Page 79 of Sing with Me

Skye knew she was referring to Gillian, who had now decided to find a job in town.

“Thank you for your concern,” Skye said. “I am grateful.”

Avery nodded. “Pray about it and see what God tells you. I know you’re in the thick of it, so you might not see what’s going on.”

“I wish there was a litmus test.” Skye finished her salad and decided not to go for desserts. “I don’t want to judge him, you know.”

“You’re not judging him, but we’re talking about you giving your heart to someone who may not be on the same page with you regarding everything you hold dear—prayer, planning, purpose, just to name a few examples. You want to put God first, but does he? You want God’s will for your life, but does he? And then the future comes…. Marriage, children…”

Whoa.“I haven’t thought that far out, to be honest. I was thinking this is a summer fling.”

“A short and sweet summer romance?” Avery tilted her head. Her pony tail swung out over her shoulder. “When was the last time we took a vacation from God’s best for our lives?”

Skye knew that her all-seeing God had no doubt seen her with Diehl and read their thoughts. What was in Diehl’s mind and heart?

“Is it possible that he is genuine?” Skye wanted to believe it. So far, Diehl had been nothing but nice to her.

“Sure. My parents have loved each other all their lives and they are still not Christians, both of them,” Avery said. “In your case, you have a confirmed Christian—you—and someone who seems to be on the fence—according to all that we know about him.”

Was Diehl on the fence?

Avery swiped her phone. “You know 2 Corinthians 6:14. ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?’ The contrast is clear.”

“I know.”

“If you know the right thing you need to do, then do it, right?” Avery sighed. “I’m so sorry.”

Sorry? It was the thing that Diehl said a lot.

Skye realized at that moment that Diehl had occupied her mind, her headspace, more than God had this whole week. Perhaps it was time for her to step back and evaluate what was happening between her and Diehl.

“What are you sorry about?” Skye asked. “You spoke your heart, sister. I would rather you don’t sugarcoat the truth.”

“Or my opinion of the truth? You must forgive me for being so assertive.” Avery blinked. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what overcame me just now. I felt so strongly… That I had to protect you from yourself—and that sexy billionaire.”

Skye cringed. She had tried to look past the first impressions. “If you get to know him, he’s a gentleman. So far he has respected and honored me. When I go to his house, Marlo is with me—except last Monday when he called in sick. Diehl helped me cook his breakfast that day.”

“I’m sure he would want to keep a clean reputation out of respect for the Brooks family name on the island. Everyone knew who his grandfather was. His parents did a lot of charity work in the area. And Brinley even more.”

Skye agreed. “We all have baggages in our lives. You reminded me the other day that you don’t want to cast the first stone.”

“I hope I haven’t tonight.” Avery’s shoulders sagged.

Skye hugged her. “No. You’re advising me to assess my situation with…him. That’s wise counsel.”

“Well, someone had to sound the bullhorn to reach you in your fog of love.” Avery laughed so hard she nearly spilled tea all over her shorts.

“Next time you date, I’m going to be all over you, checking off the sin list, and I’ll just bash you over your head with the Bible.” Skye took the paper plate and cup from Avery to throw them away.

“Please do. Better to know what’s going on before marriage than to drag out the mess in divorce court.”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

Speaking of divorce, Diehl had remarried the same woman twice. Had it been because she was the mother of his children? Because he wanted to keep the family together?

It had been a year since she was killed in Italy. Skye recalled Brinley saying that the investigators were looking into faulty brakes and potential sabotage, but none of that panned out. It seemed that, for whatever reason, Isobel Brooks had simply driven off the cliff in the pouring rain, leaving behind a husband and two beautiful kids.

Skye wondered how much Diehl grieved. Brinley had told them that the first few months were hard, but he had poured himself into his work at the office for the rest of the months, driving everyone crazy at Brooks Investments.

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