Prologue

Ireland 1872

"Dry yer eyes, Jessi." When she sniffled and mopped her eyes with the back of her hands, he added, "There's a lass."

"Don't go, John," she whispered, knowing he would. Heart in her eyes, she watched him hug his mother, turn and start walking up the gangplank to the ship that would take him across an ocean wider than her thirteen–year–old mind could imagine. Devastated that he would leave, desperate to make him stay, she called out to him.

He stopped, turned back and walked over to where she stood. Sighing, he traced the line of her jaw with his fingertip and spoke softly. "While I'm gone, don't break any hearts, lass."

She shook her head. Impossible, when she'd know exactly what it felt like to have one breaking in her own breast.

Whether he took the shake of her head as meaning she would do as he asked, she didn't know or care. The pain ripping through her child's heart nearly drove her to her knees. She'd loved John Reilly for as long as she could remember. In that moment, she aged ten years. Jessi Keely Fahy still appeared gangly and scrawny on the outside, but inside, she had a woman's heart, and it was broken.

As if sensing something was bothering her, more than just his leaving, John touched the tip of his finger to her nose, tapping it. "You'll be the first lass I'll kiss when I come home."

"In five years, then?" Widow Reilly asked as a whistle sounded the ship's imminent departure.

"Aye," he answered, turning toward the ship and sprinting for it. Leaning over the railing, he called out, "I'll write!"

Watching the ship slip away from the dock, Jessi knew the next five years would be the hardest of her life. But a promise was as good as a man giving his word. The only difference, in her eyes, was that a man's word was immediate, his promise . . . well, that was for the future.

"Oh, lassie, I'll miss me boy." Mrs. Reilly finally broke down and started to cry.

When Jessi saw the first tear spill over onto the older woman's cheeks, she felt the dam break inside of her. The two stood together on the dock, hearts shattered, tears flowing as the man they loved sailed off to find his place in the world.

Lord, Jessi prayed silently, Please let his place in the world be wherever I'm standing.