LATE MAY 1919
Emmaline Moore stepped up to the ship’s railing and peered through the mist to catch her first glimpse of the Nova Scotia shoreline now becoming visible. It was a most welcome sight after a week at sea.
A week since she’d left her home in England to embark on this journey.
Six weeks since she’d found her beloved grandfather dead on his bedroom floor.
Two weeks since she’d sold Grandad’s watch shop and handed over the key to the new owner.
All because of a packet of letters she’d found in his desk that had turned Emma’s life upside down.
She shivered and pulled her collar up around her chin. Beside her at the rail, Grace Abernathy, a friend she’d made on the voyage, turned to give her a wobbly smile. Emma’s emotions too were running high—sadness at leaving the people she’d met on the ship and nervousness as to what the future would hold for her now.
“Are you still planning to spend a few days in Halifax before heading to Toronto?” Grace asked.
Emma glanced farther down the rail to where Jonathan stood gulping in the sea air. Her dear friend and traveling companion had suffered extreme seasickness the entire journey and still looked ready to empty the contents of his stomach over the side of the ship. “I think we have to. Not that the ship’s doctor isn’t competent, but I won’t be satisfied that Jonathan’s truly all right until another doctor pronounces him healthy. Plus, he’ll need a few days of rest to get his strength back before we set off on the next leg of the trip.”
“Of course. You must put his health above everything right now.” Grace gave a slight shrug. “I would have loved the company on the train though. Quinten’s not sure where he’s headed, but he has some sleuthing to do in Halifax first.”
Quinten Aspinall, another kindred soul searching for family members in Canada, was a true gentleman who had served as their protector during the voyage, keeping away unwanted attention from other males.
Emma smiled. “Perhaps we’ll all meet up in Toronto once we get there.”
“Perhaps we will.” Grace turned to face the water, but not before Emma caught sight of tears welling in her friend’s eyes. She reached over to squeeze Grace’s arm, silently offering up a prayer for her well-being.
The ship’s horn sounded as a warning to prepare for docking.
Emma’s heart pumped harder in her chest. They’d reached Canada, the country that would hopefully become her new home. What would she find here? A welcoming family or further rejection?
She cast a guilty glance at Jonathan, who looked her way and waved. She managed a brief wave in return. What would he do when he learned that her intention for the trip was not exactly as she’d indicated? She’d kept one important detail of her plans to herself. One she knew he’d do everything in his power to thwart, and because of that, she couldn’t tell him until the timing was right.
Resolutely, Emma pushed away the twinge of guilt. After all, Jonathan was the one who’d insisted on coming with her. She’d been perfectly happy to make the trip alone, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Even his Aunt Trudy had joined his petition to keep her from going, but when she realized Emma would not be swayed, Trudy had supported Jonathan’s decision to travel with her. Unable to fight the both of them, Emma had finally relented, secretly a bit relieved to have his company. Jonathan’s presence aboard the ship had provided her a great deal of comfort—it helped knowing her best friend was in the cabin down the hall. All she could do now was pray he’d forgive her when he learned of her true intentions.
Another blast of the horn shook Emma from her thoughts. She squared her shoulders as the ship slid closer to the dock, vowing to put all regrets behind her. There was no point in looking back. The past was filled with nothing but loss and grief. It was time to look ahead to a future that brimmed with possibilities.
Soon, with God’s blessing, she would embark on a new life with a family she’d never met, but who, Emma prayed, would accept her graciously into their fold.
Maybe then the emptiness inside her would finally be filled, and at last she’d feel whole.