"Good idea," remarked Ally and she made another box for Kat's van. "We can leave the printer the way it is and I'll just hook it up when we get there."
"How do Gracie and Jeb feel about you moving in?" asked Kat.
"They don't seem to mind," said Ally. "They worry about me anyway because of my ankle."
"Hmm."
"Stop it, Kat. You're making me feel badly, like I'm doing the wrong thing." Ally glared at her sister.
"You just need a sign that you're not rushing into things. I know you love each other, but couldn't you two wait?"
"Gee," said Ally looking around the house. "I didn't know Mother was here." Ally raised one eyebrow and stared at her sister.
"Do I sound like her?" asked Kat, dismayed.
"Uh, yeah you do, please cut it out."
"Sorry." Kat clamped her mouth closed and carried the printer to the car. "We're ready to go. Give me the keys to your house, so I can pick up the dishes for the party tomorrow."
"Let me lock up first," said Ally and she loaded Tank into her car, locked the house and threw Kat the keys. They made a steady progress to Caleb's house and parked in the circular driveway.
"Kat and Ally," cried Gracie as she spotted the two of them. "Caleb told me you were coming. Do you need any help carrying your things in?" She leaned over to Tank. "And how's my favorite new dog?" Thrilled to see Gracie, Tank wagged his stumpy tail in delight. He ran into the house, as if he owned it.
"I do the hauling and Ally tells me where to put it," remarked Kat. "I can't believe how big this house is." Kat's eyes were big as saucers. "I remember where the bedroom is, but where would be a good place to put Ally's office?"
"She can store it in one of the bedrooms upstairs for the time being. It will be so good to have another female in the house," said Gracie. "I haven't changed a thing since Caleb's mother died. It's not my place to, but this house sure could use a women's touch, if you know what I mean."
"Caleb told me I could do what I want, but no French furniture," laughed Ally.
"Ally, where do these go?" Kat struggled with the last box and Ally had her set it down.
"Leave it, Kat. I'll have Caleb get that for me."
"Would you ladies like something to drink?" offered Gracie.
"A beer sounds really good right now," said Kat as she wiped the sweat from her face.
"I'll take a glass of wine," said Ally. "But I can get it, Gracie."
"Nonsense," fussed Gracie and she turned to fetch the beverages.
"Well, look who we have here," said Caleb as he and Jeb strode purposely into the room. Caleb walked over to Ally and kissed her with a loud smack.
"Hello to you, too, soon to be brother-in-law," said Kat and she gave him a hug. "Ally is all moved in, so she's yours now."
"I just left the furniture, which I'll deal with later," explained Ally.
"I'm going to leave now," said Kat as she reached for her keys.
"Aren't you going to stay for dinner?" asked Gracie.
"No, I have to work on a big dinner party for tomorrow night."
"Sorry I can't help," said Ally still feeling guilty.
"Get better soon, will you?"
"Yeah, I will." With her crutches, Ally hobbled to the front door and followed Kat. "Thanks for helping, Kat. I really appreciate it."
"You're my little sis." They both turned at the sound of a loud explosion. "Did you hear that?"
"What the heck?" yelled Caleb as he, Jeb and Gracie ran out of the house. They watched as thick black smoke flared in the distance.
"It's not one of your barns, is it?" asked Ally, concerned.
"No," said Jeb in disbelief. "It's your house. Ally's house is on fire! Call the fire department." Gracie quickly ran into the house while Caleb, Kat and Jeb all jumped into Kat's van and took off like a shot.
"My house?" asked Ally weakly and she passed out on the porch.
The next thing Ally knew, she was on the couch in Caleb's living room, with Kat and Gracie fussing over her. Slowly, she raised herself up to a sitting position and tried to catch bits and pieces of their conversation.
"You gave us quite a scare," exclaimed Kat as she sat down next to Ally.
"What happened? I mean I know I fainted, but what happened with my house?"
"That's where Jeb and Caleb are now," explained Kat. "Here I thought it was something I did, like forgetting to turn the gas off on your stove, but the firefighters said that wouldn't trigger the explosion. We'd only been gone less than fifteen minutes."
"Kat, do you realize how lucky we were?" asked Ally is disbelief. "We could've been killed."
"We weren't, so we need to move on, Ally. Things happen for a reason." She looked at Ally expectantly trying to get her point across
"What are you talking about?" Ally looked at Kat, baffled.
"Yes, they do, dear," commented Gracie. She patted Ally's hand.
"You are so right," said Kat and she looked at Gracie before continuing on. "You see, I questioned Ally on her decision to move into this house before the wedding. I didn't think it was right. I couldn't understand why they wouldn't wait until the wedding."
"For Caleb and Ally, this is different," explained Gracie with a wave of her hand. "They are so much in love and they've spent almost every night together."
"You knew?" said Ally blushing.
"Well, of course we knew. Jeb and I pushed for it," said Gracie smiling. "The two of you are so stubborn. You and Caleb are perfect for each other and just refused to see it."
"Ally, this is your home now. This is where you belong. If you still had your house, you wouldn't let go." Kat gave Ally a hug. "Now, what am I going to do for my luncheon tomorrow?"
"What do you need?" asked Gracie.
"A dinner for twenty-five people. I had made it at Ally's house and now it's gone." Kat hung her head.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" demanded Gracie as she took Kat's hand and headed towards the kitchen. "Ally, you rest. With your ankle and all that's happened, you need to stay still."
"But I can help?"
"No, you're not," said Caleb as he came inside the house. His clothes wreaked of smoke since he had been investigating the fire. "Now what's with you fainting?"
"I am in shock," explained Ally. "Between everything that's happened the last couple of days, I'm on overload. What caused the fire, did they say?"
"It was a gas explosion from a gas leak. The house is totally destroyed. You had no idea since you hadn't been home for a while. Do y'all realize how lucky you are?" Caleb had been shaken to the core that he had almost lost Ally. "Come," said Caleb as he pulled Ally up and handed her the crutches. "You are going to rest while I take a shower." Gracie and Kat exchanged shrugs as they watched Caleb and Ally leave the room.
"Oh, this does feel good," said Ally as she sunk into Caleb's king-sized bed. “I might not be able to get out."
"Just the way I like it," murmured Caleb as he sat down and kissed Ally possessively.
"Don't stay in the shower too long," said Ally seductively. "I have plans for you."
"I won't," promised Caleb as he planted his hands gently on her face and stared lovingly into her eyes. "By the way, Ally? Welcome home to Texas."
About the Author
Lois L. Kasznia graduated from the University of Illinois with a Masters Degree in Music Education. Following graduation, she landed a job in computer software commpany as a Business Analyst and a Technical Writer. She started to branch out with her writing to romance novels finding it much more exciting. She lives in the Dallas area of Flower Mound with her husband, Jim and daughter, Alexis.