How Sweet the Sound Page 2

  Desiree eased in place as the choir members began lining up for their march into the sanctuary. All around her the air was still electrified with the buzz of Bradley Rhodes’s stepping in as music director for Peaceful Rest Church. Everyone was hoping that under his tutelage, the choir would be ready to compete in the choir competition held during the Harvest Celebration in November.

  “I don’t know why they have her up front,” someone behind her complained. “If Grace Thompson was still the music director, we wouldn’t have no foolishness like this.”

  “I don’t know what she was thinkin’ bout. That gal know she can’t sing a’ tall. How she figured on being in this choir I’ll never know….”

  Another person chuckled.

  Desiree’s body stiffened but she didn’t turn around. There was no need to—she knew the woman was referring to her.

  “I think people should be required to audition for the choir,” someone else was saying. “Not just walk up in the choir stand like that just because they want to sing. Grace sho’ wouldn’t have put up with this. Humph, she sho’ wouldn’t have.”

  Nina placed a reassuring hand on her friend’s shoulder, the gesture bringing a smile to Desiree’s lips.

  “Don’t you listen to them,” Nina whispered. “They don’t think anyone can sing except for themselves. Alton told you it was okay to join the choir.”

  Desiree glanced over her shoulder and whispered back, “I’m really not worried about them, Nina. I’m singing for God—not to please them. He can hear the melody of my singing and He’s all I care about.” She knew Grace Thompson—had known her since they were in elementary school together. Desiree wished she’d moved back home just a few weeks earlier—just before Grace and her family moved away. She knew that Grace wouldn’t have had a problem with her joining the choir.

  Someone toward the back of the line said, “Desiree, maybe you should come back here just for today.”

  “Like that’s going to make a difference,” another choir member added.

  Nina gave the woman a silent lashing with her eyes.

  “I’m not trying to be mean but if Grace—”

  “Prudence, what do you call it?” Nina cut in. “You couldn’t be more rude. Desiree has feelings just like you.” Folding her arms across her chest, she added, “I’m sure you wouldn’t take it well if someone was talking about your singing or trying to boot you off the first row. If Grace were still here, you know she wouldn’t tolerate no mess like this. Is this how we glorify the Lord?”

  Giving Nina a sheepish look, Prudence responded, “I’m just saying that maybe we should put our best foot forward. Brick, I mean Bradley, came all the way from Los Angeles to hear us—”

  Nina cut her off by saying, “And he will. With Desiree leading the choir like she’s been doing since she joined.”

  “Humph,” Prudence snorted. “Whatever.”

  Nina was about to give the woman another tongue-lashing, but Desiree gave her a gentle nudge on the arm. “It’s okay. Like I told you earlier, I’m not worried about these folks. God knows my heart. He knows that I have a fire and passion to sing for His glory.”

  “Nobody in this choir is a Shirley Caesar or Yolanda Adams, so they just need to shut up.”

  “Girl, we’re about to go into the sanctuary. Take that frown off your face. Alton see you looking like that—he’ll get up from that piano so fast and take off running for fear he’s done something to make you mad. You know how nervous he can get.”

  Desiree’s comment had the desired effect. Nina burst into laughter.

  “That’s better.”

  They heard music drifting from the sanctuary.

  “It’s time,” Nina announced.

  Desiree hummed softly to herself. This was her way of warming up. She led the march into the sanctuary and to the choir stand because she sat on the end of the first row. All the sopranos sat in the first row, followed by the alto section. She was also the shortest person in the choir, standing a proud four feet eleven and a half inches, so if she sat anywhere else, no one would be able to see her.

  She loved singing and took what the fourth verse of Psalm 98 said to heart: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praises.” For as long as she could remember, Desiree longed to be in the choir. Her chance had come when Veronica died suddenly, leaving a slot open. Although this was definitely not the way she would have chosen it to happen, Desiree was thankful for the opportunity.

  She was also painfully aware that her singing wasn’t anything to brag about. When she was in school, her music teachers would always encourage her to just mouth the words whenever the class was singing. But her mother continued to encourage Desiree, reassuring her that God even loved bad singing when it came from the heart. That was all the encouragement she needed. From then on, Desiree sang as much as she could and as loud as she could manage. She was determined to give God her all.

  Chapter Two

  The church definitely had a small-town feel to it, Bradley decided. His eyes traveled around the sanctuary, taking in the padded wooden benches, hardwood floors, balcony seats in the back and the huge stained-glass rendition of an angel with arms outstretched that served as the backdrop for the choir.

  A thin young man wearing glasses walked up to Bradley and said, “Hello, I’m Alton Stone. I play the piano for the choir. I sent you the tape.”

  The two men shook hands.

  Bradley regarded him with curiosity, trying to place a name with the face. “I’ve seen you before….”

  “We toured together back in ’89 or ’90,” Alton replied. “I played keyboards for Toni Blackman.”

  “That’s right. It’s good to see you again.” Bradley nodded. “I never would’ve figured the next time we’d meet would be in Summerset, Texas. Talk about a small world.”

  Alton laughed. “I left Los Angeles back in ’95. This is where I grew up and when my father became ill, I had no choice but to come home. He died six months later…I stayed here for my mom and my girlfriend.”

  The memory of Bradley’s own father’s terminal illness rushed to the forefront of his mind. Bradley nodded in understanding. “I lost my dad five years ago and my mother three months after that. She just lost her zest for life when he died.”

  He listened intently as Alton gave him a brief history of the church and the choirs, then took him to the administrative offices to meet Pastor Simon French and his wife Lilli Belle. Bradley arranged a time during the week to have a one-on-one with Pastor French before he and Alton returned to the sanctuary.

  Before they could finish talking, Alton was called away. Bradley took a seat near the front and quietly observed the people moving around the congregation. Every now and then he exchanged a polite, simultaneous smile with one of the members or nodded a nonchalant greeting.

  He was well aware of all the whispering around him, although he pretended otherwise. He enjoyed being a celebrity and didn’t mind the starstruck stares, the finger pointing or the awed whispers.

  Bradley sat there eagerly anticipating the entrance of the Peaceful Rest adult choir. He couldn’t wait to hear the sultry voice of Veronica Chapman again. She had the kind of voice that could soothe hurts, give hope and provide a beacon light for lost souls searching for a way home to Christ.

  He believed she could give both Whitney Houston and Yolanda Adams a run for their money. Hearing her sing this morning was going to be a pleasant change from some of the other vocalists he’d heard recently.

  He couldn’t get over how many people fooled themselves into believing that they could sing. Bradley cringed just at the memory of the last audition he’d heard. They weren’t beyond hope, but he wasn’t interested in putting in a lot of effort. The last time he’d invested his time and energy had been a disaster. The singer was now touring all over the place, leaving Bradley empty-handed and at the mercy of his most recent church, which had promptly kicked him to the curb as soon as they were
able to secure a minister on their side.

  Bradley pushed the bitterness aside for the time being—he didn’t want to ruin the moment. This time things would be different, he reasoned. He could feel it in his spirit. He and Veronica would enjoy a long season together. Bradley was so sure of this that he’d sent recording sensation Kandi Tate a copy of the tape. She was looking for the perfect choir to accompany her on her next album.

  His last thought before Alton began playing the organ was that Kandi hadn’t bothered to return his call. Bradley settled back in his seat on the second pew. He felt the tingling of excitement igniting within.

  The double doors swung open slowly and Bradley glimpsed the choir members resplendent in their black robes with gold braided trim. Smiling, he stood up along with everyone else.

  The smile on his face disappeared slowly as the choir marched into the sanctuary singing. Bradley’s expression was one of horror as he resisted the urge to cover both ears with his hands.

  “Onward Christ…an soldiers…” Desiree sang loudly. “Marching on to…” Her eyes met those of Bradley Rhodes and her heart dropped at his expression. She had never seen anyone look so appalled.

  Desiree didn’t think she could possibly sound that bad. Refusing to prolong their eye contact, she gazed straight ahead and continued to sing, although her voice wasn’t as loud as it had been. She didn’t know why, but the look on Bradley’s face wounded her.

  You’re singing for the Lord, Desiree’s heart reminded her. It doesn’t matter what that man thinks.

  Try as she might, Desiree was having a hard time reclaiming the zest she’d felt earlier. She was grateful when the song ended and the choir members took their seat. I know some of them saw Bradley’s expression, Desiree thought as she released a soft sigh. This is all I need. Ever since she’d joined the choir, several members had complained and put pressure on Alton to make her leave. He refused.

  Desiree could feel the heat of Bradley’s gaze on her and shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She stole a peek at him a few minutes later and was relieved that he seemed to be focused on Pastor French.

  Bradley no longer wore his dark hair long; instead it was cropped close to his scalp and lay in glossy waves. His skin was the color of rich dark chocolate and complimented eyes the color of midnight.

  Her eyes lingered for a moment on his perfectly shaped full lips.

  Bradley turned his attention back to her, causing Desiree to drop her eyes but not before glimpsing the frown that settled into his features. Pulling at her robe, she forced her attention to the pastor standing at the podium.

  After the prayer, it was time for the choir to sing another selection. Desiree’s eyes traveled to Bradley and found him staring boldly back at her.

  She stiffened at the challenge and opened her mouth to sing.

  Astonished, Bradley stared at the petite woman on the front row singing as loud as she could. He could look at her and tell that she was truly pouring out the song from her heart—she just sounded like a bird with a cold.

  He glanced over at Alton, sending him a sharp glare. Was this some sick joke?

  Alton gave him a pleading look, which Bradley ignored. His eyes bounced around at the people sitting around him. Up until now, they had stolen peeks at him, awarded him with tentative smiles. Now they simply stared straight ahead as if afraid to see his reaction.

  One of the deacons sitting at the end of the front row bobbed his head to the music and every now and then would throw up a hand. What in the world was he listening to? Bradley could feel the beginning of a headache coming and prayed for the earsplitting sound of that woman’s voice to stop.

  He nearly jumped to his feet shouting Hallelujah when the choir sat down.

  She gave Bradley a smug look as she took her seat. She looked to be around twenty-five, he estimated. He noted the way her brows furrowed when she frowned, but it was her eyes that held him—warm, brown and piercing.

  Bradley didn’t retain a word of the pastor’s sermon, his mind clouded with frustration at having come all the way to Texas for nothing. How could T.C. have even suggested this? He was suddenly grateful that he had not heard from Kandi Tate. At least he would be spared that humiliation.

  As soon as the service ended, Bradley eased out of the pew and was looking for the nearest exit to make his escape. Alton’s voice halted his steps.

  “Hold up, Bradley,” he called. “Where you’re goin’ so fast?”

  “How could you do this to me?” Bradley demanded as soon as Alton reached him. He struggled to keep his voice low. “You know, I never figured T.C. would play me—”

  Holding up a hand, Alton interrupted him. “It isn’t like that. Bradley, just hear me out, please.”

  “What happened to the woman I heard on the tape? Is she even a member of this church?”

  “She was,” Alton answered. “She—”

  Irked, Bradley cut him off. “What happened? Did she leave Peaceful Rest? Maybe I can still talk to her.”

  “You can’t.” Alton took a deep breath before saying, “Veronica died two weeks ago, Bradley. I was going to tell you earlier, but we were interrupted. I tried calling you right after I found out, but your voice mail was full. I know how this looks Bradley, but you can’t leave. We really need somebody like you.”

  “No, you don’t,” he retorted in cold sarcasm. “Not with that woman I heard this morning.”

  “She loves being in the choir, Bradley. This is a dream of hers. How can you tell someone that they can’t sing for the Lord?”

  Bradley shook his head furiously. “I can’t deal with that voice. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone sing that loud and sound that bad. Where does she keep that voice in that small body?”

  “We need you, Bradley. You heard the tape—the choir doesn’t sound bad. Veronica was good, but the choir can hold their own. You know it.”

  “You’re right,” he admitted after a moment. “The rest of the choir sounds great.” They hadn’t sounded too bad this morning except for that screeching woman. To Alton, he said, “Get that lady out of the choir and I’ll stay.”

  “Bradley…”

  “Those are my terms,” he stated flatly. “I won’t have it any other way.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” a voice stated from behind them.

  Chapter Three

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Desiree sputtered again, bristling with indignation.

  Breezing toward them, she continued, “I know why you’re here Mr. Rhodes, and while I appreciate your intentions, I really think you need to remember that we are here to glorify God first. Psalm 95:1 says, ‘O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.’”

  His expression was taut and derisive. “Joyful noise is right. Lady, you can’t sing!” Bradley retorted. Seeing the wounded expression on her face, he tried to soften his tone. “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings, but let’s be truthful.”

  The force of his reply caught her off guard. “My name is Desiree,” she managed to state in a trembling voice. Tears stung the backs of her eyes, but she wasn’t about to let this rude excuse of a man see her cry. Desiree shot him a cold look before adding, “My voice may not be pleasing to you, but God loves the way I sound. I’m in this choir to sing for Him. Not for you.”

  While this argument had always effectively worked in the past, Desiree knew it hadn’t made a dent in Bradley’s armor at all. She thought once more about the reason for his being in Summerset and suddenly felt selfish. No matter what she thought of the man, he was there to help the church. She couldn’t allow her own personal dreams to interfere with the financial needs of the church. The prize money could pay for some of the church’s much-needed repairs.

  “If you don’t want me to be in the choir—I’ll leave,” Desiree announced finally. “But I want you to understand something. I’m not doing this for you, Bradley Rhodes. I’m doing this for the church.”

  Nina joined them
. “What’s going on?”

  Desiree took a deep breath and announced, “I’ve decided to leave the choir.”

  Looking straight at Bradley, Nina asked, “Why?”

  “I think it’ll be better for everyone involved.”

  Anger lit up Nina’s eyes as she turned to face Alton and Bradley. “Uh-huh,” she muttered.

  Patting Nina gently on the arm, Desiree whispered, “I’ll talk to you later. I really need to get out of here. I don’t want to show out in church. We’ve already caused a scene. I don’t want to give everyone more to talk about.”

  She didn’t bother to look at Bradley—just brushed past him on her way to the double doors. Desiree wanted to be as far away from him as possible.

  Surprised, Bradley stared after her. The tiny woman had an easy grace about her—in contrast to the hardened edge in her demeanor. He really hadn’t expected her to back down so easily.

  He struggled, trying to recall her name, but couldn’t at the moment. However, the delicate features of her face stayed in his mind. Medium-brown eyes framed by perfectly arched brows and short bouncy auburn curls that went everywhere… Bradley couldn’t deny that she was a very beautiful woman.

  Alton interrupted his thoughts. “Bradley, this is my girlfriend, Nina Warner.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Wearing a smile, he extended his hand to the tall slender woman.

  “I’m very disappointed in you, Mr. Rhodes,” Nina said as she shook Bradley’s hand. “I know you’re behind Desiree’s leaving the choir. I don’t appreciate the way you treated my friend.”

  Bradley’s smile vanished, wiped away by Nina’s tone. “I’m sorry you feel that way,” he replied smoothly, keeping his face expressionless. “I am just trying to do what everyone wants—put Peaceful Rest’s adult choir on the map. I can only make that happen if I have the right people in the choir.” Bradley gave her a slight smile. “I’m really sorry about…eh…” What is her name? he wondered to himself.