When The Runway Went South by Lois Kasznia Read Free Book Online

to lay low and don't bother Caleb."
"I tried not to," protested Ally. "I've decided to get a security system. What if those kids come back? I mean I'm glad I have Tank, but Kat, they just hopped over the fence. I thought being out in the middle of nowhere, I'd be safe, but I was wrong."
"Why don't I have any trouble? People leave their cars and houses unlocked all the time. I swear, Ally. Trouble follows you."
"I'm going to change that misconception," stated Ally. "Just you watch."
"Ally, Ally, Ally." Kat shook her head. "Now back to the business, what do you have planned?"
"Oh, Kat, I thought about this last night. What have you done for marketing? How are you getting business? What's your plan?" Ally rattled off the questions.
"I don't have a plan," said Kat confused. "It all started with the other wives. If their families came down to stay, they called me to cook for them. I don't charge them that much, but more and more people are learning about me."
"What about birthday parties?" Again, Ally began making notes.
"Well, no. I haven't done any of those." Kat looked guilty.
"Why don't we do this," suggested Ally gently. "Let's take inventory of where we want to go with this. What can we do? What do we need to do what we want? What markets do we want to target?"
"This sounds like too much work." Kat looked discouraged. "All I wanted to do is cook for people."
"You can do that. Are you willing to go full-time or do you just want to do this part-time?" Ally gently prodded Kat.
"Let's shoot for full time. Tom isn't due back for another nine months and the money is nice."
 "Tell you what; I'll put together a plan and I'll show it to you so you can at least have a base line. The most important thing to do right now is to advertise, print out some brochures and business cards. It would be a great idea to join the local Chamber of Commerce and introduce the business to them. We could even start by catering a small luncheon or breakfast for their meeting. We need to set prices, too. You have to at least cover the cost of the food as well as your time and effort, but be reasonable. Kat, there's so much to do. I can't wait to get started."
"When did you get so smart?" Kat looked at her younger sister in appreciation.
"It's not the years, it's the mileage," said Ally, shaking her head and laughing.
Kat left around three and Ally had so much on her mind she couldn't think straight. With the business in the forefront, Ally had to accomplish all the chores that come along with moving like, calling the security companies, taking her car in for a state inspection, get a new drivers license and register Tank. As a matter of fact, she didn't even know what day garbage pickup occurred and would they take her boxes? All of these mundane chores she wouldn't be facing if she still lived in New York. Welcome to her new life. She sighed and decided to take advantage of the warm, sunny weather. Ally walked by the pool and stuck her hand in the water. The water felt warm to the touch and then Ally remembered the brochure's description boasting of a heated pool. She could go skinny dipping at night if she wanted to; then maybe not. Not with Caleb being able to look over her fence at anytime. She glanced into the pasture to find an older, but still regal looking horse staring at her. As the animal moved closer, Ally noticed it was a mare.
"My, aren't you a pretty lady?" asked Ally as she walked cautiously to the fence. The mare whinnied to her as Ally approached. She touched the muzzle of the mare. The mare’s large eyes large reminded Ally of warm hot chocolate. Her mane and tail were black and her coat shimmered of a beautiful chestnut brown. She let Ally stroke her and muzzled Ally's hand looking for something to eat. "Your dad would be upset if I gave you anything, especially after what happened today." The mare shook her head up and down and ambled away, leaving Ally behind. Ally turned on her heel to walk away when two cattle came to the fence to