Summary

In the Prologue, it is February 7, 1886, in Puget Sound, Washington Territory. Mei Lien’s father tells her not to disappoint him and then pushes her into the icy water from a ship. Mei Lien feels alone and hopeless, and looks forward to death.

In Chapter 1, it is May 27 in the present day in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Inara Erickson and her older sister, Olivia, are on a ferry to visit Orcas, the island where their deceased Aunt Dahlia lived in order to inspect her property and box up her belongings. It is the first time they have been back in nine years. Their brother, Nate, is surprised to hear this. Nate and their Dad are helping the Mayor to oversee the October 6 dedication of Duncan Campbell Memorial Park, in honor of their great-great-great-grandfather who emigrated from Scotland in the 1800s...