Natasha's Legacy (8 page)

Three hours later, with the meal complete,
momma invited Sarah to dine the following night with their extended
family. Standing to escort Sarah home, Alex dreaded saying
goodnight. The orphanage children were settled for the evening, and
the volunteers had departed for the day. Able to stroll in private,
he led Sarah outside.

With the horse hitched to the buggy and the
sun setting behind the horizon, Alex gazed into her eyes. Although
tempted, kissing her cheek was out of the question. His hands
became clammy simply contemplating such an aggressive move. He
inhaled deeply.

“May I kiss your hand?”

“You may.”

As Sarah extended her hand toward him, Alex
noticed movement at his grandfather’s window.
Papa is looking out the window of his private
quarters.
We have an audience.
Frozen, the awkward silence turned uncomfortable.
This is dreadful. Speak. Say something. Anything.
“I
am certain you will like my sister Rose and her husband Richard.
Growing up, I admired Rose’s personality. We are quite the
opposite, but possess a strong bond. I have developed a friendship
with her husband in the past two years.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
Silence again. “You may recall I enjoy music.”

Sarah had spoken of her love for music and
studying at the conservatory. Elaine spoke of her talent being
superior to her late husband John. In Alex’s opinion, John had been
magnificent that evening.

“Yes, of course.”

“I’ve been asked to perform a short piece at
a concert. If you’re interested, I will request a guest ticket. You
would be sitting with my momma, poppa, Andrew, and Ingrid.”

Excited by the prospect, Alex nodded,
smiling. “It will be an honour to hear you play.”

Shifting his focus to the addition, he
quickly scanned the windows for an audience. Pleased, he turned his
attention back to Sarah, reached for her hand, and raised it toward
his face. After a gentle kiss, he assisted her into the buggy. Alex
took his place beside her and guided the horses to her home.
Returning to the orphanage, Alex went to his papa’s quarters.

* * *

“Poor Alex. The anxiety of that first kiss.
You want it so bad you can taste it.”

“Nice one, Keegh.”

“I thought you’d appreciate the little pun in
that one.”

Keeghan looked toward Alex. Even a slight
smile would have been nice, but nothing. His facial expression
never changed. “You’re not going to break up with her, are you? I
like Sarah.”

Alex pointed back toward the screen.

* * *

Stewart was tired after entertaining Alex and
Sarah, but eager to speak with his grandson. Leaving the door to
their sitting room open, Stewart and Izabella relaxed on the sofa
and began talking. Neither were surprised when Alex appeared at the
doorway.

“Are you accustomed to standing at your
window, gazing out? I assure you, the back of the property offers a
serene view. I was attempting to say goodnight.”

“It’s my understanding saying goodnight is
verbal.” Stewart kept a straight face. “My humble apologies if we
interrupted, but I recall being interrupted many years ago.”

Izabella’s face flushed. Her hands flew onto
her cheeks. They often spoke of the afternoon Alex walked into
their room while they were intimate. Izabella pushed herself off
the sofa, but Stewart reached for her hand, encouraging her to
remain.

“Stewart. Your silence would be appreciated,”
she remarked, her tone very serious.

“Interrupted?” Alex questioned.

“Yes. We were forced to invite your momma and
poppa to enter our bedroom.”

“Stewart,” Izabella groaned as she
scowled.

Alex’s attention shifted to Izabella for a
brief moment and then back to him. “I have a faint memory of
climbing onto your bed. I entered your room while waiting for Poppa
to come upstairs.”

Seeing the sparkle in Alex’s eyes, his
grandson had recollections of the day. “You startled us. I wasn’t
aware I was capable of moving so quickly.”

“Oh my.” Alex chuckled. “My timing was…?”

“Atrocious.”

Alex’s chuckle turned into a soft laugh. “I
believe I wanted a hug.”

“I desired more than an embrace.” When
Stewart winked at Alex, his grandson’s laugher echoed through the
room.

Izabella titled her head down and covered her
face with her hands.

“Your poppa was upset,” Stewart
continued.

Alex leaned against the doorframe. “I wasn’t
reprimanded often, but I recall that day. Poppa wasn’t pleased with
my lack of manners. Entering your room
without
permission.”

“We heard your poppa laughing as he entered
our sitting room, much to your momma’s dismay. I gained admiration
and respect for Adam that afternoon. After making light of the …
let’s say compromising situation, he turned to you and raised his
voice regarding your ‘inappropriate’ visit.”

“You welcomed Momma and Poppa into your
room.”

“I did. Neither Izabella nor I were capable
of guiding you from our room, attired as God brought us into this
world.”

Izabella shifted on the sofa, turning her
back to Alex and Stewart. With her hair pulled back into a pony
tail, he could see her ears had turned a wonderful shade of scarlet
red.

“I regret my decision to remain in your
company for this visit,” she grumbled.

“I cannot imagine being interrupted while
intimate,” Alex remarked, keeping his voice only slightly above a
whisper. “I destroyed the mood, but it is apparent the relationship
was not harmed.”

“You didn’t destroy the mood, but the door
got locked upon your exit.”

Izabella turned and glared at Stewart.

“I question whether it’s possible to
embarrass you. You have become worse as you age, Stewart.” She
turned her attention to Alex. “Sarah is a beautiful, compassionate,
caring young woman. Your face glows and your eyes sparkle with the
mention of her name, and a vision of her face enters your
mind.”

“That also occurred in the presence of
Elaine.”

“Alex,” Stewart groaned, “how is it possible
you don’t feel the glow on your face or the warmth in your body?
I’m able to sense the glow when thinking of Izabella. I know it’s
more apparent when she’s with me. You possessed a slight glow while
courting Christine and a strong glow during your early courtship of
Elaine, but it soon faded. A blind man could sense the twinkle that
appears in your eyes when Sarah is present. You must close your
eyes and listen to your heart.”

“My heart led me to Elaine.”

Izabella scowled, deep lines showing on her
forehead and around her mouth. “It did
no
t. Your eyes led you to a handsome face. You did not
listen to your heart or your brain. Your momma and I are relieved
you did not marry her. I would have missed dining on Sunday
evenings with this family.”

Alex looked at Izabella. “To this day I still
find it difficult to distinguish your wit from a serious
comment.”

Izabella never responded, so Alex turned his
attention back to Stewart.

“You tell me to follow my heart, not my eyes,
but Sarah is far more beautiful than Elaine.”

“In your eyes, but not to the rest of the
world. You fear being hurt, Alex. I’m not able to state with
certainty neither you nor Sarah will be hurt, but I am encouraging
you to allow Sarah to enter your heart.”

Alex took a deep breath, puffed out his
cheeks and then bit his bottom lip.

“Rose spoke of her disappointment in the kiss
she witnessed between you and Elaine,” Stewart continued. “I hope
you and Sarah are able to share a
wow
kiss.”

Alex placed his hand over his forehead,
shielding his eyes and face.

“I’m confident you are yet to experience
one,” Stewart added.

Alex’s hands lowered. He looked at his
grandfather. “Looking into Sarah’s eyes, I find it difficult to
lift her hand to my face. I cannot fathom bringing my lips to
hers.”

“It will be worth the wait.”

Alex looked at the ceiling, rolled his eyes
and then stood up. “Goodnight, Papa. Goodnight, Izabella.”

“Goodnight.”

* * *

Adam entered their bedroom for the night.

“Have you seen Alex?” Hope asked, placing her
novel on her lap and adjusting the bedspread over her legs.

“Our son is visiting Stewart and
Izabella.”

“Leave our door open, Adam. I need to speak
with him once they’re done.”

Hearing movement in the hallway, Hope gave
Alex a few minutes to settle, pulled her shawl over her dressing
gown, and followed Adam out of their room. Adam knocked. Giggling
echoed from behind the closed door. An infectious, contagious
laugh. Hope burst into laughter as she opened the door.
“
You’re sitting alone in your room. You must tell us
the cause of your laughter,” she begged, entering the room.

“Papa spoke of the afternoon I was taught to
knock and wait for a response.”

My word.
Her giggles
stopped. Heat flushed her entire body. Her hands went to her
cheeks. “I still find myself embarrassed when I recall the
day.”

“You didn’t appreciate the opportunity to see
Papa resting with Izabella?” Alex asked. He grinned, mocking
her.

Hope shifted her attention to Adam as he
chuckled. After seeing her poppa in such a compromising position,
Adam had become even more comfortable in the company of her father
and Izabella. Adam was still shy, but was able to show her some
affection while in their presence. Hope appreciated that
outcome.

“No, but your momma and I shared an enjoyable
afternoon.”

Hope’s jaw dropped as her eyelids widened.
“A-dam,” she groaned. “I regret encouraging you to spend time with
Poppa. I miss my shy, quiet husband.” She turned her attention to
their son. “I
enjoyed
becoming acquainted
with Sarah.”

“You appreciate her spunk,” Alex
responded.

“I admit, that is true.” Hope nodded. Sarah
was a delight and the fact Tom knew her and encouraged the
acquaintance gave Hope a warm sensation in her heart.

“Rose will appreciate her spunk. I also
appreciated the twinkle in your eyes and the glow on your face
while she sat by your side. Your Nana Natasha is looking down from
heaven, pleased to see the Donovan sparkle in your eyes.”

“It’s difficult to distinguish whose eyes
were sparkling more,” Adam remarked. “Your papa’s, your momma’s, or
your own eyes. I agree with your description of Sarah. She
possesses beautiful green eyes and a warm smile.”

Alex smiled, nodding.

* * *

Sarah arrived at the orphanage shortly after
church on Sunday. Sitting under a tree, Alex and Sarah were
enjoying their time together when Rose and Richard arrived for
their weekly meal. The newlyweds joined them and the chatter
continued until their father came outside.

“It’s time to leave to get Nana Venderkemp,”
Poppa announced.

“Alex and I will go,” Sarah responded.

* * *

Sarah and Nana had a pleasant conversation
during the journey back to the orphanage, getting acquainted. Once
they returned home, Rose joined them in the parlour.

“I’m pleased to say I approve of your
judgment, Alex,” Rose announced when he entered the room. “Sarah
has a sense of humour.”

Alex sat beside Sarah and winked at her
before turning his attention to his sister. “It is pleasing to know
Sarah meets with your high standards, my dear sister. Your list of
criteria was extensive.”

The women were still chatting and giggling
when the Carsons arrived.

Alex entered the dining room with his plate
of eggs, cooked ham and toast. Papa looked up from the newspaper
and placed his coffee cup on the table.

“I require your assistance for an errand,
Alex. May I suggest changing into something more suitable to
accompany me in the city?”

“The city?” Alex sat on his normal chair.
“Where are we going?”

“That is not your concern at the moment. I
expect you to be at the buggy in fifteen minutes. Does that give
you enough time?”

“Yes.”

Papa walked up the private staircase, leaving
Alex to eat.

Alex steered the team toward the city.

“Lead the horses to the left, Alex.”

To the left was a retail establishment with a
few automobiles for sale.

“Papa. Are you considering a change in your
career? I didn’t know you had an interest in selling new
technology, or perhaps you have a secret talent and are capable of
designing or building an automobile.”

“My poppa taught me a person is never too old
to learn, but I do not plan to start another career. I’m seeking an
automobile for your personal use.”

“For me?” Both shocked and apprehensive Alex
stared at his papa. “I don’t need an automobile. We cannot afford
an automobile.”

“That will be decided once I’m quoted a
price. Both Izabella and your momma approve of Sarah. An automobile
will enable you to see her more regularly. I would be pleased if
you would join me while I examine them.”

“Papa, legally, I don’t know the requirements
to operate a motorized vehicle.”

“I’ve already enquired. A minor test is
required. I do not doubt your ability to pass. Nor do I doubt Adam
and Richard’s ability.”

“Richard—”

“I will be seeking an automobile for Richard
and Rose’s use, but I would appreciate your discretion on this
matter. I plan to surprise your sister with this belated wedding
gift.”