Natasha's Dream Page 15

  “William, you are my only grandchild. You will receive some money when I pass. But right now, it pleases me to know I’m able to help with your dream, and see you enjoy it. Keeghan’s eyes sparkle when she talks about her boutique. This is not a loan, William, but a gift. I hope this is enough to help with your business.”

  “It’s more than enough.” Will’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

  “Your father agrees. It should be more than sufficient.”

  The following morning, Will contacted a real estate agent and began searching for an appropriate retail location for his new venture. The day he signed the lease, he gave his notice at the bank. The business saw a slow but steady growth. Keeghan couldn’t be prouder of him.

  * * *

  Eighteen months after the doors to his investment firm opened, Will sat Keeghan down on the sofa for another discussion.

  “What would you think of me asking Jim to join me in the business as an associate?”

  “I think it’s a fabulous idea. We’ll invite him and Sherry to dinner. Besides, Sherr and I need some time to discuss their wedding plans.”

  There was no discussion. Jim was ecstatic as he accepted. Will’s business grew rapidly.

  * * *

  Keeghan and Will were enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with her family when the topic turned to Will’s business venture.

  “I’ve got a little story that you might find interesting, Will,” Keeghan’s brother informed him. “Mum’s the word, but my boss is looking for a new investment firm to manage the company pension. I don’t know the details, but I do know your company was the only one recommended to him, and it didn’t come from me. I don’t carry that kind of weight as far finances are concerned. They don’t know your connection to my family.”

  Will didn’t even try to restrain his grin. “Are you serious?”

  “I wouldn’t joke you about this. We have over five thousand employees. You’ll be getting a phone call on Tuesday.”

  “Holy sh—” Will mumbled before putting his hand over his mouth and looking around the table at the young kids.

  “Congratulations, young man. That is an accomplishment. Obviously well-deserved. I was wrong about you, and I’m man enough to admit it. I must have a bright daughter for her to see you for the intelligent, kind man that you are.”

  You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Keeghan looked to see her mom beaming with pride. Keeghan stood up and hugged her poppa. He kissed the top of her head, walked over to Will, and shook his hand. Keeghan and Will celebrated the double good news when they got home.

  * * *

  Keeghan was in her office doing some research for new product lines when Will’s email popped up with an attached link. As the page from their local humane society filled the screen, the sad eyes of a puppy stared back at her. Unable to resist the temptation, she picked up the phone and inquired about the dog. The border collie was a healthy twelve-week-old female looking for a loving home. She ended the call and pushed the memory button for Will’s direct line.

  “Well?” he asked. “I take it you saw the picture of the dog.”

  “We have to go see her. Border collies are so smart. That’s our dog.”

  Once their work day was completed, Will and Keeghan drove to the humane society. As expected, there was no question once they met the dog. She would be the perfect addition to their family. With the documents completed, they rode off with her. Their first stop was at the local pet store for food, dishes, a leash, a collar, a brush, some toys, and a bed. Constable, a name given to her by her previous owners, came home.

  * * *

  Four months later, Keeghan was reading the local paper when she noticed a listing for an open house. Turning on the computer, she looked at the virtual tour and sent the link of the country home to Will.

  ‘What do you think? Do you like it?’

  Three days later, they had an appointment to view the house. The home was tucked behind evergreens and maples, five hundred feet from the roadway, giving them the seclusion that they both dreamed of. The contemporary bungalow had a natural colour scheme throughout, with green, beige, caramel, and soft red tones that complemented their modern furniture. There was an L-shaped countertop and centre island in the open concept kitchen.

  “This is perfect for baking, and entertaining, and I love the hardwood floor,” Keeghan raved.

  While preparing meals, she would have a wonderful view of the yard, and bird feeders from the multitude of windows in the open living room, adjacent to the kitchen. The brick fireplace in the living room was perfect for making love in front of a roaring fire. Will winked at Keeghan as they admired it. The tour continued. At the end of the hallway was a large master bedroom with a breathtaking view of the ocean.

  Keeghan could picture their queen-sized bed in the middle of the room with the dressers, vanity table, and mirror, and two wing chairs beside the window for reading at night. The en-suite bathroom had a stand up shower while the main bath had a good sized soaking tub. In the lower level there was a laundry room, and a large room that would be perfect as a family room for the big screen television Will always wanted. Will and Keeghan walked out of the house and wandered around the back yard. Behind the home, a thirty-foot staircase, in desperate need of repair, would take them to the ocean. Holding her hand, Will assured her they could make the house their home. Keeghan agreed wholeheartedly. Will called Lucas to confirm the bank financing.

  “Shouldn’t be a problem?” she heard Will repeat. “Fantastic. This is our dream home.”

  Keeghan called the real estate agent the following morning with an offer that she, Will, and Lucas thought sounded reasonable. Ninety days later, they moved in. With both businesses making a profit, Keeghan was persuaded to hire a store manager, and two part-time employees. The transition went flawlessly, and her business continued to flourish under her supervision.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Present time

  A clinking sound woke Keeghan. She opened her eyes. She was lying on the hammock. “That was a dream? Everything was a dream? Constable taking off? Drowning in the water? Alexander and Stewart and Natasha? What a dream.” She turned her head and saw Constable crawling toward her. The dog sat beside the hammock, raised one paw, and whimpered.

  “You’re such a good dog.”

  “Good afternoon,” Will whispered.

  “You’re home! Did I ever sleep. What a weird dream,” she mumbled. She rubbed the sleepers from the corners of her eyes.

  “I’m not surprised. You accomplished a lot while I was gone.”

  “How long have you been home?”

  “A while. You looked so peaceful I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

  “I had the strangest dream.”

  “Not surprised. Let me guess. Your dream had something to do with a royal family, or something to do with gardening.”

  “Yup. In my dream, Natasha was the princess.”

  “Did your dream have a happy ending?” he asked. He kissed her forehead.

  “No. It had a terrible ending.” Keeghan remembered the portrait. She had brought it outside with her. She felt around her stomach where she left it. It wasn’t there. Oh no. “Oh God. I lost the portrait. Shit. How could I be so stupid?”

  “Shh, love, shh. You didn’t lose it,” Will assured her. “I took it inside when I got home.”

  Will put his hand behind her upper back and assisted her to swing her legs over the side and sit up.

  “This dream was different, Will. It seemed so real, other than the fact the faces were a little fuzzy.”

  “You have to shake it off, love. I let you sleep a little longer than I should have. You need to shower and change. Sherry will kill us if we’re late for Jim’s party.”

  Keeghan put her hand on her chest, trying to digest what Alexander had shown her.

  “Uppy, uppy, little guppy. We need to get you inside.”

  She stood up.

  “I took a look around the yard
. It looks great.”

  Keeghan didn’t respond, her mind still on the dream. Will gave her hand a slight squeeze. “Was I in your dream?”

  “No. You weren’t, but Constable was.”

  “Damn. I wasn’t the charming prince that rescued the beautiful damsel in distress named Keeghan?”

  Keeghan wasn’t in the mood for his teasing. She never responded, but gave him a ‘you’re being a pain in the ass’ look. He chuckled.

  “Sorry. I couldn’t resist. I promise you have my undivided attention. Tell me about your dream.”

  * * *

  Keeghan and Will returned home from the party to a very excited dog. Her tail was wagging at the speed of lightning when she greeted them at the door.

  “I know,” Will admitted as he gave her back a rub. “We’ve been gone forever. Outside,” he ordered. “You need to blow off some energy, and go pee.”

  Keeghan turned on the outdoor light and closed the door behind them. Alone in the house, she checked for phone messages, and then wandered down the hall. Keeghan got ready for bed, changing into her oversized light-blue polo shirt. Standing by the full-length mirror, she was staring into space when Will entered the room. Constable settled on the area rug on Keeghan’s side of the bed.

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “I was thinking about the dream again,” she admitted, brushing her hair.

  “What was so special about this dream? You saw a picture, and you made up a story about it. You’re forever combining different events in your mind and dreaming about stuff that happens around you. You have one hell of an imagination. I think you missed your calling, Keegh. You could be a great writer if you made some notes when you woke up.”

  Keeghan turned to their bed and began pulling down the duvet and sheets as Will changed.

  “This dream was different. I can’t explain it, but I’m having a hard time getting the story and characters out of my mind. I can’t let it go. I’m sure I’ll feel better in the morning,” she assured him. She yawned. “I’m exhausted from all the fresh air.”

  She crawled into bed. Will joined her a couple of minutes later and snuggled his chest into her back, putting his arm around her.

  “Sweet dreams, love. Think pleasant thoughts, like the day your dad decided I was worthy of his princess.”

  “I love you.” She relaxed in his arms, holding his hand against her chest as she drifted off.

  * * *

  Keeghan was sitting under a large olive tree with Will and Constable when Alexander appeared.

  “I’m pleased you returned,” Alexander said.

  “This is my husband, William,” she informed her new friend.

  “Stewart has discovered the truth regarding Natasha. We shall continue the story.”

  Keeghan didn’t have a chance to respond before the large screen appeared in front of them. Natasha was in her dormitory room, lying in the fetal position on her dark bedspread, wearing the same dress Keeghan had last seen her in.

  Part Two:

  The Confession

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Natasha woke with a headache and sore throat. Her pillow was wet from her tears. Memories of her fight with Stewart filled her mind. The pain in her heart intensified. Never, in all their years together, did she ever think Stewart would get hurt. He was to move on, leaving her with a broken heart. That was her plan from the beginning. They had never discussed marriage or a future together. Then her mind drifted to the experience they shared. She would cherish that on her death bed.

  She crawled off her bed, lit her oil lamp, retrieved her diary, and began to write:

  Dear Diary,

  We shared an incredible experience….

  After sharing her emotions with her diary, an image of Stewart filled her mind. She needed to speak with him. She owed him an explanation. An apology.

  She stepped in front of her mirror and gazed at her reflection. She barely recognized the person staring back at her. An exhausted young woman with rumpled hair and puffy red eyes.

  Natasha ran her fingers through her hair and splashed some water on her face. She lit a travel lantern and left the room, locking the door behind her. The main door to the men’s residence was open. It took three rounds of tapping on his dormitory room door before she got any response.

  “Wha-a-t?” It was a gruff and angry voice.

  “Stewart.” Nothing. No response. “Stewart, please,” she begged. “Allow me the opportunity to explain.”

  “Go away.”

  “Please,” she cried, “I beg of you.”

  “Not now,” he pleaded. “Go away. Leave me alone.”

  “Stewart,” she begged in a slightly louder voice. “Please.”

  Within seconds, the lock clicked. The door slowly swung open. Stewart had returned to his chair, sitting with his head down, still holding the ring in his hand. Shutting the door behind her, Natasha glanced around the room. The bed was still made. Stewart hadn’t attempted to get any rest. She sat on the bed beside his chair and looked at his red, bloodshot eyes. Her heart broke. Tears ran down her cheeks.

  There was nothing in the world she wanted more than to have his arms around her. To be held. But she could never allow that to happen again. She wasn’t certain they could part friends. They needed to speak, but no one could see her and Stewart alone together.

  “Have you seen your roommate?”

  “Nay. He’s not due for another day,” he responded without looking her way.

  Perfect. We can talk. “Will you ever find it in your heart to forgive me? I will never forgive myself for causing you such grief.”

  Stewart glanced at her. He never uttered a word. He turned his attention back to the ring.

  Please, God. Help me find the words to console him. “There is much to say.”

  He scowled at her, and those blue eyes she loved were an ice-cold colour.

  “Why did you not speak of this earlier? We have been friendly for more than six years. You encouraged me to kiss you, to lie with you.” His voice became angrier. “In my position, I don’t have the right….” He stopped himself. “I have been a blind fool, to something so obvious. I’m no longer surprised you wouldn’t allow me the opportunity to meet your family. But I wonder why you allowed my family the opportunity to make your acquaintance. You played me for a fool, and I fell in love with you. With a proper introduction the day at the river, I would have bowed and walked away, questioning only why you had ventured onto Poppa’s property.”

  He stopped. She waited for Stewart to continue.

  “You were raised by … Nanny. My poppa makes a modest income, but my family could not afford … your family financed two sons and a daughter at university, yet you do not share a room with another. My parents have saved since I was but a young child to allow me the privilege of attending university. There is not a family in this area that can afford the lifestyle you enjoy.” He placed his hands on top of his head. “A university degree, and I’m blind to the obvious.” He took a deep breath.

  The pain in her heart, and the guilt, was unbearable. She fought the temptation to run from the university and never return. She couldn’t. Stewart had to understand why she deceived him. Natasha struggled to breathe. She must hear him out. She owed him that.

  “Shortly after becoming acquainted, you hesitated as I offered my hand to assist you to your feet. I assumed you were shy, and reserved, but I did not possess the….” He glared at her. She had never seen him as livid. “Damn it. Royalty?” he hissed. “Lacking the bloodline, I don’t possess an adequate breeding to speak, let alone…. You must believe me to be a fool to deceive me so. A princess?” he snarled. “I believe I’m to wait until I have been excused by members of royalty, and I beg your forgiveness, but….”

  Stewart stood, bowed, and walked toward the door. The gesture infuriated her.

  “That’s why I deceived you,” she cried in anger. Her voice cracked.

  Stewart stopped and stared at the floor. Natas
ha put her hands over her mouth, settled her voice, and took a deep breath.

  “Stewart, please forgive me,” she begged, keeping her hands folded on her lap. “It’s not my place to raise my voice. You are angry, and hurt, and confused, but please, do not despise me.”

  “I don’t. I can’t,” he admitted. “It would be impossible for me to love you more, but I cannot disguise my distress. I don’t understand why you intentionally deceived me.”

  She closed her eyes and tried to breathe through her clogged nose.

  “Tell me truthfully. If I had been honest the day we made our acquaintance, would you have kissed me? Would you have agreed to lie with me last night?”

  “Of course not.” Stewart scowled.

  Natasha shuddered as the thought of the last six years without him.

  “Would you have befriended me?”

  Staring at the floor, he shook his head. “No, I would not,” he admitted. He walked back to the chair and sat. Moving from the bed, she knelt in front of him. The second she looked into his eyes, he placed the ring on the table beside his bed, and stared at the floor, avoiding eye contact.

  “Look at me.”

  He shifted his head away from her.

  “Stewart, please.”

  Natasha reached up and placed her hands on his cheeks, forcing him to focus on her face. Tears streamed down his cheeks. It would be impossible for Stewart to endure more anguish. With a deep breath, she prayed for the words to console him.

  “The day we met is vivid in my mind. I turned to avoid making an acquaintance, but you spoke your name. My intent to be polite was forgone once I looked into your eyes. You are a handsome man, and I found myself nervous. If beyond your shell you had lacked substance, I would have been polite and made haste. But when I joined you at the river, I met an amazing man. I found myself mesmerized by your personality, your intelligence, and your blunt wit. I laughed, something I do not recall doing since I was a young child, playing with my brothers. I discovered I could converse with you. I craved that companionship. I could forget about my life and attempt to be normal.”