Page 41 of Sing with Me

If he had done that, would he have met Skye too soon?

She might think he was sending feelers out to her on the rebound.

Sending feelers?

What was he talking about?

Diehl wondered if his heart leapfrogged ahead of his head. Skye was lovely, and he had met her in passing. She and her brother Sebastian had catered for Brinley’s wedding reception two years ago. Diehl remembered briefly talking to her about the finger food. He had no idea then that Skye was such a talented chef.

A hidden gem in the Golden Isles. If she were discovered by the food channels, would she be gone from here? Would he see her again?

His mind went back to their breakfast alone this morning at the beach house. She had seemed hesitant to eat with him. Yes, they were alone in the house, but they respected each other’s space, didn’t they? Although they cooked at the stove standing next to each other, Diehl hadn’t taken advantage of their time together.

Why would he?

Skye was so beautiful, so pure, that he wanted to protect her from himself.

For the last fourteen years, his personal life had revolved around Isobel and then the kids. Now that Isobel was gone, he could move on to a new beginning. What would he like to do? Who would he like to be with?

All he could think of now was Skye.

Was it possible for someone to fall in love again a second time around this quickly?

“Dad?” Elisa’s voice brought his wandering mind back to his present reality.

A single dad with two preteens to raise without their mother.

“Yes?” Diehl replied.

“Don’t be sad.” Elisa placed both palms on his cheeks. “Mom is in a better place.”

Is she?

Did anyone ever think about what a “better place” meant? Where was that place that everyone went that was better than on earth? Christians believed in a heaven and hell, but that only believers in Jesus went to heaven.

So. Where did Isobel go after death?

Diehl knew that was a question for God Himself.

“Promise me something, Dad?” Elisa asked.

“What, honey?”

“No work for the summer.”

“For me or you?”

“Both of us.”

“Unless it’s something we want to do.”

“How can work be fun?” Elisa scrunched her nose.

“Sure it can.” Diehl told her about playing the piano again. “I practiced a lot, but it was fun.”

“Dad, practicing piano is never fun.”

“Unless you have a goal you’re working toward. My goal was to play the piano well at church for my team.”

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