Promises to Keep
Page 24
“You did that?” I asked, looking between him and Connor. “You spoke with him?”
“Of course.” André shrugged with reluctance.
“I will tell you all he did for us, André,” I said. “How he risked his life for us.” Connor threaded his fingers through mine, though he kept a wary eye on my brother. “For now, believe me when I tell you that you placed your trust in a worthy man. As have I.”
My brother looked at our joined hands. “I think we have a lot to talk about. All of us.”
“I hope someday you’ll be able to see past the uniform you once saw on me,” Connor said. Unhooking our fingers, he stepped toward André, hand outstretched. “I will not wear it again.”
My brother still hesitated. “The army will wonder where you are.”
Connor shook his head. “They believe me dead, I am sure. I did my duty, but I will not return. Your sister and I—”
“We plan to marry,” I interrupted, thinking it might be easier for André to hear the news from my lips. A moment passed while André thought about my words. I understood his confusion, his concern, but I needed him to understand. His opinion meant the world to me, though it would not sway me.
“I could tell he loved you back in Grand Pré,” André admitted softly. His expression relaxed a little, and he looked at Connor with fresh eyes. He finally accepted his handshake. “I owe you an apology. My gratitude as well.”
“You owe me nothing,” Connor assured him. “Amélie is fortunate to have such a devoted brother.”
“One whom I missed very much!” I said, stepping between them so I could hug André again. He lifted my feet off the ground, and I felt the solid, reliable strength of him through his heavy coat.
“Oh, my baby sister. It feels so good to have you here, safe and happy. I thank God for it.”
“So do I.”
“Who’s hungry?” Henri asked.
André set me back on my feet. “Welcome home, little sister.”
“You as well, big brother.”
That night by the fire, I sat between Connor and André. I would be lying if I said the two were great friends right away. I would also be lying if I said that our celebratory meal was filled only with laughter, because tears of grief also flowed that evening.
But from the depths of our sadness sprang hope for our future. Little Amélie snuggled safely in the arms of her parents when she wasn’t being passed between her aunt and uncles. Connor held her close for a long time, and the pangs of longing I had felt before receded like the tide. Someday, if my prayers were answered, we would have children as well, filling some of the holes the last year had dug in my heart.
We would never return to l’Acadie—or to Nova Scotia, as it was now called. We would remain in Quebec, live off its wild and dangerous land. Quebec did not have red sand or generous dikes. It did not have the hundred houses and barns I had known as a child, with friendly plumes of white smoke rising from stone chimneys. It did not have my father’s ship masts in the yard, nor did the air sparkle with Giselle’s songs and giggles.
But it was beautiful, and it had land enough for us—land that would offer opportunities to our children and their children. In the morning, I would hear the songs of different birds or the whispering of rain on unfamiliar leaves, and it would come to me in this new land just as it had in the old one: the promise of another day.
Acknowledgments
We are forever a world in conflict. From battle-scarred continents to the peaceful little haven of Grand Pré, conquests have always existed; wars will always rage. We never know when we might be called upon to fight or flee, and we can never really be prepared.
We are forever a world seeking peace. Whether it is a global quest or one within ourselves, peace is often elusive or fleeting. When we need it most it tends to run, hiding and covering its eyes against ugly truths. Still, we cannot cease to search for it, to cherish it in our hearts if only for a while.
Between 1755 and 1762, over fifteen thousand peaceful, unsuspecting Acadian farmers and fishermen were ripped from their homes and sent to ports often unknown to them. Many of these men, women, and children never arrived at their assigned destination, and those who did quite often died soon after from illness or starvation. Some were more fortunate: they landed in new worlds and survived, even thrived. Others risked their lives to return to the land they had once called home.
I have been to Grand Pré, breathed the air these people once breathed, and I can tell you it is a beautiful place. It is a land of peace and quiet, a place where one can commune with history and nature, where one reluctantly learns to gently accept the history of atrocities, since there is no other choice. On a recent visit to the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, my husband and I followed our guide, Amy Antonick, who was the acting interpretation officer coordinator. The stories she told us were as fascinating as they were incredible; she was patient with my persistent questions both on the tour and in my follow-up emails. The place itself (featured at http://www.visitgrandpre.ca) is lovingly tended, with wonderful exhibits. If you are ever visiting Nova Scotia, I highly recommend a visit.
Europe and the United States have retained their history in part by re-creating it accessibly and abundantly in historical fiction; however, the more I read, the more I notice a shortage of similar interpretations of Canadian history. Recently I watched a wonderful TED Talk by Canadian journalist and author Chris Turner entitled “Why Canadian History Isn’t as Boring as You Think It Is.” He spoke about exactly that same concern, facetiously suggesting that conversation about Canadian history is often prefaced by “Welcome to Canada. Sorry we’re boring.” He is, of course, keen to impress upon his audience that Canada—our country and our past—is not the least bit dull. Our stories are just waiting to be written, and they need to be written so people will want to read and learn more. Often that means they require fictional reimagining, and that’s where I come in. My goal, my passion is to breathe life back into Canadian history.
When I began working on Promises to Keep, I did not expect the reaction I received. While people nodded with enthusiasm at the focus on World War I and the Halifax Explosion in Tides of Honour, they positively beamed with anticipation at the idea of reading about the Acadian Expulsion of 1755. I was surprised by that; I had assumed the interest would be higher for the more recent time period. From that I learned to appreciate the deep pride which still exists within the Acadian community. Generations later, people still want to talk about their roots.
People’s roots are often entangled with those of others, and I find it fascinating that in almost every tale I write (Tides of Honour is an exception), I am obliged to research the native people of the place I’m writing about. Here it was the Mi’kmaq, the native people of Canada’s Maritime provinces. Since I do not know their language, I got in touch with a Mi’kmaq translator named Pemaptoq (https://twitter.com/Pemaptoq or www.mikmaqonline.org), and he told me Me’tekw means “does not speak” or “he is silent.” I’m grateful for his help; Me’tekw’s journey meant so much to the book.
My research often leads me to places which do not make it into the actual book. Regardless, they are all a part of the story, immersing me in the setting so I can better understand the characters and situations. An example: last summer I dragged my family to the Fortress of Louisbourg. In the beginning the drive may have seemed a chore to our teenage daughters, but they quickly fell in love with Cape Breton and the historic site. (A special thank you to the informative and very entertaining “Bassigny,” our living history guide at the Fortress of Louisbourg.) As a result of our visit, I wrote pages and pages of story about the arrival of the British via Louisbourg, relating how that remote, rocky shore became a strategic point of entry, how the troops lived, and how they fought. Once I had tens of thousands of words written, I cut them all out of the manuscript—but not out of my thoughts. Even though the fort was not discussed in Promises to Keep, through re-creating that story I learned how the British troop
s were able to eventually travel to the Acadians’ little world and turn it upside down.
Speaking of travelling, through the generosity and faith of the people at Simon & Schuster Canada, I had the privilege in April 2015 of touring select Canadian cities with one of my historical fiction idols, Susanna Kearsley. I shall never forget showing up in our hotel lobby in Victoria and greeting her . . . in a whisper. Yes, laryngitis had struck the night before my debut on a speaking tour! Ms. Kearsley was gracious and supportive, ensuring I had microphones wherever we went and translating my husky words when needed. She had her own difficulties to overcome, since she had broken her foot badly that winter—parkour, right, Susanna?—so I was glad I could help a little, pushing her wheelchair through the airport and holding doors. I dubbed ours the “She Can’t Walk, and I Can’t Talk” tour, and it was an enlightening experience. Susanna taught me a lot, from where to dig up three-hundred-year-old journals to the best social media practices. I am glad to be able to call her my friend—and I admit I am still a major fan girl. Everywhere we went, we were hosted by welcoming booksellers and introduced to enthusiastic readers. I never would have thought I’d be comfortable in front of a microphone, but this experience showed me I could do it—even better, I enjoyed it!
One highlight of my trip was our evening in Calgary, since I was able to spend time with my mother. She is a tireless and generous cheerleader, and I am always grateful for every mention she makes of my books, whether it’s to friends or complete strangers. After supper, Susanna and I were taken to the Fish Creek Library. I stepped up to the microphone but had to wait when our Simon & Schuster Canada representative made an unexpected announcement. I was looking directly at my mom when it was announced that Tides of Honour had just hit the Globe and Mail Top Ten Bestsellers list. I had never imagined that might happen! And things just kept getting better: I never could have predicted that my dear Danny and Audrey Baker would remain on that prestigious list for eight precious weeks!
That success had everything to do with you.
Before I thank the team behind me, I would like to thank the audience in front of me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for picking up one of my books. From there you might have chosen to pick up another and another, and I am beyond grateful for that. When you take a few moments to share a review on Amazon or Goodreads or any other forum—even if it’s just a brief mention—you introduce my books to new readers, for which I am truly appreciative. I was particularly excited when the Halifax Regional School Board, prompted by a number of recommendation letters from local teachers, put Tides of Honour on their Teachers’ Recommended Reading list, meaning it may soon be in the hands of high school students. Thank you to everyone who has read and recommended my books. I promise to keep writing stories which will inspire more of your reviews!
Now to the people behind the scenes: first of all, to my gracious, insightful editors, Nita Pronovost and Sarah St. Pierre, my incredible cover artist Liz, and the rest of the eager, efficient team. They have been a joy to work with, and I look forward to a long, prolific partnership. Simon & Schuster Canada’s president, Kevin Hanson, has a fantastic group of people over there.
Jacques de Spoelberch, my chevalier and perspicacious agent, continues to amaze me: always in my corner, always the consummate professional and gentleman, always inspiring.
Every one of my books is dedicated to my family, because without their support I would not do what I do. My little girls are now beautiful young women who are putting their imagination, intellect, talent, and compassion to good use. I am proud of who they are becoming and love them more than they’ll ever know.
Finally, my anchor in any stormy sea, my light at the end of every tunnel, my one M&M in a trail mix full of nuts: my beloved husband, Dwayne. He takes care of me and everything around me when I sink so deep into my books that I forget what day it is. He understands me as no one ever has, and my love for him inspires every romantic moment I write. Bonus: he is an insightful and creative editor. When I write myself into a corner, I go to him. He patiently leads me back out, offering suggestions that are . . . well, actually sometimes they’re pretty silly, but most of the time they are brilliant. He has an uncanny ability to tie all my loose ends together into a perfect bow. Before I send my manuscripts to anyone else, they go through him. We were both very pleasantly surprised to learn how good he is at this, but really, we shouldn’t have been. Anyone who knows us knows we’re a perfect team in every way. Always have been, always will be.
About the Author
© JANICE BRAY
GENEVIEVE GRAHAM graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in music in 1986 and began writing in 2007. She is passionate about breathing life back into history through tales of love and adventure. Her previous novel, Tides of Honour, was a Globe and Mail bestseller. She lives near Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Visit her at GenevieveGraham.com.
@GenGrahamAuthor
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ALSO BY GENEVIEVE GRAHAM
Tides of Honour
Under the Same Sky
Sound of the Heart
Somewhere to Dream
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Graham, Genevieve, author
Promises to keep / Genevieve Graham.
Issued in print and electronic formats.
ISBN 978-1-5011-4287-1 (paperback).—ISBN 978-1-5011-4288-8 (ebook)
I. Title.
PS8613.R3434P76 2017 C813'.6 C2016-903860-2
C2016-904036-4
ISBN 978-1-5011-4287-1
ISBN 978-1-5011-4288-8 (ebook)