"I ordered him from Macy's," said Ally sarcastically. Both Caleb and the sheriff chuckled.
"This here is Bob. He's going to relocate the snake. Somebody had to put him in your yard. Make sure you lock your gates, so no one can get in. The only other way to get to your property is through Caleb's." He looked at Caleb questioningly. "You didn't do this to scare Ally away? I'm getting used to coming here once a day."
"I told Ally about her gates." Caleb turned to her. "I've got some locks I will loan you until you buy some. What did the security people say?"
"They wouldn't install the locks on the gates because they didn't have the right ones on their truck" said Ally, with a frown.
They all walked to the backdoor and watched as Bob wrestled with the massive snake and put him in a bag. Bob started to walk through the house and Ally screamed. "No snake is going through my house!" Bob stopped and then headed for the gate while the sheriff finished up writing his report.
"Caleb, go get those locks and we'll have someone watch over the house for the next couple of days." The sheriff radioed in the incident while Caleb took off. "Now, call us if there's any more trouble, ma'am. I do apologize for not believing you at first."
"It's okay. I didn't believe it myself." Ally watched as he drove away and went back into the house. She headed right for the liquor cabinet and poured a healthy shot of whiskey from Caleb's bottle. She shuddered as the fiery amber liquid slid down her throat. Because she hadn't had anything to eat, the alcohol hit her quickly. Ally sat down and waited for Caleb.
"Ally, it's me again." Grinned Caleb as he came through the front door. He looked at the glass on the table and grinned. "Starting a little strong?"
"How can you stand this stuff? Yuck." Ally made a face.
"You're a little drunk?" Caleb handed her the locks and squeezed her hand.
"No, I just have a buzz.” Ally looked at what Caleb had brought."These are the locks?" Ally stared at them thinking they were just like the locks she had in high school for her locker.
"Come on out and I'll show you." Caleb took her hand and they walked side by side to the gates and installed the locks. As they walked back to the house, Caleb looked at her closely. "What are we going to have for dinner?"
"I was going to try a new recipe, but now I don't feel like it," said Ally dejectedly. "Any suggestions, Caleb?"
"How about I take you out to dinner?" he asked. "My treat."
"Can I go dressed like this?" Ally looked down at her jeans.
"Yup." Caleb waited while Ally got her purse and locked up.
"Where is this place?" asked Ally as she sat next to Caleb. She didn't like riding in a pickup truck and the road Caleb used had lots of bumps which jostled her into Caleb's seat.
"Just up the road. You need to get something in your stomach so you can calm down and have a drink."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Ally yawned and Caleb drew to a stop.
"This is it." Caleb negotiated into a parking place expertly.
"I know where we're at!" said Ally as she looked around. "I saw this place and wanted to try it."
"Doesn't look like much, but it's got the best Tex-Mex food around." He helped Ally get down from the cab, never taking his hand away from the small of her back. He greeted the hostess who flirted outrageously with Caleb and sent Ally a disapproving look. Ally picked up the menu and read it over.
"Anything on here is good," commented Caleb as he made his decision. "Two margaritas," he told the waitress.
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" Ally looked at him and once again Caleb's green eyes flashed at her with amusement.
"You need something to make you relax and these are the best ones in town. Now, tell me who do you think put that snake in your pool.”
"It's those kids, of course." Ally snorted. "How did they get it in there? Where did they get the snake from?" asked Ally.
"I've been doing some thinking," said Caleb as he reached for the chips and salsa. "The sheriff told me he needed to check the zoos or exotic wildlife refuges. You're not alone, Ally. It affects me and my ranch, too."
"Hey, these are good," commented Ally as she dug into the chips and salsa. "I didn't realize how hungry catching snakes made me." She smiled across the table at Caleb who watched her intently.
"I thought models ate only cottage cheese and drank coffee all day to stay skinny?"
"I told you, I have a high metabolism. I can eat anything I want, but I try to keep it healthy. Tonight, I'm starving." Ally grinned back at him. "Besides helping me, what did you do today?" The meal arrived and Ally bit into it enthusiastically. "Oh, Caleb, this is delicious."
Caleb smiled as he watched Ally tear into her food. He ate more slowly only because he wanted to prolong their evening together. He enjoyed the fact that he never a dull moment with Ally. He wished she would realize it and soon. Caleb shook his head as Ally polished off her Margarita and asked for another one.
"This is my last drink," exclaimed Ally as she finished it off. "I can't wait until my parents get here. But I'm not telling my dad about the snake. He'll lock me up in a suitcase and take me to Houston."
"Remember, you're going to introduce me to your parents. I've got some things I want to discuss with your father."
"Things to discuss with my father?" repeatedly Ally. "Why? What type of things?"
"Just a couple of house things I think he should look at when he's here."
"It's my house," replied Ally curtly. "You can tell me."
"Okay. I'll start." Caleb ordered another drink. He leaned on the table and studied Ally intently. "Number one; what kind of tools do you have? I didn't see anything in the garage that you need to live in this house. No shovel, ladder, duct tape, nails, pesticides and the list goes on. Jeb and I can help out when we can, but, Ally, we're really busy too."
"Oh," said Ally as she sat back in her chair and looked at Caleb apologetically. "I didn't mean to take advantage of you. I'm sorry." Tears sprang to her eyes.
"Ally, don't start the water works." If it was one thing that could humble Caleb it was a woman crying. "I could've easily said no." He used his thousand-watt smile on her. "It's a good thing you're kind of pretty."
"It's not what I meant to do," replied Ally, her face red with embarrassment "I don't normally do things like this." She started to get up, but Caleb caught her arm and sat her down. "I've got to go. I'll pay for my share."
"You sit down." Caleb remained firm. "I asked you to dinner and you're staying." Ally looked at him with her big blue eyes and Caleb melted. "I didn't realize you were so sensitive about your looks."
"It's like no one takes me seriously," explained Ally. "I have to work harder for people to know I do have a brain."
"You do have a Master’s degree, so I know you got a brain."
"Where did you…never mind. You read my biography." Ally gestured with her hand.
"I'm just interested." He tried to gauge Ally's guarded expression.
"How interested?" asked Ally curious at what he would say.
"Very." Caleb gave her hand a squeeze and then let go. "Now back to the list. Your fence? It has some bad boards in it, which needs to be replaced. Jeb can do it, but you need to find someone who can do it for you. What about your furnace and AC? Do you know how to change the filter?"
"I can learn."
"What are you going to do about your lawn? I see you have no tractor, are you going to buy one? And your pool?" asked Caleb, on a roll.
"Kat told me to hire someone. She said I'd be too busy with the business. Oh jeez, I forgot to call Kat. I was supposed to call her when I got home and I never did because of the snake. Excuse me a minute?" Ally got up and went into the ladies' room to make her call.
"Kat, I'm okay. Caleb took me out to dinner tonight."
"You two are getting rather friendly," commented Kat.
"It's not what you think. I'll tell you when I get home."
"I worry because things happen to you," replied Kat. "Who knows what Caleb will do with you?"
"Nothing, we're neighbors and that's all." Ally ended the call and went back to their table. The hostess flirted with him again and it looked like they were more than just friends. Summoning her courage and indifference, she sauntered back to the table and sat down. The hostess then gave her an unfriendly look.
"You must be Ally Duncan. What brings you to our little ole town?"
"Family," Ally answered coolly.
"Didn't know there were Duncan's around here."
"Ally's sister lives here, but she's married," answered Caleb in a reproving tone. "Her parents live in Houston."
"Oh." She dismissed Ally and focused her attention back on Caleb. "Call me if you get some free time. Don't be a stranger." She left and Ally stared at Caleb while he shrugged.
"What can I say? She's hot for my body." Caleb smiled broadly.
"What a curse to have such good looks," retorted Ally.
"You think I'm good looking? You never told me so. I'm flattered." Caleb once again teased Ally.
“Oh please." Ally stood up and Caleb took her lead. In an exaggerated move, he put his arm around Ally's shoulder as they walked to the truck. Out of the corner of their eyes, they watched as the hostess glared at them and shared a good laugh once in the truck. "She going to track me down and kill me." Ally couldn't stop laughing. "Way to make friends, huh?"
"Nature of the beast," said Caleb in agreement. They were silent as he drove Ally home. When they reached the house, Ally started to get out, but Caleb had killed the engine. "I'm checking up on you. I don't want to get any hysterical phone calls in the middle of the night telling me something is wrong. I mean if you want to call me in the middle of the night about something else, I don't mind." He grinned at Ally.
"You are a terrible flirt," said Ally good-naturedly.
"That I am," laughed Caleb and then he turned serious. “But I like to get what I want."
"I see." Ally had stopped walking and faced Caleb. "What happens if you don't?