How Sweet the Sound Read online

  “Give Desiree a chance, Bradley. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”

  Bradley chose not to respond. He didn’t want to start making waves already. As much as it galled him to admit it, until he found something better, he needed this job.

  Normally Desiree’s workday moved pretty quickly but not today. It was the longest eight hours she’d ever worked in her life. By the time the clock struck five, she was halfway to her car.

  She drove out of the Summerset Trust Bank’s parking lot, heading home. Desiree had time to make dinner, eat, take a shower and then rush off to the church. She was so excited about this evening she could hardly contain herself.

  Her father had just arrived home and was climbing out of his truck when she pulled into the driveway.

  Desiree got out of her car and greeted him with a kiss. “Hey, Daddy. How was your day?”

  “It wasn’t too bad. We had an accident at the factory—nothing major, but it set us back a couple of hours.”

  “What happened?” Desiree questioned as she followed her father into the house.

  “Silas French cut his hand. They told me at the hospital he’s gonna need some stitches and time for his hand to heal. He’s gonna need some therapy, too.”

  “Does Pastor French know?”

  “I called him on the way to the hospital but he said he already knew something had happened. Simon and Silas are so close that when one gets hurt, the other feels the pain. He and Lilli Belle were there when I left.”

  “I’ve heard twins sometimes have that type of connection.”

  “I took some hamburger out to make a meat loaf,” Desiree’s mother announced as she met them in the living room. “I feel strong enough to make it.”

  “Mama, the doctor said for you to take it easy. You’re still not completely healed, you know. Don’t worry, I can make the meat loaf.” Putting an impish grin on her face, Desiree added, “I know your secret recipe by heart.”

  “I never gave you my secret recipe.”

  Desiree burst into a short laugh. “Mama, I’ve watched you enough times. You thought I wasn’t paying attention, but I was.”

  An hour later, they were all seated around the dining room table, having meat loaf with mashed potatoes, green beans and hot, buttered corn muffins.

  “You did a wonderful job with the meat loaf,” Margaret complimented. “I guess you really were watching me while I cooked.”

  “I love cooking, Mama. I’d rather eat a nice home-cooked meal than go to a restaurant any day.” Desiree took another sip of her tea. “Oh, before I forget. I have to go by the real estate agent’s tomorrow after work. She needs another check stub before I close on Friday. Buying this town house has been nerve-racking. I’ll be so glad once this is over and I’m in my own place.” Smiling, she added, “Just think. I’m going to be a home owner.”

  “You did the smart thing,” Barton stated. “I tell the young people that work at the factory this all the time. If you can buy a house or something—do it. Don’t throw your money away on rent. God bless the child that’s got its own—that’s what my dad used to tell me all the time.”

  “You have everything you need?” Margaret inquired.

  Desiree reached for another muffin as she nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I have most everything with me from the apartment in Dallas. I didn’t throw away much—I knew I’d be buying a place when I came back home.”

  “You know a lot of girls wouldn’t have moved back to Summerset after living in Dallas.”

  “I guess I’m just a small-town girl.” Desiree sliced off a piece of meat loaf and placed it in her mouth. After a moment, she said, “The main reason I even wanted the promotion to assistant bank manager was because the job was located here in Summerset.”

  They continued to talk as they finished their dinner.

  Barton helped Desiree clean the kitchen while her mother made herself comfortable in the family room.

  “So, you’re gonna have your first real singing lesson, huh?”

  “I sure am.”

  “You make sure you have some fun with this, Desi,” Barton advised.

  “I will, Daddy.”

  When they finished, Barton ambled over to join his wife on the sectional sofa to watch the news while Desiree made her way up the stairs to her bedroom to get ready.

  She quickly showered and changed into a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved cotton shirt. After brushing her hair and slipping on high-heeled sandals, Desiree left for the church.

  She drove the short distance and parked. Desiree glanced down at her watch before climbing out of her car. She was fifteen minutes early for her singing lesson. There were several other cars parked around the church, she noticed, but had no idea whether Bradley had already arrived.

  Desiree half hoped that he hadn’t. She wanted some time alone to pull herself together before having to deal with him.

  However when she walked into the church, Desiree found he had beaten her there and was seated in front of the piano playing a soft tune she didn’t recognize.

  He glanced up at her entrance and nodded a greeting.

  “I didn’t expect you to be here this early,” she stated.

  “I don’t like to be late.”

  “Oh,” was her soft reply. Although Bradley’s face appeared calm, he didn’t seem to be in the best of moods. Some of the excitement she initially experienced dissipated. I’m supposed to have fun with this, Desiree reminded herself before pasting on a casual smile.

  Dropping her purse on the front pew, she said, “I’m ready to get started. Do you want me in the choir stand?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  A few minutes later with microphone in hand, Desiree was ready.

  “First, we’re going to do a warm-up exercise. Listen carefully. Do re mi fa sol la ti do re mi fa sol la ti do…”

  Desiree did as she was told. After the fourth time, two octaves lower, she wanted to scream.

  “Now let’s try it one more time,” Bradley directed.

  “Why? Am I doing something wrong?”

  “Ms. Coleman, we’re wasting time.”

  Desiree chewed on her bottom lip to keep from responding.

  “Relax, Ms. Coleman. After this, we will move on to the next part of our lesson.”

  She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Do re mi fa sol la ti do…”

  As soon as she finished the scale, Desiree asked, “Can I sing something now?”

  Bradley didn’t bother to conceal his amusement. “I’d like for you to sing ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’”

  I most certainly didn’t hear him correctly, she thought. Giving Bradley a questioning look, she murmured, “Excuse me?”

  “You do know it, don’t you? I thought it was the national anthem for children.”

  “Yes, I know the song, Mr. Rhodes,” she snapped. “I just can’t believe you’re serious.”

  He met her gaze. “I am very serious.”

  He’s trying to humiliate me, she kept telling herself. I am not going to let this man get to me.

  Desiree reluctantly did as he asked. “‘Row, row, row your boat…’”

  Bradley cut her off before she could get to “gently down the stream.” “Eh…Desiree, you don’t have to sing so loud. You’re pulling up your chest to create sound.” He paused and began again. “You’re overpowering your singing.”

  “I want people to hear me.”

  “Now who’s got the ego?”

  Rolling her eyes at him, Desiree twisted her mouth into a frown. “You know I didn’t mean it that way.”

  “Let’s try it again.”

  “This is not singing, Mr. Rhodes,” Desiree complained. “I want to do some real singing. You are just trying to make me so frustrated that I’ll quit.”

  “I’m not doing anything like that. One thing you need to remember is that you have to crawl before you can walk. It’s very important that you understand exactly what your range is—the physical mechanics behind sin
ging and that you know what is happening when you sing. It’s the only way to utilize your voice to its full potential.”

  “Whatever…” Desiree muttered under her breath.

  He turned in his seat around to face her. “Did you say something? Ms. Coleman, do you know what I mean when I say sing in your chest voice, your middle voice or your head voice?”

  “No.”

  “If you continue singing the way you do, you’re going to experience a tightness in your throat or larynx. You have to do proper warm-ups and warm-downs, Ms. Coleman. I mean if you’re not willing to cooperate, we can just forget the lessons. However, you will not be allowed to sing in the choir per our agreement.”

  She sighed in resignation. “I’m ready. Let’s just do it.”

  Bradley eyed her for a moment.

  “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  He surprised himself by laughing. This pint-size woman was something else.

  By the end of the lesson, Desiree wanted to wrap her hands around Bradley’s throat she was so frustrated. Her eyes filled with unshed tears.

  “I’ll see you on Thursday for your next lesson?”

  She could only nod in response. Desiree put away her microphone and rushed out of the choir stand.

  “That man is such a hateful person,” she muttered as she stormed out of the church. “This is not going to work.”

  “Desiree…”

  She heard him call her name but kept going.

  Bradley called her a second time.

  Desiree tossed an angry look across her shoulder. “Right now I have nothing to say to you, Mr. Rhodes. I just want to go home.”

  “You forgot your purse,” he announced dryly. Bradley stood near the bottom step and waited for her to walk back.

  Desiree took her handbag from him. “Thank you,” she acknowledged before turning on her heel.

  “Have a good evening,” he called out.

  This time she didn’t bother to respond. Desiree unlocked her car and got in. She drove away from Peaceful Rest Church with a heavy heart.

  “Well Desiree, you certainly messed this one up,” she muttered.

  She was grateful to find that her parents had already gone to bed because she didn’t feel like talking to anyone.

  Seated at the breakfast table in the dimly lit kitchen after making a sandwich, she replayed her interaction with Bradley in her mind while she ate.

  “When did you get in?” her father inquired from behind her. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Not too long ago. I thought you and Mama were asleep.”

  “Naw. Just watching some TV.”

  “Want me to make you a sandwich?” Desiree offered.

  Barton shook his head. “I’m going to fix a bowl of ice cream for your Mama.”

  He removed a bowl from a nearby cabinet and opened the refrigerator. “How did your singing lessons go?”

  Desiree glanced up at her father. “Horribly.”

  Barton sat down across from her. “What happened, sweetie pie?”

  She gave him a recap of her evening.

  Her father reached over, covering her hand with his large one. “It sounds as if this Bradley Rhodes knows what he’s talking ’bout.”

  “Yeah, he does,” she admitted grudgingly. “And I guess he was right.” Desiree wiped her mouth with a napkin before saying, “Daddy, I threw a tantrum. I’m so embarrassed.”

  Barton chuckled. “Sweetie pie, everything will be okay. But I want you to remember something. You have to crawl before you can walk.”

  “Bradley said as much,” she murmured. Desiree pushed away from the table. “I’m going to do some praying. Right now I just feel like giving up the dream. Maybe I was wrong. Singing is not for me.”

  Chapter Six

  “You have company,” Margaret announced from the doorway of Desiree’s bedroom. Her mouth twitched with amusement. “He’s a nice-looking man, I have to tell you.”

  Looking up from her laptop computer, Desiree asked, “Who is it, Mama?” She hadn’t been expecting anyone.

  Margaret strolled into the room and whispered, “I think it’s that Bradley Rhodes. I heard he was a fine looker.”

  “What is he doing here?” Desiree wondered aloud. She wanted to believe that he’d sought her out of simple interest but she knew better.

  “Go on out there and find out.”

  “Mama, why are you so excited? The man hates me.”

  “He wouldn’t be here if that was true.”

  Desiree shook her head. “I’m sure it’s not what you’re thinking. Mama, Bradley and I… It just wouldn’t work.”

  “I’m here to tell you, chile. That man is interested in you. He wouldn’t be here in this house otherwise.”

  “He probably came to tell me that he’s not going to work with me anymore.”

  Margaret shook her head no. “I don’t believe that for a minute.”

  Desiree nodded. “I’m sure of it. Bradley doesn’t want to give me anymore lessons.” Her bottom lip trembled as she rose to her feet.

  “I think you should hear him out before you decide the worst,” Margaret stated.

  “Bradley and I just don’t work well together. I’m not going to give up though—I’ll just find another teacher.”

  “You won’t know what he wants until you go out there and talk to him. Now go.”

  Desiree nodded. “I’d better go get this over with.”

  “I’ll be back here if you need me.”

  Desiree gave her mother a brave smile. She vowed not to break down in tears when Bradley gave her the news. With each step she took, Desiree kept reminding herself that not working with him would be best. He was a temperamental man, blunt to the point of rudeness. They would never get along, no matter how handsome he was.

  She found Bradley standing in front of the fireplace looking at the photographs on the mantel when she rounded the corner, entering the living room.

  He turned around to face Desiree.

  She lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting for so long.”

  “I thought maybe you were still mad at me.”

  “It would be a waste of my time.”

  Bradley’s eyebrows raised in surprise over her comment.

  Desiree met his gaze this time. “I know why you came. You don’t want to be my teacher anymore, right?”

  He broke into a grin. “That’s not it at all. I’ve come to apologize. I’m sorry for the way things ended.”

  She could hardly believe her ears. Surely she’d misunderstood the words that had come out the great Bradley Rhodes’s mouth.

  “Did you hear me?”

  “I think so,” she responded slowly. “It sounded like you apologized.” Desiree leaned against the back of her father’s favorite leather recliner.

  “I did. Last night I did some thinking and realized that maybe I was too hard on you on Tuesday. We’ve really gotten off to a bad start and for that, I’m sorry.”

  Desiree broke into a smile. “I owe you an apology as well.”

  “For what?”

  “I usually don’t throw tantrums, Bradley. All my life I’ve wanted nothing more than to sing.”

  He nodded in understanding.

  “I was a bit overzealous and I’m sorry.”

  “Desiree, from what I heard Tuesday night, there are a few things you need to really work on. One is learning to sing on pitch and your range. This has to do with cord strengthening and smoothing out the bridges. Your vocal cords must be stretched and strengthened. Before you can work on this, however, you have to know what it all means.”

  “You’re right, because I have no clue what you’re talking about.” Desiree paused a heartbeat before adding, “Do you think I have a chance?”

  “Singing on pitch once your breaks are smoothed out is very easy. There are only a few reasons why people can’t sing on pitch. One is that they don’t allow themselves to absorb or hear the tones before doing scale
work or they haven’t done any scale work at all.”

  “It’s a lot of work, I see.”

  “If you’re not willing to continue the lessons, I’ll understand and you don’t have to worry. I won’t kick you out of the choir, but it might be better if Alton or Nina works with you.”

  Shaking her head, Desiree replied, “I’d like to keep working with you.”

  Bradley seemed surprised.

  “You’re supposed to be the best,” Desiree elaborated further. “I’m more than willing to pay you for your time.”

  Shaking his head no, Bradley stated, “Keep your money.”

  “You’re sure? I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of you. I know you work with professionals all the time and I’m sure they pay for your services.”

  “I don’t need your money. You don’t have to pay me.”

  “Thank you so much, Bradley.” Desiree couldn’t get over how nice he was acting. She couldn’t help but wonder what had come over him. Thank you, Jesus, she cried silently.

  “Have you eaten?”

  Oh, my goodness. Is he asking me on a date? She wondered. “No, I haven’t,” Desiree replied.

  “I was thinking about grabbing a bite to eat before our lesson tonight. Would you like to join me?”

  “I’d love to have dinner with you. Just give me a few minutes to freshen up and I’ll be ready.”

  Bradley took a seat on the sofa while Desiree strolled off to her bedroom.

  Margaret was in her room waiting for her.

  “Mama, Bradley and I talked. Everything is fine now. He even apologized.”

  “I told you Desi Mae, that man has an interest in you,” Margaret insisted. She picked up a comb off the dresser and handed it to her daughter. “He wouldn’t have come over here just to do some apologizin’. If that’s all he wanted, he would’ve done it when he saw you at church on Sunday.”

  After combing through her hair, Desiree touched up her makeup. “It’s not a date or anything, Mama. We’re just having dinner. It’s probably Bradley’s way of trying to make up for being so mean to me.”