"Be Sure Your Sin..."

Chapter Twenty-three

Goldie frowned. Ryan had taken one look at her dinner and…started laughing?

         He was still laughing.

         “Ryan? What is it?”

         Chuckling, he wiped away a tear. “I cannot believe this!”

         “What?” She took a deep breath. “Ryan, what is so funny?”

         He cleared his throat, although his smile lingered. “Goldie…” He laughed a little as he pointed to his plate. “Did you make this dinner?”

         “Well…” She couldn’t lie. “I had the worse time today! I was distracted, and my potatoes burned, and then I forgot to turn on the oven, so my roast was as cold as December.” She lifted her hands, then let them fall. “It was terrible!”

         “So, you didn’t actually cook this food yourself?”        

She sighed. “No, I didn’t. I hate to admit this, but I ordered both dinners from a gourmet restaurant.”

         “Blue Haven of the Poconos.”

         Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”

         “Because that’s where I work.”

         A sinking feeling hit Goldie’s stomach. “As a chef?”

         “Yep.” He chuckled. “Just before my shift ended this afternoon, I made two carry-out dinners for an unknown lady who ordered them.” He pointed to each item on the plate. “Chicken Marsala, garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled mixed vegetables.”

         “Oh! How embarrassing!”

         He laughed. “It’s unbelievable, if you ask me.”

         Tears crept to her eyes. “Ryan, I’m sorry. I tried to deceive you.” She sniffed. “Will you ever forgive me?”

         He smiled at her. “Yes, I forgive you.”

“You might as well know—I can’t cook at all.”

         “That’s okay, Goldie. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” He took her hand in his. “We’ll eat this food. Do you want me to ask the blessing?”

         “Please do.” She was glad Ryan offered to pray because she certainly didn’t feel close to God at the moment. She was as deceptive as Jacob in the Bible, trying to steal Esau’s birthright. And that was over food, too! 

          "Be sure your sin will find you out."

          As Ryan prayed, she had her own petition. Lord, please forgive me for trying to deceive him! She determined to be totally honest with Ryan Collins from now on.

         Silently, they started eating. Goldie still felt ashamed of herself, but it hit her how delicious this dinner was. “You’re such a good cook, Ryan.”

         He stopped chewing and looked her in the eye. “I just thought of an amazing thing.”

         “What?”

         “Look at this plate of food.” He motioned to it. “The food I made setting on the plate you made.” He smiled. “I could never make pottery, but look at what a great job you did. We’re a team! We both have our strong points.”

         She sniffed. “Are you just saying that to make me feel better?”

         “No! I mean it, Goldie. My food tastes better to me because I’m eating it off a beautiful plate you created.”

         She sat up a little straighter. “Ryan, I want to give you this pottery.”

         He raised an eyebrow. “Come again.”

         “I mean it, Ryan. I deceived you, and I’m making you eat your own creation. So I’m going to give you my creation. This pottery. The Star line. Or maybe I should call it the Presidential line.”

         “Wow, I don’t know what to say.”

         She smiled. “Just say thank you.”

         “Thank you.” He met her eyes and held them a moment. “I’ll treasure them, Goldie. They make me feel…presidential.”

         She laughed, relaxing for the first time in her stressed-out day.

         “Hey, I just got another idea.” Ryan pulled out his cell phone. “Let’s take a photo of this momentous occasion.” Scooting his chair closer to hers, he leaned toward her, and held the camera out at arm’s length. “Smile!”

         Goldie didn’t have to fake that smile.

         The rest of the dinner passed quickly with easy conversation. They cleaned up, with Goldie washing the dishes and Ryan drying them. They spent time in the garage, getting a box for the pottery. Goldie wrapped the entire Presidential line in brown paper and gave it to him.

         Finally, box in hand, Ryan walked out to the driveway. “I’d better get home. The breakfast shift at the Blue Haven begins at five in the morning, and I’m scheduled for breakfast and lunch tomorrow.”

         With a shake of her head, Goldie sighed. “I’ll never live down my embarrassment.”

         He chuckled. “How about if we sit together in church on Sunday morning?”

         “Sounds good.” She smiled at him, wishing he would put down that box and pull her into his arms.

         Instead, he took a step back. “See you then.” He walked down the driveway.

         Watching him, she gave a wistful sigh. What a great guy! Was she falling in love?

         If only he had kissed her goodnight.

* * *

         Until tomorrow, God bless!