So That's What Happened to Brian!

Let’s continue reading Romance by Design. (If you’re a new reader, you can begin the story with Chapter One.)

Chapter Nine

Felina

Late Sunday night, Goldie’s cell phone rang. Maybe it was Ryan!

But it couldn’t be. They had never exchanged phone numbers.

Sprinting into her bedroom, she grabbed the cell from her purse. She had wanted to spend Sunday afternoon with Ryan, but he had another commitment. He didn’t say what it was, and she hadn’t heard from him since they parted company at 1:30. If they were in Step Two—establishing a relationship—shouldn’t they be open with each other about their lives?

Of course Ryan didn’t know about Goldie’s three-step plan, and she wasn’t about to tell him. He might leave her standing on Step One.

Sitting down on the bed, she flipped open her phone. “Hello?”

“Hey, Goldie!”

“Mike! You’re back from the medical conference.”

“Yes, Anna and I just got home, and we heard the news. Goldie, I am so sorry about the blind date.”

“Oh Mike, Ryan is wonderful! We had the best time, and he even attended church with me this morning. Thank you so much! I just love Ryan—well, you know, not love him, not yet anyway.” She laughed.

Felina rubbed up against Goldie’s leg. She pulled the cat onto her lap and gave her a hug. If only she could give her brother a hug right now!

         “Wait a minute!” Mike sounded confused. “Ryan? Who did you go out with Friday night?”

         “I went out with Ryan Collins, the guy you sent me.” She scratched Felina behind her ear. “There was a little mix-up at first because I thought you said Brian—”

         “I did say Brian! Who is this Ryan character?”

         Her hand stilled. “You…you didn’t set me up with Ryan Collins?”

         “Goldie, Brian Chodakowski is a construction worker, and he had an accident last Friday. He’s been in the hospital all weekend!”

         “What? You mean, I went out with the wrong guy?”

         “Evidently! Who is this Ryan Collins?”

         “Um, he’s my new neighbor. And—why that stinker!” Goldie hopped up, causing Felina to jump to the floor. “He let me think he was my blind date! Are you telling me you never met Ryan?”

         “No, never have. He’s an imposter, Goldie.”

         “Boy, that makes me mad! Why didn’t he tell me? Here I was, talking about you and your church, and he never said one word that he didn’t know you.” She huffed out a breath. “He made a complete fool of me!”

         Mike sighed. “I’m sorry that happened, Goldie. If it makes you feel any better, I called Brian when I heard about the accident. He feels bad about standing you up.”

         “Poor guy! So he’s still in the hospital?”

         “Yeah, he wants to meet you.”

         Goldie grabbed a notepad off her night stand. “Give me the info, Mike. I’ll run by the hospital tomorrow as soon as I get off work.”

         And in the meantime, she would give Ryan Collins a piece of her mind!

* * *

         This doesn’t sound good for Ryan! Come back tomorrow as the story unfolds.

         Until then, God bless!