Silent Praise Read online

  Silent Praise

  An Interracial Christian Romance

  Book Three of the “Able to Love” Series

  Michelle Lindo-Rice

  ~~~

  Smashwords Edition

  Michelle Lindo-Rice

  P.O. Box 495792

  Port Charlotte, FL 33949

  Silent Praise Copyright © 2015 Michelle Lindo-Rice

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be re-produced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Table of Contents

  A Note to My Readers

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Discussion Questions

  A Note to My Readers

  Friends,

  Welcome to my world. I am so blessed to bring you Silent Praise, the third novel in the “Able to Love” series, where one of the main characters has a disability. Our heroine, Melanie Benson, is deaf because of severe trauma she faced as a child. The strongest theme in Silent Praise is that of a Divine plan for our lives. Romans 8: 28 says,

  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”

  By far, Silent Praise is the most emotional read of the three novels in the series. Chase and Melanie are memorable, lovable characters who will need to seek God’s face to overcome any hindrances as they find true love.

  Before you read this powerful love affair, I’d like to take a moment to share with you an unfathomable love. In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Then he backed up that sentiment with action. Love is an action word. Jesus gave his life so we could have eternal life. What an awesome God! What an amazing sacrifice! I hope you see Him in Silent Praise. Please enjoy.

  Sincerely,

  Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Check out sample chapters of my novels and PLEASE join my mailing list at www.michellelindorice.com

  Christian Fiction Authors I recommend:

  www.blackchristianreads.com

  Dedication

  For my parents, Pauline and Clive Lindo,

  who opened their home and hearts to many.

  Prologue

  “I can’t hold it.” Melanie “Lainey” King squeezed her legs together. Crouched over in the dark, she shivered from inside the three-foot oblong closet space. Lainey peered through the folds of the closet door. Her eyes were wide with fear. Mama and Uncle were asleep on the big bed. Lainey slept with Mama unless Uncle came around. Then she had to sleep in the closet.

  Lainey’s lower body shook. She had to go. Now. She pushed the closet door wide and crept outside teenage mutant ninja turtle style. Lainey inched her way to her mother’s bed.

  “Mama, I’ve got to go pee.” Lainey whispered as quietly as she could into her mother’s ear. She did not want to wake Uncle. His snore bounced off the walls of the room. Lainey twisted her tattered, once-white nightgown, spotted with dingy brown stains. Her lips quivered.

  Oh no! A small line of urine trickled down her legs. She cupped her mouth to keep from crying aloud. If she peed on herself, Uncle was going to let her have it. She shook her mother again. “Mama! I’ve got to go to the bathroom!”

  Mama did not budge. But Uncle did.

  “What do you want?” He snarled at her into the darkness.

  Even through the dark, Lainey could see his hateful eyes.

  Uncle jumped and came around the bed to grab her shoulders. “What do you want?”

  Lainey’s teeth rattled. She opened her mouth but no words came. With a groan, Lainey emptied her bladder. Tears rolled down her face.

  “I didn’t mean to,” she said.

  Uncle sniffed. “Did you pee on the carpet?”

  Lainey shook her head. “It was an accident.”

  Uncle bent towards her. His stinky breath hit her in the face. “You’re five years old and old enough to stop peeing on yourself! Your mother’s bragging how smart you are, says you’re reading and writing and all that so you know better. But you know what, you’re just plain nasty. Yes, that’s right. You’re scrawny and nasty, and I can’t stand the sight of you.”

  “Ahhh,” Lainey wailed, wiggling her body and holding her head. “Mama,” she screamed, but Mama did not hear her.

  Uncle dropped Lainey to the ground. He kicked her in the stomach. “I told you what would happen if you peed yourself again because you’re too lazy to go to the bathroom.”

  “I tried to wake Mama,” Lainey said. “I can’t reach the bathroom light and I’m scared of the dark.” Her body shook.

  Uncle reached down and snatched her under his arm. “But, no, you want to pee on the floor like you’re a dog.” He rubbed her face into the urine. “I’ll do you like I would a dog.”

  The pungent smell of her urine hit her nose. Lainey closed her eyes, pinched her lips tight, and closed her mouth. She knew this was the only way to keep from inhaling or swallowing it. Her hair and gown were wet from pee.

  Lainey bucked her body to fight her way out of Uncle’s strong arms. If he released her, she could run and hide. Her leg kicked him in the groin. With a plop, she landed on the floor.

  “You kicked me,” Uncle raged.

  Like a snake, she slithered under the bed. She saw Mama’s legs hit the floor. “Mama!” Lainey yelled.

  The lights came on.

  “What’s going on?” Mama seethed. “What are you doing? Where’s Lainey?”

  “Your kid peed the floor and I’m tired of it.”

  Lainey saw his big, white feet at the edge of the bed and cowered into the center.

  “Don’t you put a hand on her.” Lainey heard her mother’s yell and relaxed. Mama would save her.

  Then, she felt a hand curl around her foot. She stiffened her body and dug her fingers into the ratty carpet. But Uncle’s strength outweighed hers. He dragged Lainey from under the bed and picked her up feet first, exposing her.

  “Leave her alone,” Mama cried, beating at Uncle with her fists.

  Uncle dropped Lainey and shoved Mama. Her mother hit the wall and slinked to the floor. Lainey remembered when they
moved into this room and Mama had painted the walls bright yellow. Now the yellow was mixed with dirt from tossed food containers and beer cans. Mama’s head hung near the big hole from when Uncle punched the wall.

  Lainey saw her mother’s eyes drift close. Her shoulders sagged. Mama would not be able to help her now. Then Uncle redirected his gaze towards her. Lainey gulped. She scrambled over beer cans. Her tiny hands narrowly missed a sharp needle. Mama said never to touch the cans, needles, or white stuff. Ever.

  Uncle kicked the cans out of the way. He grabbed Lainey by the ears and pulled her to stand. His chest heaved. “I’ll show you what happens to girls who don’t know how to listen.” He bunched his fist and hit her right ear.

  Lainey screamed and fell to the floor. Her yell made Uncle madder than before; he punched her other ear.

  Lainey held her head. “Mama!” Uncle punched and punched her ears. Lainey kicked and scratched at him. “Mama!” Uncle punched again. Blood rolled across her face. “Mama … Mama … Help me.” Uncle kept punching away at her ears. Tears, snot, and blood made it hard for her to see but Lainey stretched a hand towards her mother. “Mama. Please … help.” Lainey went limp. Pain dulled her senses and her eyes closed. For the first time in her life, Lainey was no longer afraid of the dark.

  ***

  Shards of bright light hit her face. Lainey screamed. She woke up kicking and fighting. She remembered Uncle hitting her in the face. She had to stop him. Lainey tried to open her eyes all the way but they hurt. She closed her eyes and clutched her head. There was a bandage around her head.

  “Mama!” With effort, Lainey forced her eyes open and looked around the room. Her heart started beating into her chest. Where am I? She was hooked up to monitors and she was cold. She shivered. Where’s Mama? Lainey screamed, afraid to be alone.

  A short, brown lady—dark-skinned like her Mama—came over to her. Lainey saw the woman’s lips moving but she could not hear anything.

  Lainey panicked. “I can’t hear you. My ears are closed. I can’t hear you.” She grabbed her ears. “Ahhh! I’m trying to scream but I can’t hear myself.”

  The lady nodded and said something. Since she could not hear, Lainey focused on the woman’s kind face. The lady wrapped Lainey in her arms.

  Lainey stilled. This lady won’t hurt me. Lainey welcomed her soft touch. The lady lowered Lainey back to the bed and bunched the covers around her. Lainey felt a soft kiss on the top of her head.

  Then the doctor came in. Lainey knew him. He had fixed her broken arm and stitched her busted lip. She was so glad to see someone she recognized. “I know you! You’re Dr. James,” Lainey said. She knew she said the words right because she saw him nod his head.

  “I can’t hear myself, Dr. James,” Lainey said. “Can you fix my ears?”

  The lady covered her mouth with her hand.

  “Why is she crying?” Lainey’s eyes filled with tears. She looked at Dr. James. “I want my mama.”

  For some reason, her words made the lady cry even more. A tall, skinny brown man entered the room and the lady ran into his arms, burying her face in his chest.

  Lainey looked at Dr. James. “Please stitch my ears so I can hear. And, can you tell Mama where I am? She might be looking for me.” She was surprised to see Dr. James wipe his eyes.

  She saw the needle he held and tried to move. “Mama said no needles!” She wiggled to the edge of the bed away from Dr. James. But Dr. James held her down. The last thing Lainey felt was the pierce from the needle, and then her eyes closed.

  1

  “Dratted snooze button,” Melanie muttered, adjusting her Ray Ban’s. It was close to 7:30 a.m. but the sun made its presence known. “I just had to press snooze one more time.”

  Boy did she regret her Thursday night Twilight binge. Melanie had stayed up until 2:00 a.m. re-watching the four movies in the Twilight saga. Edward, Jacob, and Bella had filled her thoughts. What she would give to be in Bella’s shoes. She wanted two hot men fighting over her. Heck, she would even settle for one not-so-hot guy calling her ever so often. In the small town of Port Charlotte, pickings were slim, especially for someone with a disability.

  Melanie blew her curls out of her face and zipped her grey Infiniti across the lanes. It was mid-January, peak season for snowbirds. The normally scanty traffic lanes on US 41 were packed with Canadian license plates. Where were all these people going at this hour? Aren’t they supposed to be retired?

  Melanie saw the amber light ahead and hit the accelerator. She could not miss the light or she would be late and Nancy would be in her face. Melanie whizzed through the light right before it switched to red. She made a fist. Yes! She put on her indicator to make the left turn on Cochran Blvd. Melanie escalated to catch the green turning arrow. She glanced at the clock. She had two minutes to spare. Then she looked into the rearview mirror.

  Her eyes widened. Red and blue lights twinkled behind her. Moving at a snail’s pace, Melanie pulled into the mini mall. Because of the early hour, there weren’t many cars in the lot. Besides the Wells Fargo, there was a Books-A-Million, Staples, Big Lots, and a McDonald’s. She hoped the officer would keep going. But he followed her. She rolled her eyes and pulled into a parking space.

  Great. Not only was she late, she was also going to be ticketed right outside her job. Melanie served as a bank loan officer and investment banker. Her manager stayed on her butt. Lord, please, now would be a good time for you to show up and show out.

  Melanie looked into her left side mirror. She saw tall, muscular legs unfold out of the unmarked police car. He had to be at least 6'3" with light brown hair cropped low on his head. He whipped off his sunglasses. Melanie took hers off as well.

  She stole another glance. Mr. Officer is fine. She watched his confident stride. This man should be strutting on a runway somewhere. It was a sin he had his body covered under that green uniform, although he wore it well. She peeked at her reflection in the mirror. Her curls were in disarray. Melanie ran her fingers through the strands before giving up.

  The officer tapped on the glass. Melanie jumped even though she knew he was coming. She plastered a smile on her face and lowered her window. She could smell the McDonald’s biscuits and coffee. Her stomach rumbled. There was no way she would have time to hit the drive-thru.

  Melanie made sure to keep her eyes on his lips. The officer’s mouth parted to reveal white teeth and a beautiful smile.

  “License and insurance,” he said.

  Her breath caught. His sharp green eyes made her think of running through the lush fields on a hot Florida day. She tore her eyes away and dug into her brown, oversized Coach bag for her wallet. Her hands shook. This was only her second time being pulled over.

  Melanie handed the officer her information.

  She observed him keenly, noting the exact moment he saw she was deaf. He shot her a quick, sympathetic glance. Melanie stiffened her shoulders and tossed her hair. “Are you going to give me a ticket?” she asked.

  Her voice must have bellowed because he stepped back. “You can speak?”

  Melanie covered her eyes with her hands. The sun was already out and viciously making its presence felt.

  “I also read lips.” This time she spoke above a whisper, she hoped. She squinted her eyes to read his name badge—Officer Chase Lawson. His name suited him.

  “Where are you rushing to this morning, Ms. Benson?” he asked, making sure she could see his mouth.

  Hearing the surname Benson jolted Melanie’s memory. She had a flashback of laying in the hospital bed. When Mama awakened from her stupor the next morning, she had taken Lainey to the emergency room. Melanie remembered her mother’s screams and terrified eyes. That was the last memory she had of her mother. Melanie found out Janet had been arrested and she never saw her again.

  And as for Uncle, he disappeared.

  The lady and gentleman in her room that day were Gary and Rhoda Benson, her foster parents. They adopted her and gave her their name and a new
life.

  Melanie scrunched her nose. Why am I remembering this now?

  The officer lightly touched Melanie’s shoulder to get her attention.

  Melanie started. The officer had a hand on his hip, waiting for her answer. She pointed to the bank.

  He smiled revealing a set of beautiful teeth. Officer Lawson patted her hand that was resting on the steering wheel. Electricity shot through her spine. Her eyes widened. Had he felt that? Melanie affixed her gaze on his hand.

  His thumb caressed hers. He must have caught himself because he removed his hand. “I’m letting you go with a warning,” Officer Lawson said. He made sure she saw his lips.

  Did he spare me because I’m deaf? Melanie bristled, “Just give me the ticket if I deserve it.”

  He shook his head. “Are you going to argue with me because I’m giving you a break?”

  She thought of the points on her license and her insurance bill. He was right. Why was she even arguing? “No, Officer,” Melanie said. “I’ll be sure to go to bed on time tonight.”

  He gave a little smile and held out his hand to return her documents to her. “See that you do that.”

  Their hands met. This time there was no denying the electric bolt shooting through her system. Her eyes met his. She knew he felt it too. His eyes narrowed. Officer Lawson looked around the still empty parking lot. Then he bent lower so she could see his mouth.

  “Melanie?”

  She lifted a brow and nodded.

  “Listen, I know this is unconventional and in my seven years on the job, I’ve never done this.” His eyes met her brown ones. He laid that smile on her again. “I’m Chase Lawson.” He held out his hand. Melanie touched his hand briefly.