Natasha's Legacy (6 page)

“It appears Alex has a friend,” he informed
her.

Izabella stood by his side and looked out.
“Alex gave her a tour earlier today,” she reminded him. “I don’t
believe she came looking to adopt a child or to make a
donation.”

When Alex reached for the woman’s hand,
Izabella stepped back from the window.

“Stewart.”

His focus never budged from his grandson and
his new friend. “Alex is not aware I’m watching.”

“You should be ashamed. You’re to be changing
in preparation to dine.”

“I will.” He continued looking out the
window.

“Do not embarrass him,” she warned.

Alex settled on the chair in his room,
reading. Focused, he almost missed the faint tap on his door.

“Alex.”

He put the book down and straightened his
dressing gown. “Come in.”

Papa entered the room, shut the door, and sat
on the edge of his bed.

“I believe you’re attempting to keep a secret
from me. I can state with certainty, the young woman you
entertained did not arrive with the purpose of making a donation,
or adopting.” Papa Stewart raised his eyebrows. “Izabella spoke of
the sparkle in your eyes earlier today. That pleased me.”

Unable to conceal the truth, Alex looked down
at his novel before shifting his gaze back to his grandfather. “I
didn’t realize my emotions are transparent.”

“You possess the Donovan eyes, the sparkle.
They’re transparent. She’s attractive.”

“Attractive? I’m yet to vision more beautiful
features on a face.”

Papa’s eyes sparkled. Alex’s mind shifted to
the diary. To Papa’s relationship with Nana. “I’m amazed my
great-grandparents weren’t aware of your relationship. Your parents
were not as perceptive when you began courting Nana Natasha.”

Stewart smiled. “It was a struggle to refrain
from speaking of her. I splashed cool water on my face when
returning to my home and attempted to keep my mind occupied. I
missed her terribly while apart and cherished our time at
university.”

“I’m astonished you graduated,” Alex mocked,
“and with the grades you achieved.”

“It was imperative I maintained my grades
while attending school. Enough about me. You must put me out of my
misery and speak of the young lady you entertained. Izabella and I
were in our sitting room when she departed. I was proud watching a
gentleman assist her onto her buggy.”

Alex’s entire body warmed, envisioning
Sarah’s face. A smile broke free. “We met yesterday, while in the
city completing errands. After a thorough tour of the building and
grounds, we sat outdoors and talked and laughed. Rose and Sarah
share similar humour.” Alex stopped. His former relationship
entered his mind. “I don’t trust my emotions,” he admitted. “I have
hurt and been hurt. I will not cause more pain.”

“You must open your heart, Alex. The past is
your history, tomorrow, your future. If Sarah brings laughter and
enjoyment to your life, you must open your heart and mind to her
friendship.”

“I’m trying.” Alex bit his bottom lip.

“I will expect a proper introduction during
her next visit.”

Alex smiled and nodded.

* * *

Leaving Alex, Stewart returned to his own
room. Izabella was sitting up in their bed with her head resting
against her pillow, reading. She placed her novel on the night
table and watched Stewart turn out the light and crawl in beside
her.

“Did you speak with Alex?”

“The young woman answers to the name Sarah
and Alex is smitten. Although he fears being hurt, or hurting the
young woman, he has strong feelings for her.”

“Alex is a young version of his papa.”

“That is my concern. When it comes to Alex,
the weight of the world is on his chest. He must open his heart to
her. I sympathize with his dilemma. It was difficult to open my
heart after Natasha’s death.”

“You shared a true union of souls and were
blessed with a beautiful daughter. The pain in your heart increased
tenfold raising a child that is her mother’s image. I do not
believe Alex has experienced the emotions of being in love. I hope
Sarah is a special young woman who is compassionate, but able to
give Alex a slight tug. She must find her way into Alex’s heart as
I found my way into yours.”

“That is my hope, and that of his
parents.”

* * *

Alex finished his breakfast and walked into
the office to see two stacks of files on his desk. Sitting on his
chair, he glanced through the papers for volunteer applications. He
only saw information for adopted children and babes born. Breathing
a sigh of relief, he prepared himself to work. As he opened the
first file, a knock on the door interrupted him.

“Come in.”

Tom entered. “My apologies. I wasn’t able to
work on the children’s files.”

“Don’t apologize. Accept my gratitude for
finishing the volunteer applications.”

“It was pleasing to see Sarah by your side. I
heard the laughter while outside with the children.”

“We enjoyed our time together.”

“I hope to see her visiting on a regular
basis. I will leave you to work.”

Tom closed the door on his way out.

Two days later, Alex telephoned the
mercantile asking to speak with Sarah. After apologizing for his
tardiness, he asked if she had a telephone at her home. That night,
once the children were settled for the evening, Alex walked into
the office and closed the door. Time stood still as they chatted.
There was a tap and then the door opened slightly and Poppa looked
in.

“My humble apologies, but I must remind you,
the telephone is intended for the orphanage and emergencies.”

The door closed. Alex removed his pocket
watch.
My word. We’ve been talking more than two
hours.
“My apologies, Sarah. I didn’t realize the time.”

“Nor did I.”

“May I call again tomorrow night?”

“Indeed. Yes. Goodnight, Alex.”

“Sweet dreams.”

* * *

It had been a quiet evening. Hope’s poppa and
Izabella had retired for the evening, Rose was in her room reading
and Alex in the office. It was getting late when her husband
entered their room.

“Please tell me Alex is no longer working,”
Hope pleaded.

“Alex has spent the last two hours on the
telephone. With the window open, I’m pleased to say there was
laughter.”

“Two hours with laughter? Is he speaking with
Matthew?”

Adam shook his head. “I don’t believe
so.”

“A school chum?”

“I’m not certain, but I question whether he's
speaking with a young lady.”

“You must open our door, Adam. I plan to
speak with Alex before he settles in for the evening.”

Adam changed into his sleeping attire, opened
the door and crawled into bed. They were reading when they heard
movement in the hallway. Watching, Alex walked by their door. After
giving him a few minutes to settle, Hope crawled out of bed and
followed Adam to their son’s room. Adam knocked.

“You may enter.”

Alex was dressed for bed and sitting in his
chair. Hope stood at the doorframe, quietly by her husband’s
side.

“If my memory serves me correctly, you
recently gave a young woman a tour of the orphanage,” Adam
remarked. “I do not recall your presence in the office or your
assistance with the children that day. Is it possible you were
speaking with that same woman this evening?”

The twinkle appeared in her son’s eyes. Then
Alex smiled.

“Yes. She introduced herself as Sarah
McLennon. She has mesmerizing green eyes and a smile that
captivates me.” He placed his hand on his heart. “I become nervous
when her vision enters my mind.”

“Pray tell, you must assure me she possesses
more than a handsome face,” Hope pleaded. “We cannot allow history
to repeat itself. I don’t want another domineering woman to enter
your life.”

Alex shook his head. “Sarah is quite the
opposite of Elaine. Tom is well acquainted with Sarah. He assured
me she is as bubbly and personable as Rose. I have witnessed this,
and her dry sense of humour.”

Hope grinned, clenching her fingers together.
“You must invite her to dine with our family. Are you planning to
ask Sarah to escort you to Rose and Richard’s wedding?”

Alex glared at her and scowled, wrinkles
covering his forehead and around his nose. An expression she hadn’t
seen since his childhood.

“No-o-o.” For a one syllable word, Alex
dragged it as if in a song. “The wedding takes place in three days.
I can’t possibly ask her to be my guest.”

“We would be pleased to make her acquaintance
before the event,” Hope suggested.

“No,” he snapped, his voice even more firm.
“I will not ask her to escort me unless the wedding is postponed a
few weeks … or months.”

“Don’t vocalize such thoughts,” Hope
lectured. “Rose and Richard are ready to begin their lives
together.”

“We shall remain patient,” Adam assured.
“Goodnight, son.”

* * *

On the day of their daughter’s wedding, Rose
stepped out of her room.

“I'm so pleased you chose this gown," Hope
informed her. She attached a pearl necklace around Rose's neck.
"The satin and lace gown is perfect. The scooped neck, puffy
sleeves, and a short train complement your small frame."

Rose twirled around.

“Your poppa is downstairs, waiting for us.
Your Papa, Izabella and Alex already left for the church.”

Hope watched Adam's hands tremble as he led
their daughter down the aisle toward the groomsmen. Proud, warm
tingles consumed her. Turning her attention to Alex and Richard,
they both looked handsome and official in long black tails, holding
their top hats. Glancing to her side. Momma Venderkemp was all
smiles, watching Adam and Rose. Feeling a slight squeeze to her
hand, she looked at her poppa.

“Rose is a vision of loveliness,” Vicki
remarked.

With her aunt and uncle sitting behind with
Matthew, Carolyn, and Tessa and her beau, Hope turned to
acknowledge the comment and saw Matthew wink at his nervous cousin.
Then Hope saw her camouflaged uncles, Joshua and Marcus and their
families. She smiled and nodded to greet them.

Turning her attention back to her daughter,
Adam kissed Rose’s cheek, gave her a quick hug, and placed her hand
in Richard’s. Adam walked to the pew and sat beside her. She heard
him take a deep breath and exhale.

“I’m thankful we only had one daughter. That
was difficult for this ageing heart.” Hope smiled, gripped his
hand, raised it to her face, and kissed his fingers. The ceremony
began and they listened to Rose Alisha exchange vows with the man
she cherished. Both Hope and Izabella wiped tears from their eyes
when Richard slid a wedding band onto Rose’s finger. The next phase
of Rose Alisha’s life was beginning.

Once the ceremony ended, the guests were
invited to the orphanage grounds to enjoy a meal. The children
presented the newly married couple with a wedding card they had
designed, and the extended family stood for a formal picture with
the bride and groom. Hope, Adam, and Richard’s parents walked the
newlyweds to the buggy. With the bride and groom gone, the guests
slowly departed and Alex disappeared. Even with the door closed,
laughter filled the lobby as he chatted on the telephone.

* * *

Papa Stewart, Izabella, and his parents had
made plans to dine with Aunt Vicki and Uncle Greg. With Nana
Venderkemp coming to deal with emergencies, Alex asked Sarah to
join him for dinner. As he dressed for the evening, the knock on
the door made his heart pound. He gripped his chest as Papa entered
his room.

“Alex!” Papa groaned.

“This is awful, Papa,” he admitted. “I’m so
nervous, I almost jumped out of my skin when you knocked. I’ve been
able to relax while speaking on the telephone with Sarah, but this
evening we will be face to face. My pounding heart will age me
before my time. I’m looking forward to seeing Sarah, but doubt I’ll
be at ease while in her company.”

“Breathe and enjoy it, Alex.”

“Yes. Easier said than done.”

Alex rode off a few minutes after his aunt
and uncle arrived.

When Sarah opened the door to her home,
Alex's heart leaped into his throat. He choked back a cough,
fighting to breathe. It took his a second or two to catch his
breath. “My word, that shade of blue accentuates your eyes. You
look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Alex. Please, come in. Would you
care for a glass of wine? Red or white?”

Two drinks later, they ate the meal Sarah
prepared.

“This is delicious, but I had intended to
take you out.” Alex placed his hands on his full stomach.

“I don’t mind, and I love to cook.”

They went for a long walk, ending at a local
park to watch the stars twinkling in the sky. It was getting late
when he noticed Sarah place her hand over her mouth, fighting back
a yawn. Pleased with the night, he walked her back to her home.

With Rose a married woman and moving into a
small apartment Richard had leased, Alex missed seeing his baby
sister.

Laying in his bed, he looked around his room.
“I'm not moving out of the orphanage. But I've outgrown this room.
It needs renovated. I will speak with Poppa and Papa later today.”
Pleased with the idea he jumped out of bed.

The following week, they moved his furniture
into a spare room and with guidance from his papa and assistance
from Greg and Matthew, the wall between Alex and Rose’s room was
demolished.

“I have space,” he gloated as he stood in his
room and extended his hands. “Now, I will ask Sarah to assist me as
I shop for new furniture.”