Two Dinners To Go

All the talk about food this week is making me hungry! Let’s see what happened with Goldie’s dinner.

Chapter Twenty-two

Ryan secured the lid of the “To-Go” box. He had always admired the take-out boxes at the Blue Haven—square with tall lids that snapped in place to cover the food.

         “Darcie?” He shoved the two boxes on the counter. “The carry-out meals are ready.”

         She walked into the kitchen. “Good. The lady that ordered them just arrived.” She picked up the boxes. “Thanks, Ryan. I know you stayed longer than usual to get these ready.”

         “No problem.” He smiled. “I have a hot date tonight, and she’s making dinner for me.”

         “Have fun!” Darcie took the boxes to the front of the restaurant.

         “Can she cook?” Frank, the other chef, stirred his food in a pan on the stove.

         “I don’t know.” Ryan laughed. “Guess I’ll find out tonight.”

         Frank shrugged. “Most women are good cooks. My wife makes a mean lasagna. She bakes it at least once a week.”

         “And you cook the rest of the time?”

         “I grill outside.” He looked at Ryan. “Even in the winter. And it can get pretty cold and snowy here in the Poconos.”

         “Wow, that’s dedication.” Ryan walked to the back door. “See you tomorrow.”

He couldn’t keep the smile from his face as he got in his car and turned over the ignition. What was Goldie cooking for him?

         He drove through the restaurant’s parking lot, pulling up behind a silver Volkswagen. Hmm…a car just like Goldie’s.

         It couldn’t be her, of course. She would be at home, preparing his dinner.

         The Volkswagen pulled away, turning left onto the main road, but Ryan was stuck waiting for the traffic streaming by. Evidently everyone was driving home from work. Several cars turned into the restaurant parking lot.

         A Friday night dinner at the Blue Haven of the Poconos.

         Personally, Ryan was tired of the Blue Haven’s food. He looked forward to something different. Something made by Goldie’s hand.

         A spot in the traffic finally opened, and he spun out onto the road. He would make it to her house just in time. If only he could go home and freshen up, but making those carry-out dinners put him behind schedule.

But now he could forget about work and concentrate on his relationship with Goldie. She was a lot of fun, and she kept his loneliness away, but was she really the one for him? He had thought Elisa was the one, but she said goodbye and left him in the dust.  

         His relationship with Elisa had progressed way too quickly. He had dated her too fast, kissed her too fast, asked her to marry him too fast… He planned to take it slow with Goldie. 

         Ten minutes later, he pulled into Goldie’s driveway and parked behind her Volkswagen. 

         Yep, she’d been here the whole time.

         He walked to the front door and rang the bell.

         Goldie opened the door and smiled at him. “Come on in.”

         “Hi, Goldie.” He stepped inside and took an appreciative sniff. But instead of a good smell, it smelled like she had burnt something. “Um, I hope you had a good day.”

         “Yes, it was great.” Her smile seemed a little too bright. “Everything’s ready.”

         She walked into the kitchen, and Ryan followed. Why wasn’t there a good food smell in here? Instead, the burning odor got stronger.

         “Have a seat, Ryan.” She motioned to the table. It was set for two, with a vase of yellow daisies in the center. “What would you like to drink? Is iced tea okay?”

         “Sure, that’s fine.” Sitting down, he picked up a pottery cup—blue with bands of stars circled on it. “Nice work on the pottery.”

         “Thanks. I thought you might like the design.” Picking up two plates from the counter, she set one in front of him. “Here’s your dinner—Chicken Marsala, garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled mixed vegetables.”

         Ryan took one look at the entrée—and laughed.

* * *

How embarrassing for Goldie! Come back on Monday to continue reading the story.

Until then, may the Lord bless you with a wonderful weekend!