Momma, Poppa,
Andrew and his wife Ingrid, your nerves will settle.”
Taking his seat beside her, he stared at the
reins in his hand. Memories of his first meal at Elaine’s home
filled his mind. That dreadfully uncomfortable dinner. Alex stopped
the horses at Sarah’s parents’ home, assisted Sarah down, and
walked to the main entrance. The night was a bit of a blur in his
mind but certain details were vivid. Once Alex exchanged greetings
with Sarah's brother, he noted something very familiar about
Andrew. Did Andrew attend Picton? No, Andrew is
younger than Sarah. Why do I recognize this man? He shook
her brother’s hand as he studied his face.
While dining, Alex spoke proudly of the
orphanage and his responsibilities.
“Andrew, what is your occupation?”
“I’m an account manager at the bank. I assist
the manager with the investment accounts and the business
accounts.”
The bank. It was possible Andrew knew of Momma’s
trust fund, the trust fund for the orphanage, and the connection to
Papa’s business. Mortified, Alex’s heart broke. No. Why couldn’t you work anywhere but the bank?
His mind shifted to
the day he and Sarah became acquainted. Did her interest magnify when learning I’m a
Venderkemp? Employed at the mercantile, Sarah admitted her
income paid her bills. Is she enticed by the
possibility of establishing a relationship with a man of
wealth? His chest felt heavy. Attempting to inhale, he
almost choked. He couldn’t associate with a woman who was only
interested in the money.
He’d speak with Richard and end the
friendship immediately if his suspicions were correct. Doubts
filled his mind. Unable to sit still, he couldn’t relax. The
remainder of the meal and conversation was a blur.
“I must depart,” Alex announced.
“I will ensure Sarah gets home," her brother
informed him.
Sarah walked him to the door. "Thank you for
inviting me to meet your family."
He turned and walked out of the home.
Travelling to the orphanage, a vision of
Sarah filled his mind. His eyes swelled with unshed tears. “If need
be, I will avoid Sarah as I have avoided Elaine.” It was a long
depressing journey home.
Unable to sleep, unable to speak of his
suspicions about Sarah to his family, he wrote a long journal
entry.
* * *
Tom walked into the playroom and over to
Hope. “Rose and Richard just arrived.”
Overjoyed and eager to see
the honeymooners, H ope rushed out of the room. She guided
the young couple into the parlour as Rose bubbled with enthusiasm,
speaking of their time together. The family quickly joined
them.
“I plan to seek a part-time job while I
complete my education. I want to assist Richard with our savings.
We want to purchase a home within a year.”
“That is an aggressive goal,” Adam
remarked.
“I’d be pleased to hire you at
Valentines.”
“That is appreciated, but I respectfully
decline, Izabella. Your other employees will assume I’m employed
due to your relationship with Papa. I will gain employment based on
my own merit. My own ability.”
Hope’s heart filled with pride.
After dining, the crates containing Rose’s
personal possessions were loaded onto the wagon. Hope embraced her
daughter.
“I expect to see you Sunday afternoon. I want
the Donovan Carson Venderkemp tradition to continue.”
“We’ll be here, Momma. We will arrive in
plenty of time to visit before the Carson’s arrive.”
Richard assisted his bride onto the buggy and
guided the horses in the direction of their small apartment.
* * *
“Alex,” Keeghan groaned. “I like Sarah. I’m
proud that your back is up a bit, that you’re being careful, but, I
like Sarah. I want things to work out for you.”
“I’m proud of Rose,” Will admitted. “It would
have been so convenient to accept Izabella’s job offer, but she
didn’t. Rose has something to prove.”
“A woman after my own heart. That girl has
Nana Natasha in her.”
* *
Andrew and his wife Ingrid, your nerves will settle.”
Taking his seat beside her, he stared at the
reins in his hand. Memories of his first meal at Elaine’s home
filled his mind. That dreadfully uncomfortable dinner. Alex stopped
the horses at Sarah’s parents’ home, assisted Sarah down, and
walked to the main entrance. The night was a bit of a blur in his
mind but certain details were vivid. Once Alex exchanged greetings
with Sarah's brother, he noted something very familiar about
Andrew. Did Andrew attend Picton? No, Andrew is
younger than Sarah. Why do I recognize this man? He shook
her brother’s hand as he studied his face.
While dining, Alex spoke proudly of the
orphanage and his responsibilities.
“Andrew, what is your occupation?”
“I’m an account manager at the bank. I assist
the manager with the investment accounts and the business
accounts.”
The bank. It was possible Andrew knew of Momma’s
trust fund, the trust fund for the orphanage, and the connection to
Papa’s business. Mortified, Alex’s heart broke. No. Why couldn’t you work anywhere but the bank?
His mind shifted to
the day he and Sarah became acquainted. Did her interest magnify when learning I’m a
Venderkemp? Employed at the mercantile, Sarah admitted her
income paid her bills. Is she enticed by the
possibility of establishing a relationship with a man of
wealth? His chest felt heavy. Attempting to inhale, he
almost choked. He couldn’t associate with a woman who was only
interested in the money.
He’d speak with Richard and end the
friendship immediately if his suspicions were correct. Doubts
filled his mind. Unable to sit still, he couldn’t relax. The
remainder of the meal and conversation was a blur.
“I must depart,” Alex announced.
“I will ensure Sarah gets home," her brother
informed him.
Sarah walked him to the door. "Thank you for
inviting me to meet your family."
He turned and walked out of the home.
Travelling to the orphanage, a vision of
Sarah filled his mind. His eyes swelled with unshed tears. “If need
be, I will avoid Sarah as I have avoided Elaine.” It was a long
depressing journey home.
Unable to sleep, unable to speak of his
suspicions about Sarah to his family, he wrote a long journal
entry.
* * *
Tom walked into the playroom and over to
Hope. “Rose and Richard just arrived.”
Overjoyed and eager to see
the honeymooners, H ope rushed out of the room. She guided
the young couple into the parlour as Rose bubbled with enthusiasm,
speaking of their time together. The family quickly joined
them.
“I plan to seek a part-time job while I
complete my education. I want to assist Richard with our savings.
We want to purchase a home within a year.”
“That is an aggressive goal,” Adam
remarked.
“I’d be pleased to hire you at
Valentines.”
“That is appreciated, but I respectfully
decline, Izabella. Your other employees will assume I’m employed
due to your relationship with Papa. I will gain employment based on
my own merit. My own ability.”
Hope’s heart filled with pride.
After dining, the crates containing Rose’s
personal possessions were loaded onto the wagon. Hope embraced her
daughter.
“I expect to see you Sunday afternoon. I want
the Donovan Carson Venderkemp tradition to continue.”
“We’ll be here, Momma. We will arrive in
plenty of time to visit before the Carson’s arrive.”
Richard assisted his bride onto the buggy and
guided the horses in the direction of their small apartment.
* * *
“Alex,” Keeghan groaned. “I like Sarah. I’m
proud that your back is up a bit, that you’re being careful, but, I
like Sarah. I want things to work out for you.”
“I’m proud of Rose,” Will admitted. “It would
have been so convenient to accept Izabella’s job offer, but she
didn’t. Rose has something to prove.”
“A woman after my own heart. That girl has
Nana Natasha in her.”
* *
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