When The Runway Went South (24 page)

"Gentlemen, where are you manners?" said Gracie as she beckoned to the trio.

"Sorry," said Caleb cheerfully, his steady gaze concentrated on Ally for a long time before acknowledging Kat and Tara. "Come on in, ladies. What can I get all y'all to drink?"

"If y'all excuse me, I have to finish up on a couple of things before dinner is ready," said Gracie.

"Let us help you," said Ally, trying to stall being in the same room as Caleb. "You see, Kat and I have started a catering business and would love to see your kitchen."

"Yes, we would," exclaimed Kat, not knowing Ally's intention.

"I'd be honored to show all y'all." Gracie led the girls into the massive kitchen with two cooking ovens, two refrigerators, a plethora of cabinets, hanging pots and pans and a variety of butcher block knife sets.

"This is to die for," said Kat in awe. "Ally, we need to redo your kitchen to look like this."

"Ha. You really like to spend my money," said Ally dryly. "But Gracie this is so cool." Ally spun around and literally ran into Caleb. "Oh, I'm sorry."

"I'll live, but you do sock a mean punch," said Caleb as he took hold of Ally's shoulders and squeezed them gently. "What do y'all want to drink?"

"I, uh, I'll take a glass of wine," said Ally shaken about how good it felt to be touched by Caleb. Heat of his hands through the fabric of her blouse radiated through her core. His eyes had her cornered to the spot and would not let her go. Caleb tore his eyes away and looked at Kat.

"I'll just have a beer," said Kat. "Make it with a glass, of course." She smiled at Caleb. "I know the rest of the house must be amazing, but I'm sold on the kitchen.”

"He knows better to stay in here when I'm here," commented Gracie. "Now shoo, Caleb. Get these ladies their drinks so I can continue with my tour."

"Yes, ma'am." Caleb winked at Kat as he left the room.

"Here's the chicken and, Ally? Can you help me put it on this platter? Kat, here are the rolls. You can put them in this bowl and cover them up with this cloth napkin." Gracie continued to talk while Kat and Ally dutifully followed her.

Caleb sauntered back into the kitchen with Kat and Ally's drinks and his hand lingered on Ally's shoulder as he addressed Gracie. "When is dinner going to be ready?"

"In about fifteen minutes. I'll let all y'all know." Caleb again squeezed Ally's shoulder and left the room. Caleb chided himself because he couldn't seem to keep his hands off of Ally. How could Ally do this to him?

Ally still trembled from Caleb's touch and gave herself a mental shake. She worried about the seating arrangements, hoping they wouldn't seat them together. The more she saw of him, the more she caved to his advances. He must be bad. That's it. Her 'bad boy' magnet struck again. But how could he be bad? Ally looked up to see Gracie and Kat staring at her.

"What's wrong, Ally? Are you okay?" asked Kat.

"I'm sorry; I had my mind on other things." Ally beamed her most engaging smile.

"You were thinking about Caleb," muttered Kat under her breath and Ally poked Kat in the ribs. "Gracie asked you to set the table."

"Sure.” Ally picked up the dishes and carried them to the massive table, setting each one in the appropriate place. Kat and Gracie followed Ally with the cutlery and water glasses. They made a slow procession until the table had been set.

"Why don't you two let everyone know we're ready," suggested Gracie. Ally picked up her wine glass and took a sip before moving on to the family room. As she entered, she listened to her mother soaking up the male company and shook her head. Tara then noticed Ally staring at her.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" asked Tara as she sheepishly stood apart from the group.

"No, Mother. We've taken care of it. Gracie said we're ready." They followed Kat back to the dining room and Ally stood back, not sure where to sit but anywhere away from Caleb.

"Caleb usually sits at the head of the table," explained Gracie and I sit to his right. Ally, why don't you sit to Caleb's left?"

"No, I couldn't do that. It's Jeb's seat." Ally smiled graciously. "I'll just sit down here at the end." Ally headed to the end of the table, but Jeb guided her into his seat next to Caleb. Swallowing nervously, Ally took the seat under Caleb's watchful gaze and smiled at Gracie. Kat sat next to her followed by Jeb. Her mother and father sat next to Gracie.

"A toast," began Caleb. Everyone held up their glasses. "To the Duncan's."

"Thanks, and to Ally's gracious neighbors." Robert spoke for them all.

Caleb sensed Ally's nervousness and squeezed her thigh under the table to

reassure her. He leaned towards Ally and said underneath his breath, "Relax. I don't bite, though, I would like to ravage you on this table one day."

"Caleb," hissed Ally. "Behave." Ally turned to the rest of the family to see if they had noticed.

"You'd love every minute of it," whispered Caleb, his eyes sparkling.

"Don't do this to me," whispered Ally. She pretended nothing happened, not enjoying Caleb's smirk. Ally refused to fall prey to his teasing.

Caleb began to pass the food while everyone murmured how good it looked and smelled.

"Caleb's told us about Ally and it's been interesting," began Gracie.

"As we told Caleb, living with Ally is not dull, but I'm glad she's by her big sister now," said Tara.

"The poor lady has had her share of mishaps." Gracie shook her head in sympathy. "Tell me about this catering business? Perhaps I can help?"

"We would love it," said Kat enthusiastically. "You see, I do the cooking while Ally is managing the business side of it. We are always looking for new recipes and I could use help in preparing some of them, too."

"Ally and business? Those two things don't go hand in hand," commented Tara.

"Tara," warned Robert. "Ally has a good head on her shoulders."

"Ally has me," said Caleb possessively. "She's in good hands."

"Thanks, Caleb." Ally smiled at him appreciatively. Good hands? His hands on her invoked some pretty hot thoughts.

"Y'all are welcome." Caleb's eyes held hers and she imagined what his hands could do to her.

"Dad, how did you like your afternoon with Caleb and Jeb," asked Ally.

"I had a great time. Ally, you should see some of the ranch. I know you'd like it. It's not hard riding Western at all. I think you could get used to it."

"That's right." Caleb put his silverware down and took a sip of his whiskey. "I've never asked you for a ride. How about it, Ally? Are you up for it?" It was a challenge flag and Caleb smiled and turned to Gracie. "Just the other day, I found out our Ally here used to be a championship horseback rider in her younger days."

"You don't say?” Both Gracie and Jeb looked at Ally with new respect. "Caleb, when are you taking her for a ride?"

"I'll take her whenever she wants to go." Caleb taunted Ally.

"You're on," challenged Ally her gaze locked on Caleb.

Noting the tension between the two of them, Gracie smiled and turned the conversation to the weather. Dinner ended gracefully and they retired back to the family room after Kat, Ally and Gracie cleared the table.

"Caleb, can we see the rest of the house?" asked Kat.

"Sure." Caleb stood up while Robert, Tara, Kat and Ally followed him. Proud of his house, Caleb couldn't understand why Ally didn't appear to be impressed until they got to the master bedroom.

"This is beautiful," said Ally as she stood by the window. A balcony led out to the pool, facing the gazebo and waterfall. Ally glanced around the room, which had a massive king size bed and matching furniture. An old saddle had been mounted on a table with a spotlight shining on it. Ally walked over and gently ran her hand over it, admiring its beauty. She felt Caleb's presence behind her.

"It belonged to my daddy when he did the rodeo circuit," said Caleb, his voice hoarse with pride.

"It's handsome," said Ally. Her body betrayed her as she leaned into Caleb's lean, hard body. They stayed that way for a while, as if discovering what it felt like to be touching from neck to toe. Caleb could feel Ally softening and he took advantage of it and kissed her neck.

"Ally, come here. You have to check out this bathroom," called Kat and Tara. Robert had moved out of the room into the hallway. Caleb followed Ally and smiled when he saw their faces.

"Whoa," exclaimed Ally as she looked up at Caleb. The bathroom had been done in brown marble with a spacious shower, hot tub and a sauna. Walking in further, they found themselves in a dressing room and a huge walk in closet. The closet had been organized and had numerous western shirts, boots and cowboy hats.

"This house is much bigger than mine," commented Ally and she turned to Caleb. "Gracie doesn't clean all this, does she?"

"No, I have a cleaning service," said Caleb, his eyes twinkling at Ally's expression. They continued room to room and finally made it back to the family room.

"Ally, we should let these people get to bed." Robert signaled at his watch and they said their thanks and goodbyes. Kat promised to call Gracie, who hugged Ally.

"You're a wonderful lady. You've got my Caleb hooked. I've never seen him like this." Gracie whispered in Ally's ear.

"But we're only neighbors, Gracie." Ally didn't want Gracie to think there was more to her relationship with Caleb than just friends.

"You can't fool an old woman, Ally. You want him as much as he wants you." Gracie smiled knowingly.

"Good night, Ally." Caleb stood behind Gracie, once again the desire for Ally apparent. All Ally could do was stare at him, her resolve crumbling.

Chapter Fifteen

On Monday, Ally and her father left to return the loaner to the dealership. Ally couldn't wait to get her own car back. Fortunately, Kat and Tara were on another mission and had left the house at the crack of dawn. The repairman came and replaced the computer boards in the refrigerator and told Ally it would start to cool down in about twenty-four hours. Now, Robert focused on a new project; the pool. He wanted to know how it worked and he showed Ally the tools to use to brush and skim for any leaves. Robert then taught Ally how to clean and maintain the pool. A lone bullfrog got caught up in the cleaning and Robert tossed it over the fence onto Caleb's ranch.