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on. I miss him terribly,
but know God has special plans for such a wonderful man.”
    She continued talking about her life. From
the tone in her voice, she still loved him. Would always love him,
just like Papa loved Nana. Warm tingles swelled through his
heart.
    “I sold the home we shared and returned to my
parents’ home. Andrew heard about the position at the mercantile
and insisted I speak with the owners. My brother was determined I
should rebuild my life and not dwell on my misfortune. I found a
small apartment a reasonable distance from the mercantile and the
conservatory. Once I graduate, I plan to teach music or….”
    Sarah stopped talking. Assuming the topic was
too uncomfortable for her, he simply nodded.
    “You mentioned you were at John’s concert. I
believe you sat behind me. You were with a woman.”
    Picturing the night in his mind, he had been
humiliated when Elaine wouldn’t stop talking. The woman in front
turned and glared with piercing green eyes. That
was Sarah. His entire body burned with heat. He turned his
head away from her.
    “My apologies. I’ve embarrassed you. If my
memory serves me correctly it’s not the first time.”
    Alex looked at Sarah. “You didn’t embarrass
me at the mercantile.”
    “No, but I did when we were young. I was
entering the conservatory with Momma and a chum when you were
leaving. You held the door for us.”
    The memory was faint but the girls had
giggled. “Momma scolded me for allowing the door to close.”
    “Then I was chastised for my lack of manners
and embarrassing you. Momma was not pleased.”
    Alex grinned. “Neither of our momma’s were
pleased.”
    Sarah smiled and shook her head.
    “Tell me about your past. Obviously, you were
with the woman at the concert.”
    The opening he required. The conversation
would allow him the opportunity to convey the importance of the
orphanage.
    “Yes. We were engaged to be married, with the
date quickly approaching. I discovered Elaine had expectations I
would never be able to satisfy. Coming from upper class society,
she assumed I would join her father’s company, leaving the
orphanage. I was….” He stopped to correct himself. “To this day I
am unable to fathom a life outside the orphanage.”
    “You were engaged. Did you not discuss the
future you would share?”
    “I’m very shy. Elaine is very outspoken. I
once believed I excelled at listening but I find myself questioning
that now. I accept responsibility for not making my intentions
clear.”
    Alex noticed Tom approaching with a tray and
two glasses of lemonade. Seeing Tom, Alex was reminded of a
conversation with their manager.
    “Thank you, Tom.”
    They took the glasses and Tom left them to
continue talking.
    “I’d like to convey my appreciation for the
donation. Tom spoke of your generosity.”
    “Although the cause is worthwhile, to be
truthful, my intent was to become acquainted with you.”
    Music to his ears, Alex fought a smile.
    “Tom greeted me at the door and offered me a
tour, but I declined.”
    Alex had persuaded Tom early on to continue
assisting clients with donations and adoptions, as his parents had
done before him. “You didn’t ask Tom to locate me?”
    “No. I’m not shy, but that is far too
aggressive. Tom has spoken highly of your family, but I would have
been humiliated if you were in a relationship at the time. Engaged
to be married.”
    “Your reluctance is understandable, but I
assure you, Tom would have said something if that were the case. I
hadn’t been to the mercantile in a number of years, but he
persuaded me to go in the hope you’d be working. Of course, he kept
that information to himself until I returned. He couldn’t praise
you enough.”
    “Tom speaks highly of the orphanage and has a
great deal of respect for your family. Listening to his praise, I
was intrigued and wanted to meet you.”
    Relaxing on the grass, the conversation
continued. Sarah reminisced about her childhood with her