A Nasty Turn of Events

                                   Romance by Design

Chapter Seven

Ryan pulled his Sunfire up to the curb in front of Goldie’s house after their date at the Kaffee Klatch and turned off the engine. What a fun night! Learning about Pennsylvania Dutch cooking was fascinating. He hadn’t had such an enjoyable Friday evening since…well, since before Elisa broke up with him.

         He glanced at Goldie in the passenger’s seat. The company was good, too. “Let me get your door.”

         Ryan helped her from the car and they walked up the driveway to her house. It was almost midnight, and the warm night air blew softly around them. Goldie made pleasant small talk, and he liked the sound of her voice. A full moon shone down, turning her hair to spun gold. He would definitely go out with her again.

         But he’d have to tell her the truth about the blind date mix-up. After all, he wasn’t “Brian,” he didn’t know Goldie’s brother, and he didn’t attend the church in Stroudsburg. If he and Goldie started a relationship, he would have to be honest from the very beginning.

         Well, maybe not the very beginning. A little late for that.

         Goldie ascended the step to her porch. “I had such a good time tonight, Ryan, and I’m so glad Mike talked you into this blind date. Can you imagine? You’ve known him for two years, and he never even thought to put us together.”

         “Uh, yeah, Goldie, about that…” He moved up beside her on the porch.

         Her smile faded.  “Didn’t you have a good time?”

         “No! I mean, yes! I had a wonderful time. It was great!”

         “That’s good.” Breathing out a sigh, she place her hand on his arm. “I realize you go to Mike’s church, but I was wondering if you’d visit my church with me this Sunday morning.”

         Church? How could he attend God’s house when he was still mad at God for calling Elisa to the mission field and out of his life?

 “Oh, listen to me!” Goldie slapped her hands to her cheeks, as if she were embarrassed. “You must think I’m so forward, but I…I really like you, Ryan. I don’t want our friendship to end.”

She looked up at him, her eyes big, and the moon reflected in the blue. Something else was reflected there—an uncertainty, a wistful look, a longing. Elisa had never looked at him like that.

         He cleared his throat. “I’d like to continue our friendship, too, Goldie.”

         “Oh, I’m glad to hear that! So, church? This Sunday?”

         “Okay, fine.”

“Would you mind driving? You could pick me up around nine-thirty. Or I could just walk down to your house. I keep forgetting it’s right down there.” With a laugh, she pointed down the street.

         “Whatever. But Goldie, I have to discuss something with you.”

“Oh?” The uncertainty came back into her eyes. “I’m talking too much again. Right?” She slipped her fingers over her mouth.

He grinned. “You’re not the problem.” His smile faded. “It’s me. You see, tonight when I came by your house—”

Down the street, a squeal of tires cut off Ryan’s words. He turned toward the sound as it got nearer.

A dark SUV careened down the road, its tires squealing and the engine gunning at the same time. But the squealing and gunning stopped, right in front of Goldie’s house, as the vehicle crashed into the back of his Sunfire.

Goldie gasped.

“My car!” Ryan ran down the driveway, his heart thudding in his chest.

The tinted windows of the SUV shielded the driver’s identity. Before Ryan even reached the street, the driver backed up, spun around the Sunfire, and roared off down the road.

“Hey!” Ryan watched the taillights of the SUV disappear. “Come back here!”

Goldie ran up beside him. “Can you believe the nerve of that guy? He must be drunk or something.”

Ryan’s shoulders sagged. “Man! I just got this thing paid off, too!” He walked to the back of the car to inspect the damage. The left side was totally crushed in. Red glass from the taillight littered the street.

“I’m so sorry, Ryan. What a terrible way to welcome you to Knotty Pine!”

He shook his head. “I thought this town was crime-free.”

“It usually is!” Goldie looked up at him. Concern and sadness mingled in her eyes. “I never lock my front door when I leave the house, but I might reconsider from now on.”

Ryan pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Guess I’ll call the police.”

An hour later, after Sheriff Whalen had filled out a report, Goldie bid him goodnight and disappeared into her house. With a sigh, Ryan got into his car, slowly drove a few hundred yards and pulled into his driveway. Turning off the engine, he laid his head back. Why did that guy have to plow into his car? Just when he was going to tell Goldie—

Catching his breath, he sat up. Then he moaned. He never told her about Brian. And they hadn’t exchanged phone numbers, so he had no way to contact her.

Tomorrow was Saturday. Goldie would probably be home all day, but Ryan had a full day of work at the Blue Haven Resort in the Poconos. He wouldn’t get home until late, and when he had a chance, he needed to call his insurance company. He’d have to wait until Sunday morning to tell Goldie about the blind date mix-up.

If he remembered.

* * *

        

         Poor Ryan! We’ll have to see what happens next time.

         Until then, God bless!