When The Runway Went South (31 page)

"They're doing better than you."

"Things didn't go as planned." Caleb hung his head and took a swipe at his hair which fell into his eyes. "People just won't leave Ally alone. They go after her like a dog in heat. They don't care what she's doing; they feel like they can just go up to her and interrupt any ole time they want to. I can't handle that, Jeb. Here I had planned this whole day with her because of this, it's ruined. I didn't even take her to dinner because of it. You know I like my privacy."

"Did Ally do anything to provoke attention? I mean did she wave her hand and say; 'I'm Ally Duncan'?" asked Jeb.

"No, well, yes. She did draw the attention of a clown which is how she got her face on the camera at the stadium. But I guess she didn't mean to."

"She's a pretty woman and, of course, people are going to notice her. From what she's told me, she doesn't like it either, Caleb. Said that's why she moved down here, to get away from it." Jeb looked at Caleb reproachfully. "Could be you're just jealous because you wanted her undivided attention."

"No, that's not it," defended Caleb. "I know Ally likes me, but I can't live like that. I don't know how famous couples stay together with all these dang reporters and people pokin' into their lives."

"It's called love, Caleb. When you love someone, you deal with it." Jeb shook his head. "I guess you don't really love her, then. Poor thing, she didn't do anything wrong, but to be born pretty. Kind of like a curse." Jeb turned to leave when Caleb stopped him.

"You're making me feel like a heel.” Caleb felt like kicking himself.

"Suit yourself." Jeb left the room.

"I'm not." Caleb sat back down in the chair and thought about what Jeb had said and it had rung true. Ally had not wanted to begin a relationship because of what had happened before and here Caleb had forced one. Ally hadn't done anything wrong, which made this even harder. He had been selfish one and now he had hurt her. What could he say to Ally? 'I'm sorry, we had fun, but now I know how life with you would be, I don't want you anymore?' Isn't that what he implied tonight? Caleb rubbed his eyes tiredly. His brain hurt, but not as much as his heart.

Caleb met Jeb the next morning, who said nothing about Ally for which Caleb silently thanked him. Caleb had felt a little chill from Gracie as she served them breakfast, but he tried to ignore it. Hell, he felt lower than a belly on a snake about the whole day yesterday. As they worked the herds of cattle, Caleb glanced over at Ally's place only to find it deserted. He started thinking about what she had said about going back to New York to finish up some contracts. Could it be this week or the next? He couldn't remember and kicked himself for not paying attention. Jeb urged Caleb to ride on, knowing that Caleb just stared at Ally's house and didn't concentrate on his chores.

By the end of the day, Caleb felt miserable and knew he wasn't pleasant to be around. Gracie and Jeb were smart enough to stay out of his way. Gracie would box Caleb's ears for hurting Ally. Gracie had told him she had really taken a liking to Ally despite all of her fame and Ally came across as a down-to-earth, gracious woman.

The dinner table felt empty without Caleb and Jeb shrugged his shoulders at Gracie. "I think our boy is trying to work things out."

"Work things out?" Gracie glared at Jeb. "If I were Ally," Gracie didn't have to go any further.

"Now, hush. I think when Caleb comes home, he's gonna be hurting big time."

Caleb had driven by Ally's house and confirmed it showed no signs of life. He stared down at the Blackberry in his hand and debated whether or not to call her or maybe just text her. What would he say? He couldn't think of anything to say without hurting his pride, so he ended up going to the bar to shoot some pool. While he was there, no one mentioned Ally and he almost forgot about her until he saw the bartender leafing through a magazine with Ally's picture on the cover. That made him go back into a funk. He finished his beer, bade goodbye to his friends and sat in his truck. Closing his eyes, he pictured Ally, her soft skin, her perfect breasts and those luscious lips. Caleb picked up the phone and texted her.

****

"Hey," shouted Ally as she entered her parent's house in Houston. "Nice place." Ally glanced around in admiration. It looked just like the one they had in Indiana, but without the farm.

"I hope you don't mind sleeping in the room where I do my sewing," Tara called out.

"No problem," said Ally. She turned to look around sensing someone behind her. "Aunt Fran? Ohmigod! What are you doing here?" Aunt Fran, her dad's sister, happened to be one of Ally's favorite aunts.

"I just showed up," said Fran as she hugged Ally. "When I heard you were going to be here, I couldn't wait to see you.”

"Your aunt has the guestroom,” commented Tara as she gave her husband any angry look, which he totally ignored.

"Nothing but the best," said Robert. Ally smiled because she knew her mother and Fran had issues at times. Robert adored his sister which made Tara jealous.

"We'll go out to dinner tonight," suggested Robert. "But Ally has promised to cook for us tomorrow night."

"That's so nice of you, Ally. How long are you staying?"

"I'm only staying until Tuesday or Wednesday. As you know, Kat and I started a catering business and our next party is a dinner on Wednesday."

"I can't wait to hear all about it. Now, run along and unpack while Tank and I can become better acquainted!" Fran knelt on all fours talking to Tank and, of course, he just loved his new friend.

Ally purposely did not check her phone knowing she would be crushed if Caleb hadn't called. She unpacked her things and then carried Tank's dishes to the kitchen and arranged all of his food and snacks. The three adults sat around the kitchen table drinking coffee and chatting. Ally quietly joined them.

"Ally, do you know your way to the store?" asked Tara. "We've all decided we want your baked ziti for dinner tomorrow night, complete with garlic bread and, of course, your cannolis."

"I'll get right on it. Just make sure when you take Tank out, please keep him on a leash. If he doesn't see me, he tries to find me and he runs away."

"Ally, we do have a fenced in yard," said Robert. "You don't have to worry."

"Okay, I'm not used to everything being fenced, but then it's fine to let him out." Ally grabbed her keys, phone and purse and headed out the door. As she put on her seat belt, she did check her phone. Nothing. She refused to think about it.

At the grocery store, she selected her items with care but her heart still felt heavy. Before she checked out, she called her parents to see if they wanted anything and Tara ran off a list of things for Ally to get. By the time the shopping had been completed, Ally's bill ran close to two hundred dollars.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" asked the clerk as she checked Ally's order. "You look like you lost your best friend."

"Men," said Ally softly. "I have a habit of picking the wrong ones."

"Oh honey, I hear you. Why, you are so pretty, I'm surprised."

"Thank you, but that's what makes it worse. That's all they're after."

"Good luck, honey, and remember you're the best, not them."

"Thanks." Ally smiled as she left the store.

Once Ally got home, the group decided they would go to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. Ally really didn't feel up to going, but she didn't want to disappoint them, and decided to go anyway. There, she picked at her food, her appetite next to nothing.

"Are you okay, Ally?" Fran had been watching her all evening and had noticed Ally's pale face as well has her subdued attitude.

"Yeah, sure, I'm fine, Aunt Fran." Ally attempted to brighten up and not let Caleb spoil her evening with her family.

"Tomorrow, your father and I have to see the doctors for checkups," commented Tara. "Why don't you and Fran take the day to yourselves?"

"Good idea," said Aunt Fran. "Ally, you have a lot to fill me in on." She winked at Ally as the conversation centered around Tara, of course.

The sewing room proved to be uncomfortable and Tank snored like crazy. Ally tossed and turned on the day bed because her feet hung over the edge. She looked down at Tank and the temptation to join him on the floor crossed her mind. Ally glanced at her phone and the red light flashing indicating she had a message. The alarm clock read twelve-thirty and Ally couldn't figure out who would be texting her this late. She almost let it go, but curiosity got the better of her. Ally got up and carefully walked around Tank to pick up her phone. Her heart leapt when she read Caleb's message.
 

 Its l8, but please call me. I need to talk to u.

No longer tired, Ally contemplated how to answer this text. Her room sat next to her parents, so she couldn't really call him at this hour without them hearing her. Okay, she would text him.

Can't talk now. Will call when i can.

Ally put the phone down, thinking Caleb probably fell back to sleep and wouldn't get the message until tomorrow morning. She started to go back to the bed, but the phone's light flashed red again.

R u ok? Where r u?

Ally smiled as she typed.
Hanging out for a couple of days.

Caleb responded right back.
Kats? ny?

Ally almost spoke out loud.
B home wed

Ally put the phone down and there were no more messages. She went back to bed and tried to sleep, but her mind kept churning, keeping her awake. She heard her parents awaken and decided to get up as well. Ally got dressed in her jogging suit and took Tank for a really long walk. Her parents were gone by the time she got back and if it weren't for Aunt Fran, Ally would be locked out of the house.

"Thanks for letting me in," said Ally as she stepped inside.

"Your parents were worried about you, but I told them you were fine," said Fran. "Here, I made some coffee." She poured a cup for Ally.

"Thanks, Aunt Fran." Ally took the cup and sat at the kitchen table across from Fran.

"Well?" Aunt Fran looked at Ally expectantly.

"Well, what?"

"What are you running away from?"

"I'm not running away. I just needed some time to think."

"Start from the beginning,” suggested Aunt Fran.