When The Runway Went South

by Lois Kasznia

  "Henri, what's up?" asked Ally, somewhat concerned.

  "It's an emergency and I need you. You know the show at the Plaza next month? Your replacement dropped out. Can you make it?" Henri' voice bordered on hysterical.

  "Only if it is an emergency," said Ally. "It's a three hour flight from Dallas. Get me the tickets and I'll be there. Henri, do me a favor? Would you remember that you're one hour ahead of me?"

  "Ally, I wish you'd move back home. We miss you. All of us miss you."

  "Now, Henri, you know the answer to that question."

  "I know." He sighed dramatically. "Just don’t gain any weight until after the show."

  "You know I don't gain weight, Henri. I'll take care of myself." Ally stifled a smile.

  "And watch the sun. It's horrible for your complexion."

  "Yes, Dad, I'll be careful," Ally laughed as she hung up the phone. The sun peaked over the clouds. The herd stood right behind her fence, but she saw no sign of Caleb out of her kitchen window. She sighed, turned on the television and caught up on the news while she worked on her laptop. The phone rang again and Ally answered it.

  "Running a bunch of errands," Kat announced. "So, if you need me, just call my cell."

  "I'll be fine. I've got plenty to do around here." Ally debated whether or not to tell her about Caleb and decided against it. "When can we talk about your business plan?"

  "Tuesday night? No. I have a party to do. We'll do the business thing in the morning. Do you want to come with me?" asked Kat.

  "Sure."

  "Ten?"

  "I'll be there." Ally ended the call and noted the time on her iPhone. She settled in and found out how to get to the car dealers for her inspection and where to get plates and a license. One of the security companies showed up and gave her an estimate. They could have her set up the next day. Ally said she would get back to them. When Ally glanced at the clock, she couldn't believe how much time had passed.

  She fixed some lunch and stared out the kitchen window searching for Caleb, but didn't see him. The afternoon and evening stretched long and lonesome, so Ally decided to go shopping. Her first stops included the health clubs and she decided on a local one with a personal trainer. Ally then drove around trying to familiarize herself with the area. She found the town hall and registered for water and garbage service. Ally found other places to shop for groceries rather than where Kat had taken her. At six o'clock, she felt good about what she had accomplished in one day. Ally changed into jogging clothes and she and Tank went for a long run, of course by Caleb's property. She didn't see him. A whole day without Caleb, Ally smiled, pleased with herself.

  Caleb drove down the road and ready to turn into his driveway when he saw Ally running with Tank. She wore shorts even though the air temperature was cool. He stopped the car and watched her legs as she pounded the pavement. Poor Tank lagged behind, his pink tongue hanging very low. Caleb waited as he watched her disappear out of sight before he entered his driveway.

  It had been a long day and exhaustion overtook him. Fortunately, he had accomplished all he had planned. He longed for dinner, a drink and relaxation. He walked into the house to find it deserted, but he smelled dinner. Gracie had already made dinner because she knew if she left it on the stove, Caleb would eat it at his own pace. Caleb helped himself to some chicken and mashed potatoes then turned on the television to watch the news.. He waited until after dinner and then went to the stable and saddled up Thor. He wanted to make sure those boys were not on his property because he heard they were released from custody today. Caleb continued on even though the sky had darkened and dismayed to find more signs of mischief on his property. He immediately called the police and Ally.

  "Ally? Caleb. I want y'all to know those boys were released from custody and looks like they're back. Make sure y'all lock your doors and have your security system on."

  "Oh no, what are you going to do? The security company is coming by tomorrow to set me up."

  "Be careful then. They think that it was you who took their picture. There's a chance they would try something to get even."

  "Well that news gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. I won't sleep all night." A trickle of fear coursed through Ally’s body.

  "What time is your appointment tomorrow?"

  "They're coming around eight in the morning. Then I'm helping Kat with a luncheon and I'll be gone for most of the day."

  "I'll see what the police will do, but, Ally, please be careful," pleaded Caleb.

  "I will." Ally nervously looked around the house, cursing she only had curtains on her bedroom windows. At least the other windows had blinds.

  Caleb tried calling Jeb, but he went to bed at the first sign of night and didn't answer the phone. As he waited, Caleb thought of other options for Ally tonight. He should've offered for her to stay at his house. No, Ally wouldn't be safe from him. How could someone get under his skin in such a short period of time?

  ****

  "We checked to see if they were home first," said the officer who had just arrived. "They have violated their parole and we 're looking for them now. I'm real sorry about this, Caleb. Is your herd okay?

  "Yes, they're in for the night. I just can't let them in this area until I make sure there is no damage. Jeb and I will have to beef up our security." Caleb watched as the officer left and reined in Thor to head back home. He once again passed Ally's house and saw all the lights on. He smiled in appreciation of her survival tactics, but then again she had lived in New York City. His smile quickly turned into a frown. With all of this going on, suppose she decided to move back there? Caleb picked up his phone and called Ally, again.

  "Ally?"

  "Caleb? What's going on?" Ally clutched the phone, her fingers white.

  "I want you to know if there's any trouble, call me, understand? I'd offer for you to stay with me, but I don't think it would be a good idea."

  "Oh." Ally couldn't figure out what Caleb meant, but she had to prove that she could take care of herself. She straightened her shoulders and toughened up. "You don't have to worry about me, Caleb. I've lived on my own in New York City for six years and I can take care of myself."

  "Ally, that's not what I meant. You're all alone out here where help is not close. If you want, I can stay over at your house." Now why did he say that? She wouldn't be any safer from him there either.

  "No, Caleb. I don't want you to bother. I'll be fine."

  "That does it. I'm going to stay," said Caleb angry at the situation. "I'll be over in about twenty minutes." Caleb hung up and rode Thor to his limits to get home quickly. He ran into Jeb in the barn who still had his pajamas on.

  "What's going on?" Jeb looked at Caleb's grim expression.

  "Those boys are back. Cops are looking for them, but we can't let the herd in that pasture again until we check it out. I'm going to stay with Ally, because I don't trust them since they know she took their picture. I'll be back first thing in the morning." Caleb handed Thor's reins to Jeb.

  "Are you sure Ally is going to be safe from you?" Jeb narrowed his eyes at Caleb.

  "I told you, I'm not looking for a woman." Caleb turned to leave, but not before he heard Jeb mutter under his breath. Back at the house, Caleb grabbed his gun and his bottle of whiskey and headed over to Ally's house. He angrily drove his truck into her driveway and banged on her door.

  "Caleb, this is not necessary," protested Ally. She wore jeans and an oversized t-shirt.

  "It sure is." Caleb strode right past Ally, got a glass out of the cabinet and sat down at the kitchen table. He poured his drink and then looked up at her.

  "Caleb," pleaded Ally, trying her best to dissuade him from staying. His eyes glistened like green bullets.

  "I'm staying and I'm sleeping down here."

  "Where? On the couch? Caleb, get real. I do have a bed upstairs."

  "Nope, down here." He looked at the couch and frowned. "I'll sleep on the floor. I've slept in worse places." Caleb looked around and then back a
t Ally. "When are you going to get some decent furniture? This stuff is for sissies."

  "This stuff is very fine French Provincial furniture," retorted Ally.

  "It's too frilly for my taste. Is your bedroom furniture like this too?"

  "No." Ally looked at him questioningly. "Why? Do you want to see it?"

  "No, just asking." Caleb grinned at Ally's discomfort.

  "Get your mind out of the gutter," responded Ally smoothly. She got up and poured herself a glass of wine. "Do you want to watch any television? The remote is right there."

  "Sure." Caleb got out of the chair and moved to the family room. "Now this is a chair," he commented as he slid into the oversized leather recliner. "I could sleep right here, but I'd like it better with you in your bed."

  "Get that out of your mind right now, buster." Ally shook her finger at him and then smiled. "You're just trying to get my goat."

  "Maybe more than your goat." Caleb smiled back at her. "Now, go back to whatever you were doing. I'll just stay here."

  "Fine." Ally walked back to the kitchen table and returned to the work she had been doing on her laptop. They sat in compatible silence until the landline phone rang. Ally went to answer it and heard no one on the other end. She placed the phone back in its cradle and shook her head.

  "What's going on?"asked Caleb.

  "I don't know. They didn't say anything. Probably just a wrong number," she replied. Ally took a sip of her wine and continued working.

  "What are you doing?" Caleb had been watching her concentration on the laptop.

  "I'm working on this business plan for Kat. We're getting together tomorrow and I want to make sure we're on the right track." The phone rang again and Ally picked it up. "Hello? Hello? Who is this?" Heavy breathing sounded on the other end and then they hung up.

  "Well?" demanded Caleb as he rose from the chair.

  "Somebody is messing with me," commented Ally. She checked Caller Id and the display read unavailable. She looked up at Caleb. "Next time, you answer it."

  "You bet your ass I'm going to answer it." Caleb strode quickly and sat next to Ally. He grabbed the phone from her and leaned over to see her laptop. He read what she had written and smiled. "What's the name of the business?"

  "Kat doesn't have one. I told her to think of one quickly so we can get business cards and brochures done. I'm ready to go ahead and name it myself."

  "I got it. Ally Kat's Catering." Caleb grinned widely.

  "Get serious." She glared at Caleb.

  "No, it's the one. Something people will remember. Ally, I'm serious. People pay me for this advice and here y'all are getting it free."

  "People pay you for advice?" admonished Ally.

  "Ally, what did I tell y'all the last time? I'm president of the Chamber of Commerce." He looked at her smugly.

  "Oh." She looked at Caleb dubiously. "Kat and I will talk about it tomorrow."

  "For your business cards, use…" Caleb never finished his sentence since the phone rang. "Hello?" The caller hung up immediately and Caleb checked the number, which read unavailable. "Yeah, they're all messing with you. I know what to do the next time they call."

  "You do?"

  "I'm Officer Wade, the constable of this town." Caleb smiled wickedly.

  "Who is doing this?"

  "Kids, I told you they know. I bet you didn't think to get your number blocked."

  "I didn't think anyone would know me around here." Ally looked troubled.

  "Ally, be realistic. You're a famous model. People are going to hunt you down. You just can't walk away and expect people not to notice."

  "No?" asked Ally dejectedly. She looked up at Caleb with an angry expression. "Oh Caleb, why can't people leave me alone?"

  "Now, don't start the waterworks," said Caleb gruffly. "I hate it when a gal cries.”

  "I can't make it stop," cried Ally. "I-I'm sorry." She reached for a tissue and Caleb interrupted drawing her into a big bear hug. It felt too good and they stayed that way for a long time. Ally felt a slight shiver of sexual stirrings as she relaxed into Caleb's hard muscular body.

  Caleb felt her soften and hoped she had not felt him harden. He pulled away slowly and cupped her chin in his right hand. Her skin felt so soft against his calloused hands. "Ally, when you're famous like you are, they're never going away. They are going to follow you for a very long time. The least you can do is to take some serious steps into security. People around here will give you your privacy, but be careful. You're a beautiful lady and, Ally? Things happen to you that don't normally happen to other people. Now, you understand why I'm staying tonight."

  "You're right. I didn't think anyone would even try to track me down here in Texas."

  "Honey, people know. You think they're going to call again?"

  "No, I think you set them off."

  "Good." Caleb took the phone and headed back to the chair.

  Ally went back to work when her cell phone rang. Caleb looked up at her inquisitively as she answered the phone.

  "Ally, how could you move to Texas? I'm coming down there to bring you back home." Greg whined on the other end.

  "Damn it, Greg..." Ally never finished because Caleb snatched the phone away from her.

  "Y'all heard the lady. Leave her alone."

  "Who the hell are you?" Greg turned nasty.

  "Her husband." Caleb disconnected and turned to grin at Ally. "I couldn't think of anything else to say."

  "My husband?" Ally giggled at the mere suggestion of marriage with Caleb.

  "That is pretty far-fetched. I mean, you'd give me a heart attack."

  "Am I really that bad?" asked Ally.

  "Now, don't start up again." Caleb became frustrated. "I just think you didn't think this thing through. If I didn't like you, I wouldn't care, but I do. If you were my little girl, I'd be in prison for killing someone. How does your daddy handle it?"

  "I'm tough."Ally lifted her chin in defense. "My father taught me how to be a survivor."

  "That's why I'm spending the night here." Caleb had a smirk on his face.

  "I didn't ask you to." Ally stance had become defiant.

  "I am because I'm the next best thing as your daddy; I'm a concerned neighbor."

  "Well," Ally hesitated. "Thanks." She looked at the time. "It's ten o'clock. Isn't that a little late for you?"

  "Yup." Caleb yawned and turned down the sound of the television. "Are you going to bed, too?"

  "Yes." She looked at him in sympathy. "At least let me get you a pillow and a blanket."

  Ally ran upstairs and Caleb knew it would be a long night. How could he sleep, knowing Ally slept in the next room over?

  "Thanks and leave your door open." Caleb sighed as he watched Ally retreat into her room. He could hear bustling about before it turned quiet. He turned the television back on at a lower volume as not to disturb her. Then he tried to sleep and all he could think about was Ally and how she slept. What positions she used to fall asleep; did she lay on her back or stomach? Better yet, what did she have on? He tossed and turned to no avail. If he knew better, he really should go home. With his mind made up, Caleb walked into Ally's bedroom. He found her wrapped up in the sheets and hugging her pillow tightly, her blond curls spilling all over it. Caleb sighed and sat down into an oversized chair to enjoy the luxury of watching Ally for a minute.

  Ally sensed someone in the room. She opened her eyes slowly and adjusted to the darkness around her. "Caleb?" She sat up quickly. "What's wrong?" Caleb got out of the chair and then sat on her bed keeping a safe distance.