Natasha's Legacy (11 page)

“Come in,” Momma responded.

He opened the door to his parents’ room.
“I’ll meet you in the parlour.” Alex continued down the hall.

Alex sat in the parlour with a towel over his
shoulders, looking out the window until Sarah entered the room. She
had one of their larger towels wrapped around her shoulders. He led
her out of the building and toward the pond.

“It is obvious I’m unaware of your middle
name.”

“Alexander Stewart Venderkemp,” he boasted.
“I was named in honour of both Papas. And yours?”

“Sarah Johanna. Momma simply liked both
names. I enjoyed speaking with your papa today. He spoke briefly of
meeting Izabella. His eyes sparkled when I mentioned her name.”

“They met a short time before Momma began
university. They became friends and slowly it grew.”

“They aren’t married.”

Alex stopped walking and stared at the ground
in front of them. The topic would not have been discussed earlier
in the day, not in her presence. “I did not say that.”

“No, but with that response, it’s obvious my
assumption is correct. I appreciate the informalities in your home,
but am confident she wouldn’t be introduced in such a fashion if
they were married.”

Imperative that knowledge did not leave the
building, Alex froze. Papa and Izabella would be infuriated, as
would his parents. Business associates, staff, and volunteers at
the orphanage assumed they were man and wife. Alex questioned
whether Richard was aware of the truth.

“The topic is not openly discussed within the
walls of our home. Promise me, Sarah. You cannot speak—”

“My lips will be forever sealed, but why
aren’t they married? The love and admiration they share is
apparent. Your papa’s eyes began to sparkle when Izabella entered
the room while we spoke.”

“I don’t know.” They continued walking. “That
is the one and only topic that isn’t discussed. They are in love,
as are my parents.”

“Very much so.”

“As I have said before, my family does not
hide their emotions within the walls of their home.”

“Or elsewhere?” she questioned. “Having been
kissed in public.”

“Humiliating,” he mumbled. His face
burned.

“We’re fortunate, Alex. Our families lack
wealth, but we weren’t raised with a lack of love.”

Alex remained silent. There was no need to
correct her. If their relationship became more serious, the topic
of his momma’s heritage and papa’s business would be discussed.
Reaching the pond, Alex placed his towel on the ground and dove in.
When he surfaced, Sarah was settling at the water’s edge with her
knees tucked up to her chest.

“You’re planning to join me, aren’t you?”

“I find the water chilly.”

Swimming over to the edge, Alex looked up at
her. “If you’d jump in, you’d find it refreshing.”

Sarah placed her toes into the water and
slowly lowered them allowing her calves to become submerged.

“Do you swim?” Alex questioned.

“Certainly. Andrew and I played in the water
in our youth. I’ll work myself in, but plan to keep my hair
dry.”

With a quick tug on her ankles, Sarah’s body
slid into his.

“Al-lex,” she squealed.

Extending her arms, she wrapped them around
his neck.

“Although I enjoy having you close to me,
it’s difficult to swim in this position,” he informed her.

“It’s c-cold,” she muttered with chattering
teeth.

“May I suggest pulling your hair back on our
next excursion to the pond?”

Alex allowed his body to drop under the
surface of the water with Sarah still hanging onto him. She giggled
when they resurfaced and swam away from him.

“You must bring your swimming suit. It can be
stored in the guest room. I swim most evenings.”

“Eventually, clothing won’t be required if we
are given privacy at the pond.”

Swim in the nude.
His internal temperature rose.
I’m
blushing
. Sarah swam over to him and placed her arms around
his neck. Alex pulled her body tight against his and they exchanged
a sensual kiss. Sinking under the surface of the water they
resurfaced within seconds, laughing.

They were wrapped in towels when they
returned to the orphanage. Once changed, he led her to the back of
the building, placed his arms around her waist, and looked into her
sparkling eyes.

“You said your parents shared their first
kiss at this location. They admitted this?”

Alex smiled, having read both his papa’s
notes and momma’s version in the journal.

“Papa Stewart and Izabella were at the
orphanage when my parents walked into the lobby after sharing their
first kiss. Papa says the glow on Momma’s face lit the room.”

“Her first kiss. Your poor momma, the
anguish. I cannot imagine.”

“I beg to differ,” Alex winked. “Our kiss was
witnessed.”

“I don’t require a reminder, you fool.” She
looked toward the heavens and then back into his eyes. “My brother
witnessed our kiss, but not my parents. I’m thankful your family
wasn’t in attendance. Wouldn’t you be embarrassed if they saw us
kiss?”

“No. They’re aware I’ve kissed you.”

“Al-ex.” Sarah covered her face with her
hands and then lowered them. She looked at Alex. “You told them
about the kiss at the concert?”

“Yes. I warned you. We talk about
everything.”

“I assumed aspects of your life remain
private.”

“Only when required. In time, my life is
discussed. Does this bother you?”

“I’m … I’m not accustomed to it. My family is
not aware of every event in my life. I was happily married. Some
facts are assumed.”

Sarah took a deep breath and exhaled slowly
and then stretched onto her tip-toes. The moment her lips touched
Alex’s, he placed his hand behind her head and pulled her body
tight against his for a passionate kiss. The second within half an
hour.

Leading her back to the horses, he retrieved
her mare, assisted her onto the buggy, and watched her ride
off.

* * *

Adam was in the office when the telephone
rang. A neighbour called to say his momma had been admitted to
hospital. Hope walked out of the nursery as Adam dashed up the
steps.

“Momma is ill.”

“I’m coming with you.”

They were in the automobile ten minutes
later. Stewart, Izabella, and Alex arrived within the hour and Rose
and Richard shortly afterward.

“Sarah and I had a visit with Nana Saturday
afternoon,” Alex told Hope and Adam as they stood in the lobby. “We
enjoyed tea and treats. Seeing her with sniffles, I’m guilt-ridden
knowing I did not insist she return to the orphanage to be cared
for.”

“Hope and I visited yesterday. Momma assured
us her friends were stopping by regularly. That she would miss
their companionship if she came to the orphanage. I attempted to
persuade her to dine with the family but she was adamant on
remaining in her own home, fearing for the health of the children.
Families are not interested in adopting a sick child.”

“Your momma should have come to live with us
after your poppa passed,” Hope remarked. “I will insist. She will
be comfortable in one of the guest rooms.”

Adam returned to the hospital room, sat on
the chair, and held his momma’s hand. The hours crept on. Adam and
Hope remained at the hospital as her condition worsened.

By morning, it was obvious Momma Venderkemp
wouldn’t be leaving the hospital.

Sarah arrived with Alex, and Vicki and Greg.
By the third day, Adam’s momma appeared incredibly weak, drifting
in and out of sleep. Her breathing grew erratic.

“The doctor insists your momma is not in
pain, but I find that difficult to believe,” Hope admitted to
Adam.

“I know in my heart Momma will not recover,”
he sobbed. “I will miss her terribly, but this condition cannot
continue.”

Hope embraced her husband, sobbing.

* * *

With Alex, Sarah, Rose, and Richard outside
escaping the stuffy hospital building for some much needed fresh
air, Stewart sat back on the waiting room chair. A hand touched his
shoulder.

“You appear miles away,” Izabella informed
him.

He turned and looked at her. “Yes. I recall
the day you spoke of Charles’ death. Of my envy knowing you were
able to speak with him before he passed. I wasn’t given that
opportunity with Natasha. As you know, I remained by Momma and
Poppa’s side. I felt powerless, awaiting the inevitable. I will
miss Mrs. Venderkemp, but my heart aches for Adam and Hope.”

Izabella held his hand, giving it a tender
squeeze.

Later that afternoon, Stewart and Izabella
joined the family in the hospital room. Adam and Hope were sitting
on either side of the bed, holding Mrs. Venderkemp’s hands and Rose
was chatting when her nana’s arms went limp. Sobbing from Rose,
Hope, and Sarah filled the room. Hope rushed to Adam as a stream of
tears raced down his cheeks.

“I’ll go for the doctor,” Stewart informed
them.

Sobs replaced the silence as the blanket
covered the body.

“There is an empty void inside me,” Alex
admitted, wiping the streaks from his cheeks. “I’ll miss Nana
Venderkemp. Without her and Papa, and his parents before….”

“I know.” Adam acknowledged. “I share that
pride and admiration for the sacrifices my family made.”

“I will continue to make them proud, carrying
on the family tradition of running the orphanage,” Alex vowed.

As requested, the priest performed a private
ceremony at the orphanage. Attired in black, Sarah, Alex, Rose, and
Richard stood at the back of the room with Hope and Adam, Stewart
and Izabella, listening to the priest speak. One by one, the
children approached the casket and placed a wildflower in the box,
each able to mourn the woman who visited them on a weekly
basis.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have
become acquainted with your nana,” Sarah whispered to Alex. “She
possessed many attributes, and was unable to see a negative side to
life. I admire that ability.”

“Nana Venderkemp believed she was blessed to
become acquainted with every child that entered this building.
Everyone experienced her love and compassion. Without a manager to
assist with the daily operations, my grandparents were unable to
leave the premises as a couple. They had difficult days, but
endured. God has saved a special place in heaven for Nana and Papa
Venderkemp.”

A warm sensation consumed Stewart’s heart. He
and Izabella were privileged to have known Adam’s parents. Now they
would both be missed during their Sunday meals.

“In time, we will remember Momma and Poppa
without tears,” Adam added. “Together, they are in a happy
place.”

* * *

A month after Nana Venderkemp passed, the
extended family rode off after their Sunday meal. Alex took Sarah
by the hand and led her to a private area under a tree. Sitting on
the ground, he placed his fingertips on Sarah’s cheek, and leaned
over to kiss her.

“Alex. We lack privacy.”

“I beg to differ. This is private.”

Sarah relaxed, allowing Alex to lower her
upper body onto the grass. Neither one of them heard or saw Rose
and Richard approach.

“Alexander Stewart Venderkemp.”

Alex jolted, his nose smashing into Sarah’s.
Richard and Rose laughed, drowning out the beating of his pounding
heart. He glanced back at Sarah as she covered her face with her
hands.
Sore nose or embarrassed? Perhaps
both.

“Rose,” Alex scolded. “We do not appreciate
being startled.”

“I’m disappointed in you. I would have
expected you to prefer privacy. You ought to be considerate and
cover yourself with a blanket.”

Sarah’s face turned beet red. Alex glared at
his sister. “A blanket
is not
required.”

“If we hadn’t arrived, you may have required
more than one blanket. That, my dear brother, was a kiss. I recall
witnessing a kiss between you and Elaine that resembled Momma and
Poppa wishing sweet dreams at bedtime.”

Heat penetrated his face and sent prickles
into chest. How dare you embarrass me, speaking of something so
personal in Sarah’s presence? “Ro—”

“It’s obvious it’s Elaine who was lacking,”
Sarah responded. “As you’ve witnessed, your brother’s kiss takes my
breath away.”

His entire body burned, but Richard laughed.
I’m over reacting.
Alex took a deep breath
and shook his head slightly. “Heaven help me. I’m unable to decide
who is worse.” Alex turned his attention to his sister.

“It’s pleasing to see your eyes sparkling,
Alex,” Rose announced. “They don’t stop while you’re with
Sarah.”

“Your eyes twinkled the day we met,” Sarah
admitted. “Isn’t it normal?”

Richard placed his arm around his wife’s
shoulder. “You will know when a member of this family is happy.” He
turned and looked at his wife. “Rose’s eyes sparkle and her face
glows. Her eyes could have lit the midnight sky when I proposed and
were equally brilliant on our wedding day.”

“Wedding!” Rose repeated. “I would be pleased
to offer assistance when planning your wedding.”

Sarah’s focus shifted to the ground. Alex
closed his eyes, wishing for the ability to disappear into
ground.

“Rose!” Richard lectured.

“Wha-at?” Rose returned Richard’s glare. “I
will enjoy assisting Sarah while she plans the event.”

“You must seal your lips on the topic,”
Richard ordered.

Alex raised his hand and waved goodbye to his
sister. “Enough. Go. It’s time you departed, Rose.”

“Yes,” Richard agreed. “That is the reason
we’re here. We’re preparing to leave.”

“You must bring Sarah to dine,” Rose
demanded. “Saturday evening.”