Natasha's Legacy (4 page)

“Monies collected through adoptions and
donations are required to purchase supplies for the children and to
compensate the medical staff,” Hope added when Adam struggled with
his emotions. “My poppa has used his personal resources to pay
Tom’s wages over the past twenty-four years.”

Adam reached for Hope’s hand, communicating
his ability to continue.

“Without the donations and adoptions, in
time, we
would
be forced to close to our
doors. It would destroy me to turn a child in need away. I cannot …
will not
,” he stressed, “allow the
reputation of this business to be tarnished. We will not respond to
this,” he stated, pointing at the paper on the table between them.
“My humble apologies Rose, Richard, but we have established a solid
reputation that I will not see destroyed by a newspaper
article.”

“You’re suggesting we ignore this?” Richard
asked.

“Unfortunately, yes. In time, this will pass
and be forgotten. Rose, do you understand the reason for this?”

“I do, Poppa.” She smiled. “I will prove them
wrong on my own merit.”

Able to see Natasha’s attitude in Rose,
Stewart couldn’t be prouder of their granddaughter.

* * *

“Good for Rose,” Keeghan acknowledged. “I
don’t think I would have given in quite so easily. That attack was
personal.”

“Yeah, but the reputation of the orphanage is
at stake. Her love for her dad and grandparents would have her
swallowing her personal pride.”

“I guess. Still that had to hurt. I hope Rose
does well for herself. Now she has something to prove. I like her.
She’s a gutsy young woman. There’s a lot of Natasha and Hope in
Rose.”

* * *

The orphanage was busy with babies born and
adoptions. Tom and Alex were confined to the office for more hours
than appreciated. Inundated with volunteer applications, it was the
one job Alex detested. Alex set a piece of paper into a file folder
of acceptable applicants and tossed his pen onto the desk.

“I would not be surprised if you were to tell
me we were the only orphanage on this continent. We are inundated
with paperwork.”

“You are a handsome bachelor. Women seek the
opportunity to meet you. I do not recall you courting in some
time.”

Alex stared at the papers in front of him.
Why did I open my mouth?
He didn’t
appreciate comments from his family, and did not care to listen to
Tom’s views on the topic.

“Female volunteers appear discouraged when
you fail to spend time with them. They seem like they would be
happy to be in your company, perhaps for a short stroll around the
property to talk.”

“My life revolves around an orphanage. Women
are not interested in building a relationship.”

“Alex, you are naïve to the world. I recall a
number of volunteers eager to spend time in your company. Later on,
they were envious of Christine.”

“You are an old romantic fool, Tom,” Alex
remarked. “During my school years, the women were not seeking a
serious commitment.”

Tom shrugged his shoulders, stood, and walked
out of the room, shutting the office door behind him.

* * *

Hope stood by the door of the playroom,
listening to Izabella read a story to a small group of young
children. Tom opened the door.

“I require a moment of your time,” he
requested.

“Certainly. Of course.”

Hope stepped into the lobby, closing the door
behind her.

“I’m to spend the day completing errands
tomorrow, but we’re behind reviewing the volunteer applications.
With both Alex and Adam disliking the job, my time would be better
spent in the office. It would be much appreciated if Alex would go
to the city tomorrow.”

“It would be pleasing to see Alex leave the
premises. Request his assistance in the morning. Adam and I will be
happy to help any couples looking to adopt, or volunteers that
require assistance while you’re occupied.”

Tom stepped outside. Having forgotten to ask
about a particular couple considering an adoption, Hope opened the
door. Tom was looking to the sky. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but
heard his voice in a quiet prayer.

“I believe in fate, my heavenly father, but
also believe it requires a slight push. If my intuition is correct,
guide them.”

Questioning the meaning of the prayer, Hope
returned to the playroom, granting him his privacy.

* * *

After breakfast, Alex left the children with
the volunteers and went to the office. Tom was sitting at the desk,
working on a file. Alex looked toward his own desk where a pile of
volunteer applications waited. “Ugh.” Unable to procrastinate any
longer, he walked toward his seat.

“I’d be pleased to review these documents if
you would complete the errands in the city,” Tom offered.

Alex took a step back from his desk. He
enjoyed running errands with his father and grandfather years
earlier. “If you’re serious, I’d be delighted to avoid this
task.”

“I’m serious. These applications need to be
reviewed and the volunteers need to be contacted. Unless we get
busy, I’ll get those completed.”

Tom handed Alex a list. Not allowing their
manager a moment to change his mind, Alex pulled the bank deposit
from the main desk drawer and left in haste to change.

Outside, the sun shone and a few fluffy
clouds dotted the sky. It was a beautiful day for errands.
Suffering a small pang of guilt leaving Tom in the office
completing paperwork, Alex looked back toward the door. “I deserve
a day to myself.” Giving the reins a tap, the horses trotted along.
He took a deep breath, allowing the fresh morning air to enter his
lungs. “I'm looking forward to this.”

When he reached the city limits, Alex
retrieved the list from his jacket pocket. Once the bank deposit
was completed, he asked to speak with Richard. His future
brother-in-law walked out to greet him, and took him into his
office. They enjoyed a lengthy visit.

After the butcher shop and the blacksmith,
Alex stopped his horse at the mercantile. He scanned the long list
of required goods as he entered. Glancing up, he made eye contact
with a male clerk just before the man disappeared into an adjoining
room.

“Good afternoon. Could I be of assistance?”
the female clerk asked.

He would have preferred dealing with the male
clerk, but it appeared he had no choice. Alex avoided looking up.
“Yes, that would be appreciated.”

Alex approached the wooden counter and placed
the list down. He stole a long glance while she scanned the large
order. Five or six inches shorter than his six foot one frame, her
chestnut brown hair was tied back, complementing her fair
completion and long eyelashes. He found her features quite
pleasing. Her eyes shifted up and locked onto his. Alex
instinctively stared at the counter. The burning sensation in his
cheeks went into his spine and down his neck. Prickles irritated
his skin. He had avoided associating with females other than
family, Uncomfortable in the woman’s company, he closed his eyes
and scratched the back of his neck.

“I’ll return in a moment,” the clerk informed
him. “I require help given the size of this order.”

The clerk disappeared but returned a moment
later. She began chatting as she gathered the items, listing them
on an invoice and putting them into boxes. Despite his nerves Alex
began chuckling at her amazing sense of humour. Her face brightened
and her cute, rounded nose wrinkled when she laughed. Fascinated by
her smile, he was gazing at her lips when she looked at him. Their
eyes locked for a second time. Alex closed his eyes. If able, he
would crawl into a hole and vanish.

“Would you be requiring anything else?” she
asked.

Opening his eyes, he took the paper in his
hands and scanned the list.

“I do not believe so,” he whispered.

Alex gazed around as she added the items on
the invoice. Then she stated the amount owing, expecting payment.
Arrangements had been made years earlier. The orphanage was sent
invoices which his mother paid monthly.

“My humble apologies. The invoice is to be
added to the Venderkemp Orphanage account,” he responded, staring
at the counter top.

The clerk reached below the counter and
retrieved a small box. It pleased Alex that she questioned him.
Limited people had permission to charge goods to the orphanage
account. Tom’s name would be listed as well as his family.

“It is not my intent to be rude, but I’m not
aware of your name.”

“Alex,” he replied.

“Mr. Venderkemp?”

There were far too many questions. Far too
much conversation. I’m not comfortable with this. It was a mistake
coming on my own.

“Technically.”

Unable to look at her, he hadn’t been in the
mercantile in a number of years. If Tom was unable to run errands,
his parents made the trip, or, on the rare occasion, his
grandfather would pick up a few supplies.

“I’m certain you are familiar with our
employee, Tom. You will also see the names Adam, Hope, Rose,
Stewart, Victoria, and Gregory on that list. Please accept my
apologies. I’m forgetting my manners.”

Taking a deep breath, he raised his head and
stood transfixed by the woman’s dazzling green eyes. Eyes that
complemented her beautiful smile. Alex fought the impulse and
temptation to look away.

“Alexander Venderkemp.”

“Sarah McLennon. It is a great pleasure to
meet you, Mr. Venderkemp.”

Sarah McLennon. Why is that name familiar?
Did she attend a class at university? Think.

“The pleasure is mine,” he managed to say. He
scratched the back of his neck shifting his attention back to the
counter.

“I’ve been to the orphanage and was impressed
by the building, grounds, and the content children. I don’t recall
seeing you.”

“We take pride in the orphanage,” he
remarked. His tone had less enthusiasm than he should have
used.

“I was hopeful at the time you would appear
in the lobby and offer a tour. Perhaps it would have been
advantageous for me to volunteer in the hopes of becoming
acquainted with you.”

His heart pounded. Staring at the countertop,
his mind went blank. The uncomfortable silence stretched. Glancing
up, Sarah had refocused her attention on the invoice and added the
amounts. She slid the paper toward him for his signature.

Alex looked at the paper and then glanced
toward Sarah. She remained silent, waiting for him to sign. Her
recent friendliness had disappeared.
Damn.
He finished signing his name, took a deep breath, and placed his
hand on his chest.

“If you find yourself at the orphanage,
please ask Tom to locate me. I would be delighted to give you a
tour.”

“That would be much appreciated.” Her smile
lit her face.

Alex returned her smile, picked up the box,
and took his leave. Placing the last crate in the wagon, he turned
to see Sarah standing by the door.

“It’s a pleasure making your acquaintance.”
His voice was as sincere as he could manage. “I hope you’ll take me
up on my offer for a tour.”

“It is my plan to do so.”

“If it’s not an inconvenience, would you be
so kind as to telephone the orphanage before arriving so I might
ensure I’m able to give you the tour?”

“It’s not an inconvenience.”

Alex climbed onto the buggy and gave Sarah a
slight smile before tapping the reins. Although he acknowledged the
smiling and waving women across the road, his mind remained on
Sarah. He struggled to breathe and bring his pounding heart under
control.

Eager to talk to Tom, it was a long journey
home. His poppa stepped out of the main entrance when Alex stopped
the horses. Tom was right behind him. With the first box in his
arms, Poppa headed for the building

“Tom, I’m hoping you have met the clerk at
the mercantile. She introduced herself as Sarah.”

“Sarah McLennon. I’m well acquainted with
her. I was hoping she would be working when you arrived. Sarah is
personable, intelligent, and possesses a wonderful sense of humour.
She is much like Rose.”

A warm sensation filled his heart while
listening to the man he respected.

“The day Sarah appeared with a donation, I
offered a tour of the building but she declined,” Tom continued.
“If I’d been aware of your location, I would have introduced you.
She is a handsome woman.”

Alex picked up a box and followed Tom toward
the storage area. “Yes,” Alex mumbled. “I have offered to give her
a tour of the building and grounds if she finds herself in the
area.”

“I will be searching for you before she
closes the door.”

Tom sounded too chipper, too pleased with
himself. His entire family would know of his interest in a female.
It was imperative Tom remain silent. Alex did not want his family
speculating on his interest in Sarah.

“Do not speak of Sarah to
anyone
. I was so nervous, I barely met her gaze while
speaking at the mercantile. I struggled to speak intelligently in
her company. It’s possible she will not show her face here in
search of my company.”

“I consider Sarah a friend and enjoy our
conversations. You must relax and enjoy her companionship.”

“Relax? That isn’t possible. My heart is
pounding just thinking of her. I barely recalled my own name in her
presence.”

Tom followed Alex into the storage room,
meeting his poppa on his way out to retrieve a second box.

* * *

“McLennon, that name does sound familiar,”
Keeghan admitted. “Sarah sounds really sweet.”

“Here we go,” Will teased. “Keeghan wants to
match-make.”