Silent Praise

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Melanie bit her lip to keep from blurting out a big “No.” Instead, she closed her eyes and prayed. “Lord, I don’t know what to do. I need Your guidance. Help me make the right decision.”

  Love covers a multitude of sins.

  Melanie received the thought breathed into her spirit. She opened her eyes and looked into Tricia’s warm ones. “I’m going. I love Rachel even if …” Melanie jutted her chin. Love did not need a reason. Love is. It was not dependent on anything.

  “I love Rachel. I’ll be there,” Melanie said.

  Tricia smiled. “Tres Amigas.”

  16

  “I plead not guilty, Your Honor,” Francis stated into the microphone. He stood next to his defense attorney, David Rufalo.

  From his seat in the rear of the courthouse, Chase’s eyes widened. He nudged Judd on the arm. Cameras flashed and members of the press scribbled furious notes.

  Nadine jumped up from her seat in the front row. “Are you serious?” Before anyone could anticipate her next move, Nadine bounded through the small partition. Her black pants suit helped her pounce on Francis’ back with ease. She hammered his head with her fists.

  “You monster. I hate your lying, cheating guts,” Nadine screamed. Her parents rushed out of their seats. But, the press blocked their path.

  “Get off me.” Francis grabbed Nadine’s hair. Nadine bit his arms. Francis’s blood curling scream would be viewed on YouTube across the nation. When she tore her teeth away, his puncture wounds were clearly visible.

  Judd vaulted out of his seat and raced toward the melee. The bailiffs sprung into action, prompting Chase to remain in his position.

  “Stop it this instant!” Judge Wilkinson roared. “Mrs. Ashton, leave my courthouse before I have you arrested for assault.” He banged his gravel but Nadine latched like a monkey. It took some effort before the guards pried Nadine off Francis’ back. Nadine kicked and screamed before Judd scooped her into his arms.

  Judd held onto Nadine as she wept in his arms. He led her out of the courthouse, shielding her face from the flashing cameras. That picture was sure to hit front-page news. Once Judd and Nadine had departed, calmness ensued. Nadine’s parents made as dignified an exit as they could, shielding their faces from the cameras.

  “Mrs. Ashton will be banned from future proceedings,” the judge said. “While I understand her emotional turmoil, I cannot tolerate any outbursts in my courtroom.”

  “Judge, may we take a break?” David asked. “My client needs emergency care.”

  Chase had to agree. Francis’ Canali classic fit grey stripe suit looked ragged and torn. Nadine had one wicked temper when riled. She-Claw. Judd had met his match.

  Judge Wilkinson shook his head. “No break.” Then glared at the press. “And, no more cameras. I can’t have this circus in my courtroom.”

  “But—”

  The judge held up a hand. “But, nothing. I’ll grant Mr. Ashton five minutes to comb his hair and tend to his hand. Then we’ll resume with the proceedings.”

  David nodded. Chase was not surprised at Judge Wilkinson’s lack of empathy. Francis and David walked past him huddled together. During the break, Melanie and Tricia slipped inside the courtroom.

  Chase eyed Melanie’s black jacket, cream undershirt tucked neatly into a figure-hugging black floral skirt, and nude stilettos and gulped. Her eyes widened when she spotted him. Her face held a light blush. Melanie lifted a hand and gave a small wave.

  Chase returned the wave before his feet led him in her direction. He nodded at Tricia and reached over to kiss Melanie’s cheek. Chase knew he should pull away but he lingered. He smelled coconut and almonds. He placed another light kiss on Melanie’s cheek. Then he stepped back.

  “Good seeing you,” he signed.

  Melanie raised a brow. “You’re learning sign language,” she said.

  Chase smiled. “I’m very motivated.”

  “I think it’s sweet,” Tricia spoke and signed. She looked around. “I heard Francis’ wife attacked him.”

  Chase nodded. He made sure Melanie could see his lips before answering. “Yes, she was like a ninja in black. Nadine won’t be allowed back in court.”

  “We saw her in the hallway with your partner,” Melanie said.

  Francis returned into the courtroom.

  Chase felt his phone vibrate and pulled it out of his pocket. “That’s Judd. I’ll be back. Save me a seat,” he said to Melanie before going through the door.

  “Where are you?” Chase asked. “Are you with She-Claw?” He walked over the huge window and looked down into the courtyard.

  “What did you call her?” Judd asked. He did not wait for an answer. “I’m in Nadine’s town car. Her parents hired a car service. We just dropped them off at their hotel.”

  Chase dropped his voice to a whisper. “You need to stay away from her.”

  “I can’t. I can’t leave her alone.”

  “Judd, think about what you’re doing. Please.”

  “I don’t want to think. I want to feel.”

  Chase looked around to make sure he did not have any ears. “She’s all over the news. Cool the heat a little. It’s all about timing.”

  “I’ll talk to you.”

  The line went dead.

  Chase toyed with his phone. Judd had better be careful. Chase discerned hurt at the end of that romance novel. The Goodman’s were not about to sit by and let their precious daughter be with Judd. Chase knew their type. There were few men of color in their circles. Judd lacked money or degrees. His chances of acceptance were slim.

  But Judd was his own man. And, Nadine was no pushover. Chase shrugged. He had his own romance to write. Chase realized there was no telling love what to do. His heart was at its mercy.

  He returned to the packed courtroom. Melanie scooted over. It was a tight fit but Chase hunkered down next to her. His thigh grazed hers.

  Chase reached over and clasped her hand into his. He gave her a light squeeze and she tensed. Chase groaned. From the corner of his eye, he saw her poked lips. Too bad. He was holding on tight. Chase wanted to kiss Melanie’s pink glossed mouth. Instead, he raised her clasped hand toward his mouth. He licked the back of her hand before lowering it onto his lap.

  Tricia tilted her head around Melanie’s body to take in the scene. Chase bit back a smile.

  He barely registered the rest of the proceedings. Francis was remanded into custody and Rachel was led inside. It was three minutes before 10:00 a.m. Skip Wilson strolled toward the defense table. Chase took that lull time to face Melanie.

  “Let’s go out, tonight,” he said.

  Melanie rolled her eyes and tugged her hand out of his grasp. Chase held on.

  “I’ll release you if you let us have our first date,” he whispered. The first of many dates if Chase had his way. Judd and Nadine would be married and expecting their fourth child before Chase and Melanie’s first date if he did not act. It was time to boot this romance into gear and out of neutral.

  “Okay. Pick me up at seven,” Melanie whispered.

  “Deal.” Chase released her hand.

  Judge Wilkinson asked Rachel to enter her plea.

  Her, “Not guilty,” was followed with whispers but no uproar. Chase breathed a sigh of relief. Melanie’s body trembled next to him and he looked over to see her crying.

  Chase put his arms around her and Melanie leaned into his embrace. Tricia then rested her head on Melanie’s arm. Chase stretched his hand to give Tricia’s shoulder a light squeeze.

  They held that position until the next case was called. Chase scuttled the women out into the hall. The waterworks exploded.

  Chase uttered words of comfort as they cried.

  “She looked so … alone and scared.” Tricia hiccupped as she signed and spoke.

  “I can’t bear to see her in handcuffs,” Melanie said.

  Chase made his way with the women toward the restroom. They withdrew from his arms and went inside to compose themselves.r />
  While he waited, Chase pulled up YouTube and typed in Nadine’s name in the search bar. There were dozens of clips posted online already. In the space of an hour, her outburst had gone viral.

  He played the one with two hundred thousand views. Chase’s mouth popped open when he saw the clip of Judd scooping Nadine in his arms. Nadine had gazed into Judd’s face before cradling her head into his chest.

  The gossip reporter’s words made Chase’s stomach clenched. Nadine Ashton was seen exiting the courthouse in the arms of her personal Black Hulk. Forget about Francis. That kidnapping thief is going down. We all want to know, who is Judd Armstrong?

  17

  “What are you doing going out with a cop?” Melanie glanced at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and plumped her lips with Wet n Wild Red-Dy or Not balm stain. “You know you don’t date cops.”

  Yet she had been glued to Chase at court. His presence soothed her. She would not have made it without him earlier that day.

  Dressed in a cream-colored chemise, Melanie walked over to her closet. She pulled out a red mini-dress and shimmied into it. Then she slipped her feet into black pumps before retrieving her sweater coat. It was a balmy 75 degrees but the weather could drop a good 15 degrees before the night was over.

  Melanie returned to the bathroom and pulled her hair up into a messy bun. At 6:59, she saw her lights flash, which meant Chase had pressed the doorbell. Chase was punctual. She grabbed her purse and bustled to open the door.

  Chase leaned against the door jam. In his blue shirt and tan khakis against those green eyes, Melanie swallowed to keep from drooling. It had been two weeks since she had seen Chase. Two weeks too long, her eyes told her.

  “You look stunning,” Chase said, moving closer.

  Reading his lips made Melanie think of kissing. She wanted to taste them again. Melanie wondered if the searing kiss they had shared had been a fluke. There was only one way to find out. Chase must have read her thoughts because his eyes darkened.

  “If you keep looking at me like that I’ll … Oh what the heck.” Chase grabbed Melanie’s head and pulled her against him. His lips met hers. Melanie accepted all Chase had to give. She closed her eyes, welcoming the sensations rocking her body. She could spend forever in Chase’s arms and it would not be enough. That feeling scared but exhilarated her.

  Then Chase broke the kiss. He tapped her lips. “I must do that again. But later.” He stepped back and glanced at his watch. “We had better get going. I plunked some money into these last minute tickets and...” The rest of his words were lost as Chase lowered his head.

  Melanie patted him on his chin.

  Chase blushed. “I’m sorry. I said let’s go because we’re going to the Barbara B. Mann Theater in Fort Myers. I bought tickets to The Phantom of the Opera.”

  Melanie locked the door behind her. Her shoe slid on something. She tilted her heel and saw an envelope underneath. She knew without looking it was another letter from Janet. Melanie bent down and shoved it under her door.

  When she rose, Melanie met Chase’s curious gaze. “It’s a letter from my mother,” she found herself saying, although Melanie did not feel she owed Chase an explanation.

  Chase crooked his head. “Are you ever going to read them?”

  Melanie shook her head. “Let’s not waste this beautiful night on that discussion.” She walked over to Chase’s vehicle and waited for him to open her door.

  Chase let her inside and ran around the front to his side. When he was settled, Melanie tugged his sleeve. “You like musicals?”

  “My mother did. When my brother and I were younger, we had to sit through The Sound of Music. I think I’m the only grown man who knows the lyrics and the lines to that film.”

  Melanie smiled. “I love anything involving the arts. I didn’t know The Phantom of the Opera was on tour. I would have dragged Tricia with me. She hates watching musicals, says people breaking out in song at random moments is ridiculous.”

  Chase grinned. “I’ll gladly be your partner.” He tilted his head. “How do you keep up with the show considering there’s music?”

  Melanie closed her eyes. “I feel it. I can’t explain it to you but the beat fills every part of me, from my feet all the way up to my heart. I love the dramatic scenes and the costumes.” She opened her eyes, touched her heart, and smiled. “I’ll enjoy every minute of the performance. I might not be able to hear it as you do but it still touches me.”

  Chase returned her smile. Melanie’s heart flip-flopped. She liked the idea of Chase being her partner.

  He turned on the car and backed out of the driveway. Soon they were on US 75. Chase drove at a fast but safe speed. He was a good driver. Melanie relaxed into her seat, knowing a conversation was not possible.

  Melanie slanted her eyes toward Chase. She watched him navigate the two-lane highway, admiring the jut of his jaw and returning the occasional smile he flashed her way. When Chase reached over to take her hand in his, Melanie stiffened. The urge to remove her hand was strong. A part of her feared allowing Chase to get close to her. Another part of her knew there was no resisting.

  Chase rubbed his thumb along the inside of Melanie’s palm. Instantly, her heart rate increased. Go with the flow, she told herself.

  Chase made the thirty-minute ride in twenty. By the time they pulled into the lot, Melanie was more than ready for another kiss. She willed herself to think of a Bible verse, do anything but stare at the gorgeous man opening her door.

  Chase grasped her hand to help her out of the vehicle. Heat seared through her body. Melanie leaned into Chase and hugged him.

  Chase withdrew slightly. He cupped her face in his hands. “I’m loving your first voluntary physical contact and believe me I could stay in this position for an eternity, but the show starts in five minutes.”

  Melanie scooted close. “I want to kiss you.”

  Chase’s eyes darkened. “Now?”

  Melanie nodded.

  He chuckled. “I’ll never get you women and your timing but I’m more than happy to comply.” His tongue darted out to lick her lips.

  Melanie captured his head in her hands. Closing her eyes, she kissed Chase with every ounce of passion she could muster.

  Chase deepened the kiss.

  Melanie.

  Melanie heard the warning call from within and broke contact. She scurried across the lot to the entrance of the Barbara B. Mann Theater. Chase caught up to her.

  “I had to get moving. You’re going to make us late,” she teased.

  Chase turned Melanie to face him. “Me?” His eyes widened. “I make it a policy to grant a beautiful woman’s wishes every chance I get.”

  They made their way through the queue and one of the attendants directed them to their seats in the lower mezzanine.

  “You ran off like horses were chasing you,” Chase commented, once they were settled.

  Melanie knew she blushed. “I heard God talking to me. I knew I had to stop.”

  He squinted. “Heard? How can that be?”

  Melanie shrugged. “God talks everybody’s language, even mine. I feel Him. I know His voice.”

  Chase nodded, but Melanie knew he would never understand. God spoke to her like He did everyone else. She knew it and He knew it. Melanie figured that was one of God’s mysteries. She was not in a hurry to figure it out.

  The curtains opened and the lights dimmed. Clutching Chase’s hand, Melanie tuned her attention to the show.

  ***

  Chase enjoyed watching Melanie’s face throughout the performance. There were times where her eyes popped wide and her mouth hung open as she soaked up the scene unfolding before her.

  If he had not known, there was no way Chase would peg Melanie as a deaf person. His admiration for her grew. She had a rough childhood but still embraced the whimsy of the arts. He watched as her eyes filled at the end of the performance.

  Something in the back of his mind rose to the forefront. The letter. The cop i
n him questioned Melanie’s actions. He wanted to ask her more about it but Chase did not want to spoil her good mood.

  Maybe he should let her deal with her mother in her own way. Melanie had been doing fine without his interference for all these years. He needed to mind his business.

  But, Chase could not let the matter rest.

  They stopped at Bistro 41 to eat and Melanie rambled on about the opera. While she spoke, Chase visualized the letter. Melanie said she kept them in a drawer. How could she not be interested in reading them?

  Chase covered his own curiosity with engaging conversation. He was proud his tongue had not betrayed him. It behaved until he pulled into Melanie’s driveway.

  “Thank you so much for tonight,” Melanie said with warmth in her eyes.

  “Are you going to invite me inside?” Chase asked.

  Her eyes frosted. “You know better than to ask me that. It’s close to midnight.” Melanie opened the door and jumped out. She fumbled in her bag presumably to dig for her house keys.

  Chase rushed out the vehicle and grabbed Melanie’s hand. He made her look at him. “I want to see them,” he said.

  Melanie’s brows furrowed. “What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense. What do you want to see?”

  “Your mother’s letters. I think it’s time you opened them.”

  18

  Who did he think he was? Chase had overstepped his bounds. Melanie turned away from him. “I’ve got work in the morning. I’ll call you,” she said, through gritted teeth.

  Chase rested a hand on her shoulder. He walked into her field of vision. “If you’re secure with God and your family as you say, why are you scared to read them? How could a few letters from your mother hurt you?”

  Melanie glared. “Janet’s in my past. I have no desire to go back there.”

  Chase caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “You’re still in the past. Your closet scare is proof of that. Your past helped to shape your entire life. You can’t run from it.”