And that was the identity I would forever cling to.
Author’s Notes
This section is one of my favorite parts to write! My inner geek gets unleashed, and I get to gush about all the things that were true in this fictional story. First off, it was my intention—and dearest hope!—that the Belle is portrayed as a character in this story. The steamboat was indeed built in 1914 by James Rees and Sons Company, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the West Memphis Packet Company. The workers constructed the boat with repurposed engines from the mid-1880s, which are still working to this day!
She’s been employed as a packet boat, hauling freight; as a ferry boat, carrying passengers to theme parks; and an excursion boat, tramping from town to town and delighting crowds with pleasure jaunts along the river. The Idlewild even aided the World War II effort by pushing oil barges along the river, as well as serving as a floating nightclub for USO troops stationed at military bases.
After the war, the boat had a new owner and was renamed the Avalon. She tramped along American waterways for the next fifteen years.
In 1962, the mileage and decades had caught up to her, and she’d fallen in disrepair. The city of Louisville purchased her at an auction for $34,000, and she gained a new home and her third name—The Belle of Louisville.
Marine architect Alan L. Bates was hired to oversee the restoration. You may recall this name from the story. This man was responsible for the entire reconstruction of the Belle and later became first mate and captain. Capt. Bates’s writings about the Belle were useful to me while writing this story. From his books, I was able to understand how she worked, along with her strengths and weaknesses. (Such as, the boat had a difficult time facing the wind when low on fuel.) Those resources also carried detailed information about the steamboat race between the Delta and the Belle. I was amazed that the city of Louisville challenged the Delta even before they were certain the Belle would be able to run! So I had to include that fun tidbit in the story.
It’s said that this hundred-year-old steamboat holds the all-time record for most miles traveled, years in operation, and places visited.
Another interesting truth to this story is about the vessel where Devyn’s office was located. It’s known as “Lifesaving Station #10” and is registered as a National History Landmark too. For more information on The Belle of Louisville and the neighboring Lifesaving Station, visit belleoflouisville.org.
One last sliver of truth included in this story is the mention of Elizebeth Friedman. She worked for the Coast Guard during the 1920s and ’30s. She was known as America’s first female cryptanalyst. Without the aid of computers, Elizebeth armed herself with a pad and pencil and took down rumrunners and drug rings. Using mathematics, she broke over 12,000 codes intercepted by the Coast Guard, single-handedly exposing many notable cases.
I always find women like Elizebeth Friedman inspiring. During the twenties, women gained the right to vote, but they still weren’t accepted as equals in the workforce. Ms. Friedman not only proved a woman could pull her weight in a male-dominated profession, but she excelled, stamping history with her name as one of the most legendary codebreakers of all time.
Acknowledgements
This story came together with the help of many amazing people! First, a giant thank-you to my agent, Julie Gwinn, for championing this story! I’m so grateful to work with you and to call you friend. To Becky Germany and the Barbour team, for taking a chance on me. I have never written a dual timeline story before, and I was encouraged by your faith in me. Ellen Tarver, thank you for your amazing insight and help with taking this story to the next level. My sincerest apologies for not knowing the names of steamboats are supposed to be italicized. Thank you for graciously correcting all 5 million of them.
CAPT Dan Laliberte, USCG-ret, you have no idea how much you helped me. Thank you for answering all my incessant questions about the Coast Guard during the prohibition era. It was you who helped me decide on making Jack a prohibition agent, which worked out wonderfully.
Rebekah Millet, you are one of my favorite humans, and the best critique partner, friend, and soul sister anyone could ever ask for. Thanks for all your help with this story. Janyre Tromp and Janine Rosche, you ladies have bolstered my heart and strengthened my story ideas. I’m so grateful for your friendship. I’m extremely appreciative to Natalie Walters. Without you I would’ve struggled to even write this book. Thank you, friend. For everything. Pepper Basham, I get to be in a series with you! Thank you, friend, for always being there and encouraging me. A giant thanks to my early readers Abbi Hart and Ashley Johnson. Also to my incredible launch team, I can’t even express how much your enthusiasm and awesomeness have blessed me.
This story would not have been possible without the constant support from my family. To my husband, you were the first one who believed in this writing dream. Even before I did. Thank you. You listen with interest to my story ideas, take the kids places so I can have quiet time to write, and feed my inspiration for my heroes. Also, I really appreciate it when you help me reenact certain scenes so I can get them just right. To my kiddos, Drew and Meg, thank you for being the best kiddos. You teach me so much, and I’m grateful to be your mama.
To Jesus, You’re the reason I write, the breath of my stories, and the author of my life. Thank You for being my everything.
Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning Christian romance writer. Her stories inspire with faith and heart, yet intrigue with mystery and suspense. Her first novel was nominated for the ACFW Carol Award for best debut. She’s also the winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.com and on all social media platforms. Her work is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency. She enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids.
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