Unlikely Praise by Carla Rossi Read Free Book Online

you have any actual experience with click tracks or do you just want to disagree with me?”
    “You asked for my opinion, and I’m trying to give it to you. I realize everyone who has a big stage show now uses them to keep video screens and dance numbers together. Everything has to be perfectly timed. As for me, I’ve only used click tracks in the studio because time is expensive and there’s a lot of dubbing and synching going on. The beat has to be consistent. You’ll also find that the audience has discriminating ears when it comes to recorded music. They listen to the same track over and over and are likely to pick out subtle inconsistencies.”
    “So you do like them.”
    “No, I said I’ve used them in the studio. I don’t care for it in live performance, especially in a small venue like a church. It takes away all the flexibility, and I would think that in worship—of all places—you’d want flexibility.”
    “But I’m also responsible for putting out a good product before God and the congregation. Shouldn’t we present our best polished worship to God?”
    He tossed the coiled snake into his empty cup. “Are you kidding me? Wouldn’t God want the liberty to move through worship without the stifling confinement of a click track?”
    Candi sighed. No doubt this meeting was about over.
    “All I’m saying,” he added, “is that in live music you need the opportunity to do what comes natural. Especially in worship.”
    “I thought you didn’t know anything about worship.”
    “I know that much.”
    She clamped her hands together in her lap and counted to ten. She could tell by his smirk he was having way too much fun. So he wasn’t crazy about click tracks. Did he have to make her feel like a dim-wit for wanting to try?
    And just as she calmed down...
    His cell phone chimed. As he sat back to pull it out of his jean pocket, his v-neck t-shirt shifted. Tendrils of dark blue ink became visible near his collarbone. She turned away so fast the muscle in her neck pulled. That didn’t stop her from stealing another glimpse as he answered his phone and quickly dismissed the caller. Another hint of purplish-blue and possibly green, like a vine, peeked out from around the collar. Whatever it was, it was permanently planted over his heart and crept toward his neck.
    “Sorry,” he said. “Business.”
    Would Pastor Charles be irritated if she asked Shade to wear a turtleneck every time he entered the church?
    “It’s OK. I know we both need to get to work.”
    “About the click track,” he started, “a lot of companies offer a download for a trial period. I’ll find you something suitable to try, but I honestly hate to see the band start that now. Give ‘em a chance to gel and get tight on their own.”
    Oh, she was way beyond the click track. In fact, the sudden appearance of the creepy neck and/or chest tattoo had reminded her there was a whole other painting on his right arm she hadn’t seen. She pushed her cup aside and gathered her things while trying to conjure up enough x-ray vision to see through his right shirt sleeve. The best she could muster was the tiny hint of an outline as he stood in the light from the window to push his phone back in his pocket. There were more lines and arcs that came to a point. Were those flames? A second glance revealed something else.
    Horror of horrors, it just might be a skull!
    She stifled a gasp. Was his whole body one big road map to hell ?
    He extended his hand as she stood. “I’m glad you called.”
    “No problem,” she squeaked. “Thanks again for coming. Is this a good time for you to meet? I know Pastor wants us to continue working things out and finding the best possible fit for you on the team.”
    “Sure. This is good. Early. Before we go to work.”
    He picked up his notebook and headed for the door.
    “Hey,” she called after him. “Whoever gets here last has to buy the coffee.”
    His riot-inciting smile was back. “Great. Make mine