"Different? In what way?" asked Ally.
"You've got class." Caleb leaned against the wall and smiled.
"Thank you." Ally blushed in pleasure. He looked so damn sexy Ally tried hard to behave. She wanted to throw herself at him, but she remembered her vow.
"Who else could wear doggie pajamas and look good?" Caleb teased her again.
"Oh." Ally blushed deeper. "They're comfortable and I had no idea anyone would drop by."
"But you answered the door, anyway." Caleb’s smile widened.
"I knew I could trust you. Remember, you're not looking for a woman and I've had it with men?"
"Right." Caleb reached up and cupped her face with his right hand. Her skin felt like silk, making him a little crazy. He shouldn't have touched her, but she didn't pull away. "You didn't say goodbye."
"You were busy. I didn't want to interrupt." Once again, their gazes locked.
"Next time, interrupt." Caleb's eyes looked into Ally's; his lips very near hers.
"Okay." Ally waited, breathless in anticipation. Caleb kissed her ever so gently and quickly pulled away.
"Good night, Ally." Caleb opened the front door and the cool nighttime air brought him to his senses. He had to get a grip. He had to stay away from Ally.
Chapter Eight
"That damn rooster," cried Ally as she sat up in bed and looked at the clock. Ally glanced at the clock as the lighted numbers read four-thirty in the morning darkness. "If you didn't belong to Caleb, my gun would've found you." Tank lay sound asleep on the floor, the rooster didn't bother him, which made Ally even madder. She had hardly slept a wink last night. How dare Caleb kiss her? It was a little kiss, but it felt so good. Ally rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands, trying to get the vision of her and Caleb making love out of her head. "Concentrate, concentrate." She yawned and got out of bed, avoiding the sleeping Tank. She padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The water took its time to warm up and Ally let the hot water soothe her mood. When she had finished, she got dressed and let her hair air dry. Now, Tank was up and followed her into the kitchen. "Night lights," muttered Ally as she stubbed her toe on a chair. "I can't see where I'm going." She tried some switches until she found the right ones and let Tank out. Ally then made the coffee and started her list for the day. "Night lights," she wrote down. "Gym membership; paper delivered; order online." She glanced up at the clock to see it had progressed to five-thirty in the morning, a long way until eight when the security company said they were coming. Sighing, she turned on her laptop, ordered the sheets and towels, signed up for the paper, checked her emails and then her Facebook page. The phone rang interrupting the quiet.
"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.