Tennessee, 1862. Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Edwards hates her personal slave, Anna. Elizabeth has never given much thought to the plight of the slaves on her father's plantation; instead, she focuses on pretty dresses and horses, and dreams of the young man she wants to marry. But Elizabeth's world collapses when she is told she must marry her cousin to keep the plantation in the family. Elizabeth takes out her anger on Anna, who finally snaps and reveals that Elizabeth and she have the same father. Anna is brutally whipped the next day, and Elizabeth is horrified. When she tries to confide in her mother, she finds her secretly kissing Elizabeth's tutor. Elizabeth now feels she has nothing and nobody. She changes her attitude about Anna and asks her to run away with her. They are overheard by two stable hands, Fred and Sam, who have heard of a safe house on the Underground Railroad. The four of them set off, planning to reach Canada. Will they all make it to Canada alive? Does Anna truly forgive Elizabeth, or is she just using her? Is it possible to find love on the run?

Plantation Children

Friday August 15,1862 to Saturday August 16,1862


Daisy and I gallop full speed all the way to Uncle Joseph’s plantation.I hand Daisy’s reins to one of the stable hands and walk toward their orchard,to a spot Henry likes to go to relax.Henry is there,sitting against a tree trunk.His eyes light up when he sees me,and I sit next to him.


I want to try to pretend everything is normal.I’m definitely not going to mention our supposed engagement,but instead I blurt out:“Anna told me that my papa is her father!”


Henry turns to me slowly.I grip his arm,suddenly afraid he’ll laugh at me for believing the lies of a dumb slave.His eyes are dull,and I’m ashamed I’ve interrupted him for some silly nonsense.


“Don’t ever say that again,”Henry says solemnly.


I sigh and release his arm.“I’m sorry,Henry.I shouldn’t have believed her.”I laugh,but my hands are shaking.“It’s impossible.White people and black people can’t even make babies together,right?”


Chapter 10