Above the Salt

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John Alves, the son of a renowned Presbyterian martyr from Madeira, grows up in jail and poverty. His life changes when he meets Mary Freitas, the adopted daughter of a master botanist, whose true origins are shrouded in dangerous rumors. Their bond deepens, but soon their families face the escalating conflict between Catholics and Protestants. Forced to flee, John and Mary are separated, finding themselves in different parts of mid-nineteenth-century Illinois. Years later, John becomes an educator at Jacksonville's esteemed school for the deaf, while Mary works as a gardener in Springfield for the wealthy Edward Moore. When they reunite, their courtship unfolds against the backdrop of rising politician Abraham Lincoln's home. However, John faces a dilemma: should he join the Union army to prove his loyalty to his new country or stay to build a life with Mary? Meanwhile, Mary grapples with Edward's marriage proposal, which complicates her feelings for John and her business selling the miracle-berry fruit from Madeira. As the Civil War intensifies, social jealousies and betrayals complicate their choices. Through poignant prose, the narrative explores the power of true love and the sacrifices it demands.