Free When The Runway Went South by Lois Kasznia Page A

first sign of night and didn't answer the phone. As he waited, Caleb thought of other options for Ally tonight. He should've offered for her to stay at his house. No, Ally wouldn't be safe from him. How could someone get under his skin in such a short period of time?
     
     
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"We checked to see if they were home first," said the officer who had just arrived. "They have violated their parole and we 're looking for them now. I'm real sorry about this, Caleb. Is your herd okay?
"Yes, they're in for the night. I just can't let them in this area until I make sure there is no damage. Jeb and I will have to beef up our security." Caleb watched as the officer left and reined in Thor to head back home. He once again passed Ally's house and saw all the lights on. He smiled in appreciation of her survival tactics, but then again she had lived in New York City. His smile quickly turned into a frown. With all of this going on, suppose she decided to move back there? Caleb picked up his phone and called Ally, again.
"Ally?"
"Caleb? What's going on?" Ally clutched the phone, her fingers white.
"I want you to know if there's any trouble, call me, understand? I'd offer for you to stay with me, but I don't think it would be a good idea."
"Oh." Ally couldn't figure out what Caleb meant, but she had to prove that she could take care of herself. She straightened her shoulders and toughened up. "You don't have to worry about me, Caleb. I've lived on my own in New York City for six years and I can take care of myself."
"Ally, that's not what I meant. You're all alone out here where help is not close. If you want, I can stay over at your house." Now why did he say that? She wouldn't be any safer from him there either.
"No, Caleb. I don't want you to bother. I'll be fine."
"That does it. I'm going to stay," said Caleb angry at the situation. "I'll be over in about twenty minutes." Caleb hung up and rode Thor to his limits to get home quickly. He ran into Jeb in the barn who still had his pajamas on.
"What's going on?" Jeb looked at Caleb's grim expression.
"Those boys are back. Cops are looking for them, but we can't let the herd in that pasture again until we check it out. I'm going to stay with Ally, because I don't trust them since they know she took their picture. I'll be back first thing in the morning." Caleb handed Thor's reins to Jeb.
"Are you sure Ally is going to be safe from you?" Jeb narrowed his eyes at Caleb.
"I told you, I'm not looking for a woman." Caleb turned to leave, but not before he heard Jeb mutter under his breath. Back at the house, Caleb grabbed his gun and his bottle of whiskey and headed over to Ally's house. He angrily drove his truck into her driveway and banged on her door.
"Caleb, this is not necessary," protested Ally. She wore jeans and an oversized t-shirt.
"It sure is." Caleb strode right past Ally, got a glass out of the cabinet and sat down at the kitchen table. He poured his drink and then looked up at her.
"Caleb," pleaded Ally, trying her best to dissuade him from staying. His eyes glistened like green bullets.
"I'm staying and I'm sleeping down here."
"Where? On the couch? Caleb, get real. I do have a bed upstairs."
"Nope, down here." He looked at the couch and frowned. "I'll sleep on the floor. I've slept in worse places." Caleb looked around and then back at Ally. "When are you going to get some decent furniture? This stuff is for sissies."
"This stuff is very fine French Provincial furniture," retorted Ally.
"It's too frilly for my taste. Is your bedroom furniture like this too?"
"No." Ally looked at him questioningly. "Why? Do you want to see it?"
"No, just asking." Caleb grinned at Ally's discomfort.
"Get your mind out of the gutter," responded Ally smoothly. She got up and poured herself a glass of wine. "Do you want to watch any television? The remote is right there."
"Sure." Caleb got out of the chair and moved to the family room. "Now this is a chair," he commented as he slid into