"Nope. I've got lots to do tomorrow, so don't go make a fuss." Caleb waved his hand.
"The only thing I have tomorrow is that the pet fence man is coming to install it so Tank doesn't get loose again."
****
"Earl is here. I hear his truck." Caleb went to the door and let Earl in. "Earl? This here is Ally. She just moved here from New York and has run into a bit of a problem and I figured we could show her some real Texas hospitality."
"Pleased to meet y'all, ma'am. Say, aren't you that model?"
"One and the same," bragged Caleb. Ally made a mental note to remind Caleb that she wished to remain anonymous.
"Here, Earl. Follow me so I can show you what the plumber did." The two of them disappeared so Ally went back to unpacking, letting Caleb handle the situation. She sighed. She didn't know what she would have done today if it hadn’t been for Caleb. Ally shook her head, mad at herself for depending on a man again. It seemed a pattern she wanted not to fall into. Caleb defined the word handsome and strong willed for sure. If she were to get romantically involved with him, there would plenty of confrontations. Her cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts.
"Ally? It's Dottie. Caleb wouldn't happen to be over there, would he?"
"Why, yes, he is. Earl is here, too, but I don't know his last name." Ally became suspicious of what was going on between Dottie and Caleb.
"He got Earl to take a look at your house? Do you know who Earl is?" Dottie sounded impressed.
"I have no clue, Dottie. Apparently he's important?"
"He's the Mayor of Argyle. Tell Caleb to call me as soon as he can."
"Sure."
Earl and Caleb met Ally back in the kitchen and Earl smiled warmly at Ally. "You're ready to go, young lady. I called the gas company and they are on their way."
"Thank you so much," said Ally. "I can't tell you how much I really appreciate it."
"Glad to oblige," said Earl. "Just one favor; can I have your picture taken with me?"
"But I'm a mess," exclaimed Ally as she tried to straighten her unruly hair.
"You look fine," said Caleb and he faced Earl. "See? It's the makeup. She looks more natural without it." He turned back to Ally and grinned. "Hold still while I snap your picture."
"You sure made his day," commented Caleb after Earl had left.
"I'm just a little overwhelmed." Ally went to the table and sat down. Caleb brought her the glass of wine, sat across from her and smiled.
"You've had a rough day. But you see in Texas, we help each other out." He definitely could get used to Ally as a neighbor. He hadn't had this much fun in a long time.
"I sure do appreciate it." Ally propped her feet on a footstool.
"Tell me, why did you come here?" Caleb had made himself comfortable while sipping his whiskey. "I mean, you're this famous model in New York."
"I got tired of the whole scene." Ally shrugged. She met his intense gaze. "It had been fun for a while, but not anymore. I still have obligations to fulfill so I will be going back occasionally for some shoots. One thing I promised to myself is not to do something that makes me I'm unhappy."
"What do you want to do?" asked Caleb more than intrigued. "Not too many people can just walk away from a million dollar career."
"The job is a lot harder than people give you credit for. It’s long hours under hot lights, and working with some very temperamental photographers," laughed Ally.
"Back to the 'what do you want to do' question?" Caleb asked again.
"Something constructive, helping people, being involved in the community. I could've stayed in New York, but I decided to help Kat with the business she's trying to establish." Ally stopped short, knowing she had talked too much. She ran her fingers through her hair and tried to fix it into a ponytail. Caleb stilled her hand and smiled at her.
"Leave it down."
"It's so curly." Ally shook her head, surprised at Caleb's touch. "Enough about me, what about you?"
"My story isn't that interesting. Is your boyfriend upset you moved down here?"
"Ally is done with men," said Kat as she entered the kitchen. She glanced down at the drinks with a bemused expression. "I see you've started without me."
Chapter Five
"Kat, let me help you." Ally rushed to get the food out while Kat checked up on her Cornish hens. Caleb got Kat a beer and they sat down comfortably at the table and dug into the food.
"This sounds interesting," said Caleb as he addressed Ally. "You've given up on men?"
"Can we change the subject?" Ally dug into her food.
"No, it's funny," said Kat with a laugh.
"No, it isn't. Kat, please?" Ally didn't want to talk about it, but Kat would not let it drop, as the beer helped loosen her tongue.
"Ally drove Mom and Dad insane in her boy crazy days," began Kat. "We called her a 'bad boy' magnet. She could find one within a ten mile radius."
"Shame on you," teased Caleb as he looked upon Ally with an amused expression.
"Then she met a really nice guy. Mom and Dad flew up from Houston to meet him. They couldn't believe it. Their little Ally had changed her ways.” Kat shook her head.
Caleb had not taken his eyes off of Ally for a second. "And?"
"He had two other girlfriends besides me. For three years I dated him and never knew it." Ally glared at Kat and faced Caleb. "See? I give up. I don't need a man in my life."
"Just like Dottie told us about you." Kat smiled at Caleb.
"What did Dottie tell you?" It always floored Caleb when women talked about him.
"That you're the most eligible bachelor around and every woman would love to get their hands on you."
"She said that?" asked Caleb amused. "Well, shoot. I've got me a reputation." He laughed good-naturedly. "You're married?" He directed his question to Kat.
"Happily." Kat put her hand on her heart.
"Then that makes us even. You're not looking for a man and I'm not looking for a woman, so we can all get along."
"Deal." The three of them shook hands on it.
Ally's phone rang while they were cleaning up. She stepped in the other room to take the call. "The rep from the gas company said someone will be here within the next hour."
"Time for me to get these dinners home," said Kat. She stood up to get the Cornish hens.
"I need to go, too." Caleb reached for his jacket and he turned to Ally. "Let me know if he doesn't show up." Caleb reached for his jacket and then had second thoughts. "Better yet, I should stay here."
"No, please. You've given up your day for me. I can't ask you to do this. I'll be fine." Ally shook her head.
"Are you sure?" Caleb didn't like Ally being by herself. He stepped back and thought a moment. This could be trouble since she lived by herself and he would worry about her all the time.
"I have Tank, remember?" Ally looked at Caleb imploringly.
"How could I forget? Call me when he comes." Caleb started for the door.
"Sure. Oh, I forgot to tell you Dottie called and wants you to call her back."
"What did she want? Did she say?" Caleb stopped and looked at Ally closely.
"She didn't say and I didn't ask." Ally shrugged.
"I'll call her later." Caleb joined Kat and they left together.
Ally saw them out the door and sighed as she closed and locked the door. What a day and it looked like tonight could go on forever. She poured another glass of wine and settled down to watch television trying real hard not to think about Caleb.
Caleb walked in the door of his house cursing about Ally. He had lied out right. No, he hadn't been looking for a woman, but the good Lord had placed one almost in his lap. Maybe this would pass in time, but he couldn't keep his mind off of her. He picked up the phone to call Dottie.
"Dottie? What's up?" Caleb sat is his easy chair to get comfortable.
"Caleb, where have you been all day? I've been trying to get in touch with you."
"I've been helping my new neighbor who has had a boat load of problems. What rug did you look under to get that inspection?" Caleb got right to the point.
"He's a good friend of ours and clearly there's been a mistake."
"You're damn right it's a mistake. Ally shouldn't have to pay for any of that bill. Tom should pay for it"
"Y'all actually got Earl to go check it out? What did you bribe him with?"
"His picture taken with Ally, he's happy as rooster in a hen house."
"I bet. When's the next Chamber of Commerce meeting? You should know since you're the president," said Dottie.
"You called me for that?"
"Head's up, I've switched to a new company. I want them to be introduced to the chamber, a good word."
"I hope this company is better than Tom's," said Caleb flatly.
"It's his wife's."
"Hmm. Tell you what. Let's see if Tom can fix his mistake with Ally."
"I'll talk to him," assured Dottie.
Caleb got up from the easy chair and looked out his windows. No, he couldn't see Ally's house from here. Why hadn't she called? Had they not come? Curiosity got the better of him and he called her. "They haven't come yet?"
"No." Ally yawned. "I fell asleep on the couch, but I would've heard the doorbell. Did you call Dottie?"