Natasha's Legacy (17 page)

His grandfather had poured two cups of coffee
and set one by his seat. Alex sat.

“I admire the piano,” Alex admitted.

“After hearing Sarah play, I doubt she can be
happy without music. I spoke with her professor at the conservatory
and then began an educated search for the piano. It’s the best
product on the market,” he boasted. “It is my hope Sarah remains by
your side, in this building, for years to come. The possibility
will increase tenfold with that instrument.” He grinned with pride.
“It will be one of my better investments.”

“We’ll have the pleasure of hearing her
today. Sarah found it difficult to settle last night given her
enthusiasm.”

A beautiful melody began to penetrate and
echo throughout the walls of the building. Alex stood and walked
into the parlour with his grandfather behind him. Sarah was sitting
at the piano, her shawl over her shoulders covering her dressing
gown. The music stopped the moment she saw them.

“Oh my gosh. My humble apologies. I didn’t
consider the early hour.”

Alex walked over and kissed the top of her
head. “It is not too early.”

“I was enjoying the music as I walked down
the steps. I was disappointed when it stopped,” Izabella said,
still in her dressing gown.

“I hope you don’t tire of hearing me.”

“That’s not possible,” Izabella remarked.

“Nay,” his papa agreed.

In Hope’s opinion, Alex became a contented
man once Sarah moved into the orphanage, but Sarah was more
difficult to read. She smiled and enjoyed being with the children
and with Alex, but something was lacking in her demeanour. At first
Hope assumed she was adjusting to her new life, but it became more
obvious on the days she worked at the mercantile. She was a bit
more chipper. Adam didn’t notice the difference until Hope
mentioned it during their bedtime chat.

After watching her the following day, a day
she had gone to work, he put her mood into perspective as they
relaxed in bed.

“After living alone, perhaps she misses her
independence,” he suggested. “Sarah is seeking a purpose to her
life. Stewart and Izabella settled in and provide food and
necessities for the family. You, my darling Hope, took over the
role of bookkeeper. You have a major role within the business.
Sarah wanders around, but lacks a specific role. To a stranger, she
could be one of their volunteers.”

It was difficult to watch. Sarah was content
while in Alex’s presence, but seemed to be a lost soul when he was
busy. Elaine would have pestered Alex, demanding his time, but
Sarah remained silent, obviously cherishing every moment she shared
with Alex. The idea Sarah would succumb to boredom and end her
relationship with Alex terrified Hope. “They will never marry and
Alex will grieve,” Hope mumbled while sitting at her desk. “Perhaps
Alex was correct with his concern. Sarah will never be happy living
in their home.” Hope sat up, determined. “I will find a way to help
her. Sarah will feel valued and appreciated.”

Sarah lacked a business degree, but after a
night of very little sleep, Hope was confident she could help with
the bookkeeping. The following day, Hope stepped into the playroom
and asked Sarah to join her in the office. With the door closed,
she offered to teach her the basics.

“I appreciate the offer Hope, but I lack a
formal education in business or psychology. I’ll work more hours at
the mercantile and seek another job if the orphanage requires
additional finances to continue operating.”

Flabbergasted, Hope’s jaw dropped. She hadn’t
expected Alex to discuss his heritage or the financial position of
the orphanage during the early stages of their relationship, but
Sarah was living in their home. The family expected—hoped to plan a
wedding. “That isn’t necessary, Sarah.”

Sarah excused herself and returned to the
play area leaving Hope to search for her son. Finding Alex in the
medical area, he was led to the master bedroom for a private
discussion. Alex sat on the bed while Hope stood with her hands on
her hips.

“I had an interesting, yet disappointing
discussion with Sarah, Alex. Have you not discussed your heritage?
She offered to find another job to assist with the finances.”

Alex closed his eyes and shook his head. “I
admit, I have not, but will.

“Ugh.” Hope looked at the ceiling.

“As soon as we have an appropriate moment to
talk, I will,” he promised.

Hope opened the door and followed Alex out of
the room.

* * *

“Just when I thought everything was good, you
do this to me. Please tell me Sarah settles in and likes her new
life. I don’t want her and Alex to break up,” Keeghan remarked.

“My wife. The hopeless romantic.”

“You’re a softy too. You’re just not as open
and honest about it. Admit it.”

Will winked at her. Alex pointed at the
screen.

* * *

Tired from a busy day, Alex followed the
music to find Sarah was consumed in the melody.

She found the piano as relaxing as he found a
good book. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed,” he informed her.

“I’ll be up once I finish this piece.” The
music continued.

He kissed the top of her head and went
upstairs. Alex was drifting off to sleep when Sarah crawled in
beside him. He rolled onto his side and she snuggled her back
against his chest. Unable to open his eyes, he was asleep within
seconds.

The following day, Sarah prepared her lunch
as she ate her breakfast and left for work. She did not return
until they were ready to sit down for their evening meal.

“How was your day?” he asked.

“Busy. Crates of stock arrived today. I’m
exhausted. I promised I’d return tomorrow and assist again. How was
your day?”

“Busy. Five families adopted older children,
two women gave birth, and a few people arrived with donations. I do
not recall a busier day in all my years at the orphanage.”

“Nor do I,” Adam admitted. “But it warms my
heart to see the children leave with loving couples.”

Both Alex and Sarah were in bed shortly after
the children were settled. There was no discussion. They fell
asleep before their head touched their pillows.

* * *

“Where is Sarah?” Tom asked Alex, his voice
filled with anxiety. “This telephone call is for her.”

Sarah had been living at the orphanage a
little over four months. She'd never received a phone call during
the day. Her parents and brother called after dinner. “I’ll find
her.” Alex opened the door to the study room and then looked
outside. Not seeing her, he ran upstairs. He found her in the
nursery. “Sarah. You have a telephone call,” he informed her.

Sarah rushed down the steps and into the
office with Alex behind her. Tom left the room, closing the door
behind him. Alex stood beside the desk, watching her facial
expression.
It must be very pleasing news.
She held her hand over the mouthpiece. Her bubbly voice
exploded.

“I’m speaking with Martin, from the
conservatory. Families are enquiring about Sarah McLennon. In
particular, whether I would be interested in teaching music. Martin
is suggesting I teach two days a week, given the distance between
the conservatory and orphanage. I want to do this, Alex.”

“You haven’t looked this happy since moving
into this home. We’ll make it work.”

“Yes,” she informed Martin. “I’d love to
teach.” Sarah looked toward Alex, grinning. “Yes, I can come to the
conservatory on Tuesday to finalize the details. Thank you,
Martin.”

Sarah ended the call and Alex embraced
her.

That night, they sat for the evening
meal.

“Sarah, you must tell the family about your
phone call.”

Her eyes sparkled like the stars in the
sky.

“Martin, you’ve met him at the concerts, he
offered me a position teaching music. Given the distance, I’ll
teach two days a week.”

“It would be more convenient to teach in this
building, would it not,” his poppa asked. “We’ll dedicate a room to
your music. We have a piano.”

The smile on Sarah’s face was quickly
replaced by apprehension.

“I appreciate the offer, Adam, but the piano
this family found for me is
far
too
extravagant for teaching. It would break my heart if a student
broke a key or scratched the wood. Perhaps I should speak with
Martin again. I’ll rent one of the older pianos.”

Alex grinned, reached for her hand, and
kissed her fingers. “Brilliant idea. You won’t have to travel as
often. You may want to consider quitting your job at the
mercantile.”

Too excited to sleep, Sarah tossed and turned
all night. The following day, the horse and buggy were prepared and
Sarah drove off in the direction of the conservatory. A few hours
later, she rushed into the office. Her smile spoke volumes.

“Martin will arrange to have a piano
transported from the conservatory. I will be teaching four
afternoons a week during the school year, and five days a week
during the summer. I went to the mercantile before returning
home.”

After dining, Poppa joined them in their
search for an acceptable space for Sarah to teach. Sarah picked a
corner room at the far wing of the orphanage that would offer
sufficient space, lighting, and a view to watch for her students to
arrive. The room across the hall would be cleaned out, giving her a
small office.

Matthew, Andrew, and Richard were at the
orphanage when the piano arrived and together the four men
transported it through the side entrance and into Sarah’s new music
room.

Sarah took pride in her own little business.
She loved teaching and working independently with the children.
Along with her wage, her contract included complementary tickets to
concerts and theatre in the city.

Hope sat on her chair in her bedroom with her
novel resting on her lap, pondering. Eighteen months after her
daughter’s marriage, Rose and Richard purchased their first home on
the edge of the city. Alex, Adam, Tessa’s husband, Jacob, and
Matthew assisted moving their furniture.

Rose graduated from university and now her
voice bubbled with enthusiasm when she spoke of her job at the
boutique. Hope questioned whether her daughter would leave her
career to begin a family. During their conversations on the
telephone, Hope had hinted about grandchildren, but much to her
dismay, Rose never openly discussed the topic.

Her thoughts switched to her son. Alex was
yet to marry Sarah. He hadn’t proposed. Sarah became a different
woman once she began teaching. Hearing the music and seeing other
children arrive, a few orphanage children approached, asking to see
the piano. She never turned a child down. Two had potential, at
least from Hope’s uneducated point of view.

Hope shifted her attention to Adam. He was
sitting on the other side of the small, round table, absorbed in
his novel.

“I’d like to converse.”

He put his book down and looked at her.

“Alex must propose marriage and make Sarah
his wife. She has been sharing our home for almost a year. When I
agreed to this arrangement, I expected them to be married by now.
We must speak with Alex.”

“We will not.”

“Adam.”

“Their relationship is not your concern.”

“Perhaps Mother Nature will intervene and
Sarah will become with child.”

Adam glared at her.

“I want grandbabies. I question whether Rose
and Richard are taking precautions to avoid parenthood. She would
mention it if they were experiencing disappointing months.” She sat
up straight on her chair. “Perhaps we should attempt another child.
Surely with three children I would become a nana.”

He scowled. “Hope Venderkemp. Seal your lips
on the topic.”

“Sarah adores the children and would make a
loving momma. Alexander Stewart Venderkemp, why haven’t you married
her?” she grumbled.

Adam reached over and held her hand.

“You’re assuming he hasn’t proposed, but
without knowledge of their private discussions, you cannot be
certain.”

“Sarah wants to become his wife.”

“Has Sarah spoken to you? Has she said she
wants to marry him? Izabella has not married your poppa.”

Hope glared at Adam, infuriated by the
reference. She turned her head and stared out the window. Adam
picked up his novel and continued reading.

* * *

Alex stood at the main door watching Sarah
push two children on swings. A hand touched his shoulder.

“It is pleasing to see Sarah play with the
children,” Tom remarked. “You have become a content man since your
marriage.”

Very few people knew he wasn’t married to
Sarah. It was assumed they had a very intimate wedding with
immediate family in attendance. Knowing his shy disposition, this
wasn’t questioned, nor was it corrected. He was content, and so was
Sarah. The time had come to make their relationship official.

“I’m grateful you sent me on errands. Sarah
is a remarkable woman.”

Deciding the back of the orphanage would make
an appropriate location to propose, he was about to tell Tom he
would return shortly when he noticed a couple stop their car.

“A potential adoption,” Tom told him. “I have
spoken with them on a few occasions.”

Alex smiled to greet the couple and walked
outside to join Sarah. He assisted the two girls onto the seesaw
and then placed his arms around Sarah’s waist.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” she
asked.

“It’s wonderful to see you with the
children.”