"Interesting," commented Caleb.
"Yeah, you should've seen Ally," laughed Kat. "She tried to make all those cows her pets. She would stand at the fence and try to pet them."
"Kat," warned Ally as she glared at her sister.
"When she found out that's where McDonald's hamburgers came from, she didn't eat there for months on end."
"What?" Caleb laughed with them. He looked at Ally her face as red as a beet. "It's a hard lesson to learn, I suppose."
"I'm over it," said Ally stiffly and finished her wine.
"I think that's why Ally got such a big dog. By the way, where is that Tank monster?" Tara looked around for the dog.
"He's right here next to me under the table," said Caleb. "He thinks I'm his best friend." At the mention of his name, Tank got up and put his head into Caleb's lap, looking up at him with adoring eyes. Caleb absently petted him.
"Ally is a true animal lover," said Robert. "She's a great horseback rider and won some competitions, that is until she got into fashion."
"Why am I just hearing all this?" Caleb stared at Ally. "You never told me?"
"It just didn't come up in any conversations we've had." Ally shrugged her shoulders indifferently, but felt pleased that Caleb had looked at her with respect.
"What kind of saddle?"
"English, I've never tried Western before," said Ally as she stood to get up. "Anybody need a refill on their drink? Dinner is about to be served."
"Ally, sit down. I'll take care of it."
Kat forced her way around her little sister and Ally sat down, noticing Caleb's chair had come even closer to hers. Becoming aware of his body, she remembered their kiss with such intensity, she shivered. "No more men," she reminded herself for the umpteenth time.
"I could teach you how to ride Western," said Caleb as he bit into his dinner. "Say, this is good, you ladies. All y'all did a great job." He reached over and gave Ally's thigh a squeeze underneath the table.
"Thanks," choked Ally, too aware of Caleb's hand on her thigh. It had burned a hole through her jeans.
"Now, you let us know if Ally as a neighbor gives you any trouble," warned Tara.
"Mother, stop."
"Tara?" warned Robert and he glared at his wife over his glasses.
"Trouble, Ally isn't trouble at all." A deep laugh came from Caleb's stomach.
"Let's just say life with Ally can have its moments." Tara rolled her eyes.
"Mom, can we just drop the subject?" Ally gave her mother a pointed look.
"No, she's fine, ma'am." Caleb turned to study Ally's profile, her head buried in her right hand. "Just as long as she knows not to make my herd into her pets." Everyone at the table, including Ally shared a laugh.
"I'm glad I can amuse you." Ally took another big drink of her water and choked on it.
"Easy, there." Caleb patted Ally on the back to stop her coughing. When she did, he let his hand slide slowly down her back causing another shiver of excitement for both of them.
"Thanks. I'm fine." Ally gave herself a mental shake of the images of what Caleb's hands could do to her. "Caleb? Why don't you explain to my parents what's been going on with your herd." She had to get them off the subject of her.
"Ally, you never mentioned problems, what kind of problems?" asked Tara.
"Someone has been stealing my cattle," said Caleb flatly. Once he started explaining about cattle theft, he held the family captive for hours.
"Well, I reckon I should get going," said Caleb as he got up from his seat.
"You sure you don't want another cup of coffee?" asked Ally. She could already feel the loss of heat from Caleb's body, he had been so close. He also smelled so intoxicating of pure masculinity and leather.
"Nope, I'm good, ma'am." He smiled warmly at Ally, making her blush again.
"It's been a pleasure to meet you, Caleb. You're a delightful young man," gushed Tara while Ally and Kat rolled their eyes.
"Why thank you, ma'am. But the pleasure is all mine." Caleb shook Tara's hand and turned to Kat. "You too, ma'am. Remember, next week I expect to see y'all at the Chamber of Commerce meeting." He then turned to Robert. "You let me know when you can get away. Ally has my number." He turned and smiled at Ally, but didn't try to touch her. He knew if he did, he wouldn't be able to stop. The mental images were amazing.
"Caleb?" Ally tried to read Caleb's expression and noticed the flame of intensity in his eyes.
"You did a great job," he said slowly. "I'll be in touch." He turned to leave while the family followed him out the door. He stopped when he got to his truck and turned around. "Ally, the mare's name is Flora and she's twenty-two years old. Next time when she comes to the fence, you can give her some carrots."
"You saw me the other day, didn't you?" Ally smiled.
"Yeah, I did." He smiled at her again, but his eyes glittered with lust. Ally got the message loud and clear.
"What a nice young man," commented Tara once they went back inside. "Of course, he's not Ally's type at all."
"What do you mean, Mother?" asked Ally, hurt. "I'm not looking for any man, either good or bad."
"Tara, please don't start," warned Robert.
"But Ally should be married by now," protested Tara
"Mother, did it ever occur to you I don't want to be married yet?”
"Ally is right," said Robert. "She'll know when the right man will come along. Let it be, Tara."
"Oh Ally, all I've done is pick on you. I don't mean to, but I want you to be happy."
"I am happy, Mother. I've had a successful career as a model and now I'm starting on another chapter of my life. Just because there isn't a man involved doesn't mean I'm not happy." Ally realized her mother just didn't get it.
"I think a good plan is for Mother to spend the day at my place while Dad and Ally do their thing," suggested Kat.
"That's right. When I spoke with Caleb earlier, he mentioned Ally doesn't have any tools or a first aid kit." Robert made a mental note to make a list of items Ally would need.
"Caleb told you that?" Ally smiled.
"He said he mentioned a couple of other things around the house. Said he didn't think you had a good inspection. Why would he say that, Ally?"
"Just a couple of things went wrong the day I moved in, but everything is fine now."
"Uh huh. We'll see. Tara and I are tired and headed off to bed. Where is it? Ally, you need a map to get around in this house."
"Dad, you know where it is; up the stairs and to your right."
"I need to get home as soon as I help Ally with the dishes. Mother? I'll be here tomorrow morning around nine," said Kat.
"Don't worry about it, Kat. I'll clean up." Ally began to clear the table.
"Are you sure because I can stay?" Kat looked at her sister.
"Positive." Ally shooed her parents up to their room and Kat out the door. She needed time to think about Caleb. What exactly did he want from her? Sex? But why would he tell her father about his concerns? Ally carefully loaded the dishwasher and started it. She finished a few pans by hand and put them away, still lost in thought. What did they have in common? They hadn't even talked about anything substantial. What were his hobbies? What kind of music did he like? What about politics and religion? Oh, she needed to learn so much more about Caleb. Physical attraction amounted to one thing, but Ally wanted something deeper.
On the way to her bedroom, Ally heard an unfamiliar beep. Still trying to get used to the security system in the house, Ally cocked her head. Every time someone would come in and out of the house, the alarm system would notify her by the light controls and a beep. This sounded different. Ally went around the first floor looking for any open windows and saw none. Maybe her parents had opened a window upstairs? Ally went upstairs and checked the rooms and found nothing. Stumped, she went back downstairs to her bedroom and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
"Ally, what's wrong with your refrigerator?" Robert peered into the door of the appliance and pressed buttons.
"What do you mean?" Ally came over. She had just awakened and desperately needed some coffee.
"Look at the controls up here." Robert had moved out of the way to let Ally see. "It has the temperature of the freezer and then the main unit. It shows the freezer is at fifteen degrees and the rest of the fridge is at fifty-five degrees." A beep sounded in their ears.
"So that's where that noise is coming from," said Ally. "I've never had a fridge like this before. It's a custom built. I mean, look at the woodwork used to match the cabinets. I don't even know where the plug is on this thing."
"Well, it's letting you know there's a problem." Robert punched a few more buttons.
"Dad, try the button marked COOLER." Robert tried and the beeping stopped, momentarily. "I'll call the home warranty number again," mumbled Ally as she started to make coffee. "It's Friday, but they don't open until eight."
"What about your food? It's going to go bad." Robert looked at his daughter with concern. "You don't even have another refrigerator."
"I had planned on getting another one, but I haven't had time."
"Ally," sighed her father. "You should always have two for just this reason."
"Just throw it on the list for today," said Ally, disgusted.
"Your mother and I can buy one for you as a house warming gift."
"Don't be ridiculous. I can afford one," scoffed Ally.
"You're going through money like water, Ally."
"Dad, don't worry. I can afford it."
"Hurry up and get dressed so we can go to the store and get a new one. Close the door in order to keep the food from getting any warmer. Where can we get breakfast around here? I'm definitely upset about this, Ally.”