How Sweet the Sound

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Alton grew quiet.

  “You don’t have to worry,” Bradley reassured him. “I’m not planning to just pack up without notice. I’m just talking long-term goals—nothing immediate.”

  “What’s the ultimate goal, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “I plan to get back into managing musicians. Building careers.”

  “Speaking of which, how are the singing lessons coming along with Desiree?”

  “She did much better on Thursday. I have to admit that she’s not as bad as I originally thought. Like you said, she’ll improve more and more with each lesson.”

  “Don’t forget the most important part, Bradley. Desiree really has a heart for singing to glorify God. I just don’t believe He would give her that dream and not provide her with the means to achieve it.”

  Bradley nodded in agreement. He hadn’t even considered that truth until now.

  Chapter Eight

  Bradley and Desiree spent the rest of the summer getting to know one another. She’d helped him find a three-bedroom house to rent until he decided whether or not he would be staying in Summerset indefinitely.

  Desiree secretly prayed he would because she was beginning to develop feelings for Bradley. Feelings that seemed to be reciprocal, she was sure of that much.

  The telephone rang, interrupting her thoughts.

  “Desiree Coleman speaking.”

  “It’s Bradley. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “No, not at all,” she replied quickly. The sound of his deep baritone voice wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Leaning back in her chair, she inquired, “How are you?”

  “I’m fine. What’s your schedule like for tonight?”

  “I’m free. What’s up?”

  “Nothing. Just wanted to take you to dinner, if you’re interested.”

  “I would love to have dinner with you.”

  They continued to talk for a few minutes more, making arrangements.

  When she hung up, Desiree exhaled a long sigh of contentment. She enjoyed spending time with Bradley, although there were those times when he would suddenly become silent and moody. During those times, he liked to be alone, he’d explained once when she’d assumed it was because of something she’d done. Desiree came to realize that this was just another facet of his personality. From some of their conversation, she discerned that Bradley was dealing with some pain from the past.

  That evening, Desiree changed clothes three times before deciding to wear a black pantsuit. She had just finished running her fingers through her curls to fluff up her hair when the doorbell rang.

  “Bradley’s here,” she heard her father call up the stairs.

  “I’ll be right down.” Desiree sent up a quick prayer for Bradley. Heavenly Father, I thank you for this day. I come before you asking your guidance for Bradley. He is a man filled with pain. Please help him and fill him with the joy he once had for You….”

  Her mother knocked softly before sticking her head inside. “Don’t keep the young man waiting, Desi Mae.”

  “I’m coming.”

  “Darling, you look beautiful,” Margaret complimented as they walked toward the staircase.

  Bradley did a double take when she descended the stairway and echoed her mother’s words.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Desiree broke into a big grin as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “Thanks.”

  He took her by the hand. “We should leave. Our reservations are for seven-thirty. I know you don’t like being out too late during the workweek.”

  “That’s so thoughtful, Bradley, thanks.”

  Once they were in the car, he announced, “I like you a lot, Desiree. I like the way this feels between us.”

  “I do, too,” she confessed.

  “We make good friends, don’t you think?”

  Desiree nodded.

  Bradley stunned her by abruptly changing the direction of their conversation. “There’s a gospel concert in Dallas on Friday night. Alton and I were thinking about going—what do you think of making it a foursome?”

  Desiree was surprised. When she found her voice, she said, “I would love to go. I know Nina will feel the same way. This is going to be so much fun.”

  “We can get two hotel rooms. Alton and I will share one room and you and Nina will have the other one.”

  Desiree agreed. “Works for me.”

  Bradley had made reservations for them at Nellie’s Restaurant, so there wasn’t a long wait for them after their arrival.

  Shortly after being seated, the waiter appeared to take their drink orders.

  “I’ll have a glass of iced tea, please,” she stated.

  “I’ll take tea also,” Bradley said when his turn came. They gave their food order and talked while they waited for their meals to arrive.

  Bradley reached across the table to take her hand. “Desiree, I want to see how far this goes. I—”

  Desiree interrupted by saying, “You want to be my boyfriend. My man.”

  His smile broadened in approval. “Yeah, I want to be your boyfriend.”

  “It’s official then, we’re a couple now.” Desiree held up her glass. “Here’s to us.”

  Bradley tapped his glass to hers. “You never cease to amaze me.”

  “Never boring, huh?”

  He laughed.

  After dinner they decided to take a walk through the downtown district.

  Bradley embraced her. “Why are you so quiet?”

  She looked up at him, studying his face. “I’m just thinking about us.”

  “What about us?”

  “I thought you were such a horrible man when I first met you, but getting to know you these past three months—you’re really sweet and very caring. You’re nothing like I first imagined.”

  His dark brown eyes narrowed speculatively. “Not even on my worst day?”

  Desiree shook her head. “Not even then.”

  Bradley wrapped an arm around her. “You bring out the best in me, sweetheart.”

  “I don’t know if I’d say that.” She grinned.

  He stopped walking. “I mean it. Desiree, you really have made me a much better man. I know I’m moody, rude and I can be selfish, but you’ve motivated me to push past all my issues to find a part of me that I’d long forgotten.”

  “You’re a good man, Bradley.” His handsome face was kindled with a warm masculine beauty enhanced by dark eyes and his many secret expressions. It was the mystery in Bradley’s eyes that beckoned to her irresistibly.

  Although Desiree wasn’t ready to share this with him, she was falling in love with Bradley.

  The Friday before Labor Day, Nina, Alton, Desiree and Bradley piled into his Pathfinder and drove to Dallas.

  Each time Desiree entered the city nicknamed the Big D, she was immediately awed by its billowing skyscrapers, modern architecture and wonderful shopping malls. For her, it was a great place to live during her college years but now she preferred living in Summerset and just coming into Dallas for weekend getaways.

  They arrived into the city around noon and had lunch.

  “So what are we going to do until it’s time for the concert tonight?” Alton asked.

  Nina picked up her water glass and took a sip. “I’d like to do some shopping. I haven’t been to the Galleria in months.”

  “Me, too,” Desiree chimed in. “That mall has some wonderful stores.”

  Bradley groaned. “Shopping? I hate shopping.”

  “You don’t have to go,” Nina returned. “You and Alton can stay in the hotel. I’m glad you have us staying near the Galleria.”

  “I had a feeling you ladies would want to do some shopping,” Bradley teased. “Just make sure you’re back in time for the concert. We want to get there early.”

  “We will be,” Desiree promised. “I’m not going to miss tonight for anything in the world. I’ve been looking forward to this concert all week. I can’t wait to hear Michael James sing.
His songs really minister to me.”

  Alton and Nina began to chatter animatedly about him, but Bradley didn’t utter a word.

  Desiree eyed him. He was in one of his moods, she decided.

  Four hours later, Desiree and Nina strolled into the lobby of their hotel carrying shopping bags from nearly all of the boutiques.

  On the elevator, Nina said, “Girl, I’m going to need another job just to pay off my credit card bill. I lost my mind once we saw all those stores.”

  “You bought some really cute clothes.”

  “So did you—only you are so much better with money. I have to keep reminding myself that I am a kindergarten teacher. I don’t make a whole lot of money.”

  “The sales were incredible, Nina. I don’t think you wasted money—you’ve got some great clothes.”

  “I guess. To tell the truth, I really needed some new stuff. When I get home, I’ll clean out my closet and donate all the clothes I can’t wear anymore to the women’s shelter.” Nina gave a short laugh. “I’m never going to be a size five again—I need to get used to it.”

  The elevator stopped on the eighth floor.

  Desiree checked her watch as they headed to their room. “We’d better get a move on. We don’t want to be late. Bradley will never let us live it down.”

  One hour later, the men knocked on their door.

  Nina ran to answer it. “We’re almost ready,” she said.

  Bradley glanced down at his watch. “Uh-huh.”

  “I heard that,” Desiree stated from across the room. “I’m just putting on my lipstick. That’s all.”

  “Uh-huh,” he muttered, causing Alton and Nina to burst into laughter.

  Desiree picked up her purse off the nearby desk and joined them by the door. “See, I’m ready.”

  “You ladies look beautiful,” Alton complimented.

  Bradley agreed.

  Nina and Desiree responded in kind. The foursome left the hotel room and headed to the elevator.

  While they waited, Nina gave a short overview of their shopping spree.

  “I just know you didn’t even buy me anything.” Alton teased.

  “Yes, I did,” Nina countered. “I bought you a tie.”

  They burst into laughter.

  The elevator car arrived, and its doors opened sluggishly. Bradley and Alton waited for Desiree and Nina to step inside before joining them.

  Bradley reached over and took Desiree’s hand as they rode down to the lobby.

  Nina gave Alton a gentle nudge and smiled.

  Desiree noticed Bradley’s mood seemed to change as soon as they arrived at the Majestic Theatre. He had become quiet and sullen.

  They were seated in the first row on the main floor, not too far from the stage—which delighted Desiree.

  When Michael James took the stage, she immediately stood up and clapped her hands. He was one of her favorite gospel singers. Although she still had a long way to go—Desiree was proud of how far she’d come with her own singing.

  Desiree glanced over at Bradley, who was still sitting down, a scowl on his face.

  She dropped down beside him. “I don’t understand what’s going on with you, Bradley. Why are you in such a rotten mood?” she whispered.

  “Just drop it, Desiree,” he whispered back. “I don’t want to go into it right now.” Bradley got up and stalked down the aisle and through the exit doors.

  Desiree nudged Nina and said, “We’ll be right back.” Getting up, she walked briskly behind him.

  When they were in the lobby area, Desiree confronted him. “Actually, I think now is the perfect time to talk about what’s bothering you, Bradley. We’re supposed to be here having a good time. I don’t want your mood swings to interfere with that.”

  “Just go back inside with your friends. I’m fine.”

  “I don’t agree.”

  “Desiree, I know how much you like Michael. Go on back inside. I’ll be there shortly.”

  “I came here with you, Bradley. You can’t just dismiss me like this. I won’t stand for it.”

  “Desiree, just stop hounding me,” he snapped. “I’ve already said I don’t want to go into this right now. Leave it alone.”

  Her eyes flashed in fury. “Don’t you go raising your voice at me, Mr. Rhodes. I am not your enemy.” Glaring at him, Desiree folded her arms across her chest. “You definitely need to change your attitude.”

  “You’re absolutely right,” he admitted sheepishly. “I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this.”

  “I’m really not trying to be nosy, Bradley. I just care about you. I care a lot. Plus, I thought we were friends.”

  He brushed his fingers across her cheek. “We are more than friends—you know that, sweetheart.”

  “Then please don’t shut me out.”

  Bradley sighed softly. “I thought I was beyond caring anymore. Michael James is who he is because of me, Desiree. I found him working as a janitor in South Carolina. I heard him singing when I went to use the bathroom in some hotel back there. I worked with him—paid for his clothes, his demo….”

  “Then he left you,” Desiree interjected. “Is that why you’re so upset?”

  “Wouldn’t you be?”

  “Tell me something, Bradley. Why do you do this—you know, help singers and choirs like you do if it upsets you so much? Is it just for the money?”

  “Money is a big part of it,” he confessed. “But I like the challenge that comes with it, too. I don’t just work with choirs for the sake of working with them—I’m looking for that next great singing sensation.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “Veronica…I wanted to make her a star.”

  Comprehension dawned, prompting Desiree to reply, “That’s why you agreed to come to Summerset. You came for Veronica.”

  “I did,” Bradley confessed. “She had that special something. I felt like my luck was changing.”

  “I see.”

  “Did you know her?”

  Desiree nodded.

  “Tell me about her. What was she like?”

  “Veronica wasn’t just a fabulous singer. She was a really nice person, too. She didn’t have a big ego or anything like that. She just wanted to glorify God with her talent. I miss her terribly because she was a good friend.”

  “I assumed as much. I regret never having the chance to meet her.”

  “Bradley, I hate to tell you this, but I think she would’ve disappointed you. She didn’t want record deals and concerts, things like that. Veronica was a small-town girl who just wanted to sing for the Lord.”

  “I might have convinced her otherwise.”

  “I doubt it. You may get mad with me for saying this, but I think you’ve lost yourself somewhere in this. I don’t think you’re doing this for God, Bradley.” Desiree paused for a second before adding, “You have your own agenda.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “This should be totally about God. Only what you do for Him will last, Bradley.”

  “Yeah,” he muttered. “Desiree, music is my life. When I was out there doing secular music—God convicted my heart. It’s because of Him that I gave up performing. But I didn’t sign on to be a nobody. I love being on top. I want to be on top again—it’s not like I’m managing secular performers. All of my people sing gospel. Yet I’m still hitting these setbacks. When I was in the secular world, I didn’t have these problems.”

  “It sounds to me like you’re a bit reluctant to give God your all.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I mean it. Bradley, you should put God first in this. Maybe that’s why things are going the way they are.”

  “Don’t preach to me, Desiree. I’m not in the mood.”

  “Why do you insist on being such a jerk at times?”

  Bradley broke into a short bark of laughter. “Now I’m a jerk?”

  Desiree didn’t back down. Lifting her chin in a defiant manner, she responded, “Yes, you are. A big o
ne at that.” Desiree pointed to the doors leading back to their seats. “I’m going inside. Are you coming with me?”

  He gave her a slight smile and nodded.

  After the concert, they stopped to have dessert before returning to the hotel.

  “What happened to you, Bradley?” Nina wanted to know. “You disappeared on us in the middle of Michael’s performance and you missed the first part of Rizen’s.”

  He stole a peek at Desiree before responding. “I needed to get some air.”

  “Oh. Well, you missed it. You could really feel the Holy Spirit moving around the room.”

  Desiree concentrated on her cheesecake. She knew Bradley was trying to keep the bitterness he felt toward Michael James at bay. She’d also discovered that he once managed the group Common as well. They’d performed after Michael. Reaching out, Desiree took his hand in hers.

  Nina seemed to sense something going on but kept her comments to herself; however, Desiree didn’t miss the curious glances that passed between her friend and Alton.

  Later when she and Nina were in their hotel room getting ready for bed, Nina asked, “What’s up with Bradley?”

  Climbing into bed, Desiree plumped up her pillows. “He’s moody, Nina. But tonight was more than that. He used to manage Common and Michael James. He feels used after the way they treated him.”

  “I didn’t know that. What did they do?”

  “They fired him. He made them stars and they fired him. Moved on to the big boys, I guess.”

  Nina wrapped a scarf around her head. “That’s too bad. I guess I can understand how hard tonight must have been for him. I’m surprised he wanted to come in the first place. Why do you think he suggested we come?”

  Shrugging her shoulders, Desiree replied, “He was backstage talking to someone—I think it was a friend of his. Maybe he came to see him.”

  “I guess,” Nina muttered.

  Desiree was still awake long after Nina had fallen asleep. She was worried about Bradley. “Dear Lord, I want to help him…just show me what I need to do. What I need to say…”

  “Bradley, you okay?”

  He glanced over his shoulder to look at Alton. “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

  “It just seemed like…like you were bothered by something.”