When The Runway Went South (44 page)

"Dad told me about Jeb, but that's all I know. Call me when you land."

Ally ended the call and began worrying about Caleb and Jeb.

Chapter Twenty-Five

"Dad? Dad, over here," cried Ally as she sat in the motorized cart at the airport.

"Ally, look at you. Are you okay?" Robert helped Ally stand up and gave her the crutches. "Where are your bags?"

"The bags are with Caleb," explained Ally as she struggled to stand up and walk. "They did give me a prescription for pain pills, but I have to get it filled." Ally involuntary winced as she tried putting pressure on her ankle.

"I'll walk slowly," said Robert as he took Ally's elbow. "You stay here while I get the car. He hurried off and left Ally sitting on a bench talking on her phone.

"Kat? I've landed and Dad's getting the car, any news? I've tried calling Caleb, but there's no answer."

"You can't use your cell phone in a hospital," explained Kat. "But, I haven't heard anything. Did you tell Dad yet?"

"No, he's too worried about my crutches to even notice," said Ally as she scanned for his car. "Here he comes, Kat. Call me if you hear anything." Ally ended the call and waited for Robert to pull up.

"I hate this traffic," said Robert as he tried to negotiate his way out of the airport. "It's the same thing with Bush in Houston. Where are all of these people going? I thought we were in a recession."

"Calm down, Dad. I don't need two people in the hospital."

Robert glanced down at Ally's hand. "What's that?"

"This?" Ally held up her left hand to show her father.

"What a rock," whistled Robert. "It's not Greg?" His face turned white.

"No, it's Caleb." Ally shook her head in disbelief. "Greg? Why?" She stared at her father intently. "He hasn't been bothering you lately?"

"He's been calling your house. You have at least ten messages from him from today." Robert smiled at Ally. "Caleb asked you? Your mother is going to be thrilled. Are you happy, Ally? That's more important."

"Of course I'm happy or I wouldn't have said yes." Ally paled, thinking of how Tara would try to run the entire wedding. "Uh, Dad? I'm paying for the wedding. You and Mom don't have to worry about it."

"Nonsense, Ally. We've saved up for this occasion."

"Dad, please.  Kat has already started in on me and when Mom finds out, it will be me against the two of them. It's my wedding."

"So, by paying for it yourself, you have the final say." Robert shook his head. "Your mother is not going to like it." He paled  at the thought of how to handle Tara.

"This must be the exit," commented Ally as she noted the 'H' sign on the exit. "Dad, you really do need to get a GPS device. I know you're challenged by it, but it works wonders."

"I can do this on my own," countered Robert. "I'll pull out here to drop you off. Is it okay if I don't come in?"

"I know you and Mom are anxious to get back home. I'll be fine."

"I don't know, now that you're engaged, I think your Mother is going to want to see this ring of yours."

"Let me know," said Ally anxious to see Caleb and Jeb. She climbed out of the car and got situated with her crutches without falling. Ally waved goodbye to her father and before she even took two steps, an orderly stood there with a wheelchair.

"Ma'am, the ER is over there," she explained.

"I'm here to see Jeb, um Jeb." Ally didn't know their last name. How's that for starters as a Strait? Not good. "Jeb is with Caleb Strait. Has he been here?"

"So that's his name, a big guy with a body to die for? Sandy colored hair?"

"The one and only," laughed Ally at her description.

"Are you family?"

"Soon to be so," smiled Ally as she held up her hand.

"Aren't you a lucky one?" She stopped and really looked at Ally. "Say, aren't you from Hollywood?"

"No, not by a long shot," laughed Ally.

"I know I know you. Don't tell me, let me guess." She wheeled Ally onto an elevator. "Jessica Simpson?"

"No," laughed Ally and cocked her head. "You really think I look like her?"

"No you don't. My name is Crystal by the way."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Crystal."

"I give up. Who are you?" The elevator doors opened up and Crystal wheeled Ally to the waiting room and went to the nurse's station.

"She's here to see patient in room five-oh-six."

"That's Ally Duncan, the super model," whispered the nurse. "What is she doing here?"

"Ally Duncan?" Crystal stared at Ally. "I know who you are now. Where did I ever come up with Jessica Simpson?"

"I don't know," said Ally laughing, but quickly sobered. "Is Jeb going to be okay?"

"Let me take Ally down there," insisted the head nurse taking over Crystal's keep. "The room is small, so you'll be a little crowded." She wheeled Ally down the corridor and stopped to knock on the door. "Excuse me, Ally Duncan is here?"

"Ally, you're here." Caleb rushed to get her but stopped short when he saw Ally in a wheelchair. "Babe, what's up?" His eyes traveled to her ankle.

"It's just a strain. I should be good in a couple of weeks. But more important, how is Jeb?"

"Ally, you didn't have to come here, especially in your condition," said Gracie smiling through her tears. "But I'm glad y'all did." She turned to Jeb. "Look Jeb. Ally is here."

"Where?" asked Jeb faintly, as he tried to sit up in the bed.

"Now, don't you go straining yourself." Gracie tried to still Jeb.

"Woman, I can handle this. Don't go fussin' over me." Jeb sat up and looked pointedly at Ally. "What happened to you?"

"It's not her fault," explained Caleb. "A disgruntled coworker intentionally pushed her down." He walked over and put his hands on her shoulder and squeezed affectionately.

"Hmph." Jeb lowered his head back onto the pillow. "When do I get out of here?"

"Jeb had a reaction to his new high blood pressure medication," explained Gracie. "One of the symptoms is dizziness, so now the doctor has to change the prescription. He scared the living daylights out of me."

"Dumb old medication," complained Jeb.

"The doctor is keeping him overnight to regulate his new medication," explained Caleb and he smiled at Ally. "Should we tell them?"

"I don't see why not," said Ally. She put her hand into Caleb's big strong one and held on tightly. Caleb lifted her left hand to show both Gracie and Jeb.

"I've asked Ally to marry me," began Caleb and before he even finished his sentence, Gracie leapt out of her chair to embrace him.

"I am so happy for y'all," exclaimed Gracie exuberantly. "Oh Lordy, just look at the size of that diamond."

"It's about damn time, Caleb," fussed Jeb, though pleased Caleb had finally come to his senses. "Ally, come over here and let an old man give you a kiss."

Ally wheeled the chair over to Jeb and kissed him with tears in her eyes.

"So when is the big date?" Both Jeb and Gracie spoke at the same time.

"I, uh, Ally?" asked Caleb looking for help.

"We haven't had time to work that out yet," explained Ally carefully. "With my ankle and Jeb in the hospital we didn't have time to discuss it." Ally searched for the right thing to say. "We'll let you know as soon as we can."  

 "Gracie, I have to get back to the ranch. Do you want to stay here or  ride back with me?" Caleb had his car keys in hand.

"I'll ride back and then get our car." She leaned over to Jeb and kissed him lightly. "I won’t be long." Gracie stood up and followed Caleb.

"Ally, do you want me to push?" asked Caleb.

"I think I can do this," said Ally bravely. "I don't like wheelchairs, but those crutches are hard." Ally kept up with Gracie and Caleb, happily chattering away about what happened in New York.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" asked Caleb uncertainly as he watched Ally stagger on her crutches as she opened up her front door. "I've got some chores to do, but if you need help, call me."

"I'll be fine, Caleb. I've got Kat around so maybe she can spend some time with me. You need to take care for your ranch." Ally stopped and kissed Caleb soundly. "Now go." She grinned as she watched him retreat back to his truck and then stopped. "Caleb, the animals need you more than I do right now."

"What a thing to say to your almost husband," said Caleb feigning insult.

"You are such a tease," cried Ally and she shut the door. No sooner than she took a couple of steps did her phone ring.

"You're
engaged
?" cried Tara on the other end. "Your father just told me and you're on crutches, too."

"Caleb popped the question and I said yes. The crutches are temporary. I'll be as good as gold in a couple of weeks."

"Ally, your father and I are stopping by to see the ring. He said it's a real whopper. Kat is coming, too. We can't stay long because we have to get back to Houston for some doctor's appointments."

"That's okay. Where's Tank?"

"He's at the groomers. We had him bathed for you since he got into something in your back yard."

"Thanks, Mom. Is Kat with you? I need to talk to her."

"Hey," said Kat. "What's up?

"Can you stop and get some groceries for me? I don't know when I'll get out. You know I'll pay you."