Page 55 of Sing with Me

“Nothing in life is just a picnic, girl,” Avery said.

She was right again. The voice of reason.

“I don’t know what to do,” Skye said.

“You know me. If I’m not sure about something, I don’t do it.”

“If I did that, I’d never try new dishes.” Skye laughed. Then she turned solemn again. “It’s too late to ask someone else to come with me.”

“A chaperone? What century are you living in?”

“I don’t think it’s outdated.” Skye had a thought. “I could text Diehl and ask if I could bring a friend.”

“Like who is going to go with you at the last minute?” Avery laughed.

“You are!”

Chapter Sixteen

“Whose bright idea was it to have a picnic at noon in the hot southern sun?” Avery laughed.

“It was mine. Thank you for the vote of confidence.” Diehl laughed with her as he checked the base of the canopy to make sure the winds didn’t topple it over.

“It’ll be a few degrees cooler in the shade.” Skye rolled a cooler toward them. She was wearing aviator sunglasses.

In the sun, her brown hair looked lighter. It was in a ponytail today, and she wore a modest-looking sleeveless blouse and a pair of shorts. Her legs were longer than Diehl remembered, and they were nicely tanned. She had painted her toes a delicate shade of pink.

Walking next to her, Ethan donned his Ray-bans and wore his Hawaiian shirt like he was ready for a yacht party. He carried something in each arm, trying to puff up his skinny arms. No muscles there, kid.

Diehl watched his son stick to Skye so closely that her elbows were almost always near his face.

“May I help with that?” Ethan asked.

“I’m just going to leave the cooler here. Thanks.” Skye seemed amused, but she responded to Ethan kindly.

Diehl appreciated that, even though he worried about a future Ethan going through puberty.

Skye put down her tote bag on the sand in the shade.

“Hello, Skye.” Diehl asked her if she wanted some cold water. “Glad you could come.”

She stepped around the beach chairs to get the bottled water from him.

“Avery, you want one?” Diehl asked.

“After I finish mine.” She lifted her bottle in the air. “Thanks.”

Diehl nodded.

Skye opened a picnic basket that Chef Joseph had prepared them. “What have we here?”

“I asked Chef Joe to keep it simple. Reubens, roast beef, chicken. Sandwiches and wraps.” Diehl pointed to another basket. “Fruits and cookies in there. He said the cookies are your recipes.”

Skye didn’t respond.

She closed the basket in front of her and stood up.

She was standing so close to him that he could smell that light floral perfume again.

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