Keeghan walked into the house, poured two glasses of water, retrieved her laptop, and sat on the sofa.
“Email,” she informed Will. “There are a couple from Julianne.”
“Two? Something on our friend’s mind?”
He put fresh water down for the dog and joined her on the sofa.
“Yup. Julianne found herself a charity to support. She sent a link to an organization called ‘The Healing Cycle.’ Hospice Palliative Care. She’s raising money for them.”
“Shit. I meant to tell her I’d send money when we got home. I didn’t want to use my credit card on an unsecured site. We’re fortunate my papa and your nana are healthy.”
“It’s not just for seniors, Will. It’s for people of all ages. Young and old and everyone in between. Giving terminally ill people a reason to smile, making their last days as pleasant as possible. Allowing them to die with dignity.”
“That hits the heart, doesn’t it. Julianne researches the hell out of an organization before she gets behind it. I’ll read that tomorrow and we’ll send some money. I expect we’ll be adding this one to our list of ‘substantial donations’.”
“No arguments here. I’d like to see the Healing Cycle go national.”
Chapter Twenty
Dressed in a light floral cocktail dress, Keeghan grabbed her two-inch heels from the closet and walked down the hallway. The door opened and Constable charged in. Will walked in behind the dog.
“We’re back,” he announced. “A mini adventure around the property.”
She looked at Will, admiring him in his burgundy silk shirt and black pants. “I’m glad I bought that shirt for you. It brings out the colour in your face, and your eyes.”
“Is the Kong ready?”
“Yup.” Keeghan turned her attention to the dog. Constable sat and looked up at her, waiting and eager for the treat. “A dog cookie within a toy. Here you go.”
Constable gripped the Kong in her mouth and went to her dog bed.
“We will be back in a few hours, Constable. Be a good girl.”
The dog never looked their way, eager to retrieve her treat. Keeghan took her place behind the wheel with Will beside her.
“I received an email from the humane society,” she informed him. “A reminder of the fundraiser next month. I volunteered both of us to help.”
“Same group working?”
“Probably. It’s always the same people doing all the work. A lot of people are associated with the organization, but for some reason, they don’t like giving up their time to help the cause they are supposed to believe in. It’s frustrating, but at least I know we do what we can. I’m so thankful you’re willing to help me help them, Will.”
“This world would be in serious trouble without volunteers. Any idea what we are doing?”
“Not yet. I’m sure we will be front and centre. We always are.”
Walking into the restaurant they noticed Will’s parents at a corner table with Papa Victor.
“Your mom is wearing the pink blouse and navy blue cotton sweater she bought at the boutique.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. All three looked up when Will and Keeghan approached the table. They took their places on the other side of Papa
“Did William tell you they are going to make me a grandpapa?” Papa Victor asked.
Kirsten’s eyes shifted from her son, to Keeghan, and finally to her husband. “Lucas. You never told me that. Oh my gosh, I’m too young to be a nana.”
“Nice try, Mom. You would still say that if you were in your sixties,” Will joked.
“It’s been a long time since we had a little one in the family. I’m looking forward to bragging rights. Spoiling privileges. How far along are you?” Kirsten asked.
“We’ve just started trying,” Will responded. “We’re having fun, hoping for the best, but we aren’t exactly expecting success the first few rounds.”
“He shoots, he scores!” Lucas joked. “That’s my boy.”
Both Keeghan and Kirsten buried their heads in their hands. Slowly, Keeghan lifted her head and peeked through her fingers as she looked at Will. “For your sake, I hope you don’t shoot blanks. Papa Victor and your dad will be disappointed if we don’t get pregnant.”
“I’ll have a chat with my buddies down there. I plan to make you a mom.”
“Wine?” Kirsten asked.
Will handed his father wine glasses from around the table and once the waitress took their orders, Papa Victor began discussing his heritage.
“You had a twin?” Kirsten asked, digging into her purse for a tissue. “Oh my gosh. I had no idea you lost a sibling.”
The remainder of the evening was spent sharing memories. Their laughter could be heard around the restaurant.
“The orphanage was never discussed when they came for a visit?” Lucas questioned. “I don’t understand why Alex and Sarah never motioned it.”
“They were more interested in hearing about our lives. I had a successful career following in my poppa’s footsteps, and then years later, the next generation arrived. William was born. The orphanage children meant the world to Alex and Sarah, but they both realized life existed beyond it.”
“Dad, you should have spoken of the orphanage years ago. When I was William’s age. Kirsten and I would have gone over a few times a year just to keep an eye on things.”
“I’m not in the mood for a lecture from my son. I procrastinated and I regret that, but now you know the details.”
“E-enough,” Kirsten whispered to her husband. “You’re also known for procrastinating.”
“After my visit with William and Keeghan, I had a little nap and began thinking about my family. Past and present. I don’t want you to leave your existing lives to return to Kassima to manage the orphanage. Knowing Uncle Alex, that was not his intent in giving Keeghan the dream, but the financial commitment must continue. I agree with Uncle Alex when it comes to the trust fund.”
Keeghan nodded. Reaching over, she held Papa Victor’s hand.
“I promise. Will and I will ensure the future generation feels the same pride and commitment we feel at this moment, now that we know the history of our family.”
“I began looking through some boxes in closets this morning. I found the old family photo albums. When you have some time, we can sit down and go through them.”
“I’d love that,” Keeghan squealed.
“If you don’t mind some extra company, I’d like to see them too,” Kirsten admitted. She reached for Lucas’ arm and looked at his watch. “It’s getting late. I’m sure Will and Keeghan are tired from their trip.”
Papa reached under the table and handed Keeghan a bag. Peaking inside, tears swelled in her eyes.
“The diary and the journal?” she questioned.
“The diary?” Kirsten asked. “After the condensed version, I’d love to read the books.”
Lucas nodded.
“I’ll let you read it once I’m done. Papa, what are the other two books?”
“Uncle Alex’s journal and Momma’s journal.”
“Rose kept a journal? It wasn’t mentioned.”
“Momma read Alex’s journal after he passed and then gave it to me. Poppa was the only one allowed to read Momma’s while she was alive.”
“I can’t wait to read them,” Keeghan announced, her tone bubbling with enthusiasm.
After promising to make the arrangements for another trip to Kassima, William and Keeghan said goodbye to his parents and grandfather and left for home. With jazz music playing on the car stereo, they were quiet as they travelled.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
“I feel so stupid,” she admitted. She stared out the car window into the dark night. “Your gorgeous blue eyes. They have been passed down for generations, at least since Stewart’s father. They were discussed so often in my dream. Why couldn’t I solve this puzzle?”
“A lot of people have blue eyes.”
“Not like you
rs,” she grumbled. “There were other signs. The whole finance business came through Richard. Both Papa and your dad worked for a bank. You’re still in finance.”
“You weren’t looking for a family connection. I tried to convince you the dream came from something you saw on the history channel.”
“You avoid physical labour, just like Stewart, and the Donovans were known for procrastinating, just like the Hetherington’s. I’m still tempted to hire someone to finish those damn steps. I plan to go for walks when I’m pregnant, but I won’t be able to get to the water unless they get repaired. I would never forgive myself if I slipped and lost our baby.”
“Give me a few weeks, Keeghan. I promise, the steps will get done. I’ll ask Jim to come over and give me a hand. I’ll treat him to a round of golf and a case of beer.”
Keeghan leaned over and gave Will a quick kiss on his cheek before staring at the road ahead of them. “If only Alex had mentioned the name Victor.”
“It wouldn’t have helped. I didn’t know Papa had a twin. If Alisha had survived, that would have helped us, but Victor is a common name.”
“If only Alex had shown me the scene when Richard’s surname was revealed—”
“I would have been helpful with that information. I would have been pleased to remind you my full legal name is William Alexander Hetherington.”
Keeghan turned toward Will and giggled. “Adam was formally introduced in my dream, why not Richard?”
“It doesn’t matter. The mystery is solved and we now know why the story is important to us. I have quite the family heritage.”
“We’re fortunate, Will. Papa is still healthy enough to remember his past. I enjoyed the dreams, but I loved listening as he reminisced. Natasha’s legacy. I think Nana Natasha would be pleased.”
“Something happens as we age, as we get closer to starting our own family. For some reason our heritage suddenly becomes important. Someday, our children will expect us to have answers about our families. Thankfully, we are going to have it. Not all people are as fortunate.”
Will took Constable out for a quick walk when they got home. Keeghan changed into her night attire and put on her housecoat. With the diary in her hand, she sat on the sofa. Within minutes, she was curled up, leaning against a pillow with her feet tucked in beneath her. The door opened and Contrastable ran toward her. The dog jumped onto the sofa and snuggled against her feet. She gave the dog a rub and continued reading. Grabbing his laptop, Will sat down on the chair beside the sofa. She continued reading in the quiet, peaceful room.
“Okay, I sent a donation to the Healing Cycle and emailed Julianne so she knows. I’ve also sent an email to book our trip back to Kassima. Do you need a break yet? I’m looking at the website Papa mentioned.”
“Let me finish this entry.”
Keeghan marked her spot, closed the diary, and set it on the coffee table. She rose and snuggled onto Will’s lap for a good view of his computer screen.
“Wow! Those buildings are beautiful,” she remarked. “Obviously Donovan and Carson Incorporated still hire the best employees.”
“Yup. My great great great….” William glanced toward the ceiling. They both counted the generations with Victor, Rose, Hope, and Stewart to make sure he had enough greats. “Grandfather Stewart would be proud of the business he started with his pop.”
“Stewart would be proud of his entire family,” she remarked. They finished looking at the site. “I’m looking forward to our return trip to Kassima.”
“I’m sure I’ll get confirmation in the morning. I’ve asked for a flight around the first of the month. Hopefully that gives us both enough time to get organized at work before we leave again.”
She nodded and smiled and then glanced back toward the diary.
“Is it what you expected?” he asked.
“More so. I can’t imagine reading this as her husband or child. Obviously, I’m not very far into it but I know from what I’m reading, Natasha poured her heart into this diary. I’m still coming to grips with the fact my dream was detailing the history of your family. Just a few days ago I was hoping to meet a member of this incredible family and now I know I’m part of it. I still can’t believe I didn’t see a bit of Stewart and Alex in you, your dad, or Papa Victor.”
“Neither did I and I know we possess the same traits. From what you and Mom tell me, the smile and eyes as well.”
“You’re definitely a Donovan and a Venderkemp. Are you going to read the diary when I’m done?”
“I don’t know. I’ll decide once you, Mom, and Dad finish. Even knowing the ending, it will be a tough read. We both know I’m a bit of a softy.”
“You will be an amazing daddy.”
Keeghan put her arms around his neck. “I’ll speak with Stephanie tomorrow and begin arranging a work schedule for our holiday. I’m sure Mom and Dad will look after Constable this time, unless they are planning a trip they haven’t told me about it. With any luck, the money from your big client will arrive before we leave and Jim can monitor the account. Remind him you get half the commission cheque. We will need it to pay for these holidays.”
William began to chuckle.
“Wha-a-t?” she asked, emphasizing the word as her grin grew larger.
Will smiled. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“I love hearing it.”
“I want a picture of Papa holding our child. A picture with Dad, Papa, and me. Four generations.”
“And one of my nana and your papa and the baby. Both sides of the family. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your Donovan blue eyes. Nana Natasha will look down and smile if we’re successful and now, so will your parents and Papa Victor. Let’s make a Donovan blue-eyed baby.”
Will’s attention shifted to the dog as she continued sleeping beside Keeghan.
“Special treat tonight, Constable. You can spend the night on the sofa. Sweet dreams, kiddo.”
Keeghan gripped Will’s hand and walked down the hallway to their bedroom.
The End
Natasha’s Dream, Book 1
Natasha’s Diary, Book 2
Natasha’s Hope, Book 3
Natasha’s Legacy, Book 4
* * *
The Donovan Family Tree
Harold and Anna Strathroy had twin sons and one daughter - Marcus and Joshua and Natasha
Willard and Elizabeth Donovan had one son and one daughter - Stewart and Victoria (Vicki)
The Saga follows Stewart and Natasha
Stewart married Natasha - had one daughter - Hope
Victoria married Gregory - had one son and one daughter - Matthew and Tessa
Hope married Adam - had one son and one daughter - Alexander and Rose
Alexander married Sarah - adopt two girls
Rose married Richard - had twins - Victor and Alisha
Victor married Nana - had one son - Lucas
Lucas married Kirsten - had one son - William
William married Keeghan - hope to have a child
* * *
About the Author
Heather has an uncanny ability to frequently ‘manipulate’ her dreams. As a bonus, she remembers them in extensive detail the following morning. A dream inspired the basic storyline. Then her overactive imagination developed the characters and the detail. In her spare time Heather assists the Healing Cycle, Hospice Palliative Care. She is also actively involved with the local curling club, currently volunteering her time teaching children when she isn’t curling herself. Heather has a passion for travel, photography and gardening. She would like to extend a special thank-you to her niece for reading and re-reading and to her husband for his support, and encouragement, suggesting she “write it down.”
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Natasha's Legacy Page 26