How Sweet the Sound

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “Why don’t you both sit down at the table and eat?” her mother said. “I’ll go get the string beans and corn bread out of the car.” Not waiting for an answer, her mother practically ran out of the house.

  Slow steps brought her father back into the room. “I’ll wash up in the bathroom.”

  Grace plucked two more plates from the cabinet. Her mother would have to be the buffer as usual. Her father’s leaving had always hurt her so badly. She had depended on and loved him so much and he had let her down. It was difficult for her to completely forget.

  “I’m back,” her mother called as she reentered the house. Seeing the three plates in Grace’s hands, she didn’t comment, just put the chicken and dumplings in a serving dish and helped set the table.

  They were seated across from each other when her father returned. Taking a seat at the small dining table, he blessed the food in his deep baritone voice that he had once thought was his ticket to fame and fortune.

  “How was work today, Grace?” Once again her mother had to initiate conversation.

  Grace passed the bowl of garden-fresh snap beans. “Fine, until I had a meeting with the president.”

  “Everything’s all right, isn’t it?” her father asked.

  The concern in his voice was evident, and she had to admit, not surprising. “Yes.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” he asked, accepting the chicken and dumplings from her mother, but making no move to serve himself.

  Grace was still so annoyed about working with Caleb, she answered without her usual caution. She ended by saying she had just informed Pastor French and Alton.

  “Why, Grace, that’s wonderful!” Her mother beamed as she served her husband herself. “What an honor.”

  Grace wrinkled her mouth and accepted the dish from her mother. “It would be if I didn’t have to work with Caleb Jackson.”

  “What’s wrong with him?” her mother wanted to know.

  “Too many things to number,” Grace told her. The serving spoon clinked against the dish betraying her irritation. “He’s a wild card and likes his way too much. You never know what’s going to come out of his mouth. Dresses like some rock star, but the worse thing is that ungodly music his group has received such recognition for is more suitable for the unsaved. Close your eyes and you’d think you were in some club.”

  The dish plopped on the table with a thud. “I can’t stand that kind of music and can’t see how anyone else who claims to know the Lord can either.”

  Her mother’s sharp intake of breath made Grace realize what she’d said. Slowly she turned to look at her father. She might as well have been talking about him instead of Caleb.

  Head bowed, he continued eating his food. Remorse swept through Grace. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. “I’m sorry.”

  His head came up. She saw pain and sorrow in his dark eyes. “Never regret saying what’s in your heart. You can’t help how you feel.”

  Grace’s throat stung. Mutely she stared at her mother, hoping she would save them both as she had so many times during the past two years since her father’s permanent return home.

  Her mother swallowed before she spoke. “The Lord looks at the hearts of men. Who are we to do any less?”

  Grace wasn’t sure if she had been saved or reprimanded; she only knew that her day had been going downhill since meeting with the president, and it wasn’t likely to get any better before the day was over.

  Chapter Three

  Grace arrived at Room C where Revelation practiced promptly at seven. She planned to be in and out in five minutes. She had papers to grade, lessons to prepare. Besides, she didn’t want to spend any more time with Caleb than absolutely necessary.

  Pushing the door open, she wasn’t surprised to find Caleb surrounded by the nine people who made up Revelation. He leaned negligently against the baby grand in the same jeans and shirt he’d worn earlier, only now his shirttail was hanging out. He looked as slovenly as the other male students who also favored jeans and untucked shirts. The entire group appeared engrossed in conversation with him. She was trying to think of a way to announce her presence when Caleb turned his head and looked directly at her.

  The funny sensation happened again in her stomach. She made a mental note to stay away from the cafeteria’s lasagna.

  “Hello, Professor Thompson.” Caleb straightened.

  The other students turned toward her and spoke. She returned the warm—if a bit puzzled—greeting and, realizing she was still standing by the door, she walked farther into the room. “Hello, everyone.”

  Caleb quickly made the introductions of the two female and two male singers, and the five members of the band that played bass, lead guitar, keyboard, drums and piano, then came to stand by her to face the students. “I know you’re wondering why Professor Thompson is here and I won’t keep you in suspense. Summerset’s city council, with the approval and best wishes of President Jenkins and the Board of Regents, would like Revelation and Professor Thompson’s church gospel choir to perform together at this year’s Harvest Celebration.”

  The young people looked as stunned as Grace had been when she heard President Jenkins make the announcement that morning.

  “Don’t all of you tell me how excited you are at once,” Caleb said, a teasing smile tugging the corners of his mouth.

  David, the keyboardist, folded his lanky arms across his oversize, gray Summerset sweatshirt. He’d been in Grace’s Music Theory class last year. “No offense, Professor Thompson, but I don’t think your choir can keep up with us.”

  “David’s right, Professor Thompson,” Carolyn, the lead soprano added with a wide smile at Caleb. “Dr. Jackson lets us really get down.”

  “Professor Thompson’s gospel choir can hold its own,” Caleb said, before Grace could defend her choir and their music. “They’re good. They’ve won top competition two years in a row. We still have to prove we can win the state competition two years in a row. I’d say we’re the ones who had better worry about keeping up.”

  Grace could only stare at Caleb in surprise. Of course she’d seen him when he visited her church, but he had always been gone when she came outside. She wasn’t aware that he thought so highly of her choir and knew of their recognition.

  “Never forget that the main purpose of Revelation is to glorify God just as Professor Thompson is doing with her gospel choir,” Caleb said. He turned slightly to stare down at her. “Isn’t that right?”

  “Yes,” Grace agreed, aware that he had given her the perfect opportunity to present her platform for more traditional songs. “That’s why the music for the Harvest Celebration should convey respect and reverence.” She ignored the few groans. “We have to be very careful with our selections.”

  Caleb’s dark brow lifted. “Why don’t we talk about the music selection after we meet with your choir tomorrow night? What time should I plan to be there?”

  Grace realized Caleb had dismissed her idea. She wanted to call him on it, but not in front of the students. “Around this same time should be fine.”

  “Great. I’ll see you out or would you like to stay and listen to us practice?” he asked.

  “No, thank you. I have lessons to plan.” She turned to the students. “I look forward to teaching you a new way of praise.”

  There wasn’t a smile to be seen at her announcement.

  “I’ll be back in a minute. Start the warm-up exercise.” Taking her arm, Caleb ushered Grace out the door.

  She pulled her arm free as soon as the door swung shut. “I can walk without your help.”

  “You can also mess this up.”

  She didn’t have to be a mind reader to know what he was talking about. “It won’t hurt for them to look at music a different way.”

  “It wouldn’t hurt you, either,” he returned.

  Grace didn’t like her words tossed back at her. Her chin went up a fraction. “I’m older and can understand better.”

  “Twenty-seven does not make
you Mother Wisdom. You can still make mistakes,” he said.

  One mistake in particular she didn’t want to think about. “Is that your way of saying I’m making one now?” she asked.

  “My students learn and listen because the music speaks to them. They aren’t interested in the traditional music you and I grew up with.” His face lowered to within inches of hers. “Times have changed, Grace, and unless we change we’re going to lose a lot of young people who think anyone over twenty-five doesn’t understand them.”

  “That may be right, but it doesn’t mean they can’t appreciate the traditional music as well,” she said, her hands on her hips.

  “The same can be said for you with contemporary pop.” His hands rested on his hips.

  “My choir is not going to sing with music better suited for a dance club.”

  His face inched closer. “We’ll just see about that.”

  “We certainly will.” Her chin jutted up higher.

  Caleb stared down into her mutinous, pretty face and somehow his gaze was caught by the curve of her mouth and refused to budge. A woman with a mouth so tempting shouldn’t be so argumentative. He blinked as the thought jumped into his head. Appalled, he straightened and took one a step back.

  Feeling off balance, he rubbed his hand over his face. “Grace,” he began then stopped because he had no idea what he was about to say.

  “Yes?” she said, staring at him strangely.

  Caleb tried to get it together. “If we can’t get along, how do we expect Revelation and your choir to? And no matter what either of us wants, we have to work together. We’re doing this for a purpose much bigger than either of us.”

  The fight went out of her. He was right. Again. She’d always prided herself on being reasonable and in control. Caleb seemed to bring out the worst in her. “I just have strong convictions.”

  He smiled and dimples winked in his face. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  For a moment she saw the winsome handsomeness that drew young and old, women and men, and felt drawn to it just as so many others were. She caught the answering smile before it could fully form. Lowell had been a charmer as well, but he had only wanted to use her. “Good night, Professor Jackson. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  “Good night, Grace.” Caleb watched Grace until she disappeared through the double glass doors leading to the parking lot. He had no idea what had happened earlier or why. The only thing he knew was that he had no business thinking about one of his teachers in that way, especially Grace, a woman who tried his patience every time they were together. Determined to put the incident out of his mind and assured he wouldn’t let it happen again, he reentered the music room.

  Back home Grace went to her bedroom and stared at her reflection in the mirror on the triple dresser. Her face was flushed, her eyes bright, her breathing erratic.

  Her eyes clamped shut. How could this have happened to her? How could she be attracted to a man like Caleb? Hadn’t Lowell taught her about handsome, charming men you couldn’t trust or depend on? If he hadn’t, her father certainly had.

  Opening her eyes, she turned away and sat on the edge of the queen-size bed. She hadn’t missed the way Caleb had been staring at her mouth. She wasn’t going to delude herself into thinking he might be interested in her. Women on and off campus were vying for his attention. As far as she knew, he wasn’t dating anyone steadily. In a town as small as Summerset she would have heard. His girlfriend was probably in another city. This time she wouldn’t let herself be made a fool of again and have people look at her with pity.

  Rising, she went to the second bedroom which she’d turned into an office and went over her lesson plans for the next day. Finished, she prepared for bed. After reading her Bible, she got on her knees and said her prayers. She ended them by asking, Please, Lord, help me to be strong and stay in Thy perfect will and lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil and evildoers. Amen.

  Climbing into bed, she pulled the covers over her shoulders. She might not be able to handle Caleb, but God could.

  Grace knew the exact second Caleb entered the sanctuary of Peaceful Rest Church. Every single female and most of the married ones stopped talking and stared. Grace could have shaken each and every one of them. Caleb Jackson’s head was big enough.

  She turned and watched him continue down the center aisle, his strides long and self-assured. Nothing had ever probably deterred him from doing what he wanted. As he rounded the podium and stepped up on the platform, the whispers became louder. She couldn’t keep the frown off her face. You’d think they’d never seen a handsome man before, the thought registered a second later. Her own eyes narrowed in annoyance at the both of them.

  “Good evening, Grace,” he greeted.

  “Hello, Professor Jackson.”

  His head turned to one side. “Don’t you think under the circumstances and to foster better relations it should be Caleb?”

  She didn’t, but with Alton a few feet away and practically vibrating to meet Caleb, it wasn’t the time to say so. She turned to Alton, already grinning and eager to meet Caleb. “Caleb Jackson, Alton Stone, the pianist and organist for Peaceful Rest.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Alton greeted as the two men shook hands warmly.

  “The same here,” Caleb said. “You can make that piano and organ talk.”

  Alton smile broadened. “Thank you.”

  Caleb turned to Grace. “You’re ready?”

  No, but I don’t have a choice, she thought, and from the twinkle in Caleb’s chocolate-brown eyes he knew what she was thinking. Resolutely, she faced the twenty-seven members, sure the five absent would regret they’d missed choir practice, and motioned everyone to come to attention.

  “I’m sure many of you have heard of Professor Caleb Jackson, the chair of the music department at Summerset. Under Professor Jackson’s leadership, the group known as Revelation won state honors last year for the first time in Summerset’s history.”

  Applause sounded and she had to wait for it to die down. Caleb inclined his head in acknowledgment and appreciation. Nina was among the last to stop applauding. Grace cut a glance at Alton to see if he minded, but he wore the same easygoing smile he always did. Nothing much got to Alton.

  “Peaceful Rest has also gained recognition with two competition wins and we will tie the record for number three the end of November,” Grace said.

  Caleb began the applause which was picked up by the choir. “Way to go!” he shouted.

  Grace lifted a brow. She could well imagine the revelry that went on during his practices. “Because of the success and recognition of Revelation and the gospel choir, Summerset’s city council has asked that both groups work together to present a gospel musical for the Harvest Celebration.”

  Shouts and applause filled the sanctuary. To Grace it was similar to the night they’d won the competition. “It will mean extra time at practice, of course, but we can do it, and the music ministry will reach people we might not otherwise reach.”

  “We’re behind you, Grace and Caleb,” Alton said, then faced the choir. “Isn’t that right?”

  Applause erupted again.

  Caleb chuckled and inclined his head to Grace. After only a moment’s hesitation, Grace did the same. Perhaps this was the beginning of a better working relationship.

  “Do we start practice tonight?” Nina asked, a wide, excited smile on her pretty face.

  “No. We have to decide on the music first,” Grace said, not looking forward to that discussion one bit.

  “Which we better do soon.” Caleb turned to her. “If you’re free tomorrow night we can meet for dinner at six at the Sirloin Grill.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw several female members elbowing each other and grinning. Grace’s mouth tightened in annoyance. She didn’t want anyone to be under the mistaken illusion that there might be anything remotely going on between them.

  “That gives you enough time before prayer
service, doesn’t it?” Caleb asked, his brows furrowed when she remained silent.

  Once again he had surprised her by remembering her schedule. She wondered if he was that well-acquainted with everyone’s agenda, but didn’t have time to think about it with him waiting for an answer. “Yes, thank you. I’ll be there.”

  Dimples winked in his handsome face as he flashed her a smile. “Great. My schedule is hectic tomorrow, so if I don’t see you on campus I’ll see you at the restaurant. If I’m running late, save us a booth.” Oozing with charm and good cheer, he faced the choir. “I’m looking forward to working with you. Good night, everyone.” With a friendly wave, he turned to leave.

  He hadn’t made it off the pulpit before she heard, “As the president of the choir, I think I should go with you, Grace.”

  “No. Me.”

  There was some good-natured arguing among the women. Grace gritted a smile and busied herself selecting the song they were to sing for Sunday service. Caleb was not going to disrupt the well-ordered life she had made for herself.

  Chapter Four

  She expected him to be late. He didn’t disappoint her.

  Through the plate glass window of the Sirloin Grill she saw Caleb whip his Corvette into the narrow parking space between a battered truck and her car. As usual, the top was down. He hopped out and started for the entrance. Since she had just glanced at her watch, she knew he was nine minutes late. She liked punctuality. Working with him was going to be impossible.

  When time passed and he didn’t come inside, she began to wonder why. Her fingers drumming on the table, she debated if she should go see what was keeping him. A woman most likely, she thought with renewed aggravation. Just then, the door opened and two elderly, white-haired women slowly entered. One used a walking stick. Caleb, who had been holding the door, came in after them. Taking their arms, he escorted them to a table near the buffet line and seated them.

  “Thank you, young man,” they said almost in unison with wide smiles.