Second Chance Hero (12 page)

Chapter Twelve

V
erity nodded her thanks to Nate—that's how she thought of him now, even if she still used the more formal Mr. Cooper when she said his name aloud.

The two of them had just finished singing all three selected songs for the children. She had enjoyed singing with him today every bit as much as she had yesterday. Once Zella returned, would he consider joining the choir? It would be nice to sing alongside him every Sunday. Would the experience be the same as part of a larger group?

But right now it was time to focus on the gathered group of sixteen children. “So what do you all think? Doesn't that sound like a great program?”

Her question was met with mostly smiles and nods, but she also made note of the few who looked doubtful.

“Today we're going to focus on practicing ‘Jesus Loves Me.'” That was the easiest and the one most familiar to the children. Hopefully it would help build the confidence of those who were feeling a bit overwhelmed.

“But we all already know that one, Mrs. Leggett,” Derbin said.

“But do you know all four verses?”

“There's
four
verses?”

“There are.” She looked around to include all the children in her remarks. “And I have an idea about how to perform this so that every one of you has an opportunity to really be heard.”

The children leaned forward slightly. She noticed that even Nate raised a brow at that.

“Since there are sixteen of you, and the song has four verses, I'm going to divide you up into four groups of four singers each, and each group will be responsible for one of the verses.”

“Do we get to pick which team we're on?”

Verity grinned at Jack's question. “No, Mr. Cooper and I will be figuring out the teams.” She held up a finger. “But first, let's sing the first verse, the one all of you know, all together so I can get a feel for each of your voices.”

She glanced toward Nate and without her saying a word he took his place at the piano. She turned back to the children. “Form a line here in front of me, oldest to youngest.”

The kids scrambled to do as she asked. There was a little bit of giggling and rearranging as they figured out relative ages. Finally they were settled.

“Okay, now, stand up straight.” She nodded to Nate. He played a short intro and then went right into the melody. She sang with them the first time, walking back and forth in front of them. When they got to the end, she nodded. “Sing it again, please.”

This time she didn't sing along, but rather listened to each of the children in turn, assessing the strength of their voices and their ability to carry a tune.

When they were done for the second time, she smiled and nodded. “Well done. Let me discuss this with Mr. Cooper for a few minutes and then we'll form your groups.” She moved to stand next to him at the piano bench.

“I want to put the four youngest together,” she said. “They know the first verse really well and this will give them an opportunity to be heard rather than hidden behind the older ones. And I'm sure their parents will appreciate giving them a bit of the limelight, as well.”

“That sounds like a good plan.”

“As for the others, I think grouping them by voice range would be best, don't you?”

He nodded. “But you also want to be sure you don't group all the weakest singers together, regardless of range.”

“Agreed.” She made a few mental adjustments to her thoughts on the groupings, then signaled him to follow her as she turned back to the children.

“Okay, here we go. When I call your name, stand together with your group. Group one—Molly, Joey, Robbie and Joy. Group two—Mina, Jack, Peter and Alice. Group three—Harriet, Cora Ann, Susie and Derbin. And that leaves Becky, Mary Ellen, Fern and Kevin for group four.”

She waited until all the children had arranged themselves into their groups, then spoke again. “As I said, each group will learn one of the verses to sing. But all of you will sing the chorus together. Now, I've written down the words for each verse.” She began passing the pages around, one sheet per group. “I want each group to pick a corner of the church and go there to practice your part. In about thirty minutes we'll get back together and try to run through the whole thing.”

Responding to her glance, Nate stepped forward. It was really nice to work with someone who seemed to be so in tune with her thoughts.

“If you'll work with group one—” she pointed to the youngest children “—I'll work with group two.” She figured the older children could probably handle this one on their own. Fern Tucker was in group four and Derbin Greene was in group three. Both were good singers and good kids—they'd be able to lead the others.

She'd given Nate the youngest group to work with mainly because Joy was in it. She figured it would be better for everyone if she didn't work with her own daughter. And since the children were already familiar with the words and melody to this one, his biggest challenge would be making sure they all started and ended the song at the same time.

She forced her focus away from him and his group and onto her group. Since they were not as familiar with the second verse as they were with the first, they had to go through it a couple of times before the children were comfortable singing it through by memory. Once they had that down, she focused on their timing and harmonizing.

Finally, it was time to pull them all back together. “Okay, everyone, let's gather back in the front here. And this time when you line up, do it by groups. Group one stand here, then group two next to them and so forth. Mr. Cooper, if you'd return to the piano.”

Once they were all in place, she gave them a big smile. “From what I heard coming from your groups, it sounds like everyone is ready. So, let's try it together. Remember, each verse will be sung by only one group, but you will all sing the chorus together each time.”

She waited for their nods before continuing. “One other thing before we start. I'm going to use a few hand signals to communicate with you during the performance. When I do this—” she held up a hand, palm out “—that means to stand up straight and focus on me. When Mr. Cooper plays the introduction, I will give you a countdown as so.” She held up three fingers, one at a time. “And then when I do this—” she jabbed her index finger out in an aggressive pointing motion “—that means start singing. And when I do this—” she made a sweeping motion with her hand “—that means everyone join in. So keep your eye on me, okay?” She held up a hand and they all came to attention.

She nodded to Nate and he started the intro. She counted down with her fingers, then pointed to the youngest group. She had to smile as they sang. They weren't completely together, but what they lacked in technique, they made up for in enthusiasm. Even if they didn't improve before the actual performance, their parents would love watching them.

Though by no means perfect, they made it through the entire hymn without having to stop. They went through it a few more times, and once Verity thought they were comfortable with the song, she asked them to add some minor movement. As the time came for each verse, she had the group responsible step forward, then return to their places when they were done.

There were a few missteps, naturally, but all in all she was pleased with this first practice. When they came back together on Thursday they could polish this up and begin work on the next song.

Just as she was ready to dismiss the group, Hazel showed up with a measuring tape and notebook in hand. The dressmaker took quick measurements of each of the children for the smocks she planned to make.

When the final measurement had been taken and all of the children but Joy had gone, Hazel turned to Verity. “So how was the first practice?”

“I think it went quite well.” Verity turned to Nate. “What did you think?”

“They're a good group of kids. Some of them already have excellent singing voices, some are going to need a little more work. But I think in the end we'll have a program the parents and friends will be able to appreciate.”

Verity nodded. “I agree. And all of them seem willing to put in the work.”

“Well, I have what I came for.” Hazel gathered up her things. “If you two have additional work to do, I can take Joy back with me. You can stop in and get her on your way home.”

Verity resisted the urge to roll her eyes at this not-so-subtle bit of matchmaking, but nodded, anyway. She knew Hazel would keep a close eye on her daughter, so she had no qualms on that account. “Well, there is something regarding our next practice I'd like to work out with Mr. Cooper.” She turned to him. “If you don't mind staying a moment longer.”

“Not at all.”

Hazel held her hand out. “Come along, Joy. Buttons has a new bit of yarn he needs someone to dangle for him.”

Joy went to her without hesitation. With one last grin over her shoulder toward Verity, Hazel led the little girl out the door.

A moment later, though, Joy raced back inside. What in the world was the matter?

“Joy, slow down before you fall and hurt yourself.”

The girl immediately slowed her steps but continued forward. Verity saw Hazel step inside and pause.

She turned back to her daughter. “What's the matter? Did you change your mind about going with Miss Hazel?”

Joy shook her head. “I forgot Lulu.” She reached into one of the pews near the front of the church and triumphantly picked up her doll. Squeezing her ever-present companion tightly, she turned back toward Hazel and made her exit for the second time.

* * *

Nate watched Joy leave, then turned to her mother. “That doll seems to be very dear to her.” Susanna had had a special doll, also. Unlike Joy's wooden-headed cloth figure, though, Susanna's had been china and elegantly dressed in lace and silk. Still, it seemed both girls shared a similar love for their playthings.

Verity nodded. “It was given to her by her father.” Her expression grew more solemn. “Just one week before he died.”

Nate stilled at that reminder of her loss. And of the secret he was keeping from her.

But Verity didn't seem aware of him. Her gaze was unfocused, turned inward. “She was only four at the time and I think she's forgotten so much of him. He loved her very much—I'm glad she has that one thing of his she can cling to.”

What about her? Was her memory of her deceased husband still fresh and raw? Or was he a beloved but fading memory that she thought fondly of from time to time?

And why did the answer to that very personal question matter so much to him?

“I'm sorry,” she said, her cheeks pinkening. “I shouldn't have brought up such personal thoughts.”

“No need to apologize. I'm honored that you would be comfortable sharing them with me.”

Her smile immediately turned warmer.

Deciding his thoughts were now drifting toward dangerous territory again, he cleared his throat. “So what was this you needed to speak to me about?”

She took his cue and her expression took on a more businesslike cast. “I was thinking I'd like to change the second song to something else.”

“And what brought this on?”

Her nose wrinkled slightly, as if she was trying to articulate a nebulous feeling. “It just doesn't seem to fit in with the other two.”

He stilled at that. “And fitting in is important to you?”

Something in his tone must have caught her attention because she gave him a faintly puzzled look. “Well, of course. The program should be harmonious, don't you think?”

Fit in. Harmonious.
Did she feel that way about the people she let into her life, as well?

Rather than answering her question, he asked one of his own. “What did you have in mind to replace it with?”

“That's just it, I can't make up my mind.”

He moved around the piano. “Do you mind if we walk while we discuss this? I need to head back to my shop. Miss Ortolon asked to talk to me about her saddle design again and I told her to come at four-thirty.”

“Oh. Of course.” She fell in step beside him as they headed down the aisle. “I apologize for holding you up. We can continue this conversation another time, if you like.”

He heard something different in her voice, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what. “Not at all. There's time to figure this out before Miss Ortolon arrives.” He opened the church door and allowed her to precede him. “So back to your question, what attributes would a song need to have in order to
fit in
with the other two songs? Are you looking for another hymn?”

“Not necessarily, though a hymn would definitely work better than a child's rhyme.” She paused, as if gathering her thoughts. “I guess I'm looking for something with an uplifting message.”

She waved a hand with an apologetic air. “I'm sorry I didn't think this through earlier. I hate changing things up now that we've set the children's expectations.” She grimaced self-consciously. “Uncle Grover always says being wishy-washy shows a lack of character.”

He felt strangely protective of her and was insulted on her behalf. “Not at all. And you're not being wishy-washy. You're merely being flexible enough to make an adjustment when you spot a weakness.”

He was rewarded with a warm smile. “I guess I'd never thought of it that way. That does sound nicer, doesn't it?”

He forced himself not to bask in her smile but to get back to business. “So, a new song. Given our time frame, it would need to be either something the children are already familiar with or something very simple.”

“Agreed.”

He rubbed his chin. “How do you feel about adding a patriotic song? Something like ‘America' or ‘Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean'?”

“Why, that's a great idea.” She smiled at him as if he'd said something brilliant. “I think ‘America' will fit in perfectly. And you should be able to find the sheet music for it in the stack Zella left for you—she plays it every Independence Day. Which also means most of the children will at least have heard it before.”