Page 129 of Sing with Me

Diehl saidamenbut Ethan wasn’t done.

Skye felt a hand on hers. Diehl’s warm hand enveloped hers as Ethan continued praying.

“God, please improve Grandpa Ned’s golf swing. He needs a miracle. Show Grandma Rose where she put her lost bracelet. Help her not to be so forgetful.”

Rose cleared her throat.

“Help Dad not to be lonely. Find him a wife who will love him the rest of his life—or her life if she dies sooner than he does. Amen.”

Skye tagged on a silent prayer for the salvation of the Brooks family. That was what Brinley and Ivan had requested in Sunday School class for the last three years.

When everyone looked up, Rose drew a deep breath. “That’s short and sweet.”

“I could pray more if you want,” Ethan said.

“No need, young man,” Rose said. “You’ve blessed us enough. It would indeed be a miracle if Ned’s golf swing improves.”

“Do you want me to tell you where to go upstairs or show you?” Diehl asked Skye.

“I’ve never been upstairs.”

“Okay. It’s not that hard. Mom renovated the entire second floor, so there aren’t many rooms. You won’t get lost.” Diehl got out of his chair.

“I’m not trying to be démodé, but Pastor Gonzalez spoke this morning about avoiding all appearances of evil—which might include being mistaken for things done or not done,” Skye said. “If you would please grab a T-shirt that you think would fit me, that’s best. I’ll wait here.”

Diehl nodded. He patted her shoulder before he left the dining room.

When Skye turned back to the lobster tail, she realized that Diehl’s lunch would be cold if he didn’t hurry back.

Rose’s eyes were on here. “You’re sure different from all the other girls Diehl has dated in his lifetime.”

Dated?

“I’m not sure if we’re dating yet,” Skye said.

“No? He’s positively in love. I can tell.” Rose reached for a bowl of quinoa. “I haven’t seen that look on his face since he was in college.”

“Oh?” This she had to hear. “Tell me more.”

“Amanda Hall is her name. She lives in England now, next door to Talia Cavanaugh-Perry.”

“Really? And who is this person?”

“Do you know Siobhan Urquhart, Jared’s cousin?”

“I know who Jared is, but not his family,” Skye said.

“Well, Amanda is Siobhan’s other cousin on her mother’s side. She’s Diehl’s age. She used to party with Jared and Diehl, plus some of their best buddies. They’d take vacations together and all. College kids, you know.”

No, I don’t know.

When Skye had been in college, she was either working or studying all the time. No time to play.

“Anyway, Diehl was madly in love with Amanda, but she spurned him.” Rose drizzled drawn butter on her lobster tail.

Unrequited love. Poor Diehl.

“And to top it off, she married one of his friends,” Rose added. “I think that was the trigger that got him so drunk on the day of Amanda’s wedding that he bedded a random woman and made her pregnant. To do the right thing—being a traditionalist that Diehl was—he married her.”

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