Page 118 of Sing with Me

Diehl drew a deep breath. “Where’s Cara?”

“Next door.” Skye sifted more flour into the bowl that Ethan had been stirring in. “Something about keeping an eye on things.”

With the Bishops, no doubt. “Chef Pierre with her?”

Skye nodded. “The Bishops want to eat by themselves tonight. The chef is cooking dinner for them. A double portion for you all here.”

You all?“Aren’t you staying for dinner with us?” Diehl held his breath.

“No. I’ve stayed long enough. I need to get home. I have a lot to do before I fly out tomorrow afternoon to see my brother.”

In the chaos, Diehl forgot that Skye would be going out of town the following week. “When are you coming home again?”

“The food festival is over on Thursday, but I’m going to spend the long weekend with Sebastian and his wife.”

“Oh.” Diehl hoped no one saw his heart drop to the kitchen floor. “I’m—we’re going to miss you.”

“I’ll be praying for Elisa to come home safely,” Skye said. “Pastor Gonzalez called. The whole church is praying.”

“Tell them thank you. Wasn’t he supposed to come over?” Diehl hoped he hadn’t dropped the ball on being a good host to the pastor’s visit.

“Grandma told him not to come,” Ethan said. “I heard her say it on the phone.”

“Oh.” What else had his son heard on the phone or elsewhere?

Diehl felt unhelpful simply standing there watching Skye and Ethan work. “Is there another apron for me?”

“A few are hanging in the pantry behind the door.” Skye pointed. “Does that mean you’re helping us make cookies?”

“What happened to the cheesecake project?” Diehl found a white apron. He was trying to put it on when Skye came over to help him tie it around his waist in the back.

“It’s in the refrigerator. Don’t touch it until tomorrow after church,” Ethan said. “Are we going to church, Dad?”

“Yes, tomorrow morning.” It dawned on Diehl that it was still Saturday. “Today is such a long day.”

“Seems like it,” Skye said softly.

Diehl reached for her hand as she started to walk back to where Ethan was, still stirring the mixing bowl.

Skye stopped in her tracks.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Diehl said.

“I’m glad she’s here too!” Ethan shouted. “Now come over here and help me.”

“Yes, Chef Ethan. Coming.” Diehl chuckled. “But first…”

He nuzzled Skye’s ear.

“We need to talk,” he whispered.

Before Skye could say anything, the oven timer went off. And she walked away.

Chapter Thirty-Three

After Skye left to let the Brooks family have dinner by themselves, Diehl missed her so much he texted her before and after dinner, and before he went to bed. He made sure to tell her he hadn’t had a sip of anything stronger than Cara’s sweet tea—which was probably potent in itself.

After eleven, Skye stopped replying to his text messages. Diehl figured she must have fallen asleep. He wondered how she looked with her eyes closed.

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