Natasha's Legacy (9 page)

Alex stepped off the buggy and walked toward
the first vehicle.

The following day, Alex returned to the city
with his father and grandfather. A week later, Alex sat proudly and
confidently behind the steering wheel and drove the Renault
home.

Saturday afternoon, Alex stopped the
automobile at Sarah’s apartment, tucked his navy shirt into his
beige trousers, and walked to the entrance of her building and
knocked.

“Good afternoon. You must join me outside. I
suggest you lock the door.” He looked at the apron covering her
dark skirt and frilly blouse. “Assuming the meal does not require
your attention.”

“I require a moment.”

Sarah disappeared down the hallway. Returning
she locked the door to her home, and followed Alex out of the
building. He reached for her hand and led her to the Renault.
Automobiles were becoming more common, but she wasn’t aware the
Venderkemps could afford the luxury. The finances of the orphanage
wasn’t a topic he intended to discuss. Not at this stage of their
relationship.

“Alex. Don’t touch that. The owner may be
watching.”

“He is indeed, and the gentleman would be
pleased if you would join him for a short tour around the
area.”

“It’s yours?” she questioned, her eyes wide
as she raised her eyebrows.

“It belongs to the orphanage.”

He assisted Sarah into her seat before
walking around the automobile and taking his place behind the
steering wheel. Overwhelmed by the experience, she sat very quiet
and still, gazing at the interior and the scenery as they rode
along.

Returning to her apartment, they enjoyed a
meal.

“Could I interest you in another ride?”

“Yes. Please. Of course.”

Alex steered the vehicle to the
university.

* * *

On the evening of Sarah’s concert, Alex
walked out of his room in his Sunday suit and tapped on Papa’s
door. His grandfather and Izabella were sitting on the sofa,
playing cards.

“I’ll be sitting in the centre of the third
row. Sarah’s parents, Andrew, and Ingrid are looking forward to
meeting you.”

“Adam wishes to remain in the building to
support little Mary. Hope will not go without your poppa and I’m
not comfortable guiding the horses after dark.”

The four year old girl was mourning the loss
of her parents. Both Alex and his poppa possessed the ability to
build rapport with new children.

“It’s no longer Poppa’s responsibility to
care for an orphanage children. It’s my role. I will telephone
Sarah and apologize. I will comfort Mary until she is
sleeping.”

Stewart slapped his cards onto his lap. “You
will do no such thing. Adam is capable of settling the child. Nana
Venderkemp will remain as planned and spend the night. We will have
a relaxed visit. Enjoy your evening, Alex. Don’t be tardy leaving
for Sarah’s home.” Stewart raised his cards and looked at them.

Alex drove to the local florist and returned
to his automobile with a package in his hand. He continued onto
Sarah’s. She greeted him at the door, dressed for the evening.

“You look beautiful.” He attached the yellow
rose and baby’s breath to Sarah’s forest green gown, leaned
forward, and kissed her on her cheek. “I’m looking forward to
hearing you play. My family attended concerts regularly in my
youth, but I haven’t attended since John played.”

“I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

“That is not possible.”

Entering the building and then the actual
concert hall, Alex gazed around. It had been renovated.
It’s a shame they did not hire Papa’s
company.
Alex had to admit, he liked the red velvet on the
seats. It made the room seem brighter than the traditional blue.
They sat with Sarah’s family and listened to the first half of the
concert. With a short break in the music, Sarah leaned toward
Alex.

“I’ll meet you in the lobby once I perform.”
She leaned past Alex. “I’m going. Remain with Alex until I
return.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. Alex noticed Ingrid
swat his hip.

“Of course, dear,” her momma responded. “Go.
Don’t be tardy.”

Sarah stood, worked her way to the end of the
aisle and then disappeared behind the curtain.

They listened to a group of musicians. Then,
Sarah walked confidently onto the stage. The room became quiet with
anticipation. Then a beautiful melody filled the room. Alex sat
back and listened in awe. He recalled Elaine saying John McLennon’s
wife’s talent was far superior.
How true
.
Listening to Sarah on the piano is comparable to
the angels in the heavens
.

Once the standing ovation concluded, Alex
followed her family into the lobby.

“Sarah is speaking with what I assume is an
admirer,” Ingrid told him. “Follow me.”

Her parents congratulated her and then Andrew
and Ingrid walked off to speak with friends leaving Alex by Sarah’s
side.

“You were magnificent.” Alex handed her a
single yellow rose.

“Thank you.”

Sarah raised the flower to her nose and
inhaled the perfumed aroma.

“The rose is beautiful….” Her gaze shifted to
the side. “Do you recognize that woman? Her face is familiar, but I
am struggling to recall her name. I noticed her watching us the
moment you stood by my side.”

Alex turned his head, made eye contact, and
regretted shifting his attention away from Sarah. Alex prayed
Elaine would walk away.

“Alex. It’s a pleasure to see you again,”
Elaine remarked.

He looked at Elaine, and then toward Sarah.
“Sarah, allow me to introduce you to Elaine McClaire.”

The smile vanished from Sarah’s face. Her
attention shifted to the floor. His confident, self-assured friend
seemed intimidated in Elaine’s company.

“You performed brilliantly,” Elaine
acknowledged.

“Thank you,” she replied without shifting her
focus.

Elaine turned her attention to him. Their
eyes locked. Pleased, he was confident in her company.

“Alex. I would appreciate a moment of your
time. It is imperative we speak in private.”

Appalled by Elaine’s nerve, her audacity, he
scowled. “No.” His eyes shifted back to Sarah. She continued to
stare at the floor. “I’m Sarah’s guest this evening.”

“Alex, please.”

Turning his attention toward Sarah, her eyes
were closed. As if she were on the verge of tears. Disheartened,
his heart broke.
Do you believe our relationship
is threatened by Elaine's presence? It is not. Nothing could be
farther from the truth.
He reached for Sarah’s hand and then
turned and looked into Elaine’s eyes. “There is nothing left to
say. I vividly recall your words the evening we broke our
engagement. To my knowledge, nothing has changed.”

“My emotions remain unchanged.”

“Cherishing Sarah’s company, I have no desire
to speak with you.”

Alex raised Sarah's hand toward his face and
kissed her fingers. Sarah continued to look at the floor.

This should be your night.
You should be glowing, feeling special, not unhappy.
Alex
released her hand, placed his forefinger under her chin, and tilted
Sarah’s head upward. Relaxed and confident in her company, his
attention shifted down to her mouth and those beautiful,
perfectly-shaped lips. The world around ceased to exist.

Alex leaned toward Sarah, closed his eyes,
and then it happened. He kissed her. It was better than he could
have hoped for. After savouring the moment for a few seconds, he
pulled back. Keeping his eyes closed, he slid his finger from under
her chin, allowing his palm and fingers to rest on her cheek. His
lips were back on hers. Alex’s eyes were still closed when Sarah
pulled away from his touch.

“Alex. We’re at the concert hall.”

Her words slapped him back to reality.

The concert hall? What have
I done? Please, please, allow that kiss to have gone
unnoticed.
Listening, he didn’t hear a sound. Nothing. The
room should have been full of the loud hum of chatter, but it was
quiet, uncomfortably silent. Opening his eyes, he took a quick look
around. A room full of strangers were staring at them. Closing his
eyes, he placed his hands on his burning cheeks.
How humiliating. I've embarrassed myself and Sarah.
Every ounce of his being wanted to run from the building, but he
would never see Sarah again.

Determined to remain and face the
consequences, he tilted his head enough to see Sarah’s face. It was
difficult to read her emotions, to tell whether she was upset with
him.

“My humble, humble apologies.” With a barely
audible voice he mumbled. “Please forgive me.”

“I thought you were shy.” Alex strained his
ears to listen to her words. “I was mistaken.”

“No. You were not mistaken. I’m terribly shy,
especially among strangers.”

Sarah never responded, but looked around the
room.
What was I thinking?
Glancing to his
right, Elaine had disappeared, but Andrew and Ingrid were
approaching with someone he didn’t know.

* * *

Normally bubbly and chatty, Sarah was quiet
in the automobile, staring into the dark night as they travelled.
Once inside her apartment, Alex closed the door and took her hands
in his. “Sarah. Please. Speak to me.”

“Your fiancée is a beautiful woman.”

“She is
not
my
fiancée.”

There was no sign of a smile, no response.
I can’t lose you from my life
. “She is
attractive, but her beauty does not compare to yours.” When Sarah
remained silent, he led her to the oval mirror in the sitting room.
Standing with her back against his chest, he looked at her
reflection.

“Look, Sarah. Your inner beauty is deep
within your soul and shines brightly to the surface of your face.
It takes my breath away.”

“She would be pleased to welcome you back
into her life.” Sarah looked through the mirror at Alex. “You’re
able to leave my side and return to her.”

“That will never happen. Elaine is not
capable of making me happy or content. Elaine hurt me. I do not
regret ending that relationship.”

“I recall seeing Elaine at John’s concert.
She did not stop speaking when John walked onto the stage.”

“I recall that dreadful evening like it
happened only moments ago. You turned and glared at her. I was
mortified, but she continued talking. I was naïve to her arrogance.
I will not discuss my past, or my foolish stupidity. You must put
me out of my misery. Are you able to forgive me?”

“What possessed you to kiss me at the concert
hall?”

Having hoped for Sarah to respond “of course
I am!” he wasn’t certain how to respond. His silence brought a tear
to Sarah’s eye.

“Alex. Do you regret kissing me?”

Regret wasn’t the word he would have chosen,
but he wasn’t able to turn the clock back in time. Ideally, their
first kiss would have occurred in private. “Yes.”

Tears raced down Sarah’s cheeks. She stared
at the rose Alex had given her earlier in the evening.

“The timing of the kiss was inappropriate.”
He looked her reflection in the mirror. With his hands on her
shoulder, he turned her around to face him. Reaching for her hands,
he brought her fingers toward his face intending to kiss them, but
changed his mind, not wanting to initiate another kiss without
permission.

“Did you kiss me hoping Elaine would become
jealous?”

“No. I did not. I embarrassed you this
evening and I humiliated myself. That was not intentional. I regret
the public display, but looking into your eyes, I found myself
captivated by your beauty. The world around us disappeared and for
that brief moment, I wasn’t nervous. I pray, someday, you will
allow me the privilege of another kiss. Allow me to assure you, it
will occur in private.”

“Do not apologize for kissing me.” A glow
transformed her face with her smile. “You’ll be given the
opportunity to redeem yourself.”

“I hope so. I cherish our friendship and
would be pleased if it were to continue developing.”

“That is my hope.”

Putting her arms around his waist, she
clasped her fingers together. Alex allowed his arms to rest on her
shoulders.

“I’ve been asked to perform at another
concert. I won’t have an opportunity to sit with you, but I’d be
pleased to request another guest pass if you are interested in
attending.”

“It would be an honour to listen to you play
again. It’s getting late. I should return home.”

He leaned forward to kiss her cheek, but
Sarah pulled back from his touch.

He cringed. “You’re still upset with me?”

“This evening’s kiss was inappropriate, but I
have not forgotten it occurred. I will not accept a kiss on my
cheek or hand. Kiss me,” Sarah demanded.

Appreciating her attitude and the
determination in her voice, Alex placed his fingertips on her
cheeks. Looking into her eyes, the anticipation of another kiss
made his heart pound. “I wasn’t this nervous earlier. My pounding
heart would have stopped me from considering the kiss. You must be
able to hear it.”

Moving her hands to his shoulders, Sarah
stretched up, closed her eyes, and brought her lips to his. Ecstasy
consumed his being. Alex slid his fingers to the back of Sarah’s
head allowing his palms to brush softly against her cheeks. He
returned a soft, romantic kiss. Pulling back from the embrace, he
looked into her eyes.

“Am I forgiven?” He raised his eyebrows,
expecting a positive response.

“For the public kiss? No, but you have
permission to kiss me again.”

Sarah closed her eyes. Appreciating the view
of her features, he rested his fingers on her cheeks and rubbed his
thumb slowly around her mouth. When she parted her lips, his heart
pounded with such intensity, it would surely burst from his chest.
He closed his eyes and gave her slow, soft, sensual kisses all
around her mouth. Then she returned his kiss. Pulling her body
tight against his, his heart pounded against her chest. What
followed was incredible. The emotions. The utter enjoyment of a
long, romantic kiss.