Page 43 of Sing with Me

As for Diehl, he could only recall a handful of times when he and Isobel had gone to bed happy. Sometimes she even woke him up in the middle of the night, griping about something or other. Why couldn’t it wait until morning?

If he didn’t stay up with her, she would find someone else who did.

Why hadn’t Diehl seen the warning signs? Why had he ignored them all?

Had he been that gullible?

Isobel had stepped all over him. Their marriage had been anything but fulfilling.

And yet, he remained faithful and loyal to her, regardless of her own potential promiscuity—which he had suspected, but never bothered to investigate.

What Mom had told him over FaceTime on Friday night bothered him now.

Had Isobel been sleeping around during their marriage?

Sure, she flirted with people at parties, but…she was married!

Diehl watched his parents and kids disappear down the hallway. The grandfather clock struck eleven, reminding him that Skye was cooking lunch at the beach house.

He texted her, saying that he wouldn’t be home the rest of the day, but she could leave the covered dishes in the refrigerator for him to eat the next day.

Which meant that Skye didn’t have to cook for him on Tuesday.

He had no problem eating leftovers, but he sensed his own disappointment that he wouldn’t see Skye until Wednesday.

Wednesday would be interesting. Brinley was still not feeling well, so Diehl had suggested that they sing “His Eye is on the Sparrow” for the Fire Pit Service at church—because he could play that song on the piano or keyboard. Skye already knew the words. Avery could sit out if she wanted to.

He didn’t mean to take over the Treble Trio and tell the members what to do, but the ladies were fine with the change of plans as long as it fitted their commitment and schedule. It wasn’t like he had suggested they play a wedding repertoire no one could practice for at such a short notice.

Diehl found himself excited about going to church. Maybe he needed a place to belong. Something to do to while away his time.

Or maybe it was because of Skye.

He recalled their breakfast this morning. He had enjoyed every moment of it. He found Skye easy on the eyes and pleasurable to chat with. She let him talk about whatever he wanted, and didn’t interrupt him like Isobel had always done. In fact, he told her about his marriage to Isobel, their first miscarriage, and their unusual marital arrangement.

Something Skye had said hit him now.

Isn’t marrying for love the best kind of marriage?

Perhaps that sort of marriage could last a lifetime.

Was that something he could find? He was forty now. Half his life was over.

Chapter Twelve

The Wednesday evening sky over the beach pavilion looked cloudier than the weather forecast. Skye worried about the keyboard she had borrowed from the Yun McMillan Music Studio for this evening’s outdoor offertory. The keyboard was in the trunk of her car, waiting to be transported to the beach. If it rained, the expensive keyboard would be destroyed.

Half an hour early to the service, Skye took her time getting out of the car and walking the length of the boardwalk to the pavilion. To be on the safe side, she brought an umbrella with her. It was flimsy, but she had left her bigger golf umbrella in her work van parked at home.

Someone called her name, and she turned and waved. She didn’t know why she was happy to see Diehl, happy to hear him call her name in public. They were friends now.

Still, she was concerned.

With Brinley on bedrest, Skye and Avery had no choice but to accept that Diehl might be their main accompanist for the entire summer. Usually, during holidays and school breaks, Seaside Chapel let their main vocals and ensembles take a break from performing, thereby allowing other talents in the church some opportunities to shine on centerstage. That meant more opportunities for the Treble Trio.

Their trio used to be listed on the church bulletin as “Sky, Avery, Brinley.” Now they were “Sky, Avery, Diehl.”

There was a problem about where Diehl stood spiritually. Was he really saved in the Lord but only fell away as a prodigal son? Or had he never been saved at all and only going through the motions of church life?

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