A Devastating Crack!

If you’re new to our book Romance by Design, you can begin HERE with Chapter One. And now, let’s see what happens in the story.

Chapter Eighteen

On Friday evening after work, Goldie stopped by the Gallery Connection. She was scheduled to be at Ryan’s house for supper at six, but she wanted to check if she had any sales.

          As she stepped through the door, she right ran into Carl Trennen. “Oh, I’m sorry, Carl!”

         “No, my fault.” Carl placed his hand on her arm to steady her. 

         “Thanks.” She smiled at him. Such a nice man.

“Goldie!” Mrs. Langford stepped from behind the cashier counter. Her round face creased in wrinkles as she smiled. “We sold six cups and four plates from your booth this morning. And all from your new line—the pink roses collection.”

         “Really?” This Friday was turning out to be a great day!

         “Yes, and three different women bought them.” Mrs. Langford lowered her voice. “I think the buyer from New York is going to be impressed with your work.”

         “I hope so.” Goldie walked back to her booth. “I’d better get busy making some more pottery.”

         Noreen fell in step beside her. “You’re so lucky, Goldie. I’m working on my new line—the one with the butterflies.”

         “I can’t wait to see it.” If only Noreen used lighter colors! 

         Carl’s gray eyebrows lifted as he gazed at his wife. “I bet the buyer will take your entire line, honey.”

         “That would be wonderful.” Noreen shared a smile with him.

         Goldie breathed out a sigh. What a sweet couple. She hoped she had such a great marriage when she was in her sixties.

         “Well…” Carl rubbed his hands together. “Time for dinner.” He glanced at his wife. “Ready to go home, honey?”

         “Sure. Let me grab my purse.” Noreen walked to her booth.

         Thankful for her sales, Goldie stared at the empty spots in her booth. “I should rearrange my pottery, and I’ll have to bring in some more pieces tomorrow.” She picked up a plate, and then gasped.

         A big crack ran down the side.

         “Oh no!” She turned to Mrs. Langford. “Look at this!”

         Mrs. Langford took the plate. “My goodness!”

         Noreen walked back. “What happened?”

         Goldie showed the plate to her. “I know this crack wasn’t there before.” Heartbroken, she closed her eyes. If the glaze cracked, it showed improper firing and poor artistry.

         Had she made a mistake when she fired it?

         The door to the Gallery Collection opened, and Goldie glanced up. Henry Nesbitt, the other potter, walked in.

         “Hi folks.” Henry gave them a little salute but didn’t smile. He never smiled.

         Goldie always thought he had shifty eyes, too. Could he have messed with her pottery?

         “Henry?” Noreen showed him Goldie’s plate. “Do you know how this crack got here?”

         With a frown, he studied it. “No.” He looked at Goldie. “Not good workmanship. Better be more careful, Goldie.”

         She huffed out a breath. “I am careful!”

         “Could be a customer dropped the plate.” Carl shrugged. “It’s happened before.”

         “I suppose.” Goldie sighed. “Well, it’s only one plate. I can replace it.” She gave them all a sad smile. “I can’t let this get me down. I have a big date tonight with a very handsome guy.”

         “Oohh!” Mrs. Langford leaned toward her. “Tell us about it.”

         “My date is cooking for me—the greatest gourmet meal I’ve ever eaten. At least, that’s what he said.”

         “How nice!” Noreen looked at Carl. “Why don’t you cook for me?”

         Carl’s face tinged pink. “You wouldn’t want to eat my cooking.”

         Mrs. Langford laughed. “Let us know how the dinner turns out, Goldie.”

         “I will.” Taking the damaged plate, she left the store.

         A Bible verse popped into her mind. “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.”

         Even though this plate had a big crack in it, she could rejoice in the Lord. And her rejoicing was even greater when she thought about her date with Ryan tonight.

         Hopefully she would still be rejoicing when it was over.

        

* * *

Tomorrow we’ll see what happens when she eats dinner at Ryan’s house.

Until then, God bless!