No Ocean Too Wide

by Carrie Turansky

  A sudden wave of dizziness swept over her. She stopped and closed her eyes. Maybe if she rested for a moment, it would pass. But painful cramps seized her middle, and fearful panic spread through her. She dropped the buckets and clutched her arms tight across her waist.

  What was wrong with her?

  She lowered her head, trying to think straight. The last few days she’d been more tired than usual, and today she’d barely had enough energy to complete her chores. But this powerful wave of sickness was something new.

  “What are you doing?” Daniel stalked toward her. He dangled a dead frog in one hand and carried a long stick in the other.

  Katie blew out a breath and straightened. “I’m just getting some more bathwater.”

  Daniel glared at the buckets. “I don’t want to take a bath, and I don’t want to go to church.”

  Katie slowly continued her walk toward the pump. “Your father says we’re going, so I don’t think you have a choice.”

  Daniel huffed. “All that singin’ and sittin’ and listenin’ to the preacher wears me out.”

  Katie released a strangled laugh. It sounded wonderful to her. She’d been thrilled when Mrs. Hoffman told her to fetch the water, heat it on the stove, and give Daisy a bath. The reverend had come by again, and now they were going to church on Sunday morning. But what if she felt unwell tomorrow? She couldn’t bear the thought of missing her chance to attend church. The way Mr. Hoffman talked, he was going only this one time to satisfy the reverend and keep him from continually visiting.

  “Hurry up with that water!” Mrs. Hoffman shouted from the front doorway. “Daniel, get in here. It’s your turn for a bath.”

  “I don’t want no bath!” the boy shouted back.

  “Don’t sass me! Get in this house right now!”

  Daniel stood his ground, scowling at his mother.

  “You better do as she says.” Katie pushed down on the pump handle three times before the water finally started to flow, and still the boy didn’t move.

  She wasn’t overly fond of Daniel, but she knew Mr. Hoffman used his belt to punish the boy when he was angry, and she didn’t think any child should be beaten like that, not even ornery Daniel Hoffman.

  Mrs. Hoffman stomped across the porch. “Don’t make me go get your father!”

  Daniel gave a disgusted snort, tossed his frog aside, and set off toward the house.

  Katie sighed and continued pumping until both buckets were filled to the top. The woozy feeling was still with her. She swiped her sleeve across her forehead and looked out across the fields. Mum and Laura always took such good care of her when she wasn’t feeling well. The strong bond of love they shared had carried them through so many difficult times. But now she was alone. No one here cared if she was unwell or in pain.

  Mr. Hoffman strode out of the barn. “What’s wrong with you, girl? Stop standing there staring and get that water up to the house!”

  Katie gripped the handles and lifted the heavy buckets. With slow, wobbly steps she carried them back up the path. Water sloshed out and soaked her stockings and shoes.

  Should she tell Mrs. Hoffman she wasn’t feeling well? If she did, would the woman even care? She never spoke to Katie except to issue terse orders, and even those were few and far between. They expected her to do all the work in the house, watch the children, prepare the food, clean up, work in the garden, feed the chickens, and milk the cow. She’d known how to do some of those chores, but others were brand new. She’d made many mistakes while she was learning and suffered for them.

  She shook her head and slowly climbed the porch steps. She wouldn’t say anything to Mrs. Hoffman. If she did, she might make her stay home tomorrow and miss church. It would be better to keep working and hope whatever was wrong would pass.

  * * *

  Laura pushed open the front door of the Fairmont Hotel and stepped inside with Rose. Her gaze darted around the elegant lobby, and her stomach quivered. Two large, glittering chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, spreading soft light across the smooth, white marble floor. Dark wood paneling covered the walls, and tall potted palms and overstuffed chairs were grouped on the far side of the room.

  A tall, somber man in a black uniform stood behind the reception desk, watching Laura and Rose as they started across the lobby.

  Rose squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. Everything is going to be all right.”

  “I hope so.” Laura pulled in a deep breath, trying to calm her anxious thoughts.

  Before they were halfway to the reception desk, Andrew and Henry rose from chairs by the window and crossed to meet them. Andrew smiled at Laura, looking relieved.

  She returned a slight smile, hoping she didn’t appear as nervous as she felt.

  Henry grinned at Rose. “Good evening, Miss Carson, Miss Hopkins.”

  A surge of gratefulness rose from Laura’s heart. Andrew had kept his promise and not revealed her identity to Henry.

  “Good evening.” Rose tilted her chin to gaze up at Henry. “Thank you for meeting with us.”

  Henry sent her a quizzical look, then turned to Andrew. “You knew they were coming?”

  “Yes…I arranged the meeting.” He shifted his gaze to Laura.

  Her face warmed, and she quickly glanced away.

  “It’s always a pleasure to see you,” Henry continued, “but is there some particular reason you wanted to see us this evening?”

  Rose nodded to Laura, encouraging her to answer.

  The time had come, and she summoned her courage. “Yes, I’d like to tell you about my family and ask for your help.”

  Henry studied her a moment, then motioned toward the four chairs by the window. “All right. Let’s sit down, and you can tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Laura followed the two men across the lobby and took a seat. When they were all settled, she looked across and met Henry’s gaze. “First, I must tell you my name is Laura McAlister. I’ve been using my middle name, Mary, and my mum’s maiden name, Hopkins, to keep my identity a secret. The real reason I came to Canada is to search for my three siblings.”

  Henry’s eyebrows rose. “Please tell me more.”

  Laura poured out her story, summarizing what had happened in England, but giving him enough details so he would understand how her family had been separated and why it was urgent that she find her brother and sisters.

  Henry listened attentively without interrupting.

  “When I arrived at the receiving home in Belleville, my sisters weren’t there. And I had no idea what happened to them or where they’d been placed. I wanted to speak to the matron the first day, but when we were on the Parisian, Andrew advised me to wait until you both arrived in Belleville.”

  Henry glanced at Andrew. “You knew about this? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “That’s my fault,” Laura answered before Andrew could speak. “I asked Andrew not to say anything to you until we reached Canada.”

  Henry’s frown made it clear he was not pleased with the arrangement.

  Laura hurried on. She had to make him understand. “Rose and I spent our first few days here helping our girls find placements.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “I hope they’ll do well, but I’m very concerned about them.”

  “And why is that?”

  “I don’t know if the people who’ve taken them in will care for them as they should. I can’t believe how little is required. All they have to do is fill out a brief application and pay a small fee, and then they can choose any child they want and take the child home. Shouldn’t they at least have to provide character references and prove they’re qualified to care for children?”

  Henry’s expression relaxed as he listened. “Those are good questions, Miss…McAlister.”

  “I feel even more strongly about it now that I’ve spent a few days working
in the infirmary. The stories I’ve heard there about children who have been mistreated or suffered from illness and injury during their placements have nearly crushed my heart.”

  Lines creased Henry’s forehead.

  “And that makes me even more concerned for my brother and sisters. I can’t help but wonder if Garth has been beaten or burned like the boys I cared for.” Thoughts of Jane’s dreadful situation filled her mind, and she tightened the grip on the arms of her chair. “The girls are in a much more vulnerable position. I could barely sleep the last few nights, worrying about Katie and Grace.”

  Henry listened with growing unease. “It sounds as though your time at Pleasantview has been anything but pleasant.”

  “I’m afraid you’re right, and I decided I had to take action.”

  Andrew’s brow creased. “What do you mean?”

  Laura straightened. “Last night I slipped into the matron’s office and looked through the files.”

  Andrew tensed, and a muscle in his jaw twitched.

  “I know you asked me to wait, but when so many days had passed and you didn’t come, I felt desperate to learn what I could.”

  Henry sent her a serious look. “Did you find your sisters’ files?”

  Laura nodded. “I took out Katie’s. All I intended to do was read it and find out where she’d been placed, but Rose walked into the office and found me there. And before I could explain myself, Mrs. Woodward arrived.”

  “Oh no.” Andrew’s expression grew more intense, and he leaned toward her. “What did she say?”

  “She asked why we were there, and I was so stunned, I didn’t know how to respond.”

  Rose shifted in her chair. “I told Mrs. Woodward I was returning books and leaving her a note, which was true. She was satisfied, and we left.”

  Henry focused on Laura again. “What happened to your sister’s file?”

  “I couldn’t put it back, not while Mrs. Woodward was standing there. So I hid it in the folds of my skirt as I walked out of the office with Rose.” She glanced at Andrew, then quickly looked away. It was clear he was disappointed in her.

  Henry sat back and rubbed his chin for a few moments. Then he turned to Laura. “We’ll have to speak to the matron as soon as possible and try to straighten this out. I doubt she’ll be pleased to learn you’re using a false name. And you may lose your position for taking that file. Are you prepared for that?”

  Laura’s stomach clenched. What would she do if the matron sacked her? Why hadn’t she considered the consequences when she’d taken that file? But Henry was right. She must admit what she’d done and hope the matron would show mercy. She met Henry’s gaze and nodded. “I understand.”

  “I don’t approve of your tactics, though I do sympathize with your situation. Over the past several weeks, we have witnessed some of the challenges of emigration.” Henry turned to Andrew. “Miss McAlister will need our legal help.”

  “I agree. I suggest we inform the matron the children were taken from England without proper consent, request their locations, and retrieve them.”

  Henry lifted his hand. “I’m afraid that may not be the best course.”

  Laura’s gaze darted from Andrew to Henry. “What do you mean?”

  “Even though the children were sent to Canada without your mother’s consent, that doesn’t mean you have the legal right to retrieve them.”

  “But my mum was never given time to make other arrangements. That can’t be right.”

  “I understand it sounds unfair, but the law allows agencies to remove children from their parents’ care if the situation is unsafe or morally objectionable. They’re also allowed to emigrate any child in their care. All that’s required is that they notify the parents, but that can be done after the child sails.”

  A tremor passed through Laura. “But my mum was ill, and she’s a widow. It was not her fault the children were left on their own.”

  “I understand. It’s a tragic situation, and it seems unjust, but I’m afraid the law is on the side of the sending agency.”

  Laura could barely voice her thoughts. “So we have no recourse…no legal way to reclaim them?”

  A slight smile lifted Henry’s lips. “We’re not giving up. In fact, I’d say we’ve only just begun the fight.”

  * * *

  On Sunday morning, Katie rode in the back of the wagon with Daisy and Daniel as Mr. Hoffman drove through Roslin with Mrs. Hoffman and the baby seated up front. When they came closer to the white clapboard church with the tall steeple, the sound of people singing a hymn drifted out the open double doors.

  The wagon rolled to a stop next to several other wagons and horses. Daniel jumped down from the back, and Katie took Daisy’s hand and helped her climb down. That lightheaded feeling shot through her again, and she swayed slightly. Closing her eyes, she pulled in a deep breath, praying it would pass quickly.

  She hadn’t eaten breakfast, thinking that might make her feel worse. Now she realized that might not have been the best decision.

  Mrs. Hoffman climbed down from her seat and gave Daniel a push toward the church. “Let’s go.” She took a few steps, then glanced back at the wagon. “Howard, aren’t you comin’?”

  Mr. Hoffman spit on the ground and adjusted his hat. “Naw, you go ahead. I’ll wait out here for you.”

  Mrs. Hoffman’s nostrils flared, and she glared at her husband. “I can’t keep Daniel and Daisy quiet in church and care for the baby!”

  “You got the girl!” Mr. Hoffman turned his scowl on Katie. “You make the children mind.”

  “Yes sir.” She wasn’t sure how she’d manage that since the boy never listened to a word she said and Daisy could cry at the drop of a hat, but she’d try. She followed Mrs. Hoffman up the steps and into the church, hoping all would go well, but she had a feeling it wouldn’t.

  Light poured through the stained-glass windows, painting soft colors across the shoulders of the congregation. People’s voices rose and blended together in harmony, filling the church with energy and life.

  Katie’s heart lifted with the music, and healing warmth flowed through her. She hadn’t been in a real church service since they’d left the flat in London. When she’d stayed at Grangeford and Hughes, the children gathered on Sunday to sing hymns and listen to a message from the matron, but that wasn’t the same.

  Mrs. Hoffman slipped into the second row from the back, and the people standing there moved down to make room for them. Katie slid in between Daniel and Daisy and prayed they would behave themselves so she could enjoy the service.

  The hymn ended, and the song leader told everyone to be seated. Katie settled on the pew and glanced around. It looked like about sixty or seventy people were attending the service—families with children, older couples, young women, and a few young men and older boys. Most were dressed simply in neat, clean clothing. Many of the women wore small, sensible hats, and most of the girls had ribbons in their hair.

  Katie glanced down at her two plain braids. She didn’t own any ribbons, and she didn’t think Mrs. Hoffman would give her any.

  The small choir up on the platform stood and opened their hymnals.

  Katie sat back and listened to the song, letting the lyrics fill her mind and heart.

  Daniel began to fidget, swing his legs back and forth, and kick the pew in front of them.

  Mrs. Hoffman glared at him. “Stop that and settle down!” She kept her voice low, but several people turned and looked their way.

  Daniel pulled away from her and stuck out his lower lip, but he stopped kicking the pew for the moment.

  The choir sang the second verse, and baby Darla began to whimper and fuss. Mrs. Hoffman gave an impatient huff and jiggled the baby up and down.

  Katie sighed. Poor dear. There was no way those jerky movements were going to soothe her.

 
A few more people looked back at them, some with frowns and others with compassionate expressions. Katie slid down a little lower in the pew, wishing she didn’t have to sit with the Hoffmans.

  Two rows ahead on the other side of the aisle, a young man turned and glanced at Mrs. Hoffman and her squirming baby. He looked like Garth.

  Katie blinked and gasped. It was Garth!

  Her heart soared, and she gripped the edge of the pew to keep herself from jumping up right then and there. She didn’t want to cause a disturbance, but she had to get his attention and make sure he saw her. She reached past Daisy, lowered her hand, and waved it back and forth, praying he’d notice.

  His gaze slid her way, and recognition shot through his dark eyes. A smile broke across his face, and he nodded to her. Then he leaned toward the young man sitting next to him and whispered something in his ear. The young man glanced back at Katie.

  She stifled another gasp. It was Rob Lewis, Garth’s friend she’d met on the voyage to Canada. He smiled, his blue eyes reflecting the light from the window on his left.

  Gratefulness welled up in her heart, and she sent him a warm smile. Garth and Rob must live nearby. How wonderful that they were able to see each other and come to church together.

  Mrs. Hoffman reached across and pinched Katie’s leg. “Stop your flirting!”

  “I’m not flirting,” Katie whispered back.

  “Don’t argue with me!” Mrs. Hoffman’s harsh whisper made several people turn their way again.

  Katie’s face blazed, and she forced down the hot reply in her throat. There was no telling what the Hoffmans would do to her when they got back to the farm if she didn’t settle down and pretend to ignore the boys.

  Katie pressed her lips tightly together and looked straight ahead, but every few seconds Garth glanced at her and she met his gaze. She was so excited to speak to her brother she could barely focus on the sermon or the closing hymn. At last the minister offered the final prayer and dismissed the congregation.