"Now, listen to what happened. The repairman who fixed the fridge? He had a heart attack. I told her, Jeb. She's going to give her husband a heart attack. I just knew it." Caleb was still chuckling.
"That poor gal, I swear. If it weren't for bad luck, she'd have no luck at all." Jeb just shook his head. "Are you ready for a heart attack?"
"What do you mean?"
"Confound it, Caleb. You're in love with her. Why won't you admit it and stop being so stubborn."
"I don't love her, I like her. There's a difference." Caleb hung his head. "But she's just not sold on me."
“Suit yourself, I know better." Jeb clamped his mouth shut while Caleb drove to the cattle auction.
Caleb barely found a place to park by the time they arrived since they were late. They ran into friends and associates and then looked over the livestock. Unfortunately, neither of them saw anything they liked. They stayed for lunch and swapped stories and then left for home.
"What a waste of time," muttered Jeb. "At least none of them up there were ours."
"I know. The rangers called me yesterday to say there hadn't been any activity, so I think we're safe."
"When is Ally's daddy coming over?" asked Jeb.
"Don't know for sure. I'll have to call him and make plans. Look at this traffic."
They arrived home around four and Caleb finally admitted fatigue. He and Jeb saddled their horses and rode around looking at the livestock and fences, glad to find nothing amiss. Soon it was time for dinner, and Gracie, Jeb and Caleb talked about the ranch, their day and made plans for tomorrow.
"As I told Jeb, Ally really appreciated the food," commented Caleb as he helped himself to a second helping of chicken.
"I would like to meet this young lady," said Gracie as she peered over her glasses at Caleb. "Jeb said you're sweet on her."
"Is Caleb sweet on her?" Jeb guffawed. "The boy is plum head over heels in love with her, he can't see straight." Jeb glared at Caleb.
"I told you it's not love." Caleb ignored the looks of his companions.
"Then why did you invite her daddy over?"
"I like him. I told him my concerns about Ally and her house. He understood them, too."
"Then why did you take them out to dinner?" asked Gracie.
"They had nothing to eat. I wanted to show them that I can be neighborly."
"You can't fool a fool, Caleb. Just you wait."
They finished the meal is silence and Caleb went to his room to shower watch some television. He still hadn't heard from Ally about Robert coming over and hoped she hadn't really been mad at him. Finally, he gave in and called her.
"Yes, Caleb?" Ally tried to be civil even though she still felt a little hurt he thought her to be deadly.
"You were supposed to call me about your daddy and you didn't."
"He's right here. I'll let you speak with him." She handed the phone to her father. "It's Caleb. He wants to know what your plans are for tomorrow." Caleb and her father agreed that Robert would drive over to the ranch around one.
"The girls did some shopping today and Ally has a new refrigerator in her garage. The one in the kitchen has a bad computer board which the man had to order. It should be here by Monday." Robert told Caleb. "Tomorrow, after church, Kat and her mother are doing some more shopping and Ally is staying home."
"What did you think about the heart attack?" Caleb smiled again.
"That's life with Ally, son. God bless the man who marries her. He better have some good health insurance."
"Dad, how could you?" Ally glared at her father, who looked at her fondly.
"Caleb wants to speak to you." He handed the phone back to Ally who shook her head, no, but the phone landed in her hands.
"Yes?" Ally had a formal tone to her voice.
"I didn't mean to poke fun at you. It’s just you're so much fun to be around. I never know what to expect next."
"I'm glad I amuse you. I'll talk to you later."
"Ally, wait. Don't hang up." She had and Caleb shook his head. "Lord, I'll have to make this up to her."
****
"This here is, Silver. She's a mixed breed, but a fine horse," explained Caleb to Robert. Silver looked at Robert suspiciously, but when Robert offered the mare some carrots, she rubbed Robert's chest in acceptance. Robert gently petted her nose.
"Aren't you a fine looking lady," purred Robert and the two bonded. Robert took the reins from Caleb and led her out to join Caleb and Jeb. When Robert mounted the horse; he found himself a little rusty, but it all came back to him and he joined the others.
"This is the main field where the animals eat. We have these fields irrigated so there's plenty of water. For the babies who are just growing their horns, we have them covered so they don't scratch or tear them." Caleb proudly showed off his livestock.
"They are quite massive," commented Robert as they rode by.
"These are only the babies," laughed Jeb. "We're coming up on the mamas and papas."
"Is that the rooster who doesn't know what time of day it is?" Robert pointed to the chickens being chased by a fierce looking rooster.
"That's old Whitey. He's blind. Why, is he keeping y'all up?"
"It only happened the first couple of nights. Now we're kind of used to him," explained Robert.
They rode in silence until they reached the pasture behind Ally's home. "Now, I know you can recognize the place, but this is where Ally lives. You see, when we ride over yonder, you'll see where the fence had been deliberately cut and the animals poisoned."
"Who is that on horseback over there?" asked Robert as he pointed to two men out in the distance.
"They are rangers looking over the area for us. We haven't had any more cattle stolen since, but the ones who were stolen haven't shown up in any auction yet. Makes me wonder who did it. Now, over here is the cattle barn. This is where we brand them with the Strait name."
"You sure have a lot of land to cover," remarked Robert in awe.
"This isn't big compared to other ranches in the area," said Caleb. “Jeb, my cousin and I pretty much can handle most of the chores. We have a crew we use to help out too." They rode on some more until they reached a little cottage. "This building used to be the original home of my great-great-grand parents. We've kept it as a storage area and when there's a lot of work to be done, it can sleep at least six people. My parents built the house where we live now. They had hopes that the entire Strait family would live there, but it's only me, Jeb, Gracie and Marcus."
"This is quite a property, Caleb. You have a right to be proud."
"Thanks, sir." They rode back to the stable and dismounted.
"You have to see the inside of the house and meet Gracie," said Caleb.
Flabbergasted, Robert just stared at the size of the house. It stood twice the size of Ally's, with an indoor and outdoor pool, a tennis court, a golf hole and gazebos with picturesque water fountains. The inside of the house had been done in a rustic theme, with leather furniture and massive bookcases.
"You must be Ally's father," said Gracie as they walked into the kitchen.
"Yes, I am. Have you met my daughter?"
"Not yet. I hope to this evening, though. I prepared my best baked chicken recipe with corn and mashed potatoes." Gracie looked at Jeb and whispered to Robert. "I used to make it fried, but the doctor said Jeb's not allowed to have any fried foods."
"You see," explained Caleb. "All y'all are invited over for dinner. It would be right neighborly."
"I'll have to check with the big boss," explained Robert, a little put on the spot. "But I don't see a problem."
"Here," said Caleb. "Call Ally and ask her. Dinner is at five." He handed Robert the phone.
"Ally, it's your dad. Gracie, Caleb and Jeb have invited us over for dinner at five. Is your mother and Kat around?"
"They just got here. Dad, I don't want to go. Caleb and I had some words this morning and I don't feel right accepting the invitation."
"Put your mother on the phone." Oh, did Ally know that tone of voice.
"It's Dad," she whispered.
"What happened?" Kat pressed Ally for details.
"When he brought breakfast this morning, Caleb asked about the refrigerator and found it funny the poor man had a heart attack. He said I had a reputation of being a black widow. How dare he say things like that about me?"
"Lighten up, Ally. He certainly knows how to get under your skin. I can't wait to see his house. Have you driven by it?"
"Why is everyone on Caleb's side?"
"Ally you're being ultra sensitive." Kat hugged Ally. "Lighten up, little sister."
"Okay," grumbled Ally and she went to get dressed.
"Check this out, Ally, he's loaded," said Kat as they drove up the hidden driveway to Caleb's home.
"Not only is he nice, he's rich," exclaimed Tara as she agreed with Kat.
"It's nice." Ally had decided a long time ago not to be swayed by money. "Ally, be nice," warned Kat. They got out of the car and walked to the front door where they were greeted by Gracie.
"Come on in," said Gracie cheerfully as she ushered them in. "I'm Gracie, Jeb's wife."
"I'm Ally, the neighbor." Ally loved Gracie immediately. Gracie did not look her age, maybe somewhere in her sixties, plump with rosy cheeks. She wore an apron and waved a wooden spoon as she spoke. "This is my mother, Tara and my sister, Katherine, but we all call her Kat."
"My, you're just as pretty in person. Not every day do I get to meet someone famous," Gracie said to Ally.
Gracie shook their hands while Ally glanced further into the hallway where she saw Caleb, Jeb and her father in a deep discussion and had not noticed the ladies' arrival. Caleb cut an imposing figure as he stood taller than her father, his tawny mane combed stylishly and his lean muscular body enclosed in pressed jeans and an embroidered western shirt. Ally's eyes softened at the sight of him and a little sigh escaped her lips.