Page 80 of Sing with Me

Then the day came when he made a mistake and lost a multi-billion-dollar merger that could have expanded the family business. Instead, a few of their other potential mergers fell through, and Diehl’s business acumen could not hold the company together.

Brinley had said that the day she and her dad confronted Diehl about taking a sabbatical was the first day that Diehl looked positively relieved to have the weight of the family fortune lifted off his shoulders.

Perhaps that had been why he was a changed man when he arrived on St. Simon’s Island to rest. He was relaxed, easygoing, and helpful in so many ways.

Then again, being helpful in doing good works couldn’t get one to Heaven.

Skye knew that.

And with that, she realized another reason God had placed her here for such a time as this.

Beside comforting Diehl’s grieving daughter, who had lost her mother at about the same age when Skye lost hers, she now had a second purpose: pray for Diehl’s salvation—if he wasn’t saved—or for his return to God—if he was a prodigal son.

Chapter Twenty-Three

When Mom called Diehl to Brooks Cottage two hours before dinner, he wanted to say no, but Mom always got her way. Diehl texted Skye to ask her to cook the dishes and leave them in the refrigerator. He’d eat them the next day.

More leftovers.

To his own disappointment, he would miss the Fire Pit Service at church tonight. Mom’s voice was too urgent to dismiss.

Diehl had no idea what to expect this evening on Seaside Island. Another socialite to meet? Or a single woman in need of company? Mom’s matchmaking service knew no bounds.

He hummed a hymn he had heard at church on Sunday as he parked his truck on the circular driveway leading to the front door. Normally he would park in the porte-cochère, but a limousine he had never seen before had taken up space there.

He locked his truck and made his way to the front door.

Before he reached it, Cara opened the door and stood outside. She looked worried.

“Is everything okay?” Diehl asked.

“You have company.” She didn’t say more.

“I figured. Thanks for the warning.” Diehl handed her the truck keys. “If you need to move my truck.”

He walked past her, still humming a medley as he made his way into his parents’ house. As he crossed the foyer, he heard somber voices coming from the sunroom, where Mom liked to receive her guests.

Uh oh. Doesn’t sound like a party.

He braced himself as he turned the corner into the sunroom—

And froze at the door.

Zeta and Wilson Bishop in flesh and blood.

“Missing your grandkids already?” Diehl asked. It had only been two weeks.

“Have your DNA test results arrived?” Zeta asked.

So that’s what this is about.

“Nice to see you again too.” Diehl decided to remain standing where he was.

Sitting next to Zeta, her ever compliant husband Wilson waved. He barely smiled.

Something was up.

Across from the coffee table, Mom wrung her hands.

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