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.
Chapter Seven
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.”
Th
e 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.
Chapter Eight
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.”
“It would be lovely if I could spend more time with them, but I wouldn’t give up my time with my students or our private time together. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day. I am perfectly and incandescently in love with this place and in love with you.”
Alex kissed the back of her head. Not the least bit nervous, but surprisingly confident and self-assured, he stepped to the side and reached for her hand. This is right. “I’d like you to join me for a few minutes.”
As he turned to lead Sarah to the back of the orphanage, they heard a young boy’s voice.
“Alex, Sarah. Would you join us for a game of tug-of-war?”
Sarah’s face began to glow. She always enjoyed group activities with the children. Knowing she wanted to join the game, Alex recalled reading of the day Papa Stewart and Nana Natasha played tug-of-war. With the description of how his papa placed his arms around his nana in his mind, he devised a plan. Standing behind Sarah, he would grip the rope while his arms were around hers. Before they began to pull, he would ask her to become his wife. It would be unique, but perfect.
With three older boys recently adopted, Alex scanned the children. The girls would overpower the boys. Nine girls between the ages of six and sixteen were ready to play and of the four boys, the eldest was not yet seven. Three teenaged female volunteers joined the girls. Even with Sarah’s assistance on their team, the boys lacked the strength for a competitive game. “Shall we?”
Holding Sarah’s hand, he led her toward the boys’ team.
“Sarah is to join the girl’s team,” one of the older girls yelled.
“The boy’s team requires assistance,” Alex reminded them.
“That is not fair, Alex. The two adults cannot be on the same team.”
He scanned the area, desperate for more people to play but didn’t see anyone. There were always volunteers in sight when he didn’t need them. He saw his momma sitting on the wooden swing with a baby in her arms. She couldn’t help. Hearing movement from the road, he looked to see Izabella returning from visiting her brother. “Izabella, would you care to join our game of tug-a-war?”
“Alex,” Sarah groaned quietly.
“I would have been honoured to join, twenty years ago,” Izabella replied. “My apologies, Alex, but no.”
Sarah’s hand slipped from his. She ran to the back of the girls’ line. His perfect plan would not work unless he told the entire group what he wanted to do. Yell across the line “Sarah. Will you marry me?” No. It was imperative he devise another plan, and quickly. He took his place behind the oldest boy and looked to the end of the line. Sarah
positioned her feet firmly on the grass. Gripping the rope, he braced his body and prepared himself for a difficult game. He looked over the heads of the children, locking his eyes on his future fiancée.
“Are you attempting to intimidate me?” she asked.
“Not at all, but I would like you to join me on this side.”
“Sarah’s not a boy,” the young girl in front of her responded.
Unable to help himself, he chuckled. You are correct. Sarah is not a boy, but a beautiful, sexy woman. “I know, Dorothy. The boys’ team lacks strength.”
“You’re a boy. You’re strong.”
“Ugh.”
The boys would be humiliated and he headed their team. Alex clenched the rope in his hands, ready for the game to begin. Despite his efforts, the boys edged forward. Glancing toward Sarah, she was tugging lightly on the rope. “You are enjoying this.” He groaned, struggling to breath.
“Pull, Alex, pull,” she teased.
He did well to keep the game alive for a few minutes, but they suffered a terrible defeat. The first game was boys against girls. The second game would have completely different teams. He and Sarah, just the two of them on a team. The children would win and would be thrilled with the victory and then Sarah would begin planning their wedding. “Rematch. Me and Sarah versus everyone else,” he boasted, proud of his brilliant idea.
“No,” one of the older boys responded. “Boys and girls cannot play on the same.”
Alex glared at the young boy. His perfect plan required Sarah to be in front of him for a game of tug of war.
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