When The Runway Went South

by Lois Kasznia

"Thanks, Caleb." Ally smiled at him appreciatively. Good hands? His hands on her invoked some pretty hot thoughts.

  "Y'all are welcome." Caleb's eyes held hers and she imagined what his hands could do to her.

  "Dad, how did you like your afternoon with Caleb and Jeb," asked Ally.

  "I had a great time. Ally, you should see some of the ranch. I know you'd like it. It's not hard riding Western at all. I think you could get used to it."

  "That's right." Caleb put his silverware down and took a sip of his whiskey. "I've never asked you for a ride. How about it, Ally? Are you up for it?" It was a challenge flag and Caleb smiled and turned to Gracie. "Just the other day, I found out our Ally here used to be a championship horseback rider in her younger days."

  "You don't say?” Both Gracie and Jeb looked at Ally with new respect. "Caleb, when are you taking her for a ride?"

  "I'll take her whenever she wants to go." Caleb taunted Ally.

  "You're on," challenged Ally her gaze locked on Caleb.

  Noting the tension between the two of them, Gracie smiled and turned the conversation to the weather. Dinner ended gracefully and they retired back to the family room after Kat, Ally and Gracie cleared the table.

  "Caleb, can we see the rest of the house?" asked Kat.

  "Sure." Caleb stood up while Robert, Tara, Kat and Ally followed him. Proud of his house, Caleb couldn't understand why Ally didn't appear to be impressed until they got to the master bedroom.

  "This is beautiful," said Ally as she stood by the window. A balcony led out to the pool, facing the gazebo and waterfall. Ally glanced around the room, which had a massive king size bed and matching furniture. An old saddle had been mounted on a table with a spotlight shining on it. Ally walked over and gently ran her hand over it, admiring its beauty. She felt Caleb's presence behind her.

  "It belonged to my daddy when he did the rodeo circuit," said Caleb, his voice hoarse with pride.

  "It's handsome," said Ally. Her body betrayed her as she leaned into Caleb's lean, hard body. They stayed that way for a while, as if discovering what it felt like to be touching from neck to toe. Caleb could feel Ally softening and he took advantage of it and kissed her neck.

  "Ally, come here. You have to check out this bathroom," called Kat and Tara. Robert had moved out of the room into the hallway. Caleb followed Ally and smiled when he saw their faces.

  "Whoa," exclaimed Ally as she looked up at Caleb. The bathroom had been done in brown marble with a spacious shower, hot tub and a sauna. Walking in further, they found themselves in a dressing room and a huge walk in closet. The closet had been organized and had numerous western shirts, boots and cowboy hats.

  "This house is much bigger than mine," commented Ally and she turned to Caleb. "Gracie doesn't clean all this, does she?"

  "No, I have a cleaning service," said Caleb, his eyes twinkling at Ally's expression. They continued room to room and finally made it back to the family room.

  "Ally, we should let these people get to bed." Robert signaled at his watch and they said their thanks and goodbyes. Kat promised to call Gracie, who hugged Ally.

  "You're a wonderful lady. You've got my Caleb hooked. I've never seen him like this." Gracie whispered in Ally's ear.

  "But we're only neighbors, Gracie." Ally didn't want Gracie to think there was more to her relationship with Caleb than just friends.

  "You can't fool an old woman, Ally. You want him as much as he wants you." Gracie smiled knowingly.

  "Good night, Ally." Caleb stood behind Gracie, once again the desire for Ally apparent. All Ally could do was stare at him, her resolve crumbling.

  Chapter Fifteen

  On Monday, Ally and her father left to return the loaner to the dealership. Ally couldn't wait to get her own car back. Fortunately, Kat and Tara were on another mission and had left the house at the crack of dawn. The repairman came and replaced the computer boards in the refrigerator and told Ally it would start to cool down in about twenty-four hours. Now, Robert focused on a new project; the pool. He wanted to know how it worked and he showed Ally the tools to use to brush and skim for any leaves. Robert then taught Ally how to clean and maintain the pool. A lone bullfrog got caught up in the cleaning and Robert tossed it over the fence onto Caleb's ranch.

  "I don't think Caleb would like that," said Ally.

  "He won't mind. It's just a frog. Now if it was garbage or something that would hurt his livestock, then he's justified," stated Robert, pleased with himself. He walked around the property checking the sprinkler system and Ally dutifully followed him listening to his advice. By the time they got back into the house, she felt drained.

  "Ally, the fridge isn't working. I can't hear the fan at all." Robert faced her with an angry look. "You better call him." Ally rolled her eyes and dialed the number.

  "Richard, I know I'm the last person you want to hear from, but the fan isn't running. Everything is lighting up properly, but nothing else is happening. We unplugged it and plugged it back in."

  "I'm sorry. I bet I shorted out the fan when I installed the new boards. Ally, I'm sorry. This one is on me. I'll order the part." Ally just shook her head and looked at her father.

  "What?"

  "You were right. When he installed the new boards, it shorted out the fan."

  "Ally, I think this house is cursed." Robert shook his head. The phone rang again.

  "Ally, Richard here. What do you want to do? The fan is a special order part which will take seven to ten business days in the factory. Then, it has to ship here. If we want to overnight it, it will be about fifty dollars. I'll pay for the fan, but can you pay the fifty dollars for shipping?"

  "Sure. Anything to get this thing fixed." Ally closed her eyes.

  "I'm sorry, but you are really having some bad luck."

  "Tell me about it," murmured Ally and she hung up the phone

  "Well?" demanded Robert.

  "It won't be fixed until next week."

  "Do you want us to come back over the weekend? I know I can take the time off my job."

  "No, Dad. I'll be okay. I still have the other fridge in the garage I can use."

  "I'll talk it over with your mother," insisted Robert.

  "No, I'll be fine. I'm a big girl now and you taught me how to deal with these problems." Ally went to her office to go online while Robert began his packing.

  Ally's cell phone rang while she sitting in her office.

  "Ally, it's me." Caleb's tone sounded playful and somewhat intimate.

  "Hey, me." Ally smiled. "What's up?"

  "Are your parents still there?"

  "Yes. They're leaving first thing tomorrow morning. But now I have to convince them not to come back again this weekend. Dad's all worried because of the fridge. When the new computer boards were installed, it shorted out the fan. It's a special part and will take about another week to get here."

  "You can use mine. Tell your father, I'll be here to help you. He doesn't need to make the trip so soon."

  "Thanks, I'll be fine. I think I can handle this. I meant to tell you, thanks for dinner last night. We had a really good time."

  "I did, too, especially when you were in my bedroom."

  "Caleb, you're terrible." Ally blushed.

  "One of these days," promised Caleb.

  "I see." Ally shivered in anticipation.

  "I've got to run, but I want you to keep your eyes open. Two of my cattle are missing. There's a fence broken, so I'm hoping that's all it is."

  "I hope so ,too, Caleb. Between my house and your cattle, we're not having good luck."

  "When we get together, that will all change. I've got to run, ma'am." Caleb had hung up.

  "Ally," She spoke into the dead phone and leaned her head on her hand. Bedroom? When we're together? "Breathe," Ally reminded herself. Her wounds were still too tender to get her heart broken again.

  On Tuesday, Ally's parents left after breakfast and the house seemed eerily quiet. She found it ironic how she looked forw
ard to them leaving, but now it felt empty. Well, not that she wanted them to leave, but her mother had started to wear on her nerves. She called Kat to see what she had planned for the day.

  "Hey, Kat. Just wanted to let you know Mom and Dad left so when do you need me?"

  "We have a party tonight at six; come to my house around four so we can get organized. It's a new recipe I'm trying and I want you to tell me what you think."

  "Sure." Ally made a note to take the camera as well as her pad to jot down the ingredients of what Kat had used.

  "Did Mom and Dad drive you crazy?" asked Kat

  "Yes. I love them to death, but you know Mom."

  "She's worried about you. She doesn't think you can handle a house," revealed Kat

  "She's wrong, you know."

  "I know. You'll always be her little baby."

  "She told me your fridge is still broken, so you can't really help out just yet."

  "My fridge has a reputation." Ally sighed. "First, I have to get my driver's license and afterwards, I think I might try out the pool. It's supposed to be really warm today."

  "You were supposed to wait for me," argued Kat.

  "It's always here for you to use anytime. I'll see you at four."

  Ally figured she had time to get her driver's license before going to Kat's. She was not pleased to learn the license would be sent via mail in ten to fourteen days and she would be driving on a temporary license. She was advised to use her passport for a photo ID if needed. Another chore was added to her list of things to do such as finding her passport.

  Once home, Ally went into her bedroom to change into her bikini. She lathered her skin with sun block and got a beach towel from the closet. Ally headed towards the pool with Tank on her heels and put her magazine, bottle of water on the bar. Looking at the bar, she didn't realize she had another small refrigerator and turned it on. She also discovered an outlet for a stereo system and room for a television. Ally had totally overlooked this amenity and couldn't wait to tell Kat about it. She turned on the radio loud enough so she could hear it when she went into the pool, but not too loud to disturb anyone else. Walking towards the pool, Ally dutifully cleaned the pool as her father had shown her. Satisfied, she walked into the water and cringed. The water felt cold against the heat of the day.

  "This is not going to work," Ally muttered to herself. "I'm going to dive in and get this over with once and for all." She got out of the pool and walked to the end of the diving board. Ally bounced a couple of times trying to work up her nerve and chickened out. Disgusted, she headed back to the edge of the board and closed her eyes.

  "You chicken?" Caleb shouted to her. Caught in mid-air when she saw him, her dive turned into a huge belly flop. She went down deeper than she thought she would. Sputtering, Ally rose to the top of the pool and rubbed her eyes. There stood Caleb, leaning over the side of the pool with an evil smile on his face holding the bra portion of her bikini. "I think you lost something?"

  "Why you..." Ally tried to cover herself, but she needed her arms to stay afloat. She had never been so embarrassed in her life. "Caleb Strait, you give that to me right now," she ordered.

  "Nope. You're going to have to come and get it." Caleb gloated over his view of Ally's perfectly formed, luscious breasts. The ones he couldn't wait to get his hands on.

  "Can you at least have the decency to turn around until I'm properly dressed?" She found a place in the water where she could stand and covered her breasts with her arms. Her glaring did not have any effect on Caleb.

  "I don't know why you're embarrassed. You're a model."

  "You're not a photographer," snapped Ally.

  "I'm your friend."

  "That's what makes it different. A photographer is impersonal. You're…" Ally sputtered. "I barely know you. Can you please get my towel?"

  "I plan on changing that barely knowing you to just the opposite. Where's your towel?" asked Caleb.

  "It's on the bar over there." Ally used her head to point to the bar. As he turned his back to walk there, she quickly got out of the water and shivered with her chest covered.

  "You call this a towel?" asked Caleb as he sauntered back to where Ally stood. He took the towel and wrapped it around Ally and pulled her close. "Your lips are blue." He dried her off, but hung on to the top of her bikini so she couldn't grasp it. Now, they were at a standoff; Caleb's gaze portrayed his hunger for her, while Ally's gaze had the opposite effect. The longer it lasted, Ally's turned softer and Caleb lifted her chin to kiss her.

  "You're still cold," he said softly and wrapped his arms around her. Caleb could feel Ally relaxing in his arms. "Do you know how long I've wanted to kiss you? With your parents being here, I just couldn't." Caleb's tongue slipped into Ally's mouth, searching for hers.

  The kiss started slow and hot, warming Ally to her core. Oh yeah, she liked this. His hat tickled with her hair and she angled to get it out of the way. Caleb pulled away and took her face in his hands. He gently kissed her forehead, nose and then buried his face into her neck, causing Ally to break into even more goose bumps of desire. Caleb's hand slipped to the top of her towel. "Watch it," warned Ally softly. "You're not playing fair."

  "You're right," sighed Caleb as he pulled away. "I aim to be gentlemanly. Besides, I have an appointment with the rangers and I'm late. You distracted me with the view."

  "Were the cows stolen?" asked Ally glad to be off the subject of her.

  "Looks like it. I don't know how late I'll be since they're setting up a new strategy. Don't forget the Chamber of Commerce luncheon is tomorrow and I want the two of you there."

  "We will be there," said Ally switching back into business mode. "As a matter of fact, I have to get ready for tonight. Kat and I are hosting a pretty large dinner and don't expect to be home before ten."

  "You mean I can't come over tonight to get to know you better?" teased Caleb.

  "It's way past your bedtime."

  "Who said anything about sleeping?"

  "Caleb." Ally gave him a mock warning stare.

  "You used to be fun."Caleb pretended to pout.

  "You're right. I am so boring."

  "Right," said Caleb, still smiling.

  "Caleb?" Ally gently stroked his arm and looked into those beautiful green eyes. "Be careful. Don't want to hear about you being shot."

  "You care about me?"

  "What do you think? Of course I do."

  "Good." Caleb planted a meaningful kiss on her lips and walked to Thor.

  "You're wearing me down, Caleb Strait," muttered Ally as she watched him leave. Ally trudged back to the house, only to realize Caleb still had the top of her bikini.

  Ally showed up at Kat's house at approximately four with homemade baked ziti and a New York style cheesecake she had made.

  "I don't know what I'd do without you, little sister," said Kat as she gave Ally a hug. "You know, I'm not nervous at all about tonight, but I am a little nervous about tomorrow. I mean, what do we do? What do we say?"

  "I've been giving it a lot of thought," said Ally as she helped Kat with a tray of the anti pasta salad. "First off, it's your business, right? I think you should introduce yourself and talk about how you started the business and more or less leave me out of it. I don't want to be a deterrent to you at all. I'll even dress down in the hopes that no one will recognize me."

  "Ally, you're impossible not to be noticed. It also can be a help, too. We'll play it by ear. Did you enjoy your pool?"

  "I did until Caleb showed up," laughed Ally.

  "He always shows up. For someone who swore off women, he won't leave you alone."

  "It's because I'm not chasing him. He's definitely hotter than Greg." Ally smiled at the memory of Caleb's kiss.

  "So, what happened at the pool?"

  "I dove in just as he rode past me and the top of my bikini fell off. There I stood almost in my birthday suit."

  "Oh, Ally. Only something like that would happen to you." Kat had tears in her eye
s from laughing so hard. "What did you do?"

  "Caleb wouldn't give it back to me. By the time I got to where I could stand, I covered myself up. At least he had the decency to get my towel for me. He still has the top, too."

  "He'll try and sell it as an ‘Ally Duncan souvenir’?"

  "It will show up on eBay. ‘Ally Duncan's bikini for sale; will negotiate the price.’" They burst into a fit of giggles.

  "I'm so glad you moved down here, Ally. Please, don't ever move back to New York," pleaded Kat.