And there, amid the swooping hawks and the billowing clouds, she felt the fan of his breath on her lips. Then, as if he had all the time in the world, he kissed her with a tenderness that filled her heart.
Love had called, and she’d gladly answer it every day for the rest of her life.
Author’s Note
Many readers might be surprised to know that this book was born after I viewed a YouTube video. When I first discovered the Hello Girls video, I was fascinated. After that, I found several wonderful videos from the AT&T and Bell Telephone archives, chronicling the life of the early switchboard operator and explaining how the switchboard worked. Archived newspaper accounts from across the nation, which featured the day-to-day life of the switchboard operator, her training, and some of her humorous experiences, were priceless.
By 1910, New York Telephone alone had over 600,000 switchboard operators. Across the country, these young women, with their low, melodious voices, provided exemplary services to both pleasant and obnoxious patrons with unparalleled grace, despite crackling lines.
These women, and all those who worked as operators in the following years, are the real heroes of this book, and I want to thank them for their service. And thank you, dear reader, for blessing me with the opportunity to share their story with you.
Acknowledgments
Setting this book in Des Moines gave me the opportunity to learn more about Iowa’s state capital. A special thank-you goes out Rosie Springer and Shari Stelling of the State Historical Library of Iowa for your help in my research efforts, and to the Council Bluffs Public Library.
I’m also extremely grateful for the Lost Des Moines Facebook group. Thanks to Arnold Brown, Cataldo Punelli, Michael O’Brien, and all the other Lost Des Moiners for keeping the city’s past alive, for sharing your wonderful photos, and for providing invaluable information.
Thank you, Revell team, and especially my editors, Andrea Doering and Jessica English, for believing in my work and supporting me. Thank you, Judy, Shannon, and Brenda, for your insightful critiques. Thank you, Dawn, Laura, and Sandra, for your treasured friendship.
Thank you, Caroline, my middle daughter, for being the last one to read my manuscripts before I send them off to the editor and for your great catches, and thank you, Parker and Emma, for being my cheerleaders. Thank you, my beloved David, for making every day a real-life romance.
Most of all, thank you, Lord, for the honor of writing the stories you place on my heart.
A history buff, antique collector, and freelance graphic designer, Lorna Seilstad is the author of Making Waves, A Great Catch, and The Ride of Her Life. She draws her setting from her home state of Iowa. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing awards and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Contact her and find out more at www.lornaseilstad.com.
Books by Lorna Seilstad
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LAKE MANAWA SUMMERS
Making Waves
A Great Catch
The Ride of Her Life
THE GREGORY SISTERS
When Love Calls
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