by Lois Kasznia
By the end of the day, Caleb felt miserable and knew he wasn't pleasant to be around. Gracie and Jeb were smart enough to stay out of his way. Gracie would box Caleb's ears for hurting Ally. Gracie had told him she had really taken a liking to Ally despite all of her fame and Ally came across as a down-to-earth, gracious woman.
The dinner table felt empty without Caleb and Jeb shrugged his shoulders at Gracie. "I think our boy is trying to work things out."
"Work things out?" Gracie glared at Jeb. "If I were Ally," Gracie didn't have to go any further.
"Now, hush. I think when Caleb comes home, he's gonna be hurting big time."
Caleb had driven by Ally's house and confirmed it showed no signs of life. He stared down at the Blackberry in his hand and debated whether or not to call her or maybe just text her. What would he say? He couldn't think of anything to say without hurting his pride, so he ended up going to the bar to shoot some pool. While he was there, no one mentioned Ally and he almost forgot about her until he saw the bartender leafing through a magazine with Ally's picture on the cover. That made him go back into a funk. He finished his beer, bade goodbye to his friends and sat in his truck. Closing his eyes, he pictured Ally, her soft skin, her perfect breasts and those luscious lips. Caleb picked up the phone and texted her.
****
"Hey," shouted Ally as she entered her parent's house in Houston. "Nice place." Ally glanced around in admiration. It looked just like the one they had in Indiana, but without the farm.
"I hope you don't mind sleeping in the room where I do my sewing," Tara called out.
"No problem," said Ally. She turned to look around sensing someone behind her. "Aunt Fran? Ohmigod! What are you doing here?" Aunt Fran, her dad's sister, happened to be one of Ally's favorite aunts.
"I just showed up," said Fran as she hugged Ally. "When I heard you were going to be here, I couldn't wait to see you.”
"Your aunt has the guestroom,” commented Tara as she gave her husband any angry look, which he totally ignored.
"Nothing but the best," said Robert. Ally smiled because she knew her mother and Fran had issues at times. Robert adored his sister which made Tara jealous.
"We'll go out to dinner tonight," suggested Robert. "But Ally has promised to cook for us tomorrow night."
"That's so nice of you, Ally. How long are you staying?"
"I'm only staying until Tuesday or Wednesday. As you know, Kat and I started a catering business and our next party is a dinner on Wednesday."
"I can't wait to hear all about it. Now, run along and unpack while Tank and I can become better acquainted!" Fran knelt on all fours talking to Tank and, of course, he just loved his new friend.
Ally purposely did not check her phone knowing she would be crushed if Caleb hadn't called. She unpacked her things and then carried Tank's dishes to the kitchen and arranged all of his food and snacks. The three adults sat around the kitchen table drinking coffee and chatting. Ally quietly joined them.
"Ally, do you know your way to the store?" asked Tara. "We've all decided we want your baked ziti for dinner tomorrow night, complete with garlic bread and, of course, your cannolis."
"I'll get right on it. Just make sure when you take Tank out, please keep him on a leash. If he doesn't see me, he tries to find me and he runs away."
"Ally, we do have a fenced in yard," said Robert. "You don't have to worry."
"Okay, I'm not used to everything being fenced, but then it's fine to let him out." Ally grabbed her keys, phone and purse and headed out the door. As she put on her seat belt, she did check her phone. Nothing. She refused to think about it.
At the grocery store, she selected her items with care but her heart still felt heavy. Before she checked out, she called her parents to see if they wanted anything and Tara ran off a list of things for Ally to get. By the time the shopping had been completed, Ally's bill ran close to two hundred dollars.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" asked the clerk as she checked Ally's order. "You look like you lost your best friend."
"Men," said Ally softly. "I have a habit of picking the wrong ones."
"Oh honey, I hear you. Why, you are so pretty, I'm surprised."
"Thank you, but that's what makes it worse. That's all they're after."
"Good luck, honey, and remember you're the best, not them."
"Thanks." Ally smiled as she left the store.
Once Ally got home, the group decided they would go to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. Ally really didn't feel up to going, but she didn't want to disappoint them, and decided to go anyway. There, she picked at her food, her appetite next to nothing.
"Are you okay, Ally?" Fran had been watching her all evening and had noticed Ally's pale face as well has her subdued attitude.
"Yeah, sure, I'm fine, Aunt Fran." Ally attempted to brighten up and not let Caleb spoil her evening with her family.
"Tomorrow, your father and I have to see the doctors for checkups," commented Tara. "Why don't you and Fran take the day to yourselves?"
"Good idea," said Aunt Fran. "Ally, you have a lot to fill me in on." She winked at Ally as the conversation centered around Tara, of course.
The sewing room proved to be uncomfortable and Tank snored like crazy. Ally tossed and turned on the day bed because her feet hung over the edge. She looked down at Tank and the temptation to join him on the floor crossed her mind. Ally glanced at her phone and the red light flashing indicating she had a message. The alarm clock read twelve-thirty and Ally couldn't figure out who would be texting her this late. She almost let it go, but curiosity got the better of her. Ally got up and carefully walked around Tank to pick up her phone. Her heart leapt when she read Caleb's message.
Its l8, but please call me. I need to talk to u.
No longer tired, Ally contemplated how to answer this text. Her room sat next to her parents, so she couldn't really call him at this hour without them hearing her. Okay, she would text him.
Can't talk now. Will call when i can.
Ally put the phone down, thinking Caleb probably fell back to sleep and wouldn't get the message until tomorrow morning. She started to go back to the bed, but the phone's light flashed red again.
R u ok? Where r u?
Ally smiled as she typed. Hanging out for a couple of days.
Caleb responded right back. Kats? ny?
Ally almost spoke out loud. B home wed
Ally put the phone down and there were no more messages. She went back to bed and tried to sleep, but her mind kept churning, keeping her awake. She heard her parents awaken and decided to get up as well. Ally got dressed in her jogging suit and took Tank for a really long walk. Her parents were gone by the time she got back and if it weren't for Aunt Fran, Ally would be locked out of the house.
"Thanks for letting me in," said Ally as she stepped inside.
"Your parents were worried about you, but I told them you were fine," said Fran. "Here, I made some coffee." She poured a cup for Ally.
"Thanks, Aunt Fran." Ally took the cup and sat at the kitchen table across from Fran.
"Well?" Aunt Fran looked at Ally expectantly.
"Well, what?"
"What are you running away from?"
"I'm not running away. I just needed some time to think."
"Start from the beginning,” suggested Aunt Fran.
"I don't know where to start," said Ally shifting in her chair. "I moved to Texas because I became tired of modeling and wanted to do something else. I also found out the guy I'd been seeing for three years had been cheating on me. Kat talked me into helping with her catering business."
"Did you have a fight with Kat?" asked Fran.
"No, not at all, you see, it's my neighbor."
"You had a fight with your neighbor? So soon?" Fran tried to follow Ally's thought process..
"No, I mean, yes." Ally started to get angry all over again. "It's a he, Caleb Strait. He's one of the town's most eligible bachelors, so they say. I didn't want to get inv
olved with anyone for a while, but things started happening. I mean, Aunt Fran, all these things have gone wrong with my house and Caleb has been right there helping me. Kat's been there, too, don't get me wrong, but we all made a pact together. Caleb isn't looking for a woman, I'm not looking for a man and, of course, Kat is married."
"So, sparks started to fly between the two of you?"
Ally nodded because she could barely talk, anger and sadness battling inside her.
"What does Kat think of this?"
"She doesn't know. Oh, Aunt Fran, I've barely known him a month. It's too soon to fall in love with someone, but I have." Ally began, but couldn't continue.
"Looks like I'm going to have to play Charades," said Aunt Fran kindly. "So, you don't want Kat to know because she'll make fun of you?"
Ally nodded her head vigorously.
"I get it," said Aunt Fran. "Everyone thinks you didn't think this whole move thing out; giving up a million dollar career and now dating your neighbor."
"I tried." Ally started to continue, but could only pantomime because she
had lost her voice.
Aunt Fran tried to hide a smile."But you knew you did. Oh, Ally. You're just following your heart. You shouldn't let other people make decisions for you. Now, what happened between you and this man?"
"He took me to a rodeo," said Ally a bit more composed because of Fran's encouragement. "I really looked forward to it because I'd never been to one before. I pointed at one of the clowns and they saw me. There I showed on the arena's television screen and people recognized me. Only one person interrupted me, but that one interruption was too much for Caleb.."
"I can understand why. No one likes to be disturbed, especially on a date."
"I know, but it's happened to me so many times, Aunt Fran. It's a part of my life. Even when I run away, they seek me out even more because they think I have something to hide. But that's not the end of it."
"There's more?" Fran refilled Ally's coffee cup and poured some more for herself.
"We were on our way out to dinner and TMZ showed up. They had been waiting for me."
"And Caleb did not like this at all," finished Fran.
"He said he liked me, but he couldn't live his life like this." Ally stabbed her toast.
"There, there," said Aunt Fran. "Does he realize right now, the press is after you because you quit modeling? The publicity will die down eventually."
"I couldn't reason with him," explained Ally. "He's a stubborn man and when he makes up his mind, that's it."
"Being famous is never easy. Look at what happened to poor Princess Diana," commented Fran.
"At least her boyfriend loved her enough to put up with it." Ally blew her nose loudly.
"Oh, Ally," sighed Fran. "Things will work themselves out."
"I'll just try not to look at his house. I mean, I can't see his house, but he rides by everyday to check on his cattle."
"That's right. You're a strong person, Ally. Now come on, let's get started on your dinner."
"After I take a shower," said Ally, feeling relieved as if a big burdened had been lifted. She trudged upstairs with Tank at her heels and headed into the shower. She stopped thinking about Caleb momentarily while she organized her schedule for the dinner preparations.
When Ally had finished her shower, she went back downstairs where she heard voices and stopped dead in her tracks. Caleb? How had he found her? He had come looking for her? No way.
"Here she is," said Fran merrily with a twinkle in her eyes. "Caleb and I were just talking."
"How did you find me?" Ally more or less ignored Aunt Fran.
"Hello, Ally." Caleb smiled warmly at the sight of her. He had been sick with worry over her and it made his heart ache. Fran left the room, unnoticed by the two of them.
"I thought you hated my lifestyle and never wanted to see me again." Ally stood her ground.
"Ally, I'm sorry about the other day, which is why I came to find you. I didn't like the way I behaved and should've realized you don't enjoy it any more than me. Ally, please forgive me."
"Oh Caleb," cried Ally as he hugged her fiercely, not wanting to let her go.
"Do you forgive me?” Caleb held his breath.
"Yes, yes," Caleb kissed her tenderly breathing in her scent. For the love of God, this woman had driven him over the brink of sanity.
"I have to get back to Jeb. We're on our way to an auction, which I talked him into going so I could see you."
"I'm glad you did," said Ally not wanting to let him go. "How did you know I'd go to my parents?"
"At first I guessed Kat's or New York. If not, Houston would be the most logical spot."
"Am I that predictable?"
"No. Come home soon?" pleaded Caleb.
"I'll come home Tuesday night rather than Wednesday morning." Ally kissed him fully on the lips.
"Good." She sighed as she watched him leave admiring his muscular, athletic stride. Nope. She had never felt this way about any man.
"He is a looker, Ally," commented Fran. "I've never seen a man so in love before. I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"I hope you're right," sniffled Ally feeling so much better. "Let's get started on dinner." Ally headed for the pantry where she had stored the ingredients and then searched for some pots. She then stopped dead in her tracks and turned to Fran. "Please don't mention this to mom or dad. I really don't want to tell them about us just yet. I think Caleb and I still have a lot of work to do."
"You're right, Ally. Lord, if we tell your mother, she'll be planning your wedding by the time you leave."
Chapter Nineteen
Tuesday morning, Ally woke up early and prepared to go home. Her mother and father knew she had been preoccupied about something, but weren't quite sure what. They were so caught up in their own world that they barely gave Ally a thought. Only Fran hugged Ally and wished her good luck.
Ally made it home around one and dropped off Tank. She then ran to the grocery store to pick up a few items and headed back home. Kat had left her a message about the dinner they were doing tomorrow night and instructions of what she wanted Ally to make. Ally unpacked and started her laundry before she headed to the pool for a swim. Bringing her towel, a new novel and a bottle of water, Ally got comfortable. She walked into the pool and swam a couple of laps luxuriating in the warmth of the water. Oh yes, this was the life. It wasn't until she almost was upon him, when a bull frog joined in the pool; a very large bull frog. "I did not invite you into my pool!" shrieked Ally. She quickly got out and found the pole with the skimmer attached. The frog knew it was being chased, so it dove down into the deeper part of the pool where Ally couldn't reach it. She waited until it surfaced again. This time she chased it onto the ledge of the skimmer basket.
"Aha, I got you," cried Ally as she peered into the skimmer bucket and saw the frog hunkering down at the bottom of the basket. "I'm sending you to greener pastures." Ally took the bucket and proudly walked to the fence and straddled it while she tried to fling the contents of the bucket over the fence. Little did she realize, a full grown steer grazed quietly on the other side of the fence and the bucket landed on top of the steer's horns. The steer panicked, kicked up his heels and tossed the bucket further into the pasture. The animal glared at Ally and dared her to retrieve it. Ally backed down off of the fence, but the bull butted his head against her fence. She shook her head in dismay thinking of Caleb's reaction. He would probably kill her. Grabbing her phone, she called Caleb but didn't get any answer, so she decided to text him.
Problem, my pool bucket is in your pasture. help!
Ally stared at the bull, overwhelmed by his size. He had no plans to leave her alone, either. She stared off in the distance and finally saw Caleb riding towards her, his face set in a mask totally unreadable. His dog, Rex ran next to his side.
"Ally, get down," said Caleb in a soft voice. Caleb rode around the bull to get his attention while Rex nipped at the bull's heels to for
ce it to go into the herd. It took some coaxing, but the bull's attention rested on the others. Caleb rode up to the fence and just shook his head at Ally once again in disbelief.
