Natasha's Legacy (5 page)

“Behave! I’m just saying, Alex needs a friend
or two and I think Sarah and Alex might make a cute couple.”

* * *

The following day, after the noon meal was
served, Alex was playing catch with the boys when Tom
approached.

“Sarah called. She will arrive shortly.”

“Thank you.”

After excusing himself, Alex went to his
room. He stared at his own reflection in the mirror.

“When courting Christine and Elaine I was
uncomfortable showing our private quarters, but Elaine never
understood the importance of the orphanage in my life. If I’m able
to form more than a friendship, it’s imperative Sarah appreciates
my dedication to my chosen career.”

After shaving, Alex removed his dark trousers
and best white shirt from the wardrobe.

Standing in the office, he talked to Tom
while keeping an eye out the window. When Sarah arrived, Alex
stepped onto the porch and looked at the heavens.

“Please. Help me find the courage and
strength to speak with intelligence.” He took a deep breath and
then walked to her. Assisting Sarah from her buggy, her long
chestnut brown hair blew around her face. That would have bothered
Elaine but didn’t seem to concern Sarah. Her carefree attitude was
a refreshing change. Having seen Sarah with her hair tied back and
an apron covering her blouse and skirt, he took a moment to admire
her appearance. Her long, dark skirt and frilly, cream blouse
emphasized her curves.

She’s even more attractive.
How is that possible?
Once inside the orphanage, he pointed
to the office where Tom was working at the desk.

After a quick greeting, Alex led Sarah across
the hall and opened the door. His parents, grandfather, and
Izabella were in the study room. Since it was customary to allow
people making a donation to see the children, they looked over and
smiled.
My family will assume Sarah’s a
client.

The tour of the main level continued before
he took Sarah up the main staircase. Two children were in the
medical area, lying in bed, and three babies were in the nursery.
After giving Sarah a few minutes to admire the infants, they went
up the steps to the third floor.

“I have never seen so many beds. The area is
immaculate.”

“It’s imperative the room is kept in order.
With the number of children in our care, Poppa insists they are
taught manners and have responsibilities. The older children are
expected to make their beds.”

“How many beds are there?”

“There are twenty-five in each section plus
the cribs.

Her jaw dropped as her eyes opened even
wider. “Fifty children?”

Alex nodded. “That’s not normal, but yes,
it’s possible. Over the years we have come close to filling the
beds, but thankfully, children have been adopted. We’ve never
turned a child away.”

Alex led her back to the staircase. Sarah
gripped the material of her skirt, pulling it up slightly. “I had
not expected a thorough tour of the building. The medical staff
must find it challenging to tend to the children.”

“Under normal circumstances, tours do not
include the second or third floor.” After descending the first set
of stairs, he turned and headed for the addition. “We have strict
policies for the staff and volunteers. Tom and the medical staff
have authorization to the second and third floor, but the
volunteers don’t. They’re restricted to designated rooms on the
main floor.”

At the end of the hallway, Alex reached into
his pocket for his key.

“Neither Tom nor the medical staff have
access to the addition.” He unlocked the door. “This is the
entrance to my home.” A slight smile appeared on her face. “The
addition was added shortly after my parents were married. This is
my parents’ room.” Alex pointed to the open door.

Sarah stood at the doorway and looked inside.
Alex looked in, seeing the room from her perspective. His parents’
bedroom was tastefully decorated with a double bed, two wardrobes,
a writing desk, and two chairs on either side of the window. There
was a small table beside the second window with a vase of fresh
flowers making the centrepiece. Pictures of family members covered
a small portion of the wall. The spacious room had a beautiful
breeze coming in, and his parents enjoyed a view of the
property.

“It is a large, comfortable room.”

“Yes. The room was designed for my parents.
They are both only children and they appreciate the space. Momma
more so than Poppa.” Alex stepped away from the door and walked
farther down the hall. He opened the next door. “Momma’s sewing
room, previously known as the nursery.”

The room was strewn with sewing supplies and
clothes in need of mending. They continued down the hall.

“My room.” Alex remained in the hallway
allowing Sarah to step inside. She walked past his double bed to
the night table with a chair beside it. She looked out the window
and then turned her attention to the table, picking up his
novel.

He remained at the door, keeping a firm grip
on the doorknob. “Are you fond of reading?”

“When time permits. My enjoyment is music. I
play the piano and study at the conservatory.”

“I admire people who are able to play. Momma
attempted to encourage me to take lessons when I was a young boy,
but I expected perfection far too quickly. To this day, wild
animals that scream through the night make a sound more pleasant to
the ears than I produced. I was embarrassed playing in that public
building and cringed at the thought of being heard in my own home.
I have awful memories.”

“It takes years of practice and
dedication.”

Sarah followed Alex out of the room and to
the single door on the other side of the hallway.

“Papa and Izabella’s private quarters.”

Sarah leaned into their sitting room, but
Alex did not comment on the interior. “Shall we continue?”

Alex stopped at Rose’s door and placed his
hand the knob. His sister’s wedding gown was hanging prominently on
her privacy screen. Her wedding wasn’t a topic he planned to
discuss.

“This is my sister’s room. We have three
guest rooms and the remainder are used for storage. Momma and Poppa
had planned a larger family.” Alex headed for the private
staircase.

“You referred to your nana by her first
name.”

“Izabella is not my nana. Nana Natasha passed
at a very young age, leaving Papa to raise Momma. He met Izabella
years later.”

“Oh my gosh. It is obvious your family shares
a special bond.”

Alex stopped. “Yes, we are
very
close.”

They walked down the steps, through the
dining area and parlour, and then outside. Alex inhaled deeply and
exhaled, attempting to calm himself.
It’s time to
encourage Sarah to talk.
“Tell me about your life.”

“Poppa works at the local feed mill, and
Momma teaches. Andrew, my only sibling, is two years my
junior.”

Alex stopped when they reached a large tree
that offered shade, and she joined him on the grass. “Please
continue.”

“I met the man who captured my heart at
seventeen, while at the conservatory. Three years my senior, we
were married weeks after my graduation to the delight of our
families.”

Married? Sarah’s
married?
Regret swept through him. Alex looked up toward the
sky. It had been foolish to think otherwise. A beautiful, sincere
woman with a warm heart, of course she’s married. He had mistaken
her friendly, bubbly personality as a sign of affection.
Her husband is a fortunate man indeed.

“John was magnificent on the piano,” she
concluded.

Sarah McLennon. John McLennon.
Of course
. Elaine spoke his name. That and of Sarah’s
talent.

“I was in the audience when your husband
performed at the concert hall….” He stopped himself, having no
intention of mentioning Elaine by name. “Your husband is indeed
talented. I recall your name listed under his profile.”

“I was infuriated seeing my name in print.
They were simply to note John was married.” She stopped and then
sorrow covered her face. “That was my husband’s last public
concert. One month later, his horse reared at an oncoming carriage.
He was thrown.”

“Oh my.” Alex clenched his hands into a fist
and placed it on his mouth.

“I was widowed in an instant. The world lost
a talented pianist, and I lost my husband.”

“My sincere condolences. Do you have
children?”

“No. We attempted to begin a family, but
unfortunately, it was not in God’s plans. Financially, I’m unable
to support a family without John, but I would have cherished the
opportunity to watch a child we created grow. John, ever the
optimist, was confident we would be parents, and equally confident
of our future with music. Unfortunately, at the time of his death,
we had no real savings for me to fall back on. I miss him terribly,
but know God has special plans for such a wonderful man.”

She continued talking about her life. From
the tone in her voice, she still loved him. Would always love him,
just like Papa loved Nana. Warm tingles swelled through his
heart.

“I sold the home we shared and returned to my
parents’ home. Andrew heard about the position at the mercantile
and insisted I speak with the owners. My brother was determined I
should rebuild my life and not dwell on my misfortune. I found a
small apartment a reasonable distance from the mercantile and the
conservatory. Once I graduate, I plan to teach music or….”

Sarah stopped talking. Assuming the topic was
too uncomfortable for her, he simply nodded.

“You mentioned you were at John’s concert. I
believe you sat behind me. You were with a woman.”

Picturing the night in his mind, he had been
humiliated when Elaine wouldn’t stop talking. The woman in front
turned and glared with piercing green eyes.
That
was Sarah.
His entire body burned with heat. He turned his
head away from her.

“My apologies. I’ve embarrassed you. If my
memory serves me correctly it’s not the first time.”

Alex looked at Sarah. “You didn’t embarrass
me at the mercantile.”

“No, but I did when we were young. I was
entering the conservatory with Momma and a chum when you were
leaving. You held the door for us.”

The memory was faint but the girls had
giggled. “Momma scolded me for allowing the door to close.”

“Then I was chastised for my lack of manners
and embarrassing you. Momma was not pleased.”

Alex grinned. “Neither of our momma’s were
pleased.”

Sarah smiled and shook her head.

“Tell me about your past. Obviously, you were
with the woman at the concert.”

The opening he required. The conversation
would allow him the opportunity to convey the importance of the
orphanage.

“Yes. We were engaged to be married, with the
date quickly approaching. I discovered Elaine had expectations I
would never be able to satisfy. Coming from upper class society,
she assumed I would join her father’s company, leaving the
orphanage. I was….” He stopped to correct himself. “To this day I
am unable to fathom a life outside the orphanage.”

“You were engaged. Did you not discuss the
future you would share?”

“I’m very shy. Elaine is very outspoken. I
once believed I excelled at listening but I find myself questioning
that now. I accept responsibility for not making my intentions
clear.”

Alex noticed Tom approaching with a tray and
two glasses of lemonade. Seeing Tom, Alex was reminded of a
conversation with their manager.

“Thank you, Tom.”

They took the glasses and Tom left them to
continue talking.

“I’d like to convey my appreciation for the
donation. Tom spoke of your generosity.”

“Although the cause is worthwhile, to be
truthful, my intent was to become acquainted with you.”

Music to his ears, Alex fought a smile.

“Tom greeted me at the door and offered me a
tour, but I declined.”

Alex had persuaded Tom early on to continue
assisting clients with donations and adoptions, as his parents had
done before him. “You didn’t ask Tom to locate me?”

“No. I’m not shy, but that is far too
aggressive. Tom has spoken highly of your family, but I would have
been humiliated if you were in a relationship at the time. Engaged
to be married.”

“Your reluctance is understandable, but I
assure you, Tom would have said something if that were the case. I
hadn’t been to the mercantile in a number of years, but he
persuaded me to go in the hope you’d be working. Of course, he kept
that information to himself until I returned. He couldn’t praise
you enough.”

“Tom speaks highly of the orphanage and has a
great deal of respect for your family. Listening to his praise, I
was intrigued and wanted to meet you.”

Relaxing on the grass, the conversation
continued. Sarah reminisced about her childhood with her younger
brother. Sarah had Alex laughing to the point his eyes watered. He
gripped his stomach.

“Alex Venderkemp. You have a handsome smile
and an infectious laugh. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you
today.”

“As did I, my time with you.”

“I must depart. I’d hate to be tardy getting
to the conservatory.”

Alex stood, extended his hand, and assisted
Sarah to her feet before walking her toward her horse. “I’d be
honoured if you would join me one evening to dine.”

She smiled and nodded. Alex reached for her
hand and assisted her onto the buggy. Once out of sight, he took a
deep breath and looked to the sky.

“Thank you.”

* * *

After spending time with the children,
Stewart followed Izabella up the main staircase. He stopped to
speak with the doctor while Izabella continued down the hall.
Reaching their quarters, he didn't see Izabella. “She must be in
her own room.” Giving her a moment to finish what she was engaged
in, he wandered to the window and gazed outside. Alex was walking a
young woman to her horse. A hand touched his shoulder.