Read Natasha's Legacy for Free Online Page A

hallway
allowing Sarah to step inside. She walked past his double bed to
the night table with a chair beside it. She looked out the window
and then turned her attention to the table, picking up his
novel.
    He remained at the door, keeping a firm grip
on the doorknob. “Are you fond of reading?”
    “When time permits. My enjoyment is music. I
play the piano and study at the conservatory.”
    “I admire people who are able to play. Momma
attempted to encourage me to take lessons when I was a young boy,
but I expected perfection far too quickly. To this day, wild
animals that scream through the night make a sound more pleasant to
the ears than I produced. I was embarrassed playing in that public
building and cringed at the thought of being heard in my own home.
I have awful memories.”
    “It takes years of practice and
dedication.”
    Sarah followed Alex out of the room and to
the single door on the other side of the hallway.
    “Papa and Izabella’s private quarters.”
    Sarah leaned into their sitting room, but
Alex did not comment on the interior. “Shall we continue?”
    Alex stopped at Rose’s door and placed his
hand the knob. His sister’s wedding gown was hanging prominently on
her privacy screen. Her wedding wasn’t a topic he planned to
discuss.
    “This is my sister’s room. We have three
guest rooms and the remainder are used for storage. Momma and Poppa
had planned a larger family.” Alex headed for the private
staircase.
    “You referred to your nana by her first
name.”
    “Izabella is not my nana. Nana Natasha passed
at a very young age, leaving Papa to raise Momma. He met Izabella
years later.”
    “Oh my gosh. It is obvious your family shares
a special bond.”
    Alex stopped. “Yes, we are very close.”
    They walked down the steps, through the
dining area and parlour, and then outside. Alex inhaled deeply and
exhaled, attempting to calm himself. It’s time to
encourage Sarah to talk. “Tell me about your life.”
    “Poppa works at the local feed mill, and
Momma teaches. Andrew, my only sibling, is two years my
junior.”
    Alex stopped when they reached a large tree
that offered shade, and she joined him on the grass. “Please
continue.”
    “I met the man who captured my heart at
seventeen, while at the conservatory. Three years my senior, we
were married weeks after my graduation to the delight of our
families.”
    Married? Sarah’s
married? Regret swept through him. Alex looked up toward the
sky. It had been foolish to think otherwise. A beautiful, sincere
woman with a warm heart, of course she’s married. He had mistaken
her friendly, bubbly personality as a sign of affection. Her husband is a fortunate man indeed.
    “John was magnificent on the piano,” she
concluded.
    Sarah McLennon. John McLennon. Of course . Elaine spoke his name. That and of Sarah’s
talent.
    “I was in the audience when your husband
performed at the concert hall….” He stopped himself, having no
intention of mentioning Elaine by name. “Your husband is indeed
talented. I recall your name listed under his profile.”
    “I was infuriated seeing my name in print.
They were simply to note John was married.” She stopped and then
sorrow covered her face. “That was my husband’s last public
concert. One month later, his horse reared at an oncoming carriage.
He was thrown.”
    “Oh my.” Alex clenched his hands into a fist
and placed it on his mouth.
    “I was widowed in an instant. The world lost
a talented pianist, and I lost my husband.”
    “My sincere condolences. Do you have
children?”
    “No. We attempted to begin a family, but
unfortunately, it was not in God’s plans. Financially, I’m unable
to support a family without John, but I would have cherished the
opportunity to watch a child we created grow. John, ever the
optimist, was confident we would be parents, and equally confident
of our future with music. Unfortunately, at the time of his death,
we had no real savings for me to fall back