Page 109 of Sing with Me

“Do you want it?”

Diehl’s question caught Skye by surprise and she had no answer for him.

“I’m serious,” he added. “He might sell. He doesn’t live there anymore. He prefers Palm Beach.”

Skye felt uncomfortable. She couldn’t afford such a house, and Diehl’s offer seemed to imply something. She didn’t want to go there. “Right now, I’m thinking of cheesecake.”

“Cheesecake!” Ethan jumped up and down. “And a surprise dessert from Chef Pierre!”

“You don’t miss anything, do you?” Skye asked.

“Nope.” The boy shook his head vigorously. “I miss Elisa though. I hope they bring her back.”

“They who?” Diehl asked.

Ethan clammed up.

“Ethan.” Diehl squatted down in front of his son. “Whatever you can tell me could help bring Elisa home safely.”

“I don’t know anything, Dad.”

Skye wondered if Diehl had the same thoughts as she did. They should get a child counselor or a psychologist to talk to Ethan. He seemed to know more about his sister’s disappearance than he let on.

“If you remember something important, please tell me, okay?” Diehl held Ethan’s arms gently.

“I will, Dad.”

Skye touched Diehl’s arm, as if to say something. He looked her way and nodded, as if to say he got it. Then he reached for her.

All three of them walked together back to Brooks Cottage, hand in hand.

Cara greeted them before they stepped off the boardwalk. “Your grandma was looking for you, Ethan!”

“Which one?” Ethan broke free from Diehl and Skye and sprinted toward Cara.

“From Hawaii. I’ll walk you there. Okay, Diehl?” Cara asked.

“Stay with him and bring him back,” Diehl said.

“Will do.” Cara followed Ethan as the boy hopped and skipped along the stone path on the grass toward the guest cottage where his other grandparents were.

Diehl was still standing on the boardwalk. His eyes were on his son.

Skye looked around. There was no shade. And no benches on the boardwalk. A railing separated them from the tall sea oats swaying in the afternoon sun. It was hot, but they were both wearing sunglasses.

“Let’s go inside,” Diehl said.

Skye nodded. “How are your in-laws doing?”

“Their own thing. Not talking to me much. You see that they keep to themselves and eat their own meals.”

“Makes no sense to me, but I don’t know them.”

“Makes no sense?”

“Well, they’re your Mom’s guests, right? Free room and board. So why wouldn’t they eat with your family?”

“I don’t know. That’s how they’ve always been. In fact, Isobel…”

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