Page 229 of Sing with Me

“Mineral water or spring water?” Skye asked.

“Spring.” Diehl came back inside for the silverware as Skye filled their goblets with water.

“All we need are candles,” Diehl said.

Skye tilted her head. “I never pegged you as being that romantic.”

“Candles are not too romantic. I mean we had them at five-star…” He stopped himself when he realized that he was recalling those expensive dinners with Isobel—back in the days when he had thought they were exclusively married to each other in every way.

He wondered how he could take Skye to those restaurants in Atlanta without recalling his days with Isobel. Perhaps it was best for him to move out of Atlanta and bury old memories, after all.

Skye touched his arm. “It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry. I want to move on with you.” Diehl held her and kissed her forehead.

“Would you like to say grace before our food gets cold?” Skye asked softly.

Holding Skye in his arms, Diehl thanked God for the food. “And may our conversation be edifying to each other and glorifying to you. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

“That’s a good prayer.” Skye held Diehl’s hand and led him to the porch.

Diehl seated her and placed a cloth napkin on her lap.

“Thank you,” she said.

Diehl prayed about how to talk with her about his past without pushing her away. He took his seat across the table from Skye. He felt nervous.

“Let’s enjoy our dinner,” Skye said. “And talk about our fears and failures later.”

“Over dessert?” Diehl raised his eyebrows.

“I didn’t get dessert materials at the grocery store.”

“And you barely made a dent in the groceries you bought.” Diehl remembered the many bags they hauled into the condo.

“Yeah. I’ll work on them tomorrow. I don’t feel like cooking all night tonight.”

“Cooking all night?” Diehl asked.

“Sometimes I do that if I want to get things done.” She told him about her tight schedule.

Diehl’s eyes perked up. “When are you going to be in Atlanta?”

“Thursday.”

Diehl checked his phone. “I have meetings all day Thursday, and a business dinner. Are you staying through Friday?”

“No. I’m only going to Atlanta for one day. I’ll fly in and fly out.”

Diehl’s heart sank. “I want to see you every day, but I don’t know how.”

“We will next year, won’t we?” Skye asked. “You said that Riley will relocate to Atlanta after the school year, thus freeing you to move to St. Simon’s.”

“Right. But that’s ten months away. Can we survive?” Diehl wasn’t sure if he could.

“Soldiers do it all the time,” Skye said.

“We’re not soldiers.”

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