Natasha's Diary

by Heather Greenis

  “You look beautiful,” he assured her. He extended his hand. “I’m hungry. You must be as well.”

  “I pray we’re able to be discrete. This can be our little secret.”

  He didn’t respond.

  Vicki and Greg were sitting at the table, drinking their coffee, when they entered the room.

  “Good morning,” Vicki greeted. She gave Izabella a knowing smile.

  “Good morning,” Izabella responded, avoiding Vicki’s eyes.

  “Indeed, an incredible morning that followed a spectacular night,” he informed them.

  Izabella’s jaw dropped. Her face turned brilliant red. She closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands. Finally, she peeked through her spread fingers.

  “Hope?” she inquired.

  Vicki shook her head, fighting a grin. “To my knowledge, she is still sleeping.”

  Izabella turned and glared at him. “Must we announce the status of our relationship to the world?” Izabella protested.

  “I should think it is quite obvious now,” he observed, grinning. “After months of courting, something wonderful has occurred between us. There is no reason to be ashamed. I am happy and very pleased.”

  “Why do I love you?”

  Stewart’s heart beamed with joy, ecstatic to hear her admit her feelings in front of his family. Leaning over, he began to whisper, completely aware his sister and brother-in-law could hear him. “I should hope it might have something to do with the squeal you produced, more than once.”

  Izabella turned her back to his family, but not before her face went scarlet for the second time in as many minutes. Stewart grinned. Vicki and Greg chuckled at Izabella’s discomfort.

  “I’m assuming you’re hungry,” his sister said, changing the subject for Izabella’s benefit.

  “Starving,” Stewart admitted. “I’m not accustomed to so much exercise.”

  From the corner of his eye he glimpsed Izabella rolling her eyes. He chuckled, very pleased with himself. He might have kept his initial intentions regarding Izabella a secret, but didn’t see the need to hide the fact his relationship with Izabella had taken a huge leap forward.

  “I’m yet to see Hope this morning,” Vicki remarked, as she stood to prepare breakfast. “It’s not like her to sleep this late. She didn’t stir when we opened her door for Brodie.”

  Stewart took his place across from Greg as Izabella joined Vicki at the counter. Vicki picked up a knife and began to cut slices of ham.

  “Hope and Adam went to the pond after returning from their evening out. I’m certain my daughter shared her bed with her fiancé.”

  Vicki dropped the knife on the counter. “Stewart, pray tell, what did you say to the poor girl last night?” Vicki asked.

  “How little faith do you have in me?” he retorted angrily. “How little do you trust me? I may be blunt, but I’m not unfeeling. I did not mention my suspicions to her last night when I found them in the kitchen wearing nothing but towels. Nor do I intend to. Hope is well aware Natasha and I were not chaste before we married. I can only pray she does not learn Izabella shared my bed last evening. I do not harbour any regrets, but my personal affairs do not need her scrutiny.”

  “She will not hear of it from our lips,” Vicki assured him.

  Izabella shook her head.

  * * *

  “Stewart is brutal. I would have died if I were Izabella. To have it assumed is one thing, but to be standing in the room facing Vicki and Greg when Stewart announced it as fact.” Keeghan put her hands on her flushed face. “I’m embarrassed for her.”

  Will chuckled. “Heaven help you when it comes time to discuss sex with our kids.”

  “I’ll stand outside the room and be the supportive wife and mom when you do that.”

  “Chicken shit.”

  The look Alexander gave Will was priceless. Alexander had no idea what Will meant by that term. Keeghan giggled.

  “I’m talking too much, aren’t I? It’s just that I want to know what happens. I’m ready for the saga to continue, Alexander.” She turned her attention back to the screen.

  * * *

  Stewart and Izabella were in the parlour, sipping their coffee while they read the newspaper. They heard Brodie on the staircase and turned to see Hope. His drowsy daughter wiped the sleep from her eyes as she shuffled by in her dressing gown, her hand covering a yawn.

  “Look who decided to grace us with her presence,” Stewart teased.

  “Good morning, Poppa, Izabella.”

  She continued toward the kitchen for breakfast, and then spent a large portion of her day in her room. Stewart, Izabella, Greg and Vicki took advantage of a day of leisure. Late in the afternoon, Stewart knocked on his daughter’s bedroom door. “Hope, we’ll be leaving for Nana and Papa’s in a half hour.”

  “I’ll be ready, Poppa.”

  During dinner, Hope spoke about the Wedgwood, dining, and dancing. Swimming wasn’t mentioned. After their meal and visit, they climbed into the buggy and dropped Izabella at her house before returning home. That night, Stewart stopped at her door and wished Hope sweet dreams. She did not invite him in for a visit. Stewart closed her door and entered his own room. The big bed seemed very empty. His arms ached to hold Izabella as he had the previous night. Impossible this evening. He retrieved the journal and wrote a long entry about the previous day and evening.

  Crawling under the covers, Izabella’s scent clung to the sheets.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Hope woke on Sunday, dreading the day—church with her family, and then Sunday dinner. Questions would be asked. Dinner and dancing with Adam had been wonderful and memorable. She would never forget the events of the evening.

  For the first time in her life, she avoided her father’s company. He would assume she was tired from the late evening. Undeniably, she was tired. It was a wonderful excuse.

  Crawling into bed Sunday night, she smiled, convinced her father didn’t suspect anything. Monday morning, Hope stepped off the train, saw Adam waiting at the platform and ran to him. “Good morning.”

  “You appear chipper.” He sounded relieved. “I was concerned.”

  “Poppa didn’t mention the pond,” she informed him. She heard him take a breath. The weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. They walked toward the main building. “Did you arrive home before your momma and poppa woke?”

  “Indeed. They are not suspicious. They just know the hour was late when I arrived. Once the children were fed, I retired to my room for a much needed nap. I couldn’t concentrate yesterday, and missed you last evening. I beg of you, please say you will forego the large wedding and agree to elope after class. I want to fall asleep with you in my arms tonight and every night.”

  Hope smiled as she shook her head. “Poppa would never forgive us, nor would your family. What would you tell your parents, not to mention my poppa and family?”

  Adam raised his eyebrows.

  “You must speak with my father.” Hope giggled.

  “My humble apologies, sir,” he whispered, his voice so low Hope struggled to hear him. “Your daughter forced me to violate her.”

  “It isn’t considered a violation when it’s requested, you ninny. I didn’t give you much choice in the matter.”

  “Shall I speak with your poppa?” he joked. “I’ll inform him the wedding shall take place on Tuesday. Tomorrow.”

  “Nay. We shall be wed according to plan. But my room shall be available to you every Saturday night.”

  “Consider it reserved in the name of Adam Venderkemp. I’ll learn to survive without sleep.”

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Stewart reviewed his notes on the project while the men worked on the three-storey structure. His father arrived with the crew from the other job site, earlier than he expected. Willard walked over to his side.

  “Good morning. Am I to assume the project is complete?” he asked.

  “Indeed. You’ll be pleased when you give our cl
ient the final tour. We did not have an opportunity to speak privately yesterday during dinner. Vicki told your momma you entertained Izabella after Hope and Adam departed.”

  Vivid memories entered his mind. Stewart grinned.

  “Am I to assume you have moved forward with your relationship with Izabella?”

  Stewart’s gaze dropped to the ground. Heat penetrated his face. He turned his back to the crew. “I find myself feeling like a young man, being interrogated by his father after losing my virginity,” he responded, keeping his voice lowered.

  “My apologies. That was certainly not my intent. Perhaps my comment was inappropriate. Your momma would chastise me. You’re a grown man. I am speaking as a caring friend, not your poppa. I am glad to see you happy.”

  Stewart took a deep breath and looked at his father. “I didn’t believe I could open my heart to another after losing Natasha. The pain was so intense I couldn’t bring myself to risk a second heartache. Jane was beautiful, but there was no spark. Natasha saw the potential with Izabella while I barely noticed she existed. When Izabella suggested becoming intimate, I took her by the hand and led her up to my room. I don’t regret a minute of it.”

  “Although I would prefer to hear of an engagement and marriage before you agreed to become intimate, it’s pleasing to see you have found contentment. Perhaps it’s time for you to make a decision. Step away from the business and spend more time with the woman that has captured your heart. You don’t need the money. We can inform Greg he need not seek further contacts for the present time.”

  What? The idea had never entered his mind. He was proud of the business he and his father built. He enjoyed working with Greg and his crew. “Poppa. What would possess you to think such thoughts?”

  Willard handed over the notes Stewart had given Greg earlier in the morning. On closer examination, he saw the error he made. “Oh my,” he groaned.

  “You are fortunate Greg has a good understanding of the engineering aspects of the project. Your notes could have produced,” he stopped to correct himself, “would have produced disastrous results. The structure would have failed and fallen in on itself.”

  “I owe Greg a deep debt of gratitude,” he affirmed, a lump forming in his throat.

  “It would pain me to see your reputation tarnished. If you can’t keep your mind on the job at hand, then perhaps it is time to take a breather.”

  Stewart listened to his father but wasn’t ready to take his advice. He loved his job and was proud of his accomplishments. Natasha was still pushing him forward. He could almost hear her saying not yet!

  “I graduated hoping to make both Hope and Natasha proud. I can feel Natasha speaking with me, urging me to continue. There is a project that requires this company. I will remain focused.”

  “How did you manage to achieve exceptional grades while involved with Natasha?” his father questioned.

  “The wrath of my father.”

  “If this error is repeated, you shall see the wrath of your foreman. This company bears my surname. I will not allow the reputation to be destroyed,” he warned.

  Furious with himself, it was a stupid, careless error, something one would expect from a recently graduated engineer, not an experienced professional. His father’s disappointment magnified his grief.

  “Yes, boss,” Stewart responded. He returned his attention to his papers.

  * * *

  “That came back to bite Stewart in the ass, didn’t it,” Keeghan remarked. “I like Stewart, but I don’t feel sorry for him at all.”

  “His screwup?” Will questioned.

  “No. The fact his dad knew he had sex with Izabella.”

  “His embarrassment is temporary. He’s a grown man. He won’t have any regrets or any trouble sleeping.”

  “What are you thinking about the story, Alexander?” Keeghan questioned.

  Alexander simply pointed, suggesting they look at the scene.

  * * *

  “How is my favourite engineer?”

  Stewart jumped at the sound of Izabella’s voice. He greeted her with pleasant surprise, not having expected her for another hour. “Missing you.”

  “I beg to differ. You didn’t hear me approach.”

  “My mind was preoccupied with a vision of your beautiful face.” He winked at her.

  “I fear you shall lose your position within this company. Your boss will not approve of a wandering mind.”

  “Then you mustn’t speak of this to Poppa. I received a lecture on remaining focused—”

  “Run! Now!” Greg’s panic-stricken command interrupted him.

  A problem. It could be Poppa or any other member of my team. “Gre-eg?” Stewart bellowed, his voice echoing.

  He dropped his clipboard and ran toward Greg’s voice. Izabella followed on his heels. Reaching the corner of the three-storey structure, Stewart quickly scanned the area. His employees were staring at the crane used to hoist the large stones. The torn straps were dangling freely. He gasped. Stewart did a quick head count. Relieved, all seemed accounted for.

  “Bro-odie!”

  Greg’s voice bellowing the dog’s name penetrated his panic. Brodie. Where’s Brodie? His frantic gaze fell on a patch of brown protruding from under the dropped stone. Lifeless brown paws under the large rock. From the corner of his eyes, he glimpsed Izabella hiding her face. “No. No-o-o!” Stewart dashed toward Brodie. Using every ounce of strength he possessed he attacked the boulder, pushing with all his might. It wouldn’t budge.

  “Damn it,” he cried angrily. “Get off my dog. I’m here, Brodie. You’re such a good dog.”

  Greg appeared at his side with a few of their crew behind. The boulder was pushed from the dog’s body.

  “You’re not alone, Brodie.”

  Stewart dropped to his knees, tears dripping onto the dog’s bloodied back. He placed his palms under the dog’s head, feeling the warmth of her blood escaping between his fingers. Placing his palm on her side, there was no pulse. Pain gripped his heart like a vice. Greg knelt down and placed his hand on the dog’s head and sobbed. Izabella put her arm around Greg’s shoulder.

  “I don’t possess the words,” Greg said brokenly. “Hope and Vicki shall be devastated. Willard and I inspected the equipment on Friday. We were certain the strap was up to standard. I heard the crack. I-I didn’t have time to respond when Brodie ran. God! Why didn’t you allow me to stop her?” he cried.

  Keeping his hand under the dog’s head, Stewart looked into Greg’s anguished face.

  “I will not allow you to take the blame,” Stewart replied. “Brodie considered herself part of our team and loved being at the job site. Vicki and Hope will understand. We’ve been fortunate, Greg. I shall miss Brodie, but I cannot imagine knocking on a door to inform an employee’s wife and children an accident took the life of their husband and father. That would be unbearable. We must be thankful our men were not hurt and learn from this.”

  Izabella knelt down and embraced Greg. Still supporting Brodie’s head, Stewart turned to face his crew. “We lost a member of our team,” he informed them, attempting to keep his voice steady. “We will suspend operations for the day, and tomorrow we will inspect all the equipment to ensure no other preventable accident occurs in the future.”

  Together, Greg and Stewart carried Brodie’s limp body to Greg’s wagon and covered her with a blanket. He sat with his dog as the men packed up their equipment and departed. Years ago, Goldie’s death had been difficult. It had been hard on Hope, but the dog lived a good life. Goldie was old. Brodie wasn’t young, but this was not her time. Never had he imagined Brodie would lose her life to such a horrific accident. Her death was quick and painless, but that didn’t stop the pain in his heart.

  “Stewart.” Izabella’s voice brought him back to reality.

  “Yes? We’ll go home.”

  “Greg informed me your poppa is at a new site. I will speak with him and meet you at the house.”

  Stewart, Izabella and Gre
g departed in different directions. Stewart stopped the horses at the orphanage and followed the sound of young voices. Both Adam and Hope were running on the grass as the children kicked a ball around.

  “Poppa. Why are you here at his hour?” Hope called out. She ran to him with Adam a few paces behind.

  He led them further away from the children to the side of the building. “There was a terrible accident at the site. Brodie….”

  “Oh no,” Hope cried. “How badly hurt?”

  “Not hurt. We lost Brodie. She died instantly.”

  “Oh no. Poor Brodie,” Adam moaned.

  Hope broke down and cried. “I’m coming with you, Poppa.”

  “I would like to be at the house when you bury the dog,” Adam informed them. “But I cannot leave at this hour.”

  “My parents will pick you up once they finish their evening meal,” Stewart informed him.

  Adam assisted Hope onto the buggy, assuring them he would be ready when her grandparents arrived.

  After a quiet dinner, Stewart and Greg walked to the back of the property and began digging a hole for Brodie’s grave. The women waited in the house.

  With the grave ready, the family assembled beside the open pit. In this difficult time, it was reassuring to see Adam supporting his daughter. He stood behind her, rubbing her shoulders as she leaned on him for support. Hope sobbed as the box containing Brodie’s limp body, her collar, and favourite toy was lowered into the ground. Vicki, Momma, and Izabella wiped the tears from their eyes as well. Hope threw the first clod of earth into the grave, and each member of the family followed suit. The box was covered with dirt and a wooden cross with her name on it was pushed into the ground to mark her final resting place. Stewart stepped back from the grave and approached Hope. Adam stepped back. Stewart took her hands into his.