Page 9 of Sing with Me

“Yeah.”

“She signed the contract on your behalf since this is her house, but it looks like we need to clarify something here. She hired a personal chef who rotates among clients, and not a private chef who works exclusively for you,” Skye said. “I have twelve personal chefs working for me, and a bevy of assistants who shop and help us prepare the meals for our clients.”

“I thought Brin hired me a private chef. After all, she gave you the key to the house and the security code to come in and cook for me so I don’t have to get up and unlock the door for you.”

“She did that because she trusts me. We’re friends.”

“Are we friends?” Diehl asked.

“Well…”

“Friends don’t let friends skip breakfast.”

“Is that right?”

“Uh-huh.”

Skye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She had to do what the client wanted—within reason, of course—because he was paying the bills. If he wanted breakfast for lunch, who was she to deny him the special meal?

“Also, can you be my private chef? I don’t want to share.” He looked serious.

Skye tried not to read too much into that, but she didn’t know what he meant. For now, she would take it literally.

“Frankly, I don’t know if you need a dedicated chef who works in this kitchen only. You’re on vacation and you’ll be more flexible if you can eat at the Priory or at your sister’s home or out in restaurants.”

“If I hadn’t let my private chef go, he’d be with me today. He traveled with my family to our vacation homes, and he also handled all my dinner parties, which Isobel...”

His voice trailed off.

Skye knew exactly who Isobel was. Her heart sank.

He cleared his throat. “No worries. I’ll eat the risotto.”

Skye did everything she could not to give the poor widower a hug. She felt sorry for him although he was going to make her late for her rehearsal at church. She couldn’t miss that, could she? After all, the whole point of the rehearsal was so that she could better minister to others—

Ah, especially the unchurched.

From all that she knew about Diehl through his sister, this man needed to be ministered to. How could Skye not see that? He had gone through so much after getting his wife back and losing her again. Skye remembered how everyone had cheered in Sunday School that Brinley’s older brother had finally reconciled with his wife.

Within months, she was tragically killed in a car wreck, leaving behind a husband and two elementary-aged school children.

Skye’s heart melted.

She turned to Marlo. “Let’s cook some breakfast.”

Chapter Three

When Diehl told Skye he wanted eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and a side of pancakes, she didn’t flinch. And miracle of miracles, she had all the ingredients in her refrigerator or pantry. This woman came prepared.

Diehl didn’t leave the kitchen, but tried to get out of the way by moving to the other side of the island. He watched Skye cook sausage patties and bacon while Marlo prepared the pancake batter.

He wasn’t sure if he could eat all of that, but he hadn’t eaten anything since a quick dinner on the road the night before. It had been over twelve hours since he ate anything substantial.

“I can help,” he said.

“Huh?” Skye almost didn’t hear him. She had her back turned to him.

Her hair was tied up in a bun, but it looked caramel-colored. She was tall, maybe five feet nine or ten. Her assistant was even taller, at least six feet.

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