by Lois Kasznia
"How romantic," said Lauren, laughing. "Got to run, but I have your number and will call you when I start."
"Thanks, Lauren." Ally disconnected the call, feeling happy. Things were going to work out after all. She got back to her cooking and started on the new recipes Kat had given to her.
"What do you have for lunch?" asked Caleb as he rode up to Ally's back yard.
"Caleb. Where are you?" Ally felt tickled that he had called.
"I'm in the back, right here." He walked into the kitchen and gave Ally a kiss and a hug. "I'm kind of dirty, so I'll just stay here. With Gracie gone all day, I haven't had time to cook anything for myself."
"Well, you came to the right place. Would a sandwich do?"
"Since I didn't eat breakfast, anything will do," stated Caleb
"You know what? I've got some lasagna in the freezer I can heat up for you. And some garlic bread, too." Ally busied herself getting the meal ready for Caleb.
"That sounds delicious." Caleb removed his boots and walked over to the sink and washed his hands. "Been busy?" He noticed the cheesecakes and the mixing bowl Ally had set aside.
"As you can see, but tell me about you. When is Jeb being released?"
"Today, so hopefully things will get back to normal. Found out the cattle thieves have been caught."
"They have? Now, what happens?" Ally took the lasagna out of the oven along with the bread. She whipped up a small salad for Caleb who stared at her appreciatively.
"Here, let me carry that." Caleb took the plates from Ally and sat down at the table. "They will do some jail time. One thing is certain, Ally. Don't mess with Texas." He took a bite of lasagna and chewed it thoughtfully. "This is really good. Gracie is going to be jealous."
"Thanks, Caleb. You'll have to build another kitchen for me to work in, or maybe I can work here."
"No, you're staying at my house. I mean our house. I don't want you going anywhere."
"I didn't think about selling the house, but I guess I should." Ally looked at Caleb. "I mean, we don't need to sell it right away, do we?"
"When I asked you to marry me it's because I want to spend the rest of our lives together. So, the sooner you move in with me, the better."
"So, you want me to move in with you now?" Ally started to feel overwhelmed. Between the wedding and the business, she just couldn't face the packing and unpacking again.
Caleb watched Ally carefully and his heart was thudding in his chest. "What's wrong?" His gaze never left hers. "Don't you want me anymore?"
"Oh Caleb, that's not it at all." Ally hobbled over and sat on Caleb's lap. "It's just planning for the wedding and the thought of moving again, it's a little much." She hoped he would understand. "Your house," Ally began before Caleb interrupted.
"Our house," corrected Caleb.
"Our house is all decorated. I'd have to sell my furniture and what about a kitchen for my business? I can't go into Gracie's kitchen."
"One step at a time, Ally. Move in with me now and start bringing your things over a little at a time. Lord knows we have enough room to add an additional kitchen. Until then, do the cooking over here. Relax baby, it's going to be okay."
"You know what it is?" teased Ally
"What?"
"You don't like my furniture. That's what."
"Well, I hate to admit it, but you're right," said Caleb laughing.
"Careful, I'll replace all of yours with mine," warned Ally.
"I don't care what you do to the house, but none of that sissy stuff," replied Caleb.
"I guess we can come to a compromise," said Ally.
"Now would be a good time with your ankle busted up. I hate to think of you alone in this big ole house. That does is. You're moving in tonight."
"Caleb, hear me out. I'll do it this weekend. I promise. Let me get some things together. I'll make it worth your while for four more days," said Ally seductively.
"I'll hold you to that." Caleb kissed Ally passionately, to demonstrate his feelings for her God, how he loved her; stubborn streak and all. "I've got a whole mess of work to do before the sun goes down. I'll see you at dinner."
Ally watched him leave and slumped down in her chair. How could she get packed up in four days?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Undaunted by her task, Ally worked steadily, packing away her belongings to take to Caleb's house. True to his word, Caleb had dutifully cleaned out one side of their closet in order to accommodate Ally's vast wardrobe. Ally had all of her modeling pictures and awards packed into a box ready to be placed somewhere in the house. Jeb had come home, anxious to get back on the job at the ranch, so Ally had carte blanche to check out Caleb's house to make her feel comfortable. Because of her ankle, Kat helped Ally with some of the packing.
"Kat, I'm almost done here, do you want to give me a hand with this box?" yelled Ally from her bedroom.
"Sure," answered Kat as she took the dishes out of the oven. "Just give me a minute."
"Take your time," said Ally. "Thanks for loaning me your van. I'll use my car to take Tank over. Jeb suggested that I take him over there for the time being so he can get used to it and his new brother, Rex. So far, the two of them have gotten along great, which is a good thing."
"I can't believe you're moving in together before the wedding," said Kat.
"You don't think it's a good idea?" asked Ally.
"Well, it just looks funny. You would think you could wait until after the wedding."
"Kat, we spend every night together, what's the difference?"
"I don't know, maybe I'm old fashioned." Kat shrugged her shoulders. "I guess if you love someone, you should wait."
"We do," confirmed Ally. "You know it's funny, Kat. Six weeks ago I never would have imagined that I would move to Texas, let alone get married. Who would've thought?" Ally shook her head in wonderment.
"Life is full of surprises, Ally. Where is the box?"
Ally pointed it out to Kat and started another box. The two of them worked diligently until the last load had been secured in Kat's van.
"Looks like we're ready to go," said Ally as she surveyed the last of the remaining items in the house.
"Ally, make sure you take your files and your printer. I'm sure Caleb has a place you can use as an office. It's better to have it at your fingertips instead of running back and forth."
"Good idea," remarked Ally and she made another box for Kat's van. "We can leave the printer the way it is and I'll just hook it up when we get there."
"How do Gracie and Jeb feel about you moving in?" asked Kat.
"They don't seem to mind," said Ally. "They worry about me anyway because of my ankle."
"Hmm."
"Stop it, Kat. You're making me feel badly, like I'm doing the wrong thing." Ally glared at her sister.
"You just need a sign that you're not rushing into things. I know you love each other, but couldn't you two wait?"
"Gee," said Ally looking around the house. "I didn't know Mother was here." Ally raised one eyebrow and stared at her sister.
"Do I sound like her?" asked Kat, dismayed.
"Uh, yeah you do, please cut it out."
"Sorry." Kat clamped her mouth closed and carried the printer to the car. "We're ready to go. Give me the keys to your house, so I can pick up the dishes for the party tomorrow."
"Let me lock up first," said Ally and she loaded Tank into her car, locked the house and threw Kat the keys. They made a steady progress to Caleb's house and parked in the circular driveway.
"Kat and Ally," cried Gracie as she spotted the two of them. "Caleb told me you were coming. Do you need any help carrying your things in?" She leaned over to Tank. "And how's my favorite new dog?" Thrilled to see Gracie, Tank wagged his stumpy tail in delight. He ran into the house, as if he owned it.
"I do the hauling and Ally tells me where to put it," remarked Kat. "I can't believe how big this house is." Kat's eyes were big as saucers. "I remember where the bedroom is, but where wou
ld be a good place to put Ally's office?"
"She can store it in one of the bedrooms upstairs for the time being. It will be so good to have another female in the house," said Gracie. "I haven't changed a thing since Caleb's mother died. It's not my place to, but this house sure could use a women's touch, if you know what I mean."
"Caleb told me I could do what I want, but no French furniture," laughed Ally.
"Ally, where do these go?" Kat struggled with the last box and Ally had her set it down.
"Leave it, Kat. I'll have Caleb get that for me."
"Would you ladies like something to drink?" offered Gracie.
"A beer sounds really good right now," said Kat as she wiped the sweat from her face.
"I'll take a glass of wine," said Ally. "But I can get it, Gracie."
"Nonsense," fussed Gracie and she turned to fetch the beverages.
"Well, look who we have here," said Caleb as he and Jeb strode purposely into the room. Caleb walked over to Ally and kissed her with a loud smack.
"Hello to you, too, soon to be brother-in-law," said Kat and she gave him a hug. "Ally is all moved in, so she's yours now."
"I just left the furniture, which I'll deal with later," explained Ally.
"I'm going to leave now," said Kat as she reached for her keys.
"Aren't you going to stay for dinner?" asked Gracie.
"No, I have to work on a big dinner party for tomorrow night."
"Sorry I can't help," said Ally still feeling guilty.
"Get better soon, will you?"
"Yeah, I will." With her crutches, Ally hobbled to the front door and followed Kat. "Thanks for helping, Kat. I really appreciate it."
"You're my little sis." They both turned at the sound of a loud explosion. "Did you hear that?"
"What the heck?" yelled Caleb as he, Jeb and Gracie ran out of the house. They watched as thick black smoke flared in the distance.
"It's not one of your barns, is it?" asked Ally, concerned.
"No," said Jeb in disbelief. "It's your house. Ally's house is on fire! Call the fire department." Gracie quickly ran into the house while Caleb, Kat and Jeb all jumped into Kat's van and took off like a shot.
"My house?" asked Ally weakly and she passed out on the porch.
The next thing Ally knew, she was on the couch in Caleb's living room, with Kat and Gracie fussing over her. Slowly, she raised herself up to a sitting position and tried to catch bits and pieces of their conversation.
"You gave us quite a scare," exclaimed Kat as she sat down next to Ally.
"What happened? I mean I know I fainted, but what happened with my house?"
"That's where Jeb and Caleb are now," explained Kat. "Here I thought it was something I did, like forgetting to turn the gas off on your stove, but the firefighters said that wouldn't trigger the explosion. We'd only been gone less than fifteen minutes."
"Kat, do you realize how lucky we were?" asked Ally is disbelief. "We could've been killed."
"We weren't, so we need to move on, Ally. Things happen for a reason." She looked at Ally expectantly trying to get her point across
"What are you talking about?" Ally looked at Kat, baffled.
"Yes, they do, dear," commented Gracie. She patted Ally's hand.
"You are so right," said Kat and she looked at Gracie before continuing on. "You see, I questioned Ally on her decision to move into this house before the wedding. I didn't think it was right. I couldn't understand why they wouldn't wait until the wedding."
"For Caleb and Ally, this is different," explained Gracie with a wave of her hand. "They are so much in love and they've spent almost every night together."
"You knew?" said Ally blushing.
"Well, of course we knew. Jeb and I pushed for it," said Gracie smiling. "The two of you are so stubborn. You and Caleb are perfect for each other and just refused to see it."
"Ally, this is your home now. This is where you belong. If you still had your house, you wouldn't let go." Kat gave Ally a hug. "Now, what am I going to do for my luncheon tomorrow?"
"What do you need?" asked Gracie.
"A dinner for twenty-five people. I had made it at Ally's house and now it's gone." Kat hung her head.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" demanded Gracie as she took Kat's hand and headed towards the kitchen. "Ally, you rest. With your ankle and all that's happened, you need to stay still."
"But I can help?"
"No, you're not," said Caleb as he came inside the house. His clothes wreaked of smoke since he had been investigating the fire. "Now what's with you fainting?"
"I am in shock," explained Ally. "Between everything that's happened the last couple of days, I'm on overload. What caused the fire, did they say?"
"It was a gas explosion from a gas leak. The house is totally destroyed. You had no idea since you hadn't been home for a while. Do y'all realize how lucky you are?" Caleb had been shaken to the core that he had almost lost Ally. "Come," said Caleb as he pulled Ally up and handed her the crutches. "You are going to rest while I take a shower." Gracie and Kat exchanged shrugs as they watched Caleb and Ally leave the room.
"Oh, this does feel good," said Ally as she sunk into Caleb's king-sized bed. “I might not be able to get out."
"Just the way I like it," murmured Caleb as he sat down and kissed Ally possessively.
"Don't stay in the shower too long," said Ally seductively. "I have plans for you."
"I won't," promised Caleb as he planted his hands gently on her face and stared lovingly into her eyes. "By the way, Ally? Welcome home to Texas."
About the Author
Lois L. Kasznia graduated from the University of Illinois with a Masters Degree in Music Education. Following graduation, she landed a job in computer software commpany as a Business Analyst and a Technical Writer. She started to branch out with her writing to romance novels finding it much more exciting. She lives in the Dallas area of Flower Mound with her husband, Jim and daughter, Alexis.
