Natasha's Legacy (3 page)

“You have company.”

By the expression on Tom’s face, he knew it
was Elaine. The pounding in his heart almost choked him. Placing
his hand on his chest, he couldn’t face her.

“I hate asking you to lie, but would you tell
her I’m …

“In the city completing errands? Indeed, I
will.”

Alex left the office and went up the steps
and into the nursery. Holding a baby in his arms, he wandered
toward the window and looked out.

* * *

With free time on his hands, Stewart went to
the medical area. He spoke to a young child in a hospital bed and
walked down the staircase, planning to sit outside and wait for
Izabella to return from the boutique. Reaching the main level, the
door swung open. Elaine burst into the building with a smile on her
face.

Agh. You are the last person I want to see.
The last person I want Alex spending time with.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Donovan.” Elaine turned
to close the door.

Comical, you were never so formal while being
courted by my grandson. Never once did you call me anything but
Papa. If asked, I would have preferred you calling me Stewart. Not
impressed by her presence, he looked at the floor. He heard his
momma's voice in his head. ‘Stewart, you are being rude. You were
raised to be a gentleman.’ To this day, Momma would chastise me if
she were alive and able. He looked up at their guest.

“Miss McClaire,” he responded, mimicking her
sudden formality.

“Would you be so kind as to find Alex? I
would like to speak to him.”

Stewart was about to respond ‘
No, I will not,
’ when Tom stepped out of the
office.

“Alex is completing errands. I’m not
expecting him to return until I’m preparing to depart for the
day.”

Speechless, Stewart suppressed a frown. Alex
hadn’t run errands in some time. With few exceptions, Tom went to
the city when it was required, giving him a break from his regular
duties. Stewart remained silent, admiring the assurance Tom’s voice
conveyed. The main door opened again. Izabella stopped abruptly at
the sight of the young woman in the lobby.

“Mrs. Donovan,” Elaine said.

Stewart stepped toward the threshold,
extended his hand, and kissed Izabella's cheek. She whispered to
him and then turned to their manager.

“Good afternoon, Tom. A volunteer is
requesting your assistance with the children.” She waited for Tom
to leave and closed the door. “It’s such a beautiful day, I plan to
take a short walk around the property once I change. Would you care
to join me?”

“Indeed. That sounds delightful. This young
woman is capable of finding her way to the door.”

They turned their backs on Elaine and headed
for the stairs, encouraging the uninvited guest to leave. He
hesitated with a smile. Surrendering to his dislike for Elaine, and
the opportunity to rub salt in her proverbial raw wound, Stewart
stole a quick glance ensuring there weren’t any volunteer ears
listening. Stewart raised his voice enough for Elaine to overhear.
“Well, love, are you pleased with the month’s profits at
Valentine’s?” His mother would have boxed his ears for sure had she
been there.

“Very pleased. It’s my opinion Valentine’s
profits exceeded those of Stewart Donovan Engineering.”
Would Izabella’s mother have boxed hers?
He’d have to ask her later.

The door closed. Stewart turned and walked
back to the entrance. Glancing out the window, he spied Elaine
wiping a tear from her eye.

“I believe we accomplished my mission.”

“I spoke the truth,” Izabella admitted,
placing a hand on his shoulder. “The store had an exceptional
month.”

Extending his hand to her, they walked up the
steps to change.

* * *

Standing at a window holding a baby to his
chest, Alex watched Izabella arrive and then Elaine rode off. The
tightness in his chest eased. “When will the pain in my heart
cease? Will it ever subside?”

He swallowed the lump in his throat.

* * *

Thankful he could hide within the confines of
the orphanage, Alex continued dedicating all his time and energy
into the business, assisting the medical staff, Tom, and the
volunteers. His parents often commented they were impressed by his
dedication, but disappointed he wasn’t spending time with young
ladies. Alex took note of the steady stream of female volunteers of
an appropriate age, but he wasn’t interested in becoming better
acquainted. He remained polite, courteous, and professional, but
ignored their advances. Alone in his room reach night, he had too
much time to think. Laying on his bed, he stared at the
ceiling.

“I refuse to allow my heart to be hurt again.
I refuse to hurt anyone else.”

He rolled onto his side and attempted to
sleep.

* * *

Hope’s mind was a million miles away when
Adam entered the room. Placing her novel on her lap, she adjusted
the her pillow behind her back and head. “Alex isn’t courting, nor
does he appear interested in the—”

“We must remain patient, Hope. It would be
unwise to push Alex before his heart is ready. We must pray he will
meet a special young woman.”

She slumped farther into the mattress. “The
perfect woman will stand in front of Alex and he will ignore
her.”

Adam sat on the edge of their bed and
embraced her. “Let’s hope that is not the case.”

Richard graduated with a degree in business
and was offered a position at the bank. With responsibilities that
were both challenging and rewarding, he was unable to see Rose
during the week. Their daughter dedicated more time to the
orphanage.

“I find myself looking forward to the
weekends,” Hope admitted to Adam. “Alex enjoys being with Rose and
Richard. I’m so grateful the bond between our son and daughter is
strong once again.”

“Indeed. It is pleasing.”

Rose, Matthew and Tessa, attempted to
persuade Alex to attend an occasional social event. Dreading the
thought of seeing Elaine, Alex always declined, stating he had no
interest in keeping company with the females in attendance.
Thankfully, Stewart was able to persuade Alex to join him at the
site one day a month.

“I’m grateful Alex agrees to go with his
papa,” Hope admitted to Adam as they pulled the sheets down on
their bed. “Our son deserves a day away from the orphanage. His
eyes were sparkling when he returned today.”

Adam smiled, nodding.

* * *

The summer ended and Rose returned to
university. Lacking distractions, she achieved the grades that
pleased both her professors and her parents. With her second year
of schooling over, Richard arrived at the orphanage and knocked on
the office door. After a lengthy conversation, Adam returned to the
office.

“What did Richard…” Hope began.

“Momma, Poppa, Alex, Papa, Izabella.” Rose’s
overjoyed voice could be heard throughout the building.

Rushing into the parlour, Hope saw Rose’s
hand extended, showing a beautiful diamond engagement ring. She
embraced Rose and then Richard, welcoming him into their family.
The wine was poured and toasts made to celebrate their
engagement.

* * *

Hearing the clicking of
hooves,
Alex turned from his seat at the desk and looked out
the window. “Richard.” Taking the excuse for a much needed break,
he stood and went to meet his future brother-in-law at the door.
Still in his business suit, his normally happy friend had a somber
expression on his face.

“I need to see Rose.”

Fearing the worst, a lump formed in his
throat. Alex's hand went over his chest. Richard and Rose were
engaged and happy. Was there a possibility Richard could be
transferred to another city and forced to move? If that were the
case, the couple wouldn’t see each other until the wedding. He
wouldn’t see his baby sister or brother-in-law much after their
marriage if they moved away.
No-o-o. Don’t allow
that to happen.
The very idea broke his heart.

Richard followed Alex into the kitchen where
Rose was removing cutlery from the drawer. She took off her apron,
smoothed her pink dress, and followed them out of the room.

“Alex, please join us,” Richard
requested.

Alex raised his eyebrows, walked into the
office and closed the door.

“I have not arrived simply to visit,” Richard
stated. He handed the newspaper he carried to his fiancée. Within
seconds, Rose slammed the newspaper onto the desk. The force swept
the orphanage documents into the air. Pieces of paper scattered all
over the room. Alex turned his attention to the newspaper. The
headline was bold:

‘Local orphanage daughter secures financial
future with engagement to son of prominent banker.’

Alex tilted his head toward the floor as he
pursed his lips tightly together. Throughout their entire lives,
Rose had cherished being the centre of attention, but the headline
was cruel and unjust.

“I
refuse
to read
this.” Rose scowled, staring at the paper. “Who initiated this? I
did not agree to marry you for your money. I love you and you love
me. I will remove this ring from my finger; cancel the engagement,
and—”

“You will do no such thing. We
will
be married.”

“I take pride in knowing what my family has
done and continues to do for the children in this area. They have
worked hard to ensure the children in our care have full stomachs,
clothes on their backs, and a roof over their head. This
headline—”

“Lower your voice,” Hope ordered, rushing
into the room.

Alex pointed at the headline, allowing their
momma to see the cause of Rose’s anger.

“Your distress is understandable, but it is
not the business of the volunteers or children. Alex, summon your
poppa to the parlour for a family meeting.”

“I will join you in a moment,” Rose said. “I
need to speak with Papa Stewart.”

* * *

Stewart and Izabella were relaxing in their
sitting room, playing cards.

“Papa.”

He looked to see his granddaughter standing
at the opened door.

“Yes, Rose.”

“There is a dreadful headline in the
newspaper. Momma suggested a family meeting. We need to discuss
Momma’s heritage with Richard. He deserves to know the truth,
Papa.”

“I agree.”

She walked into the room and removed two
pictures from the wall. Rose rushed down the private steps ahead of
them. Richard was sitting on the chair beside Hope, talking when
they entered the room.

“Momma and Poppa announced my engagement, but
the newspaper has taken the information out of context,” Richard
admitted.

“Yes,” Hope agreed.

“They are
truly
sorry. They are proud and honoured to have Rose enter our
family.”

“There is no need to apologize, Richard. We
know your parents didn’t anticipate a harsh article.”

Stewart sat on the sofa beside Izabella, took
the newspaper from Alex, and began reading. Adam entered the room a
few minutes later and greeted Richard. Finished with the article,
Stewart handed it to his son-in-law. He turned his attention to
Richard.

“Rose has asked me to speak about her nana.
With your pending marriage, the time has come to discuss Natasha’s
family. Although it can be a long, detailed story, I will give you
a condensed version of my life with Natasha Strathroy.”

Richard’s eyes bulged, his jaw dropped at the
mention of the Strathroy name. The condensed history began.

“Nana Natasha,” Rose confirmed, once Stewart
finished. She handed the framed picture to her fiancée. The picture
of Stewart, Natasha and baby Hope.

“You are truly a blue-eyed Natasha, Rose
Alisha, but I do not recall seeing or hearing the reserved
mannerism your papa has spoken of.”

“I, too, am yet to witness it,” Stewart
admitted.

“Is it hiding?” Richard asked Rose. His smile
was that of a man in love. “It would be a pleasant change, on
occasion.”

“Indeed it would,” Izabella remarked. “Her
outspoken and blunt mannerisms are inherited from her papa. This
building would be much different if Stewart, Hope, and Rose were as
quiet and shy as Alex and Adam.”

With Adam still reading, Stewart leaned over
and kissed Izabella softly on her cheek. He turned his attention to
Rose and Richard.

“Do not be afraid of showing your emotions
within the walls of your home. It’s healthy for a relationship.
Even at our age.”

Finishing the article, Adam placed the
newspaper on the table.

“We must discuss the matter that has brought
us here,” Adam told the group. “Rose, I feel your anguish, but
retaliation would be harmful and possibly disastrous for the
orphanage. Without donations and loving families willing to adopt a
child….” Adam closed his eyes. His hand went over his mouth, unable
to continue.

With a vision of homeless children entering
his mind, Stewart took a deep breath. Children living on the street
as the building he took pride in renovating stood unused.

The children were given necessities while in
their care. Unfortunately, some children left without being
adopted. Over the years, Adam walked many to the door once they
were no longer considered a minor. Some were relatively successful,
others were not. They would face heartache and challenges their
entire lives. This painful fact wasn’t discussed.

It was tempting to retaliate and defend Rose;
prove she was not a gold digger. But if he spoke of Natasha’s
heritage, his business, and Izabella’s business, there would be
repercussions. The trust fund would support the orphanage for a
number of years, but not forever. As long as there was a child in
need of assistance, the orphanage must keep its doors open. The
Venderkemp Orphanage had a sterling reputation that neither he nor
Adam wanted tarnished.