Natasha's Legacy (29 page)

“Adam. Your poppa was Alex,” Sarah
remarked.

“He was never referred to as Alex, but
Alexander,” Adam said, correcting her. “Being formal, he preferred
Mr. Venderkemp. Once Hope and I were wed, I could have asked the
children to refer to me as Mr. Venderkemp, but Hope, Stewart, and
Izabella insisted on informal greetings.”

“Poppa was so pleased when he heard the
name,” Momma informed him. She gave Alex’s shoulder a squeeze. “He
was so proud of you. You are truly a mix of Venderkemp and
Donovan.”

* * *

Later that evening, Hope was sitting up in
bed when Adam entered the room.

“It is late. You should be sleeping.”

“I’m unable to sleep when there is something
on my mind,” she informed him. “I would appreciate your opinion.”
Adam sat on the bed beside her. “I have been thinking about my
life. Our life together. I miss Poppa. This building is a constant
reminder of him and Izabella. We had routines and habits. It’s
difficult to move on when everything reminds me of my father.
Shortly after we wed, your parents moved from the orphanage
allowing us room to spread our wings and manage the orphanage. In
my youth, I spent a great deal of time with my Nana and Papa
Donovan. I cherish the bond we shared. Alex and Rose bonded with
Poppa and your parents came regularly. It would be pleasing to live
closer to Rose and Richard and spend more time with our beautiful
grandchildren. To watch
them
grow.”

“A few years ago, we questioned whether Alex
could manage the orphanage, but that is no longer a concern. He has
matured into a man I’m proud to call my son.”

Before going to sleep that night, Hope and
Adam had a long discussion. They agreed to begin looking for a new
home.

The next morning, Hope and Adam joined Alex
and Sarah for breakfast.

“Your poppa and I will be away most of the
day completing errands. We will be using the automobile.”

“Will you be home for dinner?”

“Yes of course.”

“I will be busy with students today,” Sarah
informed them.

Leaving in the direction of the castle, they
enjoyed a visit with Marcus before they began their search for a
home of their own. Pleased with the number of options, they found a
beautiful two-storey stone building a short distance from Rose and
Richard.

The family sat for their
Sunday meal.
“Adam and I have done a great deal of thinking.
We’ve decided to move. We found a home closer to Rose and Richard.
We want to spend more time with our grandchildren.”

“Momma,” Rose squealed. “I’m so excited I’m
without words.”

The smile on Vicki and Greg’s face showed
they were equally happy, but Alex remained quiet.

Once the family left for the evening, Alex,
Sarah, Adam, and Hope sat down for a discussion.

“Alex, this move is good, it’s positive. We
will remain available as your grandparents did. This business is
yours now. You don’t need us. We will still get together every
Sunday to dine,” Hope reminded him.

“It will be different.”

“It’s different already, Alex. You must admit
that. The timing is right.”

“You will be missed.”

“Alex,” Sarah groaned. “We will continue to
see them. Quite regularly.”

* * *

Alex missed Papa, terribly, but once his
parents moved out, routines changed, making the transition a little
easier. The master bedroom at the orphanage was redecorated with a
modern décor, and Alex and Sarah moved into the new room. The rooms
Papa and Izabella shared were also redecorated making them an
appropriate play area for the twins or other visiting family
members. The pictures were left on the wall. Sarah was content with
her students and Jessica’s beau, Mark, began visiting. Alex and
Mark became friends to the delight of Sarah and Jessica.

Exhausted from a busy day, Alex was laying in
their new bed reading when Sarah walked into the room. Allowing her
hair to flop onto her shoulders, she changed into her sleeping
attire and crawled into the bed beside him, resting her head on the
edge of his pillow.

“Alex, I have done a great deal of
thinking.”

He placed his novel on the night table.
“Uh-oh.” He rolled onto his side and looked at her.

“Alex, my thoughts are of this orphanage.”
Her tone was serious.

“My humble apologies for teasing.”

“It is doubtful we will have children of our
own. It is possible neither of the twins will take an interest in
managing the orphanage.”

She had his full attention.

“Papa Stewart’s will stated the trust fund
was to be administered by the family, but he never assumed a family
member would continue living in the building.”

They had been together long enough for Sarah
to know he would never move. He was committed to this business.
“Sarah,” Alex blurted. “I do not intend to leave this building. If
you are pondering—”

“Alex,” she interrupted. “We will live in the
building as long as you please. My point is this: it is your
responsibility to ensure the twins know the history of the
orphanage. As they age, they will need to understand your
grandmother and grandfather’s legacy. Why the orphanage is so
important. They must administer the trust fund, but also ensure the
funds are not wasted. It would devastate your family as they watch
from heaven if future orphanage children were not cared for. If
this building our family built with love fell down in ruins.”

“Yes. I will give that serious thought. Hmm.
Now, if you’re not too tired, there is a topic I’d like to
discuss.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m aware you finished Nana Natasha’s
journal some time ago. I never suggested you read the journal Momma
and Papa Stewart wrote, but I feel it is important you do now.” He
stretched toward his night table and removed the book. Resting on
his back, Sarah settled on her side beside him. “Momma began a new
journal when Papa Stewart died. In
this
book, the original journal, Momma wrote notes regarding their lives
as she grew and wrote of her time with Poppa when they became
acquainted. Rose read the journal, and I wrote brief notes of my
relationship with Christine, and of Elaine. Once you read my
entries you will agree my writing style changed since becoming
acquainted with you. It is apparent from my entries, I fell in love
with you the day we met.”

“Alex, why didn’t you mention the journal
earlier? I want to begin reading this evening.”

Sarah pulled herself up to a sitting
position, pushed her pillow up against the headboard, and turned on
a lamp. With the book in her hand, she turned the cover and began
to read.

“No-o-o. Not at this hour. I want to fall
asleep with you in my arms.”

“Then I suggest you continue reading your
novel. I can’t sleep unless I begin the journal.”

“May I remind you, the children in this
building….”

Present time

Beep-Screech-Honk!

Keeghan jolted out of her dream. As she
opened her eyes, William was jumping out of bed, curious about the
commotion. Dashing to the window in their hotel room he looked
toward the road. Keeghan rested her head on her pillow, and put her
hand on her pounding heart. They were so accustomed to sleeping
with a window open, sound seemed magnified compared to their quiet
country home.

“It’s a tourist bus laying on his horn. A
little sports car cut him off. Stupid ass. Did he not see the bus
coming? Some people don’t deserve to drive,” he grumbled. Will
crawled back into bed.

“I had another dream.”

Will rolled onto his side and looked at
her.

“I’m awake.” He reached for the lamp on the
night table and turned on the light. The pen and pad were ready for
notes. “The saga continues. It’s interesting seeing the school
pictures, but they aren’t giving details of their lives. You have
my attention.”

“Where did I leave off?”

“Alex and Elaine split.”

“Right.” Keeghan finished detailing her
dream.

“I just thought of something, Will. The story
began in the mid 1800’s. It’s possible, technically, Rose’s twins
could be alive and well. Wouldn’t it be amazing if the Venderkemp
Orphanage is still run by ancestors of Stewart, Hope, and Adam?”
The very idea excited her. “I feel like I’ve become a part of their
lives. I’d love a chance to meet a blood relative. Now that I know
there is a possibility an heir could still be alive, I couldn’t be
more grateful the Venderkemp Orphanage still exists. We have the
opportunity to see the building Stewart designed and lived in with
Izabella, his daughter, and her family. Oh, I hope I get more
answers. They must have information on the founding family. I
wonder if they allow visitors at this hour.”

Will looked at the clock, shook his head, and
yawned. “I have my doubts breakfast starts this early.”

“You’re probably right. No sign of a sunrise
yet.”

“I need more sleep.” He yawned again.

Keeghan snuggled into his arms and tried to
go back to sleep, but her mind kept travelling around the details
of her dream.

Two hours later, Keeghan was in the shower
when the glass door opened and Will stepped in to join her. The
back rub and neck message were amazing. “You missed your calling.
You could have been a renowned masseuse.”

Keeghan pulled the hair back from her face,
got dressed, and they went to the restaurant for breakfast.

“Keegh, I’ve been thinking about our
conversation. I don’t mean to sound pessimistic, but there is a
possibility an heir isn’t running the orphanage. I don’t want to
see you disappointed after so much build-up. I need you to keep
expectations low and remember how excited you felt to learn the
Venderkemp Orphanage is still in existence.”

Will was such a sweetheart, such a
happy-go-lucky guy, she knew he hated to see her upset or
disappointed. “I’m going to be fine, Will,” she assured him. “I’m
excited, but I appreciate the possibility of meeting a blood
relative is slim at best. Still, it would make this entire trip so
rewarding. I’m living their lives in a dream and look forward to
falling asleep tonight, hoping the saga will continue. I want to
know if Alex and Sarah get married, if they have a child. What
happens to the twins? Do Rose and Richard have more children, what
happens with Stewart’s business, and the list goes on. I haven’t
even figured out why I’m dreaming about this family. I
need
to know.”

It was a beautiful drive to the orphanage and
Keeghan took advantage of being the passenger, savouring the
sights, sounds, and smells. Lush green grass and trees lined both
sides of the road. The journey captivated Keeghan’s heart.

“I’m picturing Natasha as she travelled to
the orphanage, eager for a new adventure, volunteering at an
orphanage. I’m also picturing Hope. Young, falling in love with
Adam, and eager for the opportunity to feel the emotions her mother
had experienced. Natasha did not have the chance to make a
difference personally, but her dream lived on through her daughter.
Hope dedicated her life to assisting the underprivileged. A
tradition her son carried on, or at least I assume he did.”

She turned her attention back to the road.
“It’s possible Adam and Hope travelled this stretch of road years
ago. They would have walked hand in hand from the university most
days after school. I hope the building isn’t falling apart.
Stewart, his father, and Greg were so dedicated to the addition as
well as transforming the older building to something more modern
for the era. They took such pride in the project.”

Will glanced toward her, crossed his fingers,
and turned his attention back to the unfamiliar route. As the
vehicle turned to follow the bend in the road, the building came
into view.

“Oh. Wow.” Far exceeding her expectations,
Keeghan fought her tears. The building was quite impressive, and
the grounds were immaculate.

“Look, Will, there’s a big rock with “The
Venderkemp Orphanage” etched on it. This is it. We’re here.”

“Yup,” he agreed.

Will turned into the gravel driveway and
parked the car. She saw ‘The Venderkemp Orphanage' prominently
displayed above the front door.

“Obviously Stewart knew what he was doing
when he designed this building,” Keeghan admitted. She continued
glancing around. “Architecturally, this is beautiful, even by
today’s standards.”

“Stewart was a talented man. No wonder his
business was so successful. Let’s go in.”

“I just know I can picture the lobby without
setting a foot inside,” she admitted. Will opened the door.

Inside, the lobby had a cathedral ceiling
with a large window over the front door and a number of doors
leading to adjoining rooms. Straight ahead, a wide staircase led up
to what Keeghan knew was the medical area. Turning, she saw six
wooden chairs up against a wall with a small table and
magazines.

“This room hasn’t changed over the years.
This is the kitchen, the study room for the children. On our left
we have the office and the next door would lead to the hallway
where Sarah taught music.”

“You sound pretty confident.”

“I can feel it.”

Closing her eyes, she could hear the music
echoing through the walls. The beautiful melody Sarah created.

“Good morning.” A voice interrupted her. “May
I help you?”

Opening her eyes, a five foot five brunette
in her early twenties greeted them. “I hope so. We would like to
speak with the administrator or the manager please.”

“Do you have an appointment, Ma’am?”

Keeghan hated that terminology. She
complained to Will on more than one occasion that she felt old when
she heard it.