Natasha's Legacy (33 page)

“Oh G-god, they a-adopted her.” Keeghan wiped
a tear from her eye.

Will leaned over and kissed the side of her
head.

“Yes. The following day, the paperwork was
prepared and Uncle Alex and Aunt Sarah adopted that little girl.
Momma and Nana Hope spoke of the child’s resemblance to Sarah
within months of the adoption. I couldn’t see it, but they said it
was obvious. ‘The child could pass for a blood relative,’ he
stated, using his fingers to quote his momma and Nana. Three years
later, Sarah was outside with their little girl when the same woman
approached.”

“Ugh,” Keeghan gasped. “Oh no! Sarah had
bonded with that child. Don’t take that baby away from her.”

“Sarah was terrified she would lose the baby
girl they had grown to love as their own. Holding her daughter’s
hand, Sarah watched the woman step down from her buggy, reach for a
small bundle, and walk toward her. The woman recognized her
daughter and asked if there was a reason she hadn’t been adopted by
a good family. Sarah was so scared, she crouched, put her arm
around her daughter, and told the woman she and her husband had
adopted her. A smile appeared on the woman’s face. Then she said,
‘Could you find it in your heart to adopt her sister? Allow my
daughters to be raised together?’ Sarah was crying as she nodded.
The woman placed the baby in her arms.”

“Oh my g-gosh.” The tears streamed down her
own cheeks. “I’m b-blubbering like a f-fool, again.”

“No,” Will whispered. “You’re getting
closure.”

“Sarah had been paid by a number of her
students’ parents that day. With the money on her person, she
reached into her pocket and pulled all of it out. Sarah handed the
woman her earnings and told her to look after her son, the brother
to her daughters. The woman thanked her profusely, kissed Sarah’s
free hand, kissed her infant’s forehead, and returned to the buggy
with her husband and son. The baby was healthy, and Alex and Sarah
adopted their second daughter. Being ten years apart in age, I
didn’t keep in touch with the girls, my cousins, but they were in
contact with Tessa’s daughter.”

“I am so happy for Alex and Sarah.” Keeghan
sniffed. Unable to stop the tears from racing down her cheeks, she
looked toward Will. “They would have been amazing parents.”

“Uncle Alex and Aunt Sarah loved those girls
as their own, just as they loved each child within the building.
Both Alex and Sarah said they saw the woman a few times a year. She
would stop the horse at the orphanage and simply sit and watch the
children play. She watched her daughters grow.”

“She knew her little girls were happy,” Will
confirmed.

Papa Victor nodded. “Yes. All the children of
the orphanage were so important to Alex. I’m certain he wanted you
to feel for them in your heart.”

“There are a lot of good charities in our
province, in our country. Alex was determined to ensure the
financial stability of the orphanage.”

“Yes. You are the youngest family member and
you happen to have a soft heart and the ability to remember
dreams,” Will added.

“I love your grandson, but he would have
woken and said, ‘I know I had a really weird dream but I can’t
remember anything about it,’” Keeghan informed Papa.

“I don’t remember my dreams either, William,
but my bride would tell me on occasion I was talking in my
sleep.”

“Obviously, Papa Hetherington, you are
financially supporting the orphanage. Is the money coming from your
personal savings, or is there still money from the original trust
fund that your papa Stewart set up?”

“The trust fund has done well over the years
and still has the funds to support the orphanage, which manages on
a modest budget. Financial records are sent to the bank quarterly
and forwarded for my review. To this day, I am pleased with what I
see or I would have gone over. I authorize payments to the business
account for their day to day operations.”

“Does Dad know about this?”

“No, I haven’t told Lucas—”

“Papa!” Will lectured. “The orphanage
requires that money. What would have happened—?”

Papa scowled. “William Alexander. I assure
you, if something unexpected had occurred, there is a letter with
my will explaining the details of the trust fund, the orphanage,
and a contact name at the bank. My will also states the orphanage
is the beneficiary of the trust fund.”

“Hope had a trust fund too. What happened to
it?”

“William? Do you need money? I thought your
businesses were going incredibly well.”

“We’re fine. We’re curious. From Keeghan’s
dream, we know Hope used some of her money for the addition and to
renovate the orphanage, which, by the way, still looks
amazing.”

“I’m glad to hear that. When Uncle Alex died,
I am certain he provided for his daughters, but funds were also
transferred to the orphanage trust fund. When Momma passed, she did
the same. I was raised to be proud and support myself. Never missed
a meal and had a roof over my head. There was no need to flaunt the
fact the family had access to money.”

“Why haven’t you told Dad about this?”

“With his background in finance and knowing
he and your mom have been financially stable, we never discuss
money. I know I won’t live forever, but I’m still healthy and I
enjoy reviewing the books. It is good for me and I’m not ready to
relinquish my duties.”

“I appreciate your independence, but you
should have told Dad about his heritage years ago. I should have
been told about this a long time ago.”

“Enough with the lectures, Will,” Keeghan
whispered.

“I guess a little bit of Papa Stewart is
coming out in me. Donovans are known to procrastinate a little
bit.”

“A little bit?” Keeghan repeated. She turned
her head and glared at her husband. “Like fixing the steps down to
the ocean?”

“Ugh. I’ll finish those just out of spite.”
Will turned his attention back to his papa, waiting for a response
to his statement.

“No, Lucas doesn’t know about the trust fund
although I’m sure he will remember Uncle Alex and Aunt Sarah. Alex
was a character and always made Lucas laugh when he was young.” A
small smile appeared on his papa’s face. “Momma always said I was
truly a Donovan, but I have Venderkemp blood in me as well.”

“At least I know it’s hereditary,” Keeghan
acknowledged. “William Alexander Donovan Venderkemp Hetherington.
Papa Stewart lives on in the current generation.”

“You should have spoken to Mom and Dad when I
was born. If I had been christened with that name, this puzzle
would have been a little easier to solve. William Alexander
Hetherington came up a bit short.”

“Your nana and I spent many nights talking
about my family. Lucas entered his early teens, enjoying life. He
had some growing up to do and I didn’t want him tempted by the
knowledge there was some money out there. As you recall, other than
the car, my parents weren’t given the proverbial silver spoon and
platter the day they were married. They worked and earned their
lifestyle as did your nana and I. It didn’t do us any harm. I think
we have strong morals because of it. We thought it was best to wait
until your father was a little older before we told him about the
orphanage and specifically the trust fund. As he aged and entered
finance, I didn’t see the need. He doesn’t require a tutorial on
how to manage the funds.

“Momma, Uncle Alex, Alisha, and I were raised
knowing the money was for the orphanage. In my heart, that money
still belongs to the orphanage and always will. Money was given to
help with special items and that is still the case today. As you
recall, I assisted both of you with your businesses. Nana Hope
wanted her family to strive and succeed on their own merit. I’m
proud to say my poppa made a decent living at the bank, as did your
father and I. This family has made sacrifices over the years
starting with Nana Natasha, Izabella and even Sarah. She never once
complained about the lifestyle she led with Alex, but I know after
listening to her play, she would have been in her glory on the
stage playing professionally.”

“She didn’t like playing in front of crowds,”
Keeghan reminded him.

“She was glowing every time we sat around the
piano and listened to her. She was glowing when she performed at
the concert hall. If Uncle Alex had insisted she pursue her career,
there would have been a void in both their lives. Life wouldn’t
have been the same at the orphanage. Aunt Sarah knew that. There
were so many sacrifices made over the years and they all benefited
the Venderkemp Orphanage. Yes, William, you have some very distant
royal cousins, and there is money, but does it make a difference?
You’ve had a good life and married a beautiful bride. Someday, God
willing, my great grandchild will be administering a trust fund for
the orphanage Nana Hope loved. That Nana Natasha loved.”

“It makes me proud just thinking about it and
it wasn’t my family,” Keeghan admitted.

Will winked at Keeghan, then turned his
attention back to Papa Victor. “What happened to Papa Stewart’s
business?”

“Matthew’s son followed the tradition. To
this day, the business is run by Carsons. Matthew and Tessa’s
grandchildren are partners. Papa Stewart would be proud of Aunt
Vicki’s family. The next time you’re on the computer, look at the
website for Donovan and Carson Incorporated. I have it bookmarked
and go in occasionally to look at their latest projects.”

“I’m proud of you. I didn’t realize you are
computer savvy. I didn’t think you looked at anything but the stock
market.”

“I have Donovan blood in my veins and it
makes me proud to see the accomplishments of the business started
by Papa Stewart and Papa Willard.”

“I’ll check it out tonight.”

Keeghan looked at Papa Victor. His eyes were
turning a soft shade of sleepy blue. She'd never question when
Will, his father or grandfather were tired.

“I have one more question, if you are up to
it. Do you ever remember seeing your nana Natasha’s crown?”

“That crown,” he repeated softly. “Strange
you should mention that. After Poppa passed, Momma was preparing to
move into an apartment and she came across a box with Nana
Natasha’s crown and the portrait of her family. She told me she was
sending it over, but the package never arrived. It wasn’t like
Momma to forget something important to her. I never mentioned it,
not wanting to upset her. After Momma passed, I expected to find
the box among her possessions, but didn’t. I assumed it was
mislabeled and given to charity in error. I was never interested in
the crown, but would have enjoyed seeing the portrait. I have never
seen a picture of Nana Natasha’s father.”

William gave Keeghan a quick wink.

“I should take Constable out for a quick walk
and see if she needs to relieve herself. I’ll be back in a few
minutes. Come on, girl. You have been a good dog, and I’m sure you
could use a stretch.”

Keeghan walked out of the apartment with the
dog, giving Will and his grandfather time to talk.

William was standing at the doorway, looking
down the hallway when Keeghan opened the door for the stairwell. He
walked down the hall and took the box from her. He followed her and
the dog back into the apartment. After closing the door, William
walked into the living room and set the box on his grandfather’s
lap. Keeghan returned to her seat on the sofa.

“This is what started our search, Papa,” Will
announced. “Nana Rose never lost the crown or the portrait. It’s
strange. The portrait was sealed in a bottle and found its way to
our home via the ocean.”

Papa Victor removed the silk cloth covering
the objects. His eyes filled with tears as he removed the portrait.
“What a waste. To have her life ended so soon. She was truly a
beautiful woman.”

Papa Victor set the picture beside him,
looked into the box, and stared at the contents. He removed the
glass bottle and examined it. “The portrait was inside this?”

“Yes.”

“That is strange. I can’t imagine Momma
placing the portrait in that. She was a meticulous woman,
especially with items of value. It would have been framed for
protection and in a closet if it wasn’t hung on a wall.” He turned
his attention back to the box but never attempted to remove the
jewel. The room went quiet. Keeghan could hear Constable
snoring.

“Papa?” Keeghan whispered, “Do you know what
happened to Natasha’s diary or the journal Stewart, Hope, and Alex
kept? I’d love to read them.”

“That diary,” Papa Victor responded quietly.
“I don’t think Nana Natasha ever intended for anyone but Papa
Stewart to read her thoughts. I haven’t seen those books in
years.”

Keeghan lowered her head, but it was
difficult trying to hide her disappointment.

“Keegh.”

“After learning Will’s a descendant of
Natasha and Stewart, I got my hopes up and expected to read the
diary and journal. With such a close-knit family, I was sure the
books would have been stored in a safe location.” She fought the
urge to cry.

“Are you up to another trip down memory
lane?” Will asked his papa.

“I’m getting tired, William. What do you have
in mind?”

“I want to take Keeghan back to Kassima.”

“Really!” Keeghan grinned. “I’d love
that.”

“We’d like you to join us, Papa.”

Keeghan nodded, enthusiastically.

“We can tour the entire orphanage and grounds
and perhaps speak with Nicole,” Will informed them. “It’s possible
she’s the offspring of one of the daughters Alex and Sarah
adopted.”

“Nicole. Yes, she is Alex’s great
granddaughter. We exchange Christmas cards and chat about the
orphanage.”

“Well then. Keegh and I want to see the
cemetery at the back of the property.” He paused for a second.
“We’ll bring Mom and Dad up to date and the five of us can fly over
for a little holiday. It’s up to you whether you come to the
orphanage with us, but I’d also like to go back to the university
and to the cemetery. To see the Donovan plot and Izabella’s.”