Prism Book Group News!
www.prismbookgroup.com
____________________________________________________________________________
Could Katy ever love this vast, forbidding country?
Nineteen-year-old Katy
is sent to Canada by her family in the late 1890's to find a suitable
husband. Katy has other plans, however - she wants a career, not
marriage.
During
the round of social activities arranged by her sister, she is drawn
against her will towards her distant cousin Robert, who loves Katy on
sight. She has also attracted the attention of her brother-in-law's
boss, Martin, who doesn't take rejection easily, evens the score by
destroying Katy's reputation.
Facing
a return home in disgrace, Katy tries another way out. She accepts the
offer of marriage from Robert, who is on his way west to set up a
homestead on the prairies.
Katy
is not prepared for the loneliness and hardships she is about to face.
She has a difficult journey ahead, learning to become a woman and a wife
and discovering how to love.
$0.99 Ebook
Available through these popular eBook retailers & more!
(Click to follow link)
EXCERPT
Copyright 2015 © Sharon McGregor
“Katy
Anne! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.” Maggie greeted her with
the lilt that made Katy feel she was still in Ireland, not halfway
around the world in Toronto. Maggie gave Katy a big hug, an action made
difficult by the fact that she stood nearly a head taller than the
five-foot-one Katy, and by Maggie’s slightly protruding abdomen. Katy
hugged her back, then they stood apart so they could look at each other.
“Oh, my. My little sister is all grown up.”
“I’m
nineteen. Of course I’m all grown up.” Katy bristled. Her two suitcases
stood, one on either side of her, where they had been dropped by the
hansom cab driver, who had brought her from the train station. The
driver clucked to the horses and they set off clattering down the
street.
“And still with the temperament of a spitting cat, I see.”
“It’s so good to see you again. Everyone at home misses you.”
A small face appeared in the doorway, accompanied by a sticky, sweet-filled hand. “And this must be Tommy.”
“Thomas Jr., aged one and a half.” Maggie patted her abdomen and said, “Soon to be joined by his brother. Or sister.”
“Oh, Maggie, we were thrilled to get your letter. I can help with the baby when it comes.”
“Well, let’s get you settled first. Then we’ll make plans for your future. What do you think of Toronto so far?”
“I
didn’t really see much through the rain. The train ride from Halifax
seemed to take forever, but I was so glad to get off the boat. This
country is huge.”
“You’ve
only seen a small part, you know. There’s a whole continent to the
west. Most of the land is wild country, but some people are
homesteading, so it will grow.”
Katy picked up the larger case, leaving the small one for the pregnant Maggie, and they lugged them upstairs.
Maggie
opened a door that led into a pretty room, whitewashed and clean, with a
small bed covered by a green and blue quilt. “This will be your room.”
“All to myself? I don’t think I’ve ever had a room to myself before.”
“Well,
with twelve in the family, we weren’t likely to, were we?” Maggie’s
eyes glistened for a moment until she took a swipe at them with her
apron. “Sorry. Just indulging in a bit of homesickness.”
“Do you still miss Ireland?”
“Only
sometimes. Thomas is a good husband to me and I have a full life now,
but every once in a while, when I think I might never see Mam and Da
again, I sit down and have a wee cry. Then I’m fine.”
“Oh, Maggie. Now you’ll have me crying, too.”
“I
didn’t mean to, love. And if you ever get too homesick, I’m sure we can
send you back, marked ‘not accepted at this address.’ Now you wash up.
There’s a pitcher and basin on the stand. The water will be still warm.
After you’ve freshened up, come downstairs and we’ll have some tea.
Thomas won’t be home for ages yet, so we’ve lots of time before supper.”
Katy
flopped the largest of her suitcases on the bed and began to take out
her skirts and blouses, one at a time, smoothing them the best she
could. There were lots of hangers in the wardrobe. She’d leave the rest
for later. For now, she’d wash up and catch up on Maggie’s world. She
knew Thomas worked at a distillery, and she guessed he must have a good
position there. This house would have made three of their farmhouse back
home.
She
wished she knew what plans her parents were making for her. With six
girls in the family, there wasn’t much scope in Ireland for a girl to
find either a husband or employment. Katy wasn’t sure she wanted a
husband, anyhow. The minute a girl married, the best part of her life
was over, and she’d spend the rest of her days waiting hand and foot on
her husband, and popping out a baby every year. She’d much rather find a
position or train for something.
One
of her sisters, Jenny, was training in the post office, but there was
no room for another worker there. Perhaps she could find a clerical
position in Toronto. She didn’t want to be a nursery governess—that was
just like being a wife, but without the privileges. If she had more
money, she might train to be a nurse or a teacher.
She
harbored a sinking feeling her parents were more concerned about
finding her a suitable husband than a suitable position, but she’d set
them straight. She was going to look on her trip to Toronto as an
adventure, something to tell stories about when she went back to
Ireland, which she intended to do, eventually. She wasn’t about to face
permanent expulsion just because she had run out of eligible suitors at
home. She wanted a job, not a husband.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.