When The Runway Went South

by Lois Kasznia

  "Look at them, Kat." Duly impressed, Ally turned to Caleb. "I've never seen them dance before in my whole life."

  "Can you do the two-step?" Caleb challenged Ally.

  "I just got here," Ally reminded him. "Two-step is not my thing."

  "I can," shouted Kat. "Come on, Caleb. Let's show Ally how it's done." Kat grabbed a laughing Caleb out onto the dance floor, leaving Ally alone and feeling a little left out. She watched them as they smiled at each other and did the dance perfectly. Ally then looked at her parents and shook her head.

  "You're Ally Duncan?" A deep voice broke her stare at the dance floor. Ally turned around, surprised to find a very good looking man seated where her mother had been sitting.

  "Depends on who wants to know?" countered Ally.

  "Name is Mike Grace. I play for the Texas Rangers. Baseball," he clarified as he saw the blank look on Ally's face.

  "Took me a while to figure that out," apologized Ally.

  "I'm originally from New York, so I've seen your picture everywhere. What brings you here?"

  "Family." Ally pointed to the empty chairs around the table. "They're out there dancing. I don't know how to do the two-step."

  "It's not really that hard. I could teach you if you want? Come on, give it a try." He tried to reach for her hand, but Ally pulled it away.

  "If I wanted to learn it, I'd be out there right now. No thanks." Ally tried to be graceful.

  "Well, there are other dances we can do." Mike sounded hopeful.

  "I'm here with someone," explained Ally. "He's dancing with my sister." Ally hoped God would forgive her for this white lie.

  "I'm sorry. I thought you were alone. Can I at least get your autograph?"

  "Sure." Ally signed her name to a napkin and handed it to Mike.

  "Here's mine," smiled Mike as he handed her another napkin. Ally noticed his phone number had been added. The music had stopped and Caleb headed towards the table, angry at the scene he had witnessed.

  "Can I help you? You're Mike Grace. I see you've met my fiancé?" Caleb towered over Mike.

  "Fiancé?" sputtered Ally.

  "Yes, I have," said Mike smoothly as he started to back away. "I thought I recognized her. Nice meeting the both of you." Mike quickly walked away from the table.

  "We're dancing," said Caleb firmly as he pulled Ally onto the dance floor.

  "When did we get engaged?" asked Ally as Caleb wrapped his arms around her possessively. Warning bells went off being this close to him. To make matters worse, they were a perfect fit, even for dancing. Ally's nerves tingled and erotic thoughts circulated through her head.

  "Just now," He whispered in her ear.

  "I see." Ally became quiet. "I don't remember you asking me and my saying yes." She tilted her head to look up at him and encountered those green eyes. "If I remember correctly, you told me that being married to me would cause a man to have a heart attack."

  "Good point. Okay, the engagement is off," teased Caleb. "I just thought he had a lot of balls to come over to the table when he saw that you were with me."

  "I had been sitting by myself and you were dancing with Kat. How could he know?"

  "So. Are you with me?" Ally's answer loomed between the two of them..

  "And with my parents and my sister," she replied smoothly.

  "A family date," murmured Caleb as he gently kissed her cheek, sending shock waves throughout her body.

  "Though, my parents really like you."

  "At least someone has taste."

  "They liked Greg, too."

  "Ouch.." Ally certainly knew how to hurt a man's pride.

  "But I kind of like you too." Ally smiled.

  "Kind of?" inquired Caleb.

  "At first, you weren't too friendly and I didn't like you at all." Ally waited for his reaction.

  "You thought that?" Caleb looked stunned. "I behaved that badly?"

  "Yes. I thought you were an arrogant stud muffin and I didn't want anything to do with you. Then when Dottie told us about you, it confirmed my opinion."

  "Do you like me now?" Caleb whispered softly in her ear.

  "Does it matter to you?" Ally stared at him, his eyes holding hers captive.

  "It matters very much." The music had stopped, but Ally and Caleb were still locked into a tight embrace.

  "Yes."

  "Right answer." Caleb's smile widened as he led Ally off of the dance floor.

  "Come on, Ally. Dance with your old man." Robert took Ally's hand away from Caleb and onto the dance floor while Caleb danced with Tara.

  ****

  Caleb came and grabbed Ally for one last slow dance. Ally willingly went into Caleb's arms, still amazed how he made her feel so alive.

  "You know, Caleb," she whispered into his ear. "I don't know anything about you at all. I mean I know you own the ranch, you're having cattle stolen, you're rich and every woman in the county wants you. Tell me about the real Caleb Strait? I can't look you up on the internet like you could with me. They had nothing on Caleb Strait."

  "What do you want to know?" He smiled at Ally.

  "When's your birthday?"

  "August tenth. I just turned thirty-one."

  "A Leo? Hmm. Bossy."

  "Not really. I just like to get my way all of the time."

  "All of the time? You seem very self-assured by that. What about your family?"

  "My parents passed away of old age about five years ago.. I have a sister who lives in California and wants nothing to do with the farm. I have aunts and uncles all over the county, dozens of cousins. There is only one cousin who lives at the ranch with me and helps me out with the chores. Of course I have Jeb and his wife, Gracie, who are not really family, but they've been in my life for so long, I consider them one of us.."

  "Where did you go to school?"

  "I went to Texas A&M. I played football as the starting quarterback, but obviously didn't make it to the pros."

  "Quarterback? I'm impressed. So, you had no problems with women?"

  Caleb smiled slyly at Ally before he answered, "There were plenty of women, but none very interesting. I married my college sweetheart."

  "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," said Ally sympathetically.

  "No, it's fine. We were in the process of getting a divorce when she died. It's true what they say about drinking and driving."

  "I'm sorry." Ally changed the subject quickly.

  "No need to be. Okay, next question?"

  "What's your favorite color?" Ally tried to hide a smile waiting for his response.

  "I'm partial to blue and I know yours is red."

  "How could you tell?" asked Ally.

  "You drive a red car and your dinner plates are red."

  "I do like blue, too." Ally smiled. "What do you like to do for fun?"

  "I like watching football, sports, hunting and fishing. I like most normal things that guys like to do."

  "Movies?"

  "Hmm. For movies there is history, mysteries and maybe a comedy; Indiana Jones, Star Trek and Star Wars. Did I pass?"

  "Pass what? It's not a test." Ally pulled away and looked him in the eyes, eyes that seemed to see right through her.

  "Kind of. I mean, why do you want to know this for?"

  "I like to know about my neighbors," Ally answered coolly.

  "Sounds like you want to date me?" Caleb's stare intensified.

  "Remember? I've given up on men."

  "I think I can change your mind." Caleb's lips were dangerously close.

  "The song just ended," said Ally as she pulled away, but not before Caleb's lips brushed hers ever so gently, making her shiver. Ally knew then her sexual stirrings were no longer dormant. Caleb grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor. They both let go when they neared the table.

  "We're ready to go, if you don't mind," said Tara nervously. "You see, Robert is worried about Ally's refrigerator.”

  "No problem," assured Caleb. "Besides, I have to get up
early tomorrow since I'll be gone a good part of the day."

  "Where are you going?" asked Ally.

  "Jeb and I are going to look at some cattle about an hour's ride from here. We should be back by late afternoon." Caleb had grabbed his keys and unlocked the vehicle.

  "Sounds like fun," replied Kat.

  "It is. It's kind of like y'all going shopping. It's just the price is a little heftier."

  "Ha. You've never been shopping with Ally, so you really can't say that," laughed Kat.

  "I'm not that bad." Ally again glared at her sister.

  "Yes, you are," remarked Tara. "Look what you just bought? The house? You should have waited until your father looked at it."

  "It isn't Ally's fault. A lot of things should have been caught by the inspector, but they weren't. I'm helping Ally set it straight," explained Caleb.

  "Tara, it could've happened to us," admonished Robert. "Ally did a good job, despite the circumstances."

  "Mom, that's like an insult to me," complained Kat. "I helped Ally pick it out."

  "Hello? Did I suddenly become invisible?" asked Ally angrily.

  "No, not at all," said Caleb as he caught her glance in the rear view mirror. He smiled in assurance and winked at Ally.

  "I'm sorry, Ally," said Tara. "I really don't mean to pick on you."

  "Then don't."

  "All y'all are starting to sound like my family," said Caleb good-naturedly. "No more fighting. What's everyone doing tomorrow?"

  "I've got a luncheon which Mom is going to help me," explained Kat.

  "My second refrigerator is being delivered," said Ally. "Hopefully, the real one is still working."

  "Then why doesn't Robert come over on Sunday after church to go riding and see the farm?" asked Caleb.

  "Can you ladies live without me for a whole day?" asked Robert.

  "Of course we can, Robert." Tara patted his shoulder lovingly. "Kat, Ally and I will find something to do." When they had reached Ally's house and they filed out of the car, Robert went in first anxious to see about the refrigerator, followed by Tara and Kat. Ally stayed behind to speak with Caleb.

  "Sorry about the fighting," she apologized. "My mother can be a real pain."

  Caleb cupped her chin with his hand, his fingers tracing her jaw. "It's okay, Ally, your mother is very jealous of you."

  "What makes you think that?" Ally stared at Caleb.

  "Think about it. She has a famous daughter who can afford a house without a husband and she has to share you with her husband. Robert has done nothing, but dote on you and paid very little attention to your mother."

  "How did you get so wise?" asked Ally softly. She grabbed Caleb's hand and gently kissed it.

  "I think I just passed the test."

  Ally stared at him intently before she answered. "Yeah, I think you did. Goodnight, Caleb." She squeezed his hand and started to walk away.

  "Ally? I'm glad." Caleb jingled his keys as he waved goodbye.

  Chapter Fourteen

  "Ally, it's still broken." Robert had his head deep into the freezer. "You better call him."

  "In the morning," yawned Ally.

  "No, you have to do it now. His card reads twenty-four seven." Kat handed the card to Ally who took it with resignation.

  "Okay." Ally dialed the number and left a message with the company's answering machine while Robert and Tara went off to bed.

  "So, little sister, now do you think Caleb's sweet on you?" asked Kat.

  "No, I'm an enigma to him. I think that's the only attraction. He told me tonight he had been the starting quarterback at Texas A&M. He probably had girls fawn over him like crazy. I'm not one of them and he doesn't know what to make of it."

  "Sometimes, Ally, you can be so delusional. Why else would a man go out with the whole family if he's not interested?"

  "He had nothing better to do?" Ally shook her head. "What time are you picking up Mom?"

  "Probably around nine, you know what? I'll bring breakfast again."

  "Good plan. I can't leave the house until the fridge is delivered."

  Ally watched as Kat left and let Tank back into the house. She walked into her room with Tank faithfully behind her and got ready for bed. She couldn't fall asleep still thinking about Caleb. Did he think about her as much as she thought about him?

  ****

  "Miss Duncan?" The voice on the other end of the phone sounded too cheery for Ally. She looked at the alarm clock which read seven o'clock. Ally sat up and kicked the covers off.

  "Yes?"

  "I'm calling for Jim, the man who fixed your appliance yesterday?"

  "Oh, yes. He did mention he works with his son, are you him?"

  "No. I'm a business friend of his, Richard. The family referred you to me to look at your Kitchen Aid."

  "Why?"

  "Jim suffered a mild heart attack last night.. He's still in the hospital along with his family."

  "Is he going to be okay?" Ally began to panic. What if they filed a lawsuit? Did her service call stress him out?

  "Yes, they got to him just in time. But he'll be out of work for a while. I used to work for Kitchen Aid and can help you. I can be there today between noon and four. Is that okay with you?"

  "Sure. I do need it fixed." Ally hung up the phone and padded to the kitchen to start the coffee. Fortunately, her parents were still asleep and she had some time to herself to enjoy the solitude. She looked down at what she had just thrown on, a knee length night shirt and remembered how her mother remarked about it yesterday. According to Tara, it wouldn't be proper to be seen by company. Sighing, Ally walked to her bedroom to get dressed when the front door bell rang. Not thinking, Ally went to answer the door.

  "Mornin', Ally." Caleb stood at the front door holding a big basket of food. His eyes traveled over her body, stopping at her legs. Stunned momentarily, Caleb shook his head to clear his thoughts. His eyes met hers and the lust for each other hung is the air.

  "I'm sorry," said Ally, her face red with embarrassment she didn't understand. She had posed for pictures all the time. Why did Caleb's stare undress her even further? His heated gaze made her skin tingle.

  "Why?" Caleb didn't understand why she was apologizing

  "I'm barely dressed," hissed Ally.

  "Oh honey, you look more then decent to me. With the exception of those legs, all the right parts are covered."

  "You like my legs?" Ally smiled.

  "Let's not go there, honey, because I have work to do and this food will get cold." Caleb handed the basket to Ally. "This is from Gracie. I told her about your refrigerator problem and when she got up this morning to fix breakfast for me and Jeb, she made this for you. There are fresh ham and egg biscuits and she even squeezed the orange juice herself."

  "Oh, Caleb!" Ally started to tear up. "Why are you so good to me?"

  "It's important that you like me," he whispered softly. "When you told me you didn't like me at first, well, it kind of broke my heart."

  "Caleb, I told you last night I liked you, don't you remember?"

  "I remember everything about last night," said Caleb solemnly. "I want you to keep liking me."

  "I don't think that's going to be a problem," said Ally and she leaned in and gave him a full kiss on the lips. Caleb cupped her face in her hands and deepened the kiss, his tongue easily slid into her mouth. Reluctantly, Caleb pulled away.

  "Good. What about your fridge? Is it still working?"

  "No," explained Ally, still shaken by their kiss. "I called and they're coming out this afternoon to look at it. Well, a new person is coming because the first man had a heart attack and..." Ally stopped as she saw the expression of disbelief on Caleb's face. "What?"

  "He had a heart attack? Ally, I thought you'd only give your husband a heart attack, but a repairman?" Caleb burst into laughter.

  "It's not funny." Ally fumed as she crossed her arms over her chest

  "No, I know that part is not funny, but the situation is. You're gonna
get the reputation for being a black widow." Caleb could not stop laughing.

  "How can you be so sweet one minute and incorrigible the next?" Ally stepped away, not amused. "Tell Gracie thank you." She shut the door and went to her bedroom to get dressed.