Prologue

Chicago, Illinois

1881

“Just walk, Emily. Just walk past them, and get home. Maybe they’ll leave you alone today.” Emily Dunne mumbled the words to herself when she saw the group of boys standing in the road ahead of her. For some reason, she felt as though they had waited just for her. This can’t be true, though, Emily thought. “They wouldn’t wait just for me,” she ventured aloud again. Still, despite her efforts to calm herself, she knew they would; they had done so before. This particular group of kids seemed to find a kind of joy in torturing her. Emily paused and closed her eyes, her breath coming in short gasps. The worst time was when they’d thrown rocks at her, all the while yelling insults about how she didn’t belong. She ducked from the stones and ran, though one or two still hit her. Papa had kept her out of school for almost a week after that, but when she returned, nothing had changed. They hated her—there was no denying it.

Despite her outward bravery, she knew the reality was far different from what she tried so hard to believe. It was not that the boys made it a habit of waiting around to taunt and tease her, but this particular group did use any opportunity to make her feel like the outsider she was.

Emily took a steady step forward. Her breath came in a rush as she passed them. She was almost safely away from them when it happened. She was not quite certain how—whether it was a foot that suddenly blocked her way or if she was pushed, but the next minute she was lying face-down in the dust, and the howling laughter surrounded her. Though tears formed in her eyes, she did not allow them to fall. Humiliation coursed through her, and her palms burned where they had scraped against the rough ground. Why do they hate me? What have I done to them, Emily questioned quietly as she blinked back her tears, and the voices taunted her mercilessly.

“Why don’t you go back where you came from, stranger?”

“Look at her hair! It is like her head is on fire!”

“Have you heard her? She can’t even speak properly!”

The voices surrounded her, and Emily closed her eyes. I will not cry, she willed herself, and she bit down on her lip hard enough for the salty, metallic taste of blood to fill her mouth. Still, she did not cry.

“No one wants you here,” the first voice continued coldly, “and we all hate you.”

There was nothing in his voice that could make her doubt the truth of his words, and in that instant, Emily wanted nothing more than to disappear. Without a second thought, she jumped to her feet, but a hand reached out, yanking roughly at her braid. Emily let out a pained scream, leading to the howling laughter of the boys around her. One reached out and poked at her face.

“Look at this mud on your face! Do they make all the girls as ugly as you back where you’re from?”

Emily refused to answer and instead tried to keep her chin up, pushing away the tears that threatened to fall. She had no time to wipe away the dirt or adjust her clothing; all she wanted was to get home as quickly as possible.

She strolled on, head held high but trembling inside, as whispered slurs about her Irish heritage chased her like a plague. “Go back to where you came from!” a voice called loudly. She gritted her teeth and kept on walking, not daring to turn back at the jeers and name-calling that followed her every step.

Only once she reached the safety of her home did she allow the tears to fall. Sobs shook her frail body, and she wrapped her arms around her legs, resting her chin on her knees. Once the tears stopped flowing, she stood slowly.

Papa wasn’t home yet, so she made her way to the small kitchen. Emily moved around the kitchen easily. It was small and modestly furnished. A large cast iron stove stood in the corner, and a few mismatched chairs surrounded the table. The kitchen was cluttered with pots, pans, and utensils hanging from hooks on the walls. Emily looked around the kitchen with a small frown. She turned and took a few steps into the small pantry. There wasn’t much, but they still had some beans, potatoes, and bread.

With a small smile, Emily started working, her hands peeling and cutting nimbly. The memory of the boys and the taunting they had inflicted disappeared as she started making a stew. Once the pots were all on the fire, she took a thin book out of her bag. She started writing earnestly, enjoying the feel of the words flowing from her while the food simmered on the stove. Emily smiled again as the rich scent of potato stew filled the kitchen.

She liked cooking for Papa, not that anyone would ever understand that. He was all she had. She could vividly remember sitting on his lap as a small girl, falling asleep as he told her stories.

“Your Mama was the most beautiful woman in the world, Emily,” he had said one evening, “and when she passed on, she left me the greatest gift of all—you. It’s you and me now, and I promise that I will always keep you safe.” She would always press her head against his chest at this and silently promise herself that she would one day be a daughter he could be proud of.

Emily’s heart raced at the sudden sound of a key turning in the lock, breaking her out of her reverie. She could feel her chest swell with joy as she heard him call out for her. He stepped into the kitchen, and though his face was tired from a long day of teaching, it lit up when he saw her. Emily watched her father with a smile. His red hair was graying, and the lines around his eyes showed that he laughed often. He’d made it clear many a time that one’s purpose in life was to better the lives of others. This was something that Emily clung to.

He had been ridiculed, too, for his Irish heritage. But despite this, he always seemed so strong and sure of himself. Emily watched silently as Papa took off his coat and hung it on a hook before taking a seat at the kitchen table. He smiled warmly at her before asking how school went today. As she told him everything that happened earlier that day, tears rolled down her cheeks, and Papa reached across the table to take hold of her hand firmly in his own.

“It’s all right my darling girl,” he said gently, the Irish lilt to his deep voice making the words sound softer somehow, like the rolling hills of his homeland across the sea, “They cannot touch you unless you let them.” His voice was strong yet gentle, and she felt an immense sense of comfort stretch over her as she looked into his wise eyes.

Emily listened intently, marveling at how Papa never failed to stay composed. She hoped that one day, she, too, would find a way to remain so calm in the face of adversity.

Chapter One

Chicago, Illinois

1891

The sound of the loud train whistle echoed through the station like a siren calling her to her new life. Emily stepped onto her carriage and she clutched her suitcase tightly, feeling both excitement and anticipation as she thought about all the adventures that awaited her in Echo River, Idaho.

“Got any potatoes on you, freckles? Or perhaps a glass of water for that flaming hair.”

Emily grimaced at the sound of the voice. Of course, on her last day in this awful place, it would be Billy King who found her to taunt her one last time.

Emily turned to look at him, all the words she had never said to him on the tip of her tongue.

You can call me ugly all you want, Billy, she’d wanted to say for years, hurling her words into his smug face, but at least I have the smarts to get out of her, while you marry some poor, sad girl who will end up hating you. And you will have children who are just as dim-witted as you are, and they too shall spend their lives here.

She had wanted to say it, and where she stood now, she knew that she could. But she still didn’t. She just cast Billy one final icy smile before boarding the train.

As the train rolled away from the station, Emily looked out at the city skyline with a smile on her face. This was only the beginning of what would become an awe-inspiring journey. That was where her focus was now—the future. For years, she’d worked hard to get out of this town, and now that the moment had finally arrived, she almost struggled to believe the truth of it.

She was finally getting away—away from the cruel children who had become cruel adults, away from the busy streets that made her feel woefully alone, and away from the heart-wrenching memory of her father’s last days. Of course, she had not done it alone; Father O’Malley had worked with her, and with his assistance, she had managed to find a teaching position in Echo River. Of course, she did not know much about this new place, but what she did know was that she was certain it would be better than all Chicago had offered her.

For a brief moment, Emily wondered if she’d have gone if her father was still alive. He had died recently of Typhus, and his absence left an unbearable void in her heart. She remembered the first few weeks of his illness—his constant coughing, the raging fever. As time had passed, he grew weaker and weaker until he was barely able to rise from his bed. She had watched helplessly as her father began to slip away in front of her, and each day it seemed like a part of him was lost forever. She had nursed him the best she could, but that wasn’t enough.

The worst part for Emily was that she couldn’t bear to see her strong-hearted Papa suffer like this; it broke her heart. His skin had gone ashen grey from lack of nutrients and sunlight, and he would often be so weak he could hardly speak. No matter how hard she tried, there was nothing she could do to make him better or ease his suffering.

She thought about the last time they had said goodbye before he became delirious with fever. He had known then that he could not be saved. “It’s all right, my darling girl,” he had murmured softly, “No matter what life throws your way; even as others try to knock you down, you must remain unshaken.”

Emily felt a deep sense of sadness wash over her as the train kept rolling along toward its destination. A rueful smile crept across her face as she considered that, despite all the pain and suffering, Papa still managed to give her that final piece of wisdom before passing away, something that would stay with Emily forever.

Remain unshaken.

Emily knew that Papa would be proud of her for going on this new adventure, that she would be embarking for the unknown and not letting fear or doubt stop her from living life to the fullest—just as he had taught her.

Suddenly, Emily was jolted out of her thoughts as a voice with a very recognizable accent called out joyfully from across the train cabin. She looked up and saw an older woman with bright red hair smiling at her from across the aisle.

“Is that an Irish accent I hear?” She asked it with such excitement that the woman laughed easily.

“You must be Irish too,” the woman said, her accent thick and rich as a creamy chowder. “My name is Maddie; I’m traveling to Idaho for a bit.”

Emily smiled back at Maddie. She felt an instant connection with this stranger; it was as though she’d met someone who connected her to her beloved father. Just hearing this woman speak in her soft, rolling tones transported her to the warm comforts of her childhood.

“It was difficult growing up in Chicago,” Emily admitted after some pleasantries. “The red hair, the faith, the manner of speaking…”

Maddie nodded, her blue eyes wide. “Tell me about it,” she added with a laugh. “I’m lucky to travel a lot, but I’ve been through it, I’d say. People threw mud at me when I first moved here, it was awful.”

Emily’s eyes widened. “They threw mud at you?”

The other woman nodded. “Oh, dear. That was far from the worst! But I have had me some good times too.”

Emily lifted a brow. “In Chicago?”

Maddie’s carefree laughter filled the compartment of the train, and she shook her head. Her eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Well, perhaps not quite in Chicago! Oh, but my husband and I did go to a fair in Philadelphia.”

Emily perked up at this, her eyes ablaze with excitement. “You did? What was it like? I have heard stories from travelers but there haven’t been any in Chicago!”

“Oh, Emily!” Maddie’s eyes were alive with light and joy. “The bustling crowds and colorful decorations were a sight to behold. I walked the fairgrounds like one who was still learning to walk, I was so fascinated. The exhibits were incredible. They even had lights that worked with electricity! It was incredible.”

Maddie sighed and closed her eyes as though she had become transported to that joyous time.

“Oh, there was the aroma of delicious foods and the sound of music and laughter. I spent hours exploring everything and marveling at the wonders of the world. I would go again in the beat of a heart. My dear Ernest had to travel for work and he always made sure that we had an adventure in every town.”

Emily could not deny that she was slightly jealous of the worldly Maddie, and she sighed. “Papa did not want to leave Chicago much, and we didn’t have a lot, so we couldn’t.”

“Oh, dear,” Maddie’s eyes softened, and gentle lines crinkled on her forehead. She reached a hand out, placing it on Emily’s softly. “You will have your chance. When did your family leave Ireland?”

“Oh,” Emily smiled sadly. “Papa and Mama left before my birth, after the great famine. They wanted to start over somewhere else, and so I was born here. Not that anyone would know it, if they saw the children I grew up with. They always managed to make me feel like an outsider. I wondered for so long what it would be like to go to Ireland, but I fear I will fit in there no more than here.”

Maddie reached out and patted Emily’s hand, her expression one of understanding. “You’ll find your place, my dear, in Ireland or here. I left for America as a little girl, right at the end of the potato famine.” She paused, her gaze distant with memory. “It has been a long journey, but one that has given me so much knowledge and joy. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Emily saw the distant, dreamy look in Maddie’s eyes and wondered if she ever longed for Ireland. “What is it like? Ireland, I mean.”

Maddie sighed. “Different. There are quaint villages nestled amidst rolling hills—very charming indeed. There was always smoke rising lazily from chimney’s and it would blend in with the mist. The people, though, they are warm and friendly. They didn’t mind strangers so much. They are trusting and kind.”

“Do you miss it?”

Maddie smiled, her gaze still fixed on the horizon but her attention on Emily. She shook her head softly. “No, I never allowed myself to get too attached to a single place. That is one of life’s greatest lessons—sometimes you must give up something precious in order to gain something more.”

Emily glanced out of the window. As far as the eye could see now, there were vast stretches of prairie, rugged mountains, deep canyons, and winding rivers. Gone was the bustling city she was used to. She was giving something up, and though her time in Chicago was not precious to her, she could not deny that there were good memories too. Her heart twinged for her father. He had been lonely; she realized that when his death approached. Had he regretted giving up Ireland for a lonely life in America?

“Maddie, were you ever sorry that you married?” Emily asked the question without thinking, and the older woman’s eyes clouded over at once.

“No,” Maddie said finally, a deep sigh following her words.

“Though Ernest was an American and I left my home behind for him, he gave me the life of my dreams. He was kind and generous, always looking after me, even when I didn’t think I needed it. He gave me two beautiful sons, too.” She gestured to the two boys who were practically hanging from the windows of the train with their eagerness to see the passing landscapes. “But the traveling has come to an end, and now we are going to meet with him once more. He has been out West for the past year and every moment without him has been almost unbearable. I truly cannot wait to see him once more.”

“Oh, Maddie.” Emily looked at the other woman with a dreamy sigh. It was clear from the way she spoke about her husband that she was truly happy. When she took in the serene expression on Maddie’s face, Emily couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever find a love like that.

She believed fully that her parents had had a love as beautiful as this, but the people she knew back in Chicago were not conducive to the dreams of a life filled with love. She had become too afraid to admit that she too dreamed of love, of a man who was strong and protective, one who cared about her—and others—and could make her laugh. She was lonely, she mused now, and though she did not often speak of it, she wanted someone to share her life with.

She yearned for it.

She glanced at the two exuberant boys, and excitement stirred within her. Soon, her life would be filled with the love of children—her pupils—and as her father had instilled in her, she would be able to make their lives better as their teacher. She knew that her father had loved his students, but it was at home with her that he truly seemed at peace. But will I have that, too, one day, she mused thoughtfully.

The two women chatted eagerly through the evening. The night had gone by quickly, and Emily and Maddie had shared so many stories that they must have fallen asleep without realizing it. When Emily jerked awake, it was already past midnight. Maddie was quietly snoring on the other end of the compartment. Emily smiled and stretched before reaching for a blanket that she had kept in her carry-on bag and wrapping it around her.

Her dreams had been filled with fantastical adventures in a place she hadn’t even been to yet—Idaho. She could almost feel the fresh mountain air on her face, taste the wild fruits and vegetables growing around her, and hear the voices of the new friends she would make in this new land. Despite the excitement bubbling inside her, Emily managed to drift off into a dream-filled sleep once more.

The train screeched to a halt as the brakes jolted Emily awake. She had finally arrived at her destination—the town just before Echo River. The train would pass her new hometown, but Father O’Malley had told her that the school would arrange for a horse to take her to her home.

“Well, I guess this is it,” Maddie said as she gave Emily a warm hug goodbye.

“Indeed,” Emily replied, her eyes filling with tears at once. In a very short time, she had come to quite like the maternal woman. “Look after this beautiful family of yours, Maddie.”

Maddie smiled and pressed a quick kiss to Emily’s cheek. “I shall. May you have a life filled with love, dearest Emily.”

With a promise to do just that, Emily made her way to the doors of the train. She smiled with anticipation as she stepped onto the platform for the first time; everything was so new and strange yet captivating at the same time. It was far quieter than it had been in Chicago, though the lush landscape she could see was more beautiful than anything she had seen before. People greeted one another warmly as passengers disembarked from the train.

She looked around anxiously, and her heart pounded wildly in her chest. In the letter, the school had spoken about sending someone with a horse. She finally saw a man in the corner, a set of reins in his hands. Determined, Emily approached him.

“Excuse me!”

He looked at her with an open, friendly smile. “I am the new school teacher,” she announced, and he handed her the reins at once. “Ah, Miss Emily. I trust that you have directions to your destination?”

“Yes, thank you,” Emily replied before grabbing the reins and leading the horse down the dusty road toward Echo River. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting an orange hue across the landscape.

It took her quite a few tries to finally mount the animal, and once she found herself seated on its back, it felt far too high to be safe.

“Go!” She instructed, fully expecting the horse to move at her command. It stayed still, and she patted its shoulder gently. “Please go?” She squeaked, suddenly self-conscious at her naivety. Uncertainly she pressed her heels into the animal’s sides, and at once, the horse started moving. Emily’s hands tightened on the reins. It was a strange sensation, this moving animal beneath her, and she leaned forward slightly for fear of falling from it.

As the horse trotted into Echo River, the strangeness of the moment made way for a deep peace that filled her soul, a sensation that she hadn’t felt in years. Amidst the newfound hope and excitement for what lies ahead in Idaho, all of Emily’s worries faded away.