“Thank you, Kind Sir.” Katie curtsied and he bowed in response.
“And, I might say,” Colin turned in Jessica’s direction, “that shade of green is exquisite with your beautiful auburn hair, Miss Chapman.” He gestured for her to turn around, and she did so with an embarrassed flush.
“You flatter me.” She extended her hand and he kissed it with a theatrical flair. For a moment, Jessica could hardly breathe. Stop it. He’s just play-acting.
Katie cleared her throat and extended her hand, as well. Colin repeated the gesture, though his eyes never seemed to leave Jessica. She felt her cheeks warm, and wondered what he might be thinking. “I, uh, thought we should probably meet with the children soon.” She glanced at her watch.
“You’re right. Let’s get a headcount then take a few minutes to run over the first part of their piece as a warm up.”
She nodded and attempted to stop the butterflies that suddenly seemed to fill her stomach.
“Are you okay?” Katie nudged her.
“Yes, why?”
“I don’t know.” Her friend looked at her, eyes now squinted. “You’re a little flushed.”
“Oh,” Jessica stammered. “It’s warm in here, that’s all. I’ll be better off when we get to the rehearsal room. I’m sure it’s cooler in there.”
“Do you need my help?” Katie’s lips turned down in a rehearsed pout as she looked back and forth between Colin and Jessica.
“I think we’ll be fine,” he said, “but thanks for the offer.” He turned to face Jessica. “Are you ready?” She smiled her response and they crossed through the crowd together.
***
Colin couldn’t seem to wipe the silly grin off of his face all evening. He directed the children as they sang one of their selections from Amahl and the Night Visitors in front of three hundred excited patrons. Though they struggled a bit in one small section, the youngsters did a fabulous job, in spite of any obstacles. With only a few days’ rehearsal under their belts, even the adult company would have found the complicated piece a challenge.
And Jessica. . .
Colin couldn’t be prouder of his new co-worker. She led the children through their brief rehearsal, and cheered them on with a vengeance. When she stood before the crowd to introduce the youth program, she did so with dramatic flair, drawing both the chuckles and sighs of those in attendance. All night long, she remained his fiercest ally. Colin overheard many excited comments about her participation, and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God had certainly brought her to Dallas for such a time as this.
As the evening drew to a close, he caught a glimpse of Jessica from across the room. She stood, arm in arm, with her fiancé. I need to get to know Nathan better. I’m sure he’s a great guy. He’d have to be, to win her heart.
A giggly female voice interrupted his thoughts. “What are you thinking about?” He turned to face Katie. She was all smiles, as usual.
“Not much,” he said thoughtfully. “I’m just so proud of the kids.”
“You have a lot to be proud of. They did a great job.” She took his arm and looked up into his eyes longingly. “You’ve done a terrific job with them, Colin.”
“I, uh. . .thank you.” He gazed into Katie’s bright blue eyes and noticed, for the first time, how they sparkled with joy. The two entered into a lively conversation about the children, and Colin felt himself relax a little. She’s a great girl. Why am I trying so hard not to like her? For some reason, he immediately thought of Ida, and wondered what she would think of Katie. Would she approve?
From across the room, a burst of joyful laughter rose above the cacophony of sounds. His breath caught in his throat as Jessica captured his attention. As she played with one of the little girls, her rich auburn hair slipped out of the barrette and bounced across her shoulders. Her green dress shimmered under the room’s subtle lights, and brought out the rich glow in her face. Bright freckles seemed more pronounced than ever across those flushed cheeks.
For whatever reason, Colin couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of her.
eleven
Jessica sat in the spacious Dallas Opera House and lost herself in her own imagination. Like the Wortham Theater in Houston, this room also seemed to call out to her with its carved walls and sweeping stairways. The stage loomed before her, beckoning. She trembled slightly as she glanced over her music one last time.
Jessica’s formal audition for the Dallas Metropolitan Opera would take place in a few short minutes. Colin had assured her position with the organization, even going so far as to offer their letter of acceptance in advance. However, this audition would serve to meet the requirements of her contract. Regardless, she still felt oddly unsure of herself today.
Jessica took slow, deep breaths and tried to relax. Father, I place this into Your hands. Surely You wouldn’t bring me this far to turn me back around now. She tried to relax as she leaned back against the plush velvet stadium seat. She glanced to her right, where Colin stood, visiting with the director of Opera Director, Eugene Snyder. The balding, middle-aged man had made a brief appearance at the fundraiser dinner, sweeping in just long enough to hear the children sing. Even then, he seemed to look down his long, thin nose at her and she felt strangely uncomfortable around him already. However, Colin gave her an assuring smile and her nerves began to calm.
Jessica turned her attention to her left. The gilded balconies seemed to rise almost to the sky. I wonder what the view is like from up there. She glanced up at the stage, where she would soon stand to sing. Its broad wooden floor seemed to stretch forever across the vast expanse of the theater’s front side. A retractable orchestra pit loomed before it. Though empty at the time, Jessica could imagine the area filled with violins, cellos and French horns. The instrumentalists would play something beautiful, something familiar…
The wedding march. They would play the wedding march as she entered from the back of the theater, dressed in an eye-catching chiffon gown she had designed herself. Did I dream all of this? She would make her way across a carefully designed bridge to the stage, where her anxious groom would await. With the minister, of course.
A beautiful set would frame the back of the stage. Florence, itself, would come to life. Cobblestone streets. Antiquated homes. Fountains and storefronts would provide the perfect backdrop for the most blissful of all wedding ceremonies. She and Nathan would be married between large, draped columns in the center of the stage.
Nathan. Hmmm.
Jessica sighed quietly as she roused herself from the daydream. It was only a dream, anyway. Don’t make too much of it. Her fiancé would never agree to a wedding like the one she envisioned now. If she even suggested getting married onstage, he would probably. . .
“Ms. Chapman?”
Jessica looked up into Mr. Synder’s narrow, gray eyes. “Yes, Sir?”
“I’m ready to hear you sing now.”
She approached the stage with knees knocking up against each other. Keep me calm, Father. From a distance, Colin urged her on with a wink and a smile. The whole thing felt slightly reminiscent of her audition in Houston just a short time ago. Entering the stage seemed to boost her courage, and once she faced the auditorium, the butterflies all but disappeared.
As Jessica began to sing, the whole world seemed to close in around her. Once again, she found herself in that private place, that safe haven. Nothing—no one—could disturb her here. When the song ended, she turned her attentions to Mr. Synder, who looked at her with renewed interest.
“Very nice, Ms. Chapman. I’ll have no trouble placing you in our current production. Welcome to the Met.”
“Thank you, Sir.” She made her way to the edge of the stage and shook his outstretched hand. His eyes shone with excitement.
“In case I haven’t said it before,” he added, “We at the Dallas Metropolitan Opera would like to thank you for all of your work with the children. Colin, here, tells me you’re doing a magnificent job.”
“Did he
?” She felt her lips turn up as she looked at her co-worker.
“He did.” Mr. Synder looked at his watch then turned on his heels, still talking as he walked away. “And I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the two of you in action the other night with those children. Terrific work, and in such a short time, too.”
“Thank you.” Jessica could hardly contain her joy.
“I’d love to chat with you again soon, Ms. Chapman.” He turned on his heels. “I’m sorry, but I’m late for a luncheon now.” With little more than a quick ‘goodbye’ he sprinted from the room.
“Nice to meet you, Sir.” Her voice echoed across the theater. Jessica turned to face Colin once again. “Thanks for the compliment,” she whispered.
He shrugged. “I didn’t make it up, you know. You’re great with those kids, Jessica. You seem to truly relate to them.”
“That’s because I do relate to them.” Jessica felt her excitement growing. “I know how important it is for young musicians to have the moral support of a grownup. When I was a little girl. . .” She paused as she debated whether or not to continue.
Colin gave her a reassuring nod. “Go ahead.”
“When I was a little girl,” she continued, “my father made sure I had both a piano and private music lessons. It was a sacrifice on his part. I know that now.” A lump rose in her throat as she remembered her father’s loving voice. You’ll wow them all someday, Honey. Just wait and see. At the time, her fingers had nervously trembled across unfamiliar keys. Now they seemed to sail. “He really poured into my life,” she said. “And when he died. . .” her voice broke. Jessica fought to regain her strength. “When he died I thought I’d lost the music forever. It seemed to disappear with him.”
“I’m so sorry.” Colin looked at her sympathetically. “I had no idea you’d lost your father.”
She nodded and wiped away a loose tear. “It was nearly a year before I touched the piano again. When I did, God used the music to heal my broken heart. And then the words came. I started to sing and couldn’t seem to stop.”
“You mean you had never trained as a vocalist?” He looked stunned.
“Never. I was a freshman in college when I stumbled into my first voice lesson. To be honest, the whole process nearly scared me out of my wits. I can’t believe I stuck with it. But my mom was there to support me. And Andrew. He and my mother haven’t been married very long, but he really has been like a father to me.”
Colin gazed at her with a new light in his eyes. “That’s great, Jess.”
“Yeah. He’s been great,” she said. “They’ve all been very supportive. But my grandmother. . .” Jessica’s words took on a new life as she began to pour of the story of all her grandmother had done in recent days to assure her move to Dallas.
“I’m awfully glad you took her advice,” Colin said as she finished the tale.
“Me too.” Jessica gave a relieved giggle. “It took me long enough, though.”
“Nah. You were right on time.”
She gazed into his eyes and for the first time, Jessica noticed what a rich shade of brown they were. Her cell phone rang out, and she quickly fetched it from her purse. “I can’t believe I forgot to turn this off,” she said. “Thank goodness it didn’t go off during the audition.”
Colin turned away to give her some privacy as she pulled the phone from her purse. Jessica’s excitement grew as she looked at the Caller I.D. Nathan. I can’t wait to tell him!
“Jess, is that you?”
Her heart lifted at his words. “It’s me.”
“How did your audition go?”
“Great.” She dove into a full explanation. When she reached the part about her conversation with Colin afterwards, Nathan grew oddly quiet.
“Are you still there?” she asked.
“Uh huh.”
“Is something wrong?” Her heart fluttered in anticipation of his response.
“It’s just that Colin guy,” Nathan said. “Something about him bugs me. Are you having trouble figuring out he likes more than your voice?”
“Nathan, that’s crazy.” To be honest, she had never considered the possibility. Colin Phillips was a great guy, to be sure, but he had been a perfect gentleman in every way. He certainly knew about her relationship with Nathan and had never indicated any interest in her other than their musical working relationship. “I think you’re reading too much into things,” she spoke nervously into the cell phone. “And besides, you’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m going to be your wife soon, and that’s the important thing.”
After a long pause, he spoke. “I know.” A deep sigh framed his next words. “I guess I’m just feeling the pain of this separation. When are you coming home, Jess?”
“Weekend after next.” She glanced at her watch. “But right now I have to let you go. I’m late for a rehearsal. I’ll call you tonight.”
“That won’t work. I’ve got a meeting.”
“Tomorrow at one?”
“I’ll be in class.”
She groaned. “Well, I’ll connect with you as soon as I can. I’ve really got to get off of here now. The kids are waiting. I love you, Honey.”
“I love you too.” The line went dead and she closed her phone with a click then sprinted toward the rehearsal room.
***
As Colin made his way across the front of the rehearsal room, he pondered Jessica’s story about her father. No wonder she takes such an interest in the children. There’s a lot more to Jessica Chapman than I knew. He silently thanked the Lord, once again, for bringing someone so miraculous and kind to fill this position.
Just as he turned to face the crowd of children, she made a breathless entrance. “Sorry I’m late.”
“No problem.”
They carried on with the rehearsal and everything went well. The talented group managed to perfect the song they had perform at the fundraiser and start another without much difficulty. Colin continued to marvel at Jessica’s ability to get the children to listen and obey with enthusiasm. How does she do that?
When the session ended and the children scattered to the winds, he and Jessica were left alone in the large room. Colin turned his attention to a pressing matter. “I wanted to ask your opinion on something.” He gazed into her wide green eyes, still sparkling with excitement from her work with the children.
“Sure.” She pulled up a chair and sat down.
“I’m trying to decide which spring production to choose for the kids.”
“Ah.”
“I’ve been thinking about The Magic Flute.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Too overdone.”
“Hansel and Gretel?”
“Kind of scary for children,” she said with a shrug.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
”It’s not one of my favorites,” she added. “But it’s your call.”
“What would you suggest?” He truly wanted to hear her opinion on the matter.
“Hmmm.” Jessica seemed to lose herself in her thoughts for a moment. “What about The Left Behind Beasts? Have you seen it?”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
“Great kid’s piece based on Noah and the ark. Terrific humor elements and challenging musical pieces. But not too challenging.”
He looked at her admiringly. “Sounds perfect. Can you track down a copy of the libretto?”
“Of course.”
“Eugene needs an answer by the weekend so he can put his stamp of approval on it. I hardly slept at all last night trying to come up with something,” Colin confided.
“You should have called me,” she said with a yawn. “I was up.”
“At two o’clock in the morning?”
Jessica nodded. “I had a hard time sleeping too. But I wasn’t thinking about opera. For a change.”
“Wedding plans?”
“Not really.” She shrugged. “I’m not sure what was bothering me. I just couldn’t seem to rest. I guess I’m just too ex
cited about the kids. They’re so great. Still, I know that they have to go home to less than desirable circumstances. That really bothers me. I want to do so much more for them.” She began to talk in earnest about the children and he couldn’t help but notice her eyes glistened with a renewed shimmer.
“You’re a God-send, Jessica” he said when she finished. “I don’t know if I’ve ever really told you that, but you are definitely an answer to prayer. And I can tell you love the kids. . .really love them. That’s so important.”
Her smile broadened. “I do.” He gazed at Colin with admiration. “You’ve led by example. And, in case I haven’t said it enough, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t know when anyone’s ever taken such a risk with a newcomer like this. Especially after all I put you through back in Houston. But I’m honored you chose me. I don’t know if I’ve expressed that adequately enough.”
“You don’t understand, Jessica,” Colin spoke from his heart, driven by the conviction that her arrival in Dallas had little, if anything, to do with himself. “I didn’t choose you.”
“You didn’t?” She gave him an adorable little pout that, for some bizarre reason, nearly sent his heart through the roof.
Colin looked intently into her eyes as he spoke the words the Lord now laid on his heart. “The fact of the matter is, God chose you.”
twelve
The following Sunday evening Colin handed out copies of Christmas music to the elderly choir members at church. Though the holidays were still weeks away, he knew how long it would take to pull this mish-mashed group of vocalists into shape.
Ida looked at him suspiciously as he handed her a copy of Oh Holy Night. “You’re not going to make me sing the solo in this one again, are you?” she asked.
“I was counting on it, Ida,” he said. “Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas if you didn’t.”
“I told you last year I wouldn’t do it again. Haven’t changed my mind.” She pressed the music back into his hand.