How Sweet the Sound Read online

  Praise for Jacquelin Thomas

  “Touching and refreshing.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “A Change Is Gonna Come is an excellent read. It shows the reader that prayer, strength and forgiveness has the power to change everything. This is an inspiring story that is very realistic and very touching.”

  —The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

  Praise for Francis Ray

  “The kind of warm, humane portrayal we’ve come to expect of Ray.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Francis Ray creates characters and stories that we all love to read about. Her stories are written from the heart.”

  —Eric Jerome Dickey, New York Times bestselling author

  Praise for Felicia Mason

  “Mason is a superb storyteller…she creates magic.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “[Mason] places the Christian theme front and center while also making room for a touching portrait of human desires and frailties.”

  —Booklist

  JACQUELIN THOMAS

  FRANCIS RAY

  FELICIA MASON

  HOW SWEET THE SOUND

  CONTENTS

  MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE

  Jacquelin Thomas

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  THEN SINGS MY SOUL

  Francis Ray

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  HEART SONGS

  Felicia Mason

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  A word from Reverend TC Holloway

  There’s a little church called Peaceful Rest, tucked away in a small Texas town, with a choir that sings His praises to the skies. It’s the church where I found the Lord for the first time, and its teachings thread through these stories—those of my friend Bradley, a man who thought the choir was his ticket back to the big time; his predecessor at the church, Grace, who firmly insisted on old-fashioned music before Caleb Jackson worked on her music and her heart; and my own reunion romance with Carys. To everything there is a season, indeed, and it’s a season for love in these pages.

  MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE

  Jacquelin Thomas

  Prologue

  With increasing rage and shock, Bradley stalked into his apartment, slamming the front door in the process. He had just been fired after working with Missionary Christian Church for the past two years.

  He wasn’t happy at all with this sudden turn of events. Bradley hadn’t seen this coming. But perhaps it shouldn’t have been so surprising, he admitted. He had never been one to follow church politics and had refused to take part in the plan to oust the previous minister. Instead, Bradley offended more than his share of the so-called know-it-alls in the church with his moody temperament and brash words. They were the ones who sat in the front pews every Sunday looking down their holier-than-thou noses at everyone else.

  They were the ones who raised their eyebrows whenever the choir would start to sway to the upbeat music. They were the same ones who didn’t like the new contemporary sound of the mass choir. They insisted that it was the devil’s music.

  The more vocal of this group of “holy warriors” had chastised Bradley on several occasions. They insisted that he stick to more traditional gospel songs but he staunchly refused. When that didn’t work, they began putting pressure on the pastor.

  “I guess he couldn’t take it anymore,” Bradley muttered. “I should’ve known my days were numbered after Pastor Nelson left.”

  The newly installed preacher didn’t like contemporary gospel music or the fact that Bradley once recorded secular music. He was perfect for Missionary Christian Church because he was a very conservative preacher—something the old folks in the congregation wanted. Bradley just couldn’t understand why some people were so resistant to change. As far as he was concerned, the church needed some new music. Something that would minister to the youth as well.

  Bradley strode into his office and turned on the computer. His eyes landed on the pile of unopened mail stacked neatly beside the seventeen-inch flat-screen monitor. He hadn’t opened his mail since his return from the annual Ministers and Musicians conference in Hampton, Virginia, a week ago.

  Returning his attention to the computer screen, Bradley opened up his e-mail—another item that had been neglected since his return to Los Angeles. He downloaded 126 messages. Most of it had to be spam, he decided and deleted several without opening them.

  When Bradley reached the e-mail from his longtime friend, T.C. Holloway, his anger abated somewhat as he opened it. He had just recently seen him in Hampton but wasn’t surprised to find a message waiting from T.C. He had always been the better of the two of them when it came to staying in touch. He had taken time from his busy schedule to e-mail, telephone and write letters throughout the many years of their friendship.

  The great Reverend Doctor Thornton Holloway was a renowned television evangelist now, but he still made time to connect with the people most important to him. T. C. Holloway had always been a good friend.

  Better than me, Bradley acknowledged. Unlike T.C., he was more of a loner, preferring his own company to the company of others. Bradley would shut down for months, hiding away from the world when he didn’t want to be bothered. T.C. knew this about him and respected his feelings.

  He began to read the e-mail from his friend.

  Hey Bradley,

  It was great seeing you at the conference. We haven’t hung out like that in a long time. I’ll be in Los Angeles around the middle of next month and look forward to hanging out again.

  The reason for my writing is that I kept thinking about some of the things we talked about in Hampton. My old church in Summerset, Texas, is in desperate need of a music director and when I described you, everyone was enthusiastic and urged me to contact you immediately. Basically, the job is yours for the taking.

  Your first major task would be coordinating the gospel competition for the Annual Harvest Celebration, which will take place the first week of November and the second would be the statewide choir competition, which culminates in February. For the past three years, Peaceful Rest Church has landed first place in the competition. If they win again this year, they will make history as the only choir in Texas to win for four straight years in a row.

  Bradley had to smile. T.C. had always been competitive. It amazed him to see the strong ties his friend still had to this church in Summerset. Bradley admired such loyalty. He continued reading.

  You have been very successful with all the churches you’ve worked with in the past. It is my prayer that you will now come to the rescue of Peaceful Rest Church.

  They need you, friend, and I hope that you will accept the position of music director after you hear the praiseful sounds of the adult choir. I’ve asked someone from the church to send a tape for your review. You should receive it shortly.

  Summe
rset is a small town about seventy-five miles from Dallas—not at all like what you’re used to; however, I do recall when we talked that you were considering leaving Los Angeles for greener and perhaps smaller pastures. I think you will find the town and its friendly folk a pleasant departure from the concrete streets and impersonal feel of the big city.

  I look forward to hearing from you.

  Your brother in Christ,

  T. C. Holloway

  Bradley’s eyes scanned the stack of mail once more. Near the bottom was a thick padded envelope. He reached for it.

  This must be it. The packet had come from Summerset. Bradley tore into it with excitement.

  The accompanying note simply stated: “This is the choir here at Peaceful Rest Church. The soloist is Veronica Chapman. We look forward to hearing from you. Alton Stone.”

  After hearing the tape, Bradley smiled. “My mother used to always say that when one door closes, another one opens….” he murmured.

  Chapter One

  Bradley popped the cassette of the Peaceful Rest Church choir into the car stereo as he drove the rented automobile along Interstate 75. He changed lanes before glancing down at his handwritten directions and exiting onto a road that ran past the tall, faded welcome sign greeting visitors upon their entrance into the close-knit community of Summerset.

  “T.C., I don’t know about living in this hick town,” he muttered. To some, the sight of cotton and wheat fields, lush green pastures dotted with cattle and tall whitewashed fences might be a tantalizing picture but it filled Bradley with disdain. He was definitely not the farm-boy type.

  He caught sight of an old rusting, broken-down car sitting in a nearby yard nearly covered in overgrown grass and his mouth took on an unpleasant twist. He turned his nose upward at the putrid fumes emanating from the local tire factory while pushing a button to close the car window. He detested the smell of cattle tinged with burning rubber.

  “What am I doing here?” Bradley asked himself.

  The melodious sounds coming from the cassette player brought a smile to his face, reminding him of the very reason he’d come to Summerset. Bradley had always been able to pick talent—the only problem was that once he succeeded in making them stars, he was often kicked to the curb without so much as a thank-you. He had a feeling this time would be different, though. His luck was changing—Bradley could feel it.

  As he drove deeper into the community, Bradley’s opinion changed concerning the town, which transformed before his eyes into a community filled with picturesque large oaks towering over colorful flower beds. Beautiful Colonial-style homes and conservatively painted wood frame homes lined the streets.

  Farther down Main Street, Bradley eyed the colorful little boutiques, shops and a couple of restaurants that adorned the downtown district of Summerset. He drove for another ten minutes before pulling into the parking lot of Peaceful Rest Church.

  The church, a white structure with two columns in front and stained glass windows depicting several Biblical scenes, sat on the right just as the directions stated. He parked the car and got out, straightening his tie. Staring at his reflection in the car window, he critically inspected his tailored suit and expensive Italian leather shoes.

  Adjusting his sunglasses, Bradley made his way toward the concrete steps of the tiny white church. As he neared the porch, he whispered, “Miss Veronica Chapman, I’m going to make all your dreams come true. I’m going to make you a star. In return, you’re going to put me back in the game.”

  She was the real reason Bradley had come to Texas. He couldn’t care less about the choir—he had something to prove to the music industry and Veronica was going to help him do it.

  The members of the choir gathered in the church foyer fifteen minutes before the service was to begin.

  “I still can’t believe it. The Bradley Rhodes is here at Peaceful Rest Church. I just can’t believe it.”

  Desiree glanced briefly over her shoulder at the young woman gushing on and on about the new music director. Turning her attention back to her friend, she whispered, “Who exactly is this Bradley person? I know he’s supposed to be good with choirs but…”

  Nina broke into a smile. “I think everyone is excited because he’s kind of a celebrity. He used to sing with that group Indigo. You remember them, don’t you?”

  Nodding, Desiree answered, “Oh, yeah! I used to listen to them back during my high school and college days. Isn’t he the one who used to wear the sunglasses all the time and had all that hair hanging down his back? I think his stage name was Brick.”

  “That’s him,” Nina confirmed.

  “I used to have such a crush on that man.” Desiree eased her aching right foot out of her three-and-a-half-inch-high-heel shoe. Wiggling her toes, she relished the feel of the soft carpet beneath. She wouldn’t have had to wear the fashionable, albeit uncomfortable, shoes if she were taller, Desiree reasoned.

  Nina nodded. “I think we all used to be crazy about that man. I used to love listening to him sing ‘Love Me.’ Girl, that was my song.”

  With a soft sigh, Desiree wriggled her foot back into the shoe. “Mine, too. I had to sneak and play it whenever my parents were out of the house. You know they didn’t allow me to listen to secular music.” Desiree ran her fingers through her curls, pushing them away from her face. Standing in the hot June sun caused beads of perspiration to pop out on her face and neck, making her hair damp.

  “So Brick is working with church choirs now?” Desiree continued as she lightly patted her face with a tissue.

  “Yeah. He’s been doing it for a while, from what I understand. I heard that he’s a good friend of Reverend T. C. Holloway. I think they went to college together or something like that.”

  Desiree’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I didn’t know that. I really miss Reverend Holloway. He’s a good preacher.”

  “Me, too,” Nina agreed. “But I’m glad he’s doing so well, I see him all over the television these days.” Breaking into a smile, she added, “Alton knows Bradley, too. From the old days—only he doesn’t talk much about his past. He simply refers to that time as the days B.B.S.— Before Being Saved. He especially is quiet about his touring days with recording artists.”

  “That would really make me curious,” Desiree admitted.

  “It does, but then I don’t like reliving the wild days of my past, either.”

  “I didn’t really have any wild days—my life was boring.”

  “No it wasn’t, Desiree. You had a great life. Your mom and dad were wonderful.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I love my parents to death but they were so strict. Girl, you know how they were. I would’ve loved to have been able to just let my hair down every once in a while. They wouldn’t let me do anything.”

  “You were a bit of a goody-goody,” Nina teased.

  “You’re one to talk,” Desiree shot back. “Every time I tried to be sneaky, you would suddenly become my conscience. You wouldn’t let me stray one bit.”

  “Because I knew if you got into trouble, then I would, too. You didn’t know how to be sneaky or tell a lie.”

  The two women shared a laugh.

  Nina lowered her voice. “When I went off to college—I really thought I was grown. Humph, couldn’t nobody tell me nothing. I thought I had the world all figured out.” Shaking her head sadly, she uttered, “Girl, I just didn’t know the half of it.”

  “We’ve all had moments like that, Nina. I know I have. Especially when I went to college. I was just like you. I really thank God for His grace.”

  “It was God and His loving mercy that kept me out of some serious situations,” Nina stated. “I’m so glad I had a praying mother. I just know it was her prayers that helped me through my issues.”

  Desiree nodded in agreement.

  A group of people standing near them began discussing Bradley Rhodes again. Desiree gave Nina a knowing smile when one of the women posed the question that was on every single woman’s mind.r />
  “Do any of you know if Bradley’s married?”

  Desiree acknowledged that even she wanted to know the answer to that question as well. Summerset was a small town and the chance of finding a good husband was slim to none, so anytime a new man blew into town, his marital status was the first question.

  Although she faithfully believed that God would send her a mate, Desiree couldn’t deny the loneliness she experienced from time to time. However, she refused to give her impatience rein over her emotions—she’d had more than one bad relationship as a result. It had been her deepest desire to have her lifemate be chosen by God.

  The more everyone talked about the new music director, the more her curiosity peaked. Desiree couldn’t wait to meet Bradley Rhodes.