Page 15 of Sing with Me

He had told her earlier today that he didn’t need God.

He might think so in his mind, but Skye didn’t know anyone who didn’t need God, especially in times of grief. There seemed to be a bigger spiritual problem here.

Was he a prodigal son who had wandered away from the faith? Or did he ever know the Lord at all?

Skye decided the best thing she could do was pray for Diehl.

He seemed acutely unaware of what he was missing. Right now, his concern seemed to be the tangible. Obviously, he walked by sight, not by faith.

“I’m sorry. That’s my fault. I hosed you.” Diehl stopped her and offered to carry the basket in her hand.

She let him. “I should’ve brought spare clothes in my van. I was unprepared.”

It hadn’t been entirely Diehl’s fault.

“So what are you going to do?” Diehl walked with her to the kitchen.

Marlo was already there, unpacking the groceries.

Before they had left Diehl with the afternoon breakfast, Skye asked him what he wanted to eat for dinner. He said salmon, spinach, and any sides she wanted to cook for him. No salad tonight. He wanted more peach cobbler.

“We’ll rehearse later tonight without Brinley since she turns in early. Also her ankles are swollen and the baby is heavy. She needs a lot of rest,” Skye said. “We’ll use accompaniment tracks.”

“Will that work?”

“Sure. We’ve used them before.”

“What are you singing?”

“Two hymns for Sunday and then two more for Wednesday night.” Skye found a colander to wash the spinach.

Marlo cleaned the salmon, removing bones as he went along.

“Didn’t you say that on Wednesday night, you’re outdoors on the beach?” Diehl asked.

Skye nodded. “We use a portable keyboard. Or accompaniment tracks.”

“Live music is always better.”

“I agree. I’ll play my guitar, so it’s halfway live.” Skye put away perishables in the refrigerator.

She checked her menu, and put a pot of water on the stove to boil.

“Feel free to take it easy and we’ll text you when dinner is ready,” Skye told Diehl.

He didn’t move. “Is there something I can do?”

“You paid us to cook for you.”

“I have to do something.” He tapped the countertop.

“I think we’re good.” Skye turned to Marlo. He nodded.

“I have an idea,” Diehl said.

“Good or bad?”

Diehl looked intently at her. Under the kitchen light, Skye could not tell what color his eyes were, but they were intense.

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