Natasha's Diary Page 7

  “Perhaps. Perhaps not. Negotiating will really be his main focus. He will be responsible for winning contracts. You must give some thought as to how big you want this company to grow. Growth means profitability, but with it come headaches. There were days Hank found his company too large.”

  “Yes. I was fortunate a few workers retired. I doubt they wished to work for a younger boss.”

  “It’s your decision son. Yours and that young man’s.”

  * * *

  Within two months, Greg proved to be a valuable asset to their business. Stewart was amazed with his negotiation skills when he won his first contract, securing a price with an exceptional profit margin. The crew respected the newest member of the team, following his direction without question. Thrilled, Stewart was finally able to dedicate his time and energy to his designs and the construction of the buildings.

  * * *

  Stewart closed the door to Hope’s room, leaving her sleeping for the night.

  A knock sounded at the door.

  Woof, woof, woof.

  “Goldie, enough,” Vicki lectured. “I heard you. You’re going to scare the visitor away.”

  Vicki appeared from the parlour, adjusted her blue casual dress and opened the door. Stewart stepped into his bedroom to retrieve his novel. He heard motion on the staircase before Vicki stood at the doorway to his bedroom.

  “You have a guest,” she informed him. She placed her hand over her mouth. Her face turned bright pink. “Oh my goodness. What was I thinking? I didn’t ask his name.”

  Stewart chuckled. Vicki didn’t fluster easily. She didn’t possess a shy bone in her body. Greg had attended a late meeting. It was possible his negotiator was dropping by for a quick visit.

  “Is the gentleman five feet-eleven inches?” Stewart questioned, holding up his hand to Greg’s height.

  “With handsome hazel eyes,” she added. Her own eyes sparkled. “Stewart, you must inform me if you expect company. I’m certain he assumes I’m a fool.”

  Stewart gave his little sister the Donovan wink. “Our guest answers to the name of Greg Carson. You may recall the name from payroll.”

  Stewart walked past Vicki and descended the steps with his sister following behind. Greg was leaning over, petting Goldie.

  “Please accept my apologies for not greeting you at the door. I see Goldie has received you warmly. Allow me to formally introduce my sister, Victoria. She assists me with my daughter and is the bookkeeper for my business.”

  “It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. Do you prefer Victoria?”

  Stewart turned his attention to his sister. Smiling, she was unable to take her eyes off their guest.

  “I’m known as Vicki among family and friends,” she informed him.

  * * *

  Vicki began appearing at the job-site on a daily basis while Hope was at school. The dog would jump from the buggy and examine the property, visiting everyone on site. Vicki would speak with their father before working her way to Greg’s side. His baby sister was smitten, but was his employee? With Greg’s professional demeanour it was difficult to tell if the attraction was mutual. Time would tell.

  * * *

  Stewart was sitting at the table, assisting Hope with an assignment. A knock on the front door sent Goldie racing toward the entrance, barking. Stewart rose from the wooden table, tucked his plaid shirt into his beige pants, and followed the dog.

  “Enough,” he ordered.

  He gripped the Goldie’s collar and opened the door. Greg’s smiling face greeted him. Not wanting Goldie’s hair on the man’s dark clothes, he tightened his grip on the dog’s collar.

  “To what do I owe this pleasure?” he questioned, surprised to see him. “My apologies. I must have forgotten something. I wasn’t aware you were working this evening.”

  “I-I presumed,” Greg murmured, his face pink with embarrassment. “My humble apologies. I-I must appear a fool to have presumed Vicki spoke to both you and your father. I now regret not seeking approval to court…,” he covered his mouth with his hand for a brief moment. “To ask her to dine without speaking to Willard,” he continued, struggling for words. He took a deep breath. “I intended to speak in confidence with your father, but did not have the chance on Friday. I’m ashamed to admit I’m not aware of company policy with regards to…,” he stopped abruptly and stared at the ground. “Poppa will be displeased,” he muttered to himself. “I pray I have not sacrificed my career within your company.”

  “You have not,” Stewart assured him. He smiled, “I’m confident Poppa would grant his approval. As for company policy, it doesn’t exist. My sister is capable of choosing whom she wishes to associate with. Please. Come in.” Stewart turned his head and saw his daughter petting the dog’s back. “Hope, inform Aunt Vicki of Mr. Carson’s arrival.”

  The two men went to the parlour and engaged in conversation while they waited for Vicki. Hearing Vicki chatting with Hope, Greg rose and walked to the lobby with Stewart a pace behind. Vicki stepped into view at the top of the stairs. Stewart blinked and took a second look. In a long yellow silk gown with her hair tied loosely with strands of beads, she looked magnificent. He knew his sister had grown into a mature woman, but he was accustomed to seeing her in casual attire. She didn’t look as anywhere near this glamorous when attending the theatre or concerts with their family.

  “My little sister has become—”

  “A beautiful woman,” Greg interjected.

  Stewart glanced at the smitten young man recognizing the emotions glowing in his eyes. He was reminded of the evening he and Natasha went out with their graduating class to celebrate.

  Vicki reached the floor of the main level. Greg leaned over and whispered in her ear. Hope rushed down the steps and took her place beside her father.

  “Hope. Allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Gregory Carson.”

  “Greg,” he corrected.

  “I believe it would be appropriate to call him Mr. Carson,” Stewart objected.

  “Aunt Vicki smiles when she speaks your name.”

  Greg’s smile turned into a grin. “That is pleasing to hear. I smile when I think of your aunt.”

  “Then I like you.”

  Greg glanced toward Vicki and then turned his attention back to Hope.

  “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Hope Donovan.”

  Greg reached for her small hand, lifted it with great formality, and kissed it. Hope giggled. Vicki watched the interaction with amused affection. For the first time since Natasha’s death, Stewart missed having a female companion in his life. Someone to talk to. Someone to hold. He lifted Hope, and they waved as the couple rode off.

  Sleeping soundly, he did not hear Vicki return home.

  * * *

  Returning home after taking the dog for a morning walk, Stewart opened the door for Hope and the dog. Vicki was descending the staircase in a long dark flowing skirt and white blouse.

  “Good morning Hope, Stewart. I asked Greg to join us at church to make Momma’s acquaintance.”

  Hope ran to the kitchen with the dog at her heels.

  “Both Momma and Poppa shall be pleased, as am I.”

  “I was concerned about becoming involved with an employee,” she admitted. “In my heart, I wish to know him better. I’ve been courted by a number of men, and I began to question my future happiness. At two and twenty, I’m expected to be married by now.”

  “A life commitment isn’t something to rush. You wouldn’t have found happiness with some of your past beaus. Did you have a pleasant evening with Greg?”

  “Indeed, yes. It was wonderful.”

  Her sparkling eyes warmed his heart.

  Chapter Ten

  A month later, Stewart was sitting in the parlour reading a novel.

  Woof.

  Startled, he looked out the window and watched Greg assist his sister to the ground. Scheduled for a negotiation meeting early the next morning it was pleasing to know his emp
loyee was responsible about his duties. Vicki entered their home and walked into the room.

  “I believe I see a twinkle in your eyes,” Stewart informed his sister. “Did you receive a kiss goodnight?”

  Her wide open eyes almost bulged out of her head. “Stewart. You’re worse than Poppa.”

  He chuckled. Her relationship with Greg was not his concern, but he was curious and wished to have fun with it.

  “I’m attempting to practice my skills. My daughter shall be courted, and I’ll be expected to quiz her gentleman callers. You haven’t answered my question.”

  Unable to contain her smile she nodded. “I’ve fallen in love with him,” she admitted.

  Not expecting the admission, Stewart grinned, stood and embraced her.

  * * *

  A few weeks later, Stewart, Vicki, and Greg took Hope and Myrna to the park by the river. They were jumping ripples in the water as Goldie walked the shoreline, sniffing. An attractive woman settled herself under an umbrella by their blanket.

  “I recognize that woman from a previous excursion to this location. I shall introduce myself,” Vicki informed him.

  Stewart glared at his sister. Vicki was playing Stewart for a fool. She had no desire for a friend, but wished to engineer a potential romance.

  “Vicki, don’t.”

  Ignoring him, she made her way out of the water and toward the woman. Keeping an eye on the girls, Stewart could hear the conversation.

  “Good afternoon.”

  “Good afternoon. You have very attractive daughters.”

  “They’re not my daughters, but my niece and her school chum. I’ve come to the park with my brother and beau.”

  “Is your brother the gentleman that is swimming?”

  Vicki looked over her shoulder. His facial expression pleaded for her to stop and return to her family.

  “No. My brother is standing by the edge of the water, watching the girls. My beau is swimming.”

  Vicki picked up the small pail and wandered toward the water. The woman remained on her blanket, under her umbrella, and placed a wide-brimmed straw hat on her head. Seeing the bucket, the girls wandered out of the water. Vicki tightened Hope’s blonde ponytail and Myrna’s thick brown pigtails. She assisted to push the sand into a pile to build castles. Busy digging trenches with Greg, Stewart did not seem to notice Vicki had disappeared. The female voices distracted him.

  “Your brother’s wife does not come to the water?”

  “His wife passed some time ago.”

  Greg looked at Stewart and raised his eyebrows.

  “I know she means well. It’s harmless,” Stewart admitted, more to himself than to Greg.

  The woman’s focus shifted toward them.

  “Our family is assisting as he raises their child.”

  “Would you be so kind as to introduce me to your brother? I would like to make his acquaintance.”

  “You’re welcome to join us as we build sandcastles.”

  “Vicki,” he groaned.

  “Harmless?” Greg chuckled. “Never.”

  Stewart turned his full attention to the sandcastles and began chatting to the girls, ignoring the anticipated arrival of his sister and the potential guest. Within minutes, to his relief, Vicki returned to the family alone. Still kneeling by the pile of sand, Stewart glanced up, inadvertently making eye contact with the woman where she remained sitting on her blanket. Not wishing to appear rude, he returned her friendly smile.

  “Stewart, don’t look at her,” Vicki warned.

  Taken back by the tone and comment, Stewart had become accustomed to defending his unwillingness to court, to socialize.

  “Who are you?” he questioned, teasing her. “And what have you done to my sister?”

  “Do not mock me,” she warned. “It will put me in a foul mood. I beg of you, do as I request.”

  Greg glanced up, equally surprised by her tone.

  “Our eyes made contact,” Stewart whispered, defending himself. “It would appear rude not to smile and acknowledge her presence.”

  “You must trust my opinion,” she begged, keeping her voice lowered. “I pray you’ll fall in love, but you won’t be happy with that woman. She is of the belief, and allow me to quote, ‘Entertaining children is a role of a governess if the children are not at boarding school.’”

  “Can you imagine?” Greg questioned. “A nanny? Boarding school?”

  “Not for my child. No,” Stewart responded, his tone serious. “You are correct, my dear sister. I have no desire to make her acquaintance. My daughter belongs by my side.”

  He shifted his body, ensuring his back was to the woman.

  With their masterpiece completed, Stewart noticed the dog sleeping on her back, allowing the warm sun on her belly. All that golden hair was covered in gritty sand.

  “Goldie,” Vicki groaned.

  The dog rose and stretched. Vicki stood and squatted in front of her, looking into her big brown eyes.

  “However will we manage to clean you?”

  “I’ll take Goldie into the water,” Greg offered. He reached over and petted the dog’s head.

  Vicki gathered their possessions. Stewart followed the girls into the water. A few minutes later, Stewart escorted the chatting children toward the buggy. Vicki stayed behind to wait for Greg and Goldie.

  Just beyond the long grass, Stewart turned around. Goldie ran out of the water, stopped a few feet from the woman, and shook. A shower of wet dog water sprayed in all directions. The woman covered her face with her hand before she turned and glared at the dog. Greg burst into laughter.

  Stewart’s jaw dropped. How humiliating. I’m so embarrassed. His first impulse was to run out, apologize, and scold the dog, but before he had the opportunity, his sister ran toward the dog.

  “My apologies.” Vicki struggled to keep a sincere tone to her voice.

  Stewart wasn’t pleased by the dog-induced shower, but the woman was obviously less than pleased with both the dog and children. Taking a moment to consider the spectacle, Stewart realized she had settled herself beside the exit path, the only path to the buggies. Common sense and the presence of the buggies, along with children playing, should have warned the woman to move to another area of the public park. Unable to help himself, he chuckled at the scene. Greg reached for Vicki’s hand, whistled for the dog, and they ran toward him. Goldie stopped at the buggy and gave herself one last shake, sprinkling Hope and her friend with water before jumping onto the buggy. Vicki burst into laughter. The girls began to giggle even louder.

  “Victoria. You are expected to set an example when the dog requires verbal discipline for her behaviour,” Stewart criticized.

  “Yes, I know. But, after the incident you witnessed earlier, I couldn’t help myself.”

  He rolled his eyes at her.

  * * *

  That evening, after dining with his parents, Stewart sat in his bedroom and picked up his book. Not in the mood to read, his mind drifted to his life with Natasha and their time at the cottage. He placed the book on the table, shifted his body, and looked out the window. The moonlight cast shadows across the landscape. He envisioned the moon’s reflection on the shimmering water.

  * * *

  The following morning, Stewart approached his crew with his plan to have a large hole dug. As he was willing to pay time and a half, most of his crew agreed to assist with his personal project. On Saturday morning, Greg and twelve other men arrived shortly after Hope departed with Nanny for her monthly visit with Anna. The hole and landscaping were completed before day’s end. Hope’s face lit like a Christmas tree when she saw a hole with a small amount of water in it in the back yard.

  “Poppa. We will be able to step outside and swim!”

  “Indeed, we will have our very own pond.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Stewart was keeping an eye out for Vicki and Hope when they arrived at the site. Hope lifted the skirt of her light blue dress, jumped from the buggy, and ran
to greet him.

  “Where is Goldie?”

  The dog always ran to greet Hope, her tail wagging with excitement for someone to play with.

  “I must confess, I haven’t seen her, but I haven’t looked. Perhaps Papa or Mr. Carson knows where she is.”

  “Goldie! Goldie!”

  A short time later, concentrating on the structure they were building, Hope’s loud voice startled him.

  Stewart tucked his clipboard under his arm and assisted with the search. He noticed Goldie sleeping soundly under a tree. Stewart whistled and called her name. The normally obedient dog didn’t flinch. There was no movement. Fearing she was ill, his eyes filled with tears. A lump formed in his throat, choking him. Stewart walked to her. He crouched down and touched her. Still and cold under his hand, she wasn’t ill or sleeping. A tear fell down his cheek.

  “Oh, Goldie. No-o-o,” he whispered. “I shall miss you, my dear friend.” His mind drifted to the day Poppa brought her home. That tiny little pup. Then he thought of the day Goldie met Natasha. He leaned down and kissed the top of the dog’s head. “Natasha is greeting you. She loved you as we do. Take care of Goldie for us, love.”

  “Goldie, come. Come play with me,” Hope called.

  Turning toward the sound of the voice, a lump formed in his stomach. Dreading the impending conversation, her heart would be broken to learn they had lost Goldie. Still on his knees, Stewart reached for Hope’s hands. He kissed them.

  “Goldie isn’t sleeping, sweetheart. Goldie has gone to heaven.”

  “Forbid that, Poppa,” she begged. “Tell God he can’t have my dog. I want my Goldie with me.”