By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer Read Free Book Online Page A

against her heart.
    Dear God,
she prayed within her mind, her soul.
Help me live in this moment and be open to what you have for me. New friendships or new insights … new relationships and a stronger faith.
Amelia smiled. That prayer was a first step. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in God. She did. She loved Him greatly. But with the many needs that always presented themselves, Amelia often worked in the strength she could muster. While many knew her to be a caring and capable woman, she hadn’t been as bold in sharing her faith in God as she wished.
    “Give me a chance to do that.” She whispered the words, only to have them swallowed up by the noises blaring all around on the deck.
    The docks and gangways buzzed as the final passengers and crew members hurried on board.
    The ship’s whistle caused Amelia to jump, and laughter spilled from her lips.
    The man next to her pulled a pocket watch from his waistcoat. “Precisely noon.” He nodded. “Time for the RMS
Titanic
to launch.” A smile filled his face, and he walked among the other passengers as their cheers grew.
    “RMS
Titanic
,” she whispered. How many times had she heard that name? Tens, hundreds of times.
    A locomotive could pass through each funnel that jutted into the sky, she’d read. A double-deck tramcar could pass through each of its twenty-nine boilers that were tucked away far under her feet.
    Those who had been visiting the ship hurried back to the docks with waves and final good wishes to travelers. The gangplanks were drawn, and Amelia looked around for the first time, noticing how little room the
Titanic
had to maneuver out of the bay.
    “Why are there so many ships at the dock?” she asked Ethel.
    “A coal strike. I heard many passengers who were supposed to be on other ships are now on the
Titanic.
I feel bad for those other ships, but I’m sure those who were transferred here don’t mind one bit.”
    Amelia waved to those on the quay.
    “Do you have any friends or family wishing you off?” Ethel asked.
    “No, I said all my good-byes over the last few weeks.”
    She didn’t tell Ethel that most of her friends were children or those who cared for children. Either that or hardworking widowed mothers who did all they could to put food on the table. She’d gained their friendship as she’d ventured into the slums to offer a helping hand. To spend half the day at the docks, wishing her farewell, would be time those poor mothers could not afford to be away.
    Over the last few weeks, she’d spent extra time with the children at the orphanage and other friends around town. She promised them all that she’d write letters about the voyage. Many of her friends were more interested in hearing about Mr. Chapman who waited on the opposite shore than they were excited about the
Titanic.
She’d read them his letters, and most had approved. All except one, her dear Marguerite.
    “He seems kindly enough,” Marguerite had said with a wrinkle of her nose, “but the man works in a bank. He has his supper precisely at six o’clock and attends the orchestra each Saturday. You are a woman who knows not what her day holds until she wakes and scours the city for the most pressing needs. I’m afraid you’ll find him a bore.”
    “A bore? How could you say that? He’s the type of person I’ve been looking for,” Amelia had declared. Marguerite, more than anyone, should appreciate not having to worry for one’s next meal or being an old maid without the hope of a family or children of her own.
    “Jealous, that’s what she is,” Amelia muttered.
    “Excuse me?” Ethel said over the noise of the crowd.
    Amelia turned her attention back to the matter at hand, reminding herself that thoughts of whether Mr. Chapman was suitable could wait until she reached the distant shore. “Uh, I was simply commenting that I feel bad for all those on the docks. I am sure they are jealous they aren’t on the ship.”
    “Next voyage.” Ethel pushed