Natasha's Legacy

by Heather Greenis

  Placing his hands on her cheeks, Will leaned toward Keeghan and gave her a gentle kiss.

  “A-hem.”

  Keeghan pulled back from the kiss, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

  “Visitors to the orphanage are not given access to the property.” The young man used a bold, harsh tone.

  “I’m terribly sorry,” Will responded. “We’re leaving.”

  Will gripped her hand and they walked toward the parking lot with the young man following close behind.

  “He doesn’t trust us,” she whispered.

  They picked up their pace, got into the car, and drove off without uttering a sound. Once the orphanage was out of sight, Will reached over and touched her thigh.

  “That was embarrassing. We’re a little too old for that.”

  “Uh huh,” she agreed. “We were acting like teenagers. I doubt that kid knows the significance of a kiss at that location, but it was exciting while it lasted.”

  “I don’t feel like spending another day at the library. After a long plane ride, a day looking through books, and some sightseeing, I want to see more of this area. Pull out the folder from the back seat. I did some research before I left and I know you will be interested in seeing some of these places. We have just become tourists for the remainder of the day.”

  It was a great day.

  * * *

  Sunlight poured into their hotel room, waking Keeghan. Hearing running water, she crawled out of bed, yawned, and wandered into the bathroom to find Will shaving.

  “Any dreams last night?” he asked.

  “Yes, but not about the Venderkemp and Donovan families. Maybe Alex thinks I have information overload. I learned a lot in the last dream. He is giving me a couple of days to digest it.”

  “It’d be nice if I could get back into your dreams,” Will teased. “Tell Alex to make room for your husband.”

  “Oh, but you’ve been with me, love. I can’t help it if you don’t remember the story.” Keeghan blew him a kiss. “I’d like to go to the library today. See if we can find some old newspaper articles on the family. I know Rose and Richard’s engagement made the headlines but I refuse to believe the renovation and addition to the orphanage wouldn’t have made headlines as well. Some of Stewart’s buildings had to be newsworthy.”

  “Gr-reat,” he groaned. “More archives. I should have brought my clubs, or Constable along. I could have dropped you off at the library and gone to a golf course or taken the dog for a lo-o-ong walk.”

  “Luv ya.”

  She kissed the tip of his nose and stepped into the shower.

  Two hours later they were sitting in a library looking through archived newspapers.

  “These headlines aren’t worth a shit, Keegh. I’m scanning way too many articles that haven’t got anything to do with the headline. We could spend a month doing this and not gain anything but sore, tired eyes,” he grumbled.

  It was such a beautiful day, Will didn’t have the patience to be sitting in a library. Having come so far, Keeghan didn’t want to return home without answers.

  “There has to be an article of Rose and Richard’s engagement. I want to see it.”

  “I’ll make you a deal. If we don’t get the answers we are hoping for at the orphanage tomorrow, we will come back here. I promise, I won’t utter a word of complaint and we can spend time searching for articles. We will search until we discover Richard’s surname, but I want you to remember something. There is no guarantee either of the twins got married and had their own families. Or perhaps they had daughters. This surname you desperately want to uncover could have ended as quickly as the Venderkemp name. This search could turn out to be as frustrating as searching for a button in a haystack. Show me the patience I know you have and wait until we have a chance to speak with Yvette at the orphanage tomorrow.”

  Unable to disagree with Will’s comments, Keeghan pushed her chair away from the table.

  “More sightseeing. I enjoyed driving around looking at the countryside.”

  * * *

  After a good sleep and a late, leisurely breakfast, Will and Keeghan went for a long walk before getting into the car and heading toward the orphanage. Entering through the main door, they were greeted by the same female volunteer.

  “We have an appointment to see Yvette,” Will reminded her.

  “She will be out in a few minutes. Please, have a seat.”

  The volunteer disappeared behind one of the doors, leaving Will and Keeghan on their own.

  “We’re early,” Will reminded her.

  Keeghan reached for a magazine that was sitting on the table beside their chairs and began flipping pages. Will checked for messages on his cell. He’d just finished sending a quick text to his business partner, Jim, when a woman in her early to mid-thirties emerged from the closed office door. Slightly shorter than Keeghan, her shoulder length light brown hair was pushed behind her ears.

  “Hello, I’m Yvette. How may I help you?”

  Keeghan tossed the magazine back on the table and jumped from her seat. “I’m Keeghan.” She held out her hand. “This is my husband, William. I’m sure you’re questioning the reason for our visit.”

  “You have my curiosity.”

  “I’m doing research for a university assignment,” Keeghan continued. “I’m looking for information about the original owners of the orphanage.”

  “I know it was established in the eighteen hundreds by the Venderkemps.

  “Yes,” Keeghan agreed. “Although I don’t know the original owner’s name, Alexander and Myrtle … Mabel?” Keeghan paused, trying to remember Mrs. Venderkemp’s first name. “His wife,” she continued. “They were the second owners followed by Adam and Hope and eventually Alex and Sarah. I don’t know the history before or after.”

  “Oh-h, I wish Nicole were here but she is away on a well-deserved holiday. Somehow I feel your knowledge might exceed my own. From what I’ve been told, Alex ran the orphanage for years with the help of his manager. Sarah always kept some distance from the actual business, but she loved spending time with the children. Would you like to see some pictures?”

  “Yes.” Keeghan tried to contain her enthusiasm, but couldn't help smiling. “We would love to.”

  “Unfortunately, we don’t have any portraits of the original owners, but I’m sure you’ll appreciate what we have.”

  Will and Keeghan followed the woman through a door and hallway that led to a room with multiple doors and windows. After studying the room for a few seconds and glancing out the windows, Keeghan believed they were in the original dining area. Yvette stopped at the first portrait.

  “This is Mr. and Mrs. Venderkemp and their son.”

  Keeghan glanced up to see a couple she assumed to be in their mid to late forties, which, in her mind, made sense. Adam’s parents wouldn’t have been able to afford to have portraits done until they received the “donation” from Stewart.

  The woman was sitting proudly on a wing chair as her husband and son stood behind. “Adam with his parents,” Keeghan whispered to Will. They stepped toward the next portrait.

  “This was the entire family, Adam and Hope Venderkemp along with—”

  “Oh my gosh. Stewart and Izabella.”

  Yvette turned and looked at Keeghan.

  “Yes. The couples sitting on the far left are Mrs Venderkemp’s grandparents, with her father and his wife behind them and a family friend.”

  Without being too obvious, Keeghan wiped her watering eyes. I’m a blubbering fool. Keeghan was still staring at the far left photo when Will gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

  “Stewart’s parents, Willard and Elizabeth, Stewart and Izabella and Nanny,” Keeghan whispered. Keeghan continued looking at the picture, seeing Hope and Adam in the middle of the group with Mr. and Mrs. Venderkemp standing proudly beside their son. A young child whom Keeghan knew had to be Alex was in Stewart’s arms.

  “The family in front is Mrs. Venderkemp’s aunt and uncle and
their children.”

  Keeghan glanced at the couple who were sitting on the floor with their children on their laps. “Vicki, Greg, Matthew, and Tessa,” Keeghan announced with excitement.

  She turned her attention to the next picture. Sarah was sitting at the piano with her fingers on the keys as Alex stood proudly behind her with his hands on her shoulders. Although they weren’t smiling, it was obvious they wanted to.

  “Alex and Sarah,” Keeghan squealed before Yvette had a chance to speak.

  “Is this your family, ma’am?” Yvonne questioned.

  So absorbed in the pictures, Keeghan barely heard the woman speak.

  Turning her attention back to the portrait, she appreciated seeing both Alex and Sarah. “They were a very attractive couple,” Keeghan finally stated. “Did they ever get married?”

  “I assumed they had been married for years. Married shortly after they met.”

  “I’m sure they were,” Keeghan agreed.

  The next picture showed Sarah sitting at the piano bench with the twins on either side. “Sarah looks comfortable in front of the piano with the children,” Keeghan mentioned.

  “From what I was told, if an orphanage child was interested in learning, Sarah was more than willing to instruct. I have been told she was brilliant on the instrument. She performed regularly in the city to a theatre filled to capacity.”

  Keeghan smiled. You are correct. Shifting her body, Keeghan looked at the final portrait that included the entire family. Stewart and Izabella were sitting on chairs with Vicki beside her brother and Greg on the other side of his wife. Matthew and Tessa stood behind their parents with their spouses and children. Hope and Adam were sitting on stools with the twins on their laps, and Alex and Rose were standing behind them with Sarah and Richard on either side.

  Keeghan stared at the picture, having her first glimpse of the family’s spouses and the future generation. After spending two days trying to convince herself she could leave the orphanage disappointed, a sob escaped her. Will give her hand another gentle squeeze.

  “What happened to the family?” Will asked.

  “I believe Sarah passed away within a year of Alexander. They were buried at the back of the property.”

  “What about Alex’s sister and her husband?” Will asked.

  “I really don’t know very much about them,” Yvette admitted. “To my knowledge, they never lived at the orphanage.”

  “Do you happen to remember the names of their twins? I’m certain the little girl’s name was Alisha.”

  “I’m sorry, but no,” she responded. Yvonne glanced up at their young faces and shook her head. “Your knowledge of this family far exceeds mine.”

  Keeghan tried to hide her disappointment but it was difficult. Both she and Will were good at recalling names when they saw a face. She had hoped Yvette would be a little more helpful.

  “Do you know Rose and Richard’s last name?” Will asked.

  The woman thought for a moment and shook her head.

  “When we’re finished in here, could we go back to the private cemetery?” Keeghan asked.

  “I’m really sorry but that is not open for public viewing,” Yvette replied. “That was a rule the Venderkemps insisted upon. Our volunteers do not have access to the entire property.”

  I know but…. “Damn,” Keeghan mumbled.

  Yvette led Keeghan and Will back through the hallway and into the lobby. They walked as slow as they were able, examining the structure. Noticing a young man open one of the adjoining doors, Keeghan quickly glanced inside. The immaculate room was painted in a soft yellow colour. Keeghan was able to see two young boys sitting at a table with papers and crayons in front of them. Their hands and faces were clean. They appeared well fed and loved. The woman returned to the room, shutting the door behind her.

  “This establishment is well maintained,” Will acknowledged. “Do you receive government funding?”

  Keeghan continued gazing about.

  “No sir. We are busy with adoptions and never decline a donation. We’ve had a very generous donor for years. I’m told funds arrive regularly.”

  Keeghan looked at Will. “The trust fund?” she whispered.

  “Could you tell us who is the donor is?”

  “I’m not sure I’m allowed to disclose that information, sir. I would have to go back and check the records.”

  “I would really appreciate it if you would look into that for us.” To Will, he used his friendly look, but Keeghan teased it was his flirty smile.

  “I’ll be a few minutes. I have to check the records on file. I should probably contact the bank as well.”

  “We’ll wait,” Will assured her.

  Yvette walked into the office.

  “Okay.” Keeghan paused for a second. “An original heir to the family could be administering the fund. Or, someone has been asked to act as trustee on the family’s behalf, or the forms at the bank had been adjusted before Alex died. The transfer occurred automatically. Oh man. Could an heir be administering the estate after all these years?” Keeghan questioned.

  William shrugged his shoulders. “Possible. If it isn’t an heir, someone from the family or someone else put a lot of trust in this person.”

  “I hope this name isn’t the equivalent of a John Smith. We won’t be any further ahead. I’m trying really hard not to get my hopes up again,” she admitted. “If I had a lot of money and wanted to donate locally to a worthy cause, I would do it anonymously. It makes a person feel good to donate time or money but there is no need to be proud and tell the world about it.”

  “Unless it’s an astronomical amount. Anonymous, but you’d want a receipt. You know I keep all our charitable receipts within our tax folder. Every little bit counts to lower taxes.”

  “I’m sure it made the local paper the first time, but they wouldn’t follow it multiple times a year, every year.”

  “True, but it’s good promotion for the orphanage. Our paper does it all the time,” he reminded her. “A picture with a cheque. A good reminder for others to donate or volunteer, whatever. It’s great marketing. Well, hopefully Yvette is allowed to tell us who the donor is, because tracing Rose is going to be difficult. I don’t know how long marriage licenses would be kept and with privacy issues, Yvette won’t be willing to tell us what bank they use. We are not walking into every bank around here and asking whether ‘Richard’ ever worked for them.”

  Keeghan chuckled, appreciating his wit. “It’s too bad we lost the Venderkemp connection. Stay tuned for my next dream and pray the twins grow up and begin their own lives. We need another surname. I don’t even know Alisha’s brother’s name.”

  “It’s too bad the women weren’t as independent as you are today.” Will winked at his wife. “I have my doubts Alisha kept her maiden name if she married.”

  Keeghan muffled another chuckle. “Thanks for making me laugh.” She reached up and kissed his cheek.

  Hearing the main door open, they turned to see a very pregnant young woman. A young man helped her into the building. Within seconds, a woman in a white lab coat rushed down the steps from the second floor.

  “I’ll wait outside,” the young man told the volunteer.

  It seemed to take forever before Yvette opened the office door and walked into the lobby. Keeghan and Will rose from their chairs.

  “There have been a number of articles over the years in the local paper. The donor is Mr. Victor Hetherington.”

  Keeghan turned and stared at Will. Neither uttered a sound for a moment. Will turned his attention back to Yvette. “I apologize for the reaction. We were expecting to hear another name.” Will extended his hand to Keeghan. “Thank you so much for being so generous with your time. You have been more than helpful.”

  Keeghan opened her purse, reached into her wallet, and pulled out some cash.

  “Please accept our donation for the children. We appreciate your time and the work being done in this building.”

 
She handed Yvette the cash. Yvette’s eyes bulged.

  “It is possible to get a receipt?” Will asked.

  “Certainly. Give me just a moment.” Yvette disappeared into the next room.

  “Can we use that in Canada?” Keeghan asked.

  “Doubt it, but it keeps them honest. That's a healthy donation and it’s too easy to put cash into a pocket.”

  With the receipt in his hand, Keeghan followed Will out of the building and to the car. Once sitting, Keeghan stared out the window. A million miles away, the pictures on the wall and the entire conversation were on her mind.

  “Keegh! Do you want to talk about this?”

  “No,” she responded, jolted back to reality. “I don’t want to speculate. We’ll wait until we get home. In the meantime, we’ll go back to the hotel, change, and go for a long walk. Then we’ll go out for dinner. It will be a long day tomorrow sitting on the plane, unless of course you want to go to the library and search more archives?”

  William didn’t respond. Apparently, he didn’t think the comment deserved one.

  Keeghan was hoping for another dream, but instead she had a restless night. She crawled out of bed as the sun began to rise, removed her sleeping attire, and stepped into the shower. With the towel wrapped around her body, she looked around the corner to see her drowsy husband crawling out of bed. She had the suitcases organized when he finished getting dressed.

  Once on the plane, Keeghan closed her eyes and rested.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Keeghan and Will got through customs and sat in Will’s red sports car. Keeghan reached into her purse for her cell and made a call. It rang and rang. “Ugh. No answer. He needs voice mail.”

  “Yup. Wait a few minutes and try again. It’s possible he just stepped out for a few minutes.”

  “Still no answer,” she groaned three minutes later. “We might as well head over to your parents’ place and pick up Constable. I’ve missed her.”

  “Me too. Give Mom and Dad a call and tell them we’re on the way. You should call your mom as well, Keegh. I know she will be happy to hear we are on solid ground.”