Natasha's Legacy (7 page)

The aroma of lunch cooking greeted him when
she opened the door to her home.

“You’re spoiling me with meals.”

“I enjoy cooking for someone other than
myself.”

With their stomachs full, they travelled to
the city in search of a new bed and wardrobe cabinet, two
armchairs, and a small table. Appreciating her suggestions and
opinions on the modern décor, the furniture was ordered.

That night, he sat in his room writing in his
journal. His friendship with Sarah was deepening, but still lacked
the level of comfort he experienced with Rose or his cousins. “That
won’t change until I kiss her. I can’t fathom initiating anything
intimate.” Grumbling, he put the journal away and went to bed.

After three weeks of telephone calls and
meals at her apartment, Sarah invited him to join her family for
dinner. Lying in bed the evening before the meal, his eyes refused
to stay shut. Sleep was impossible.

Alex stood in front of his mirror, ensuring
he looked respectable in his navy blazer, vest, and dark trousers
before walking out of his room.

Sarah was standing at the door to her complex
when he arrived. The dark flowing skirt of her dress blew freely in
the breeze. His hands trembled as he jumped down and then assisted
Sarah onto the buggy.

“Breathe, Alex. Once you meet Momma, Poppa,
Andrew and his wife Ingrid, your nerves will settle.”

Taking his seat beside her, he stared at the
reins in his hand. Memories of his first meal at Elaine’s home
filled his mind. That dreadfully uncomfortable dinner. Alex stopped
the horses at Sarah’s parents’ home, assisted Sarah down, and
walked to the main entrance. The night was a bit of a blur in his
mind but certain details were vivid. Once Alex exchanged greetings
with Sarah's brother, he noted something very familiar about
Andrew.
Did Andrew attend Picton? No, Andrew is
younger than Sarah. Why do I recognize this man?
He shook
her brother’s hand as he studied his face.

While dining, Alex spoke proudly of the
orphanage and his responsibilities.

“Andrew, what is your occupation?”

“I’m an account manager at the bank. I assist
the manager with the investment accounts and the business
accounts.”

The bank.
It was possible
Andrew knew of Momma’s
trust fund, the trust fund for the orphanage, and the connection to
Papa’s business. Mortified, Alex’s heart broke.
No. Why couldn’t you work anywhere but the bank?

His mind shifted to
the
day he and Sarah became acquainted.
Did her interest magnify when learning I’m a
Venderkemp?
Employed at the mercantile, Sarah admitted her
income paid her bills.
Is she enticed by the
possibility of establishing a relationship with a man of
wealth?
His chest felt heavy. Attempting to inhale, he
almost choked. He couldn’t associate with a woman who was only
interested in the money.

He’d speak with Richard and end the
friendship immediately if his suspicions were correct. Doubts
filled his mind. Unable to sit still, he couldn’t relax. The
remainder of the meal and conversation was a blur.

“I must depart,” Alex announced.

“I will ensure Sarah gets home," her brother
informed him.

Sarah walked him to the door. "Thank you for
inviting me to meet your family."

He turned and walked out of the home.

Travelling to the orphanage, a vision of
Sarah filled his mind. His eyes swelled with unshed tears. “If need
be, I will avoid Sarah as I have avoided Elaine.” It was a long
depressing journey home.

Unable to sleep, unable to speak of his
suspicions about Sarah to his family, he wrote a long journal
entry.

* * *

Tom walked into the playroom and over to
Hope. “Rose and Richard just arrived.”

Overjoyed and eager to see
the honeymooners, H
ope rushed out of the room. She guided
the young couple into the parlour as Rose bubbled with enthusiasm,
speaking of their time together. The family quickly joined
them.

“I plan to seek a part-time job while I
complete my education. I want to assist Richard with our savings.
We want to purchase a home within a year.”

“That is an aggressive goal,” Adam
remarked.

“I’d be pleased to hire you at
Valentines.”

“That is appreciated, but I respectfully
decline, Izabella. Your other employees will assume I’m employed
due to your relationship with Papa. I will gain employment based on
my own merit. My own ability.”

Hope’s heart filled with pride.

After dining, the crates containing Rose’s
personal possessions were loaded onto the wagon. Hope embraced her
daughter.

“I expect to see you Sunday afternoon. I want
the Donovan Carson Venderkemp tradition to continue.”

“We’ll be here, Momma. We will arrive in
plenty of time to visit before the Carson’s arrive.”

Richard assisted his bride onto the buggy and
guided the horses in the direction of their small apartment.

* * *

“Alex,” Keeghan groaned. “I like Sarah. I’m
proud that your back is up a bit, that you’re being careful, but, I
like Sarah. I want things to work out for you.”

“I’m proud of Rose,” Will admitted. “It would
have been so convenient to accept Izabella’s job offer, but she
didn’t. Rose has something to prove.”

“A woman after my own heart. That girl has
Nana Natasha in her.”

* * *

Rose found employment in a boutique walking
distance from her and Richard’s apartment and the bank. Filled with
pride, Natasha’s granddaughter was becoming an independent young
woman. Now, Stewart prayed Alex could find contentment with his
relationship with Sarah.

After a long walk in solitude, he worked his
way back indoors. Hope was sitting at her desk, completing
paperwork when he looked in the office. He entered the room and
took a seat, waiting for her to finish adding a column.

“Do you have a moment?”

“Of course, Poppa.”

“I’ve done a great deal of thinking. With
your permission, I’d like to assist Rose and Richard with the
purchase of a home. Recalling the time your momma and I spent in
the apartment, Natasha was claustrophobic in the confined space.
I’m afraid Rose will become claustrophobic, putting undue stress on
their marriage.”

“Unlike Momma, Rose is able to come and go as
she pleases. Rose and Richard would appreciate the offer, but I
doubt they would accept the gift. After the article in the
newspaper, my daughter is determined to prove she and her husband
are self-sufficient. Richard is well compensated in his position
and Rose is pleased with her salary. Richard told Adam they are
putting more money aside than he originally anticipated. He is
confident they will have the down payment for a home within the
year.”

“If the time becomes appropriate to assist
the newlyweds, it would please me to open my cheque book to cover
the cost of their home.”

“I will keep that in mind, Poppa.”

* * *

Alex walked into his room that night and
flopped onto his bed.

“Stupid,” he grumbled. “I need to speak with
Richard. He was here, in my home yet I did not request a moment of
his time. Now I must wait.” He pounded his fist into his mattress.
“I must continue avoiding Sarah. I cannot risk associating with
her.”

The week progressed slowly for Alex. He had
only spoken to Sarah once since dining with her family. During that
telephone conversation, he thanked her again for dinner and the
opportunity to meet her family, but the conversation had been
strained. Something inside his being didn’t trust her. Perhaps that
was too harsh, but it was possible Sarah’s interest was less than
honourable. That she sought access to the money from the trust
funds. Perhaps, like Elaine, she wanted a life in high society.

Although Alex wanted to see her beautiful
face, to listen to her voice, he didn’t contact her again, deciding
it was best to wait to speak with his brother-in-law. Alex would
have volunteered to go to the city to complete errands, taking a
few minutes to visit with Richard, but the need didn’t arise. There
was no need to leave the orphanage.

Alex considered telephoning Richard at home,
but Rose would be aware of the conversation. He didn’t want to
discuss Sarah with his baby sister.

Alex was completing the last file on
Wednesday before retiring for the evening when Momma walked into
the office.

“You must invite Sarah to dine with the
family. This coming Saturday.”

“She can't come. She is busy,” he responded,
lying.

“Your poppa and I wish to meet her.”

I can't allow that to happen. “Yes, I
know.”

Momma left the office, closing the door
behind her.

I need to speak with Richard. I will do that
at the family dinner on Sunday. I won't allow Rose and Richard to
leave until I have a moment of his time.

On Saturday night, Alex crawled under the
covers and stared at the ceiling. Momma had reiterated during the
meal that evening of their desire to meet Sarah. He had to ensure
Sarah's intentions were sincere. He needed to know if Sarah was
aware of the trust funds. “I
will
speak
with Richard tomorrow. It will be the best day of my life or one of
the worst.”

After a restless night, Alex rose early and
wrote in his journal. Finishing his entry, a vision of Sarah filled
his mind. “It’s imperative Rose and Richard arrive before the
Carsons. I must have a moment alone with Richard before the entire
family arrives for our weekly meal. Waiting another week to speak
with Richard is impossible. I must know if Andrew has knowledge of
the trust funds.”

Alex went down for breakfast.

It was a long morning. When the mid-day meal
was over, Alex watched for his sister and brother-in-law to arrive.
He was sitting on the porch when the newlyweds pulled up in their
buggy. He ran to greet them and heard his momma and poppa behind
him. His sister began chatting with their parents.

“Richard, I require a moment of your time …
in private.”

“Of course.”

Alex walked Richard to the side of the
extension. “I need to know how many employees have access to the
trust fund. The Venderkemp and Donovan—”

“There is no need to question the discretion
at the bank, Alex. My father is very professional. In direct answer
to your question, my father manages the accounts personally. His
secretary is the only other person aware of the connection between
the orphanage and Papa Stewart. Even I don’t know the value of
those accounts.”

Music to his ears. Convinced Sarah’s
intentions were sincere, the weight of the world lifted from Alex’s
shoulders. He refrained from bellowing with delight, but did not
attempt to contain his grin.

“I’ve been spending time with a woman,” Alex
confided. “I discovered her brother works at the bank. Andrew.”

“I know him well. Andrew is a good worker and
very professional, but does not manage any of your family’s
accounts.”

Suddenly, Alex had no desire to visit his
extended family. His mind was on Sarah and telephoning her.

The rest of the family arrived and eventually
sat for the meal. It took
forever
for them
to eat. The plates were emptied but they continued chatting.
Go home. I love you all but go home.
Although it was tempting, he suppressed to urge to excuse himself
to use the telephone.

After watching the last buggy disappear, Alex
walked into the office and picked up the telephone. He apologized
for the lack of contact and invited Sarah to dine with his family.
They spoke on the telephone every evening.

On Saturday afternoon, Alex stood in front of
the mirror and looked at his own reflection. “Momma believes this
blue shirt complements my eyes. I hope Sarah agrees.” His eagerness
to see Sarah spurred his nerves. His heart pounded into his
ears.

Sarah stood at the door to her building in a
brown flowing skirt and cream coloured blouse, fiddling with the
brooch covering the button at her neckline. In his eyes, her beauty
magnified tenfold since their previous encounter. Alex placed his
hand on his heart and inhaled.

“Shall we?” he asked. He extended his elbow
for her to hold.

Sarah chatted and Alex attempted to respond
as they travelled to the orphanage. Approaching the building, music
guided them toward the parlour.

“It’s one of my favourite pieces,” she
admitted. She hummed as they entered the room.

Alex’s father and grandfather, always
gentlemen, stood to greet them. After introductions, Alex sat on
the sofa, ensuring room for Sarah to join him.

When asked, Sarah discussed her family, life,
and marriage and she listened intently while his momma, papa, and
Izabella spoke of their lives since moving into a building
surrounded by children, medical staff, and volunteers.

“I find myself amazed Alex was not married by
eighteen, given the number of volunteers in this building.”

Alex never uttered a sound.

“Alex is a shy young man,” his papa
responded. “The volunteers found it necessary to approach him.”

“I’m not surprised.” She turned to face him.
“If I had volunteered, I would have approached you.”

“Please, do not volunteer in this building,”
Alex begged. “It will be impossible to complete any work while
you’re present.”

“Perhaps I made an error in judgment when
accepting a full-time position at the mercantile. I’m unable to see
a handsome blue-eyed bachelor on a more regular basis.”

Heat penetrated his face. A blood rush warmed
his entire body. Closing his eyes, he could hear his family
chuckling.