A Bride Idea by Yvonne Lehman

Author:Yvonne Lehman [Lehman, Yvonne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781410433107
Google: tzIkYgEACAAJ
Amazon: 1410433102
Goodreads: 2954829
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Published: 2006-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

thirteen

On Sunday morning, Pastor Whitfield greeted them at the church door. “So pleased to see you again, Mrs. Kevay.” He smiled broadly. “Your daughter is a gift from the Lord. She’s the best pianist we’ve ever had.” He put his finger to his lips and cast a furtive glance around. “Don’t tell Trudy I said that.”

Mama McCory laughed lightly. “Juliet says Stella plays even better than she does.”

Stella protested, like one too modest to admit her talent.

“It’s true,” Olivia said.

“Please play for us,” he said. “God gives us talents to be shared.” He looked beyond them, so they moved on. Mama McCory stopped to speak to another woman.

“How could you do this to me?” Stella said. “I didn’t think Mama McCory would remember your talking about that.”

“Mama McCory doesn’t forget a thing. Besides, don’t worry. If I can act like a wife, you can act like a church pianist.”

Stella stood for a moment and listened to Trudy. Then she smiled broadly and strutted down the aisle to take her seat.

After Trudy finished, Olivia walked up and sat on the piano bench. Pastor Whitfield took his place in the pulpit and looked out over the congregation.

“You all know how pleased we are that the Lord has provided us with Mrs. McCory, a gifted pianist. Well, this morning, after she plays our first hymn, we have another treat. Her mother will honor us with some special music. Now, let’s turn to page 158, stand, and sing ‘Nothing but the Blood.’ ”

When they finished, Stella walked up. “Kind of slow, wasn’t it?” she whispered as Olivia rose from the bench.

Oh dear! Olivia felt like a pitcher of cold creek water had been poured over her head. For an instant she froze, seeing Stella’s hands poised over the keys. What had she gotten them into? Before Olivia could return to her place between Mama McCory and Neil, the rafters were already ringing with a rousing rendition of “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.”

Stella’s whole body was into it, and her fingers were playing notes in between any notes that had ever been written for that hymn. Olivia knew that would be a hit for an outdoor crowd—even in a nickleodeon. But in a church?

Was Stella ruining everything? She was supposed to be the mother of Juliet Kevay McCory, the respected wife of the town’s beloved doctor.

This should light a fire under the members any minute. The first movement was a woman’s head turning. Then she saw that the woman was Hedda, with eyes popping and mouth agape.

Olivia was afraid to look at Neil. He must be terribly embarrassed. Pastor Whitfield sat in his chair on the platform, staring at Stella like she was one of the great wonders of the world. In fact, Olivia reckoned she was.

Not only were the rafters ringing, the pew seemed to be shaking. Feeling like people were looking at her, too, Olivia peeked to her left. Mama McCory was shaking while covering her mouth with her hand. Was she laughing? Well, becoming the laughingstock might be a little better than being tarred and feathered.

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