had two other girlfriends besides me. For three years I dated him and never knew it." Ally glared at Kat and faced Caleb. "See? I give up. I don't need a man in my life."

  "Just like Dottie told us about you." Kat smiled at Caleb.

  "What did Dottie tell you?" It always floored Caleb when women talked about him.

  "That you're the most eligible bachelor around and every woman would love to get their hands on you."

  "She said that?" asked Caleb amused. "Well, shoot. I've got me a reputation." He laughed good-naturedly. "You're married?" He directed his question to Kat.

  "Happily." Kat put her hand on her heart.

  "Then that makes us even. You're not looking for a man and I'm not looking for a woman, so we can all get along."

  "Deal." The three of them shook hands on it.

  Ally's phone rang while they were cleaning up. She stepped in the other room to take the call. "The rep from the gas company said someone will be here within the next hour."

  "Time for me to get these dinners home," said Kat. She stood up to get the Cornish hens.

  "I need to go, too." Caleb reached for his jacket and he turned to Ally. "Let me know if he doesn't show up." Caleb reached for his jacket and then had second thoughts. "Better yet, I should stay here."

  "No, please. You've given up your day for me. I can't ask you to do this. I'll be fine." Ally shook her head.

  "Are you sure?" Caleb didn't like Ally being by herself. He stepped back and thought a moment. This could be trouble since she lived by herself and he would worry about her all the time.

  "I have Tank, remember?" Ally looked at Caleb imploringly.

  "How could I forget? Call me when he comes." Caleb started for the door.

  "Sure. Oh, I forgot to tell you Dottie called and wants you to call her back."

  "What did she want? Did she say?" Caleb stopped and looked at Ally closely.

  "She didn't say and I didn't ask." Ally shrugged.

  "I'll call her later." Caleb joined Kat and they left together.

  Ally saw them out the door and sighed as she closed and locked the door. What a day and it looked like tonight could go on forever. She poured another glass of wine and settled down to watch television trying real hard not to think about Caleb.

  Caleb walked in the door of his house cursing about Ally. He had lied out right. No, he hadn't been looking for a woman, but the good Lord had placed one almost in his lap. Maybe this would pass in time, but he couldn't keep his mind off of her. He picked up the phone to call Dottie.

  "Dottie? What's up?" Caleb sat is his easy chair to get comfortable.

  "Caleb, where have you been all day? I've been trying to get in touch with you."

  "I've been helping my new neighbor who has had a boat load of problems. What rug did you look under to get that inspection?" Caleb got right to the point.

  "He's a good friend of ours and clearly there's been a mistake."

  "You're damn right it's a mistake. Ally shouldn't have to pay for any of that bill. Tom should pay for it"

  "Y'all actually got Earl to go check it out? What did you bribe him with?"

  "His picture taken with Ally, he's happy as rooster in a hen house."

  "I bet. When's the next Chamber of Commerce meeting? You should know since you're the president," said Dottie.

  "You called me for that?"

  "Head's up, I've switched to a new company. I want them to be introduced to the chamber, a good word."

  "I hope this company is better than Tom's," said Caleb flatly.

  "It's his wife's."

  "Hmm. Tell you what. Let's see if Tom can fix his mistake with Ally."

  "I'll talk to him," assured Dottie.

  Caleb got up from the easy chair and looked out his windows. No, he couldn't see Ally's house from here. Why hadn't she called? Had they not come? Curiosity got the better of him and he called her. "They haven't come yet?"

  "No." Ally yawned. "I fell asleep on the couch, but I would've heard the doorbell. Did you call Dottie?"

  "Taken care of, why don't you call him and see where he's at? I have to get up early tomorrow."

  "Caleb, don't worry. He'll be here." Ally smiled, flattered at his concern. "Oh, see? He just drove up. No, wait a moment. It's the man from Verizon. What is he doing here so late? Caleb?" The line went dead. Ally turned as the doorbell rang and decided not to answer it. Living in New York had given her a sixth sense and this didn't feel right. Talk about a day from hell.

  "What are you doing here?" Caleb asked the service man.

  "I forgot one of my tools and I couldn't find it at my last job, so I figured I had left it here."

  "Did you call first?" demanded Caleb.

  "Uh, no." The man started to squirm.

  "Tell me what it is and I'll go look for it." Caleb turned to the door and yelled. "Ally, it's me, Caleb. Open the door."

  "Caleb?" Ally slowly opened the door thinking maybe this person had a gun trained on Caleb, but no. Angry, yes, but that didn't surprise her.

  "He says he left one of his tools here by the television upstairs." Caleb pointed to the repairman. "Keep the door closed while I look for it."

  Ally nodded mutely as she watched him go upstairs. She really didn't mean to cause so much trouble and probably by now, Caleb would chase her out of town. Caleb came down with a wrench in his hand, muttering the whole tim
e.

  "Oldest trick in the book," he said in passing to Ally. "Oh, I forgot my tools so I have to come back. God knows what he planned on doing with you." He wrenched open the door and handed it to the waiting repairman. "Next time, call first." He slammed the door shut while Ally looked on speechless.

  "What?"

  "He wanted you, that's what. Tomorrow, I want you to call Verizon and report him. Now where is the gas company?"

  "Obviously, not here, Caleb, I feel so badly all of this has happened. Here you're staying up late; you haven't done your work today and now this."

  "You're right. I am nuts, Ally. What is about you that drives a man crazy?" He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. "Is there any more of that whiskey?"

  "What do you mean I drive you crazy?" asked Ally.

  "There is never a dull moment with you. That's all." Caleb smiled. "Now, about that drink?"

  Sure." Ally went and fixed a drink for him. "I'll call and see where he's at." She made the call and did not like the answer. "He said since I have the gas turned off, I'm the lowest priority. Another leak had been reported and he had to tend to. He's on his way now."

  "Why wouldn't it surprise me with you?" He sat down on the couch and just stared at Ally.

  "Can I get you anything else? I have chips." Caleb's stare made Ally uneasy.

  "Tomorrow?" asked Caleb. "No more problems? I have work to do on the ranch."

  "Nope, I promise. After today, you won't see me again," swore Ally.

  "Damn straight, I won't." He studied Ally again. "A man would have a heart attack being married to you."

  "Why, what do you mean? My father survived and look how long he's worried about me. He taught me how to handle controversy." said Ally.

  "No. I'm sorry I said that." Caleb got up and sat next to Ally on the couch feeling badly. "You've had a bad day."

  "He's here," said Ally as she jumped up from the couch. Sitting too close to Caleb made her so aware of his masculinity and he thought she caused nothing but trouble.

  "Sorry this has taken so long," said the agent as he walked in the door. "Where are the leaks?"

  "I'll show you," said Caleb, setting down his drink. Ally walked through the house behind Caleb taking notes of everything that was discussed. It lasted only minutes. Thrilled to have the house back to normal again, Ally smiled at Caleb, who finished off his drink and once again his gaze lingered on Ally. "Now, this is it, right?"

  "You won't hear from me again, I swear." Ally made the sign of the cross.

  "I find that hard to believe," laughed Caleb. He walked over to Ally, took her face between his hands and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight."

  Stunned, Ally slid down the door as Caleb closed it. Why did Caleb kiss her? Oh, Lord.

  She stumbled off to bed and cracked open her window for some fresh air. Ally fell into an exhausted sleep thinking that nothing could wake her up.

  Wrong. At four-thirty in the morning still dark outside, Ally heard the strangest noise. She sat up in bed in disbelief. A rooster? What in the world? She sank back into her bed an put her pillow over her head to deafen the sound. It didn't work. As she lay there, thoughts of what Caleb's kisses would do to her kept her awake longer than she wanted.

  ****

  "Something ain't right with the cattle." Jeb, Caleb's right-hand man, informed him. "They're moving slow and some of them won't get up. I'm calling Doc Smith to come over and take a look at them. I just noticed it yesterday."

  "I'll ride over there and check," said Caleb, feeling guilty he had spent all day over at Ally's not paying any attention to his chores.

  "I can show you," said Jeb as he saddled his horse. Caleb waited impatiently. He barely glanced at Ally's way as he went riding past her place, his mind on his cattle. He pulled up and saw what Jeb meant. Whipping out his cell phone, he called the vet.

  "There's some missing, too," commented Caleb as he looked at the herd. The two of them got off their horses and walked around the pasture looking for any signs of trouble.

  "Caleb, come here and look at this." Jeb showed Caleb the fence where it had been cut. They then smelled a strange sickly sweet odor on the ground. Jeb looked up at Caleb with a pained look. "Antifreeze. Someone poisoned our cattle."

  "Damn." Caleb felt as if someone had kicked him in the gut. "Jeb, do me a favor and check the other pastures while I wait for the authorities." This had never happened to him before. Determined to find this low-down son-of-a-bitch, Caleb jumped on his horse to track them down and kill them.

  ****

  True to her word, Ally did not bother Caleb at all since she had taken up his time yesterday. Granted, she needed some help, but she would wait until Kat came over this afternoon. The man had come to put the fence in for Tank, who wasn't too pleased with his new collar. The yard looked unusual with the brightly colored flags reminding Tank where he couldn't go.

  Ally checked up on him periodically and one time she noticed Caleb and another man riding in the pasture at breakneck speed, with the dust billowing behind them. She hoped things were all right. Being inquisitive, she went upstairs to the bedroom which overlooked the pasture. Ally thought it odd she saw several teenagers in the field. It looked like they were holding beer cans. Did Caleb have any children? She didn't know. It didn't look right, though.

  Ally ran downstairs to get her phone to take some pictures. When she got back upstairs, she saw them not only drinking but smoking a joint. They were coming closer to her property and eyeing her house. For a moment, she didn't know what to do. Then her New York persona, kicked in. She took their picture and called nine-one-one. Fortunately, Tank smelled trouble as one of the teens tried to climb over the fence. Tank's one-hundred and ten pounds of pure dog lunged for the boy's leg with snarling teeth. Frightened, the boy fell over backwards into the pasture and he ran off with the others.

  Ally watched as the squad cars showed up on Caleb's property and she ran down to talk to them. Only problem appeared to be scaling the fence. Thinking quickly, she ran into her garage and got a step ladder and ran back outside to the fence while Tank barked incessantly. Caleb rode up and joined the police as he spotted Ally.

  "Ally, what happened?" Caleb picked her up with one fell swoop and brought her down to the other side of the fence holding her tightly against his body. Hesitant to let him go, Ally sighed with pleasure. She could get used to this.

  Startled, she tried to gain her balance after Caleb had let go. Oh, did that ever feel good. Caleb definitely ranked a twelve on a scale of one to ten. "I saw you riding really fast and I wondered what happened. So I went upstairs to get a better view and that's when I saw these teenagers." She stopped and looked at Caleb."Do you have teenage sons?"

  "No, I don't have any children. Ally, where were they?" Caleb studied her intensely.

  "They were back here." She pointed to the left of her property. "They were drinking beer and smoking a joint. One of them tried to climb over my fence, but Tank scared them away. Look, I even took their picture." Ally handed Caleb her phone.

  "Do you recognize any of them?" Caleb asked the officers. "My fence has been cut and my herd poisoned. If these kids did it, there's hell to pay."

  "Oh, Caleb." gasped Ally as the realization hit her. "That's terrible."

  "I think we do," responded the officer as he looked at Ally. "We need your phone."

  "It's the least I could do," murmured Ally, touched by the tender way in which Caleb looked at her. Ally waited while they uploaded the pictures from her phone.

  "What's going to happen with Caleb's cattle?" asked Ally.

  "The vet has to determine the damage and will put down the ones who are really sick." The officer shook his head. "Then they'll have to clean out that pasture before he can let any more in. We're talking a lot of money. You were really thinking when you took their picture. It would be something kids would do."

  Chapter Six

  "Tell me what happened," asked Kat as she sat at Ally's kitchen tab
le. "My God, Ally. You've only been here three days and look at all the excitement you've caused."

  "Poor Caleb, I wish I could do something for him. The officer told me Caleb will lose animals and money. How could those kids be so irresponsible?" Ally shook her head in disgust.

  "Kids don't think. Probably, the best thing you could do is to lay low and don't bother Caleb."