Natasha's Legacy by Heather Greenis Read Free Book Online Page B

and
followed Adam to their son’s room. Adam knocked.
    “You may enter.”
    Alex was dressed for bed and sitting in his
chair. Hope stood at the doorframe, quietly by her husband’s
side.
    “If my memory serves me correctly, you
recently gave a young woman a tour of the orphanage,” Adam
remarked. “I do not recall your presence in the office or your
assistance with the children that day. Is it possible you were
speaking with that same woman this evening?”
    The twinkle appeared in her son’s eyes. Then
Alex smiled.
    “Yes. She introduced herself as Sarah
McLennon. She has mesmerizing green eyes and a smile that
captivates me.” He placed his hand on his heart. “I become nervous
when her vision enters my mind.”
    “Pray tell, you must assure me she possesses
more than a handsome face,” Hope pleaded. “We cannot allow history
to repeat itself. I don’t want another domineering woman to enter
your life.”
    Alex shook his head. “Sarah is quite the
opposite of Elaine. Tom is well acquainted with Sarah. He assured
me she is as bubbly and personable as Rose. I have witnessed this,
and her dry sense of humour.”
    Hope grinned, clenching her fingers together.
“You must invite her to dine with our family. Are you planning to
ask Sarah to escort you to Rose and Richard’s wedding?”
    Alex glared at her and scowled, wrinkles
covering his forehead and around his nose. An expression she hadn’t
seen since his childhood.
    “No-o-o.” For a one syllable word, Alex
dragged it as if in a song. “The wedding takes place in three days.
I can’t possibly ask her to be my guest.”
    “We would be pleased to make her acquaintance
before the event,” Hope suggested.
    “No,” he snapped, his voice even more firm.
“I will not ask her to escort me unless the wedding is postponed a
few weeks … or months.”
    “Don’t vocalize such thoughts,” Hope
lectured. “Rose and Richard are ready to begin their lives
together.”
    “We shall remain patient,” Adam assured.
“Goodnight, son.”
     
     
    * * *
     
     
    On the day of their daughter’s wedding, Rose
stepped out of her room.
    “I'm so pleased you chose this gown," Hope
informed her. She attached a pearl necklace around Rose's neck.
"The satin and lace gown is perfect. The scooped neck, puffy
sleeves, and a short train complement your small frame."
    Rose twirled around.
    “Your poppa is downstairs, waiting for us.
Your Papa, Izabella and Alex already left for the church.”
    Hope watched Adam's hands tremble as he led
their daughter down the aisle toward the groomsmen. Proud, warm
tingles consumed her. Turning her attention to Alex and Richard,
they both looked handsome and official in long black tails, holding
their top hats. Glancing to her side. Momma Venderkemp was all
smiles, watching Adam and Rose. Feeling a slight squeeze to her
hand, she looked at her poppa.
    “Rose is a vision of loveliness,” Vicki
remarked.
    With her aunt and uncle sitting behind with
Matthew, Carolyn, and Tessa and her beau, Hope turned to
acknowledge the comment and saw Matthew wink at his nervous cousin.
Then Hope saw her camouflaged uncles, Joshua and Marcus and their
families. She smiled and nodded to greet them.
    Turning her attention back to her daughter,
Adam kissed Rose’s cheek, gave her a quick hug, and placed her hand
in Richard’s. Adam walked to the pew and sat beside her. She heard
him take a deep breath and exhale.
    “I’m thankful we only had one daughter. That
was difficult for this ageing heart.” Hope smiled, gripped his
hand, raised it to her face, and kissed his fingers. The ceremony
began and they listened to Rose Alisha exchange vows with the man
she cherished. Both Hope and Izabella wiped tears from their eyes
when Richard slid a wedding band onto Rose’s finger. The next phase
of Rose Alisha’s life was beginning.
    Once the ceremony ended, the guests were
invited to the orphanage grounds to enjoy a meal. The children
presented the newly