Synopsis
It's 1919, and Garth
McAlister returns from to England to be reunited with his family after
fighting in the Great War. But his heart is still in Canada with his
sweetheart, Emma Lafferty. It's been four months since he has heard from
Emma, and he is determined to return to Canada and discover if she
still loves him or has given her heart to another. The ten-year-search
for his youngest sister Grace continues, and the family is stunned to
receive a letter from Grace, who is now almost eighteen and living in
Toronto, Canada. Follow the heart-tugging story of these young adult
British Home Children as they seek to be reunited with those they love.
EXCERPT
Prologue
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
May 1909
Grace McAlister held tight to her sister Katie’s hand as they slowly walked across the large open room in the Belleville Town Hall.
“It’s all right, Grace. We’re going to meet our new family this morning.” Katie smiled down at her, but it didn’t look like her real smile.
Grace swallowed hard and pushed out her words. “What if they’re not nice?”
“Anyone who would take in children who are not their own must have a kind heart.” Her words sounded brave, but she still looked worried.
Grace matched Katie’s steps as they followed the line of girls who had come with them on the big ship from England to Canada and then on the train to Belleville. She wished she had eaten more of the porridge at breakfast that morning, but her tummy felt funny, and she’d pushed her bowl aside after a few bites. She missed Mum, Garth, and Laura. Where were they? Why didn’t they come and take her and Katie home?
Grace and Katie joined the line of girls along the back wall of the room. Miss Delaney, the tall lady with red hair who had come over on the ship with them, talked to two men and an old lady sitting at a long table in the front of the room.
Who were they? Where was her new family? Would they like her? When could she and Katie go home and see Mum?
A buzzing began in Grace’s head like there was a bee inside. She squeezed her eyes tight until the buzzing finally went away. Taking a slow deep breath, she opened her eyes. Everything would be all right. Katie promised it would.
She smoothed the pinafore over her green dress. All the other girls were dressed the same, and each wore a blue jacket and straw hat like hers. Most of the girls were bigger, like Katie, who was fourteen. She looked down the row, searching for Millie, the only girl in their group younger than Grace. Millie was six, and Grace was seven. They’d played together on the ship. Would Millie find a new family too? What if no one wanted her? What if no one wanted Grace and Katie?
The buzzing in her head came back. She stepped closer to Katie and leaned against her side. Her sister’s arm felt warm like when they used to sit together in the big chair at home and Katie would read her a story.
Miss Delaney crossed the room and stopped in front of Grace. She wore a plain brown dress and small hat, and her pink cheeks were covered with freckles. “All right, girls. I want you to stand up straight. Look smart and be quiet and respectful to the people who come in to see you.”
Grace’s tummy tightened. She peeked up at Katie. Her sister stood taller and lifted her chin like Miss Delaney.
A side door opened, and a man and lady walked in and came toward the line of girls. The man was tall and wore a black suit and hat. He looked at each girl as he and the lady moved down the line. The lady wore a dress the color of pennies. Her big hat was the same color, with lots of flowers and feathers on top. She had a pretty face and blue eyes. As the lady came closer, Grace could see she had brown hair under her hat.
The man and lady stopped in front of them. The lady looked down at Grace for a few seconds and smiled. She turned to the man. He nodded and then took the lady’s arm and they moved down the row.
“They didn’t like us?” Grace’s voice felt tight and shaky.
Katie put her arm around Grace. “Don’t worry. I’m sure there are more families coming in soon.”
Grace fiddled with the edge of her pinafore and counted the boards on the floor around her. She thought about Mum and the times they used to go to the park near their flat over the dress shop. Grace liked feeding the ducks and chasing Garth and Katie across the grass. Mum would smile as she watched them from the bench in the shade of the big tree by the pond. Grace wished they could all go to the park again.
“I’d like you to come with me, Grace.”
Grace sucked in a breath and looked up. Miss Delaney stood in front of her.
Katie gripped Grace’s hand. “Why? Where are you taking her?” Her voice sounded high and scared.
Miss Delaney motioned toward the front of the room where the man and lady stood. “That couple would like to talk to her.”
Katie pressed her lips together for a second, then nodded. “Go ahead, Grace.” Katie let go of Grace’s hand. “Just be sure to tell them I’m your sister and we have to stay together.”
Before Grace could answer, Miss Delaney took her hand and tugged her across the room. Her face felt hot, and she could feel her heart beating hard. Why couldn’t Katie come with her to talk to the man and lady? What did they want to say to her?
“This is Grace.” Miss Delaney gave her a little push toward the man and lady. “She’s seven years old.”
The lady in the penny-colored dress smiled. “Hello, Grace. I’m Mrs. Hamilton, and this is Mr. Hamilton.”
Grace knew she should say something, but she couldn’t make her voice come out. She bit her lip and looked at the floor.
“Have you been to school yet?” The man’s voice was strong and loud.
Grace kept her eyes down. If she said yes, would they ask her to count or recite? She could do that with Katie but not with people she didn’t know.
The lady bent down toward her. “Can you tell us something you enjoy doing?” Her voice sounded nice, but when Grace glanced at her face, there were lines across the lady’s forehead. Was she mad because Grace didn’t answer?
Grace peeked over her shoulder at Katie. Her sister sent her a pleading look, but Grace wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say or do.
“Mr. Hamilton and I have a dog named Cooper,” the lady continued. “He’s a very pretty collie. We like to take him for walks in the park or spend time with him out in our garden. Do you like dogs?”
Most of the dogs Grace had seen in London lived on the street and weren’t very friendly. Her mum had always told her to stay away from them. What should she say?
“What’s your favorite food?” the lady asked.
If she said Mum’s meat pies, would they know what she meant? Grace shrugged.
The man frowned. “Why won’t she speak to us?”
Mrs. Hamilton patted Grace’s shoulder. “I’m sure this is all a bit overwhelming.” She turned to Miss Delaney. “Do you have information about her background and family? Is she in good health?”
“She’s in excellent health. All the children are given examinations before they leave England and on arrival in Canada.” Miss Delaney opened a file and sorted through some papers. “She’s an orphan from London with no relatives who can care for her. She was born on May 16.” She closed the file and looked up at Mrs. Hamilton. “I can assure you she will have more to say once she feels comfortable. Isn’t that right, Grace?”
“Yes ma’am,” Grace whispered.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton looked at each other. Mr. Hamilton nodded and then turned to Miss Delaney. “Very well. We’ll take her.”
Grace gasped. They were going to take her? What about Katie? She turned and looked toward the back wall. Her sister watched her with wide eyes.
Mr. Hamilton stepped up to the table and signed a paper. Mrs. Hamilton took Grace’s hand and started toward the side door.
Grace pulled back. “Wait!”
“It’s all right, dear.” Mrs. Hamilton gripped harder and continued toward the door. “Our motorcar is just outside. Have you ever ridden in a motorcar?”
“No! No!” She screamed and tried to wriggle away.
Mrs. Hamilton held on tight. “There’s no need to make a fuss.”
Grace’s eyes burned and overflowed, and her cries turned to jerky sobs.
“That’s enough! Settle down, Grace!” Mr. Hamilton scooped her up and hurried across the room.
Grace tried to get away, but Mr. Hamilton’s strong arms pressed her hard against his chest. She jerked her head up, searching for her sister as they passed out the door. Katie stood by the wall, a wide-eyed, fearful look on her face. Grace’s heart lurched, and she screamed her sister’s name. But the door slammed behind them, and she couldn’t see Katie anymore.
Excerpted from No Journey Too Far. Copyright © 2021 by Carrie Turansky. Used by permission of Multnomah, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.
A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance,
women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Turansky
lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott. They have
five adult children and six grandchildren.
Facebook: @AuthorCarrieTuransky
Twitter/Instagram: @CarrieTuransky
