Synthesizing speech sounds to express a short message received from a caller in a handset coupled to a hands free kit, includes handset circuitry for transferring an alarm signal to the hands free kit to generate an alarm to inform the user of the receipt of the short message, and for transferring the short message to the hands free kit when receiving a short message calling signal from the hands free kit. The short message calling signal is generated upon the detection of a predetermined voice command by the user indicating a desire to hear the short message. The hands free kit includes circuitry for synthesizing the speech sounds according to the short message received from the handset.