“Do be quiet!” Kathryn leaned back, poking her finger in the center of Matthias’s chest. “Do not think this is going to keep me housebound and subservient.”

  He captured her finger and bit the end. “Are you going to put the news in the Voice or am I permitted to stand in the middle of Chump Street and announce it to the world?”

  She felt like her blood was carbonated. A baby! “I suppose we could do both.”

  At first, the bets had been whether the baby would be a boy or girl. Now, with her increasing size, men were betting whether she’d have twins. Even the miners had picked dates and started building a pot for the winner. Carrying a baby didn’t stop Kathryn from going up to the Keeweetoss Mine once a week to meet with Amos Stearns, Wyn Reese, Jian Lin Gong, and several other heads of operations.

  This morning, Kathryn had spotted a man climbing the steep slope beyond the mine offices. When Wyn came out to help her up the stairs, she asked about the visitor.

  “That’s ‘Crazy Klaus’ Johannson. Jumped ship in San Francisco and came up here to work. Says our mountains remind him of Sweden. He started working night shifts so he’d have days free. Takes him two hours to climb up there, and less than ten minutes to come back down. I’ve seen men do some crazy things for fun, but watching him come down that mountain looks like a mad rush to death to me.”

  “I’d like to see what he does.”

  Kathryn had just adjourned the meeting when one of the workers came in. The Swede had made the summit. “I have a chair and blanket ready for you, Mrs. Beck, so you can be comfortable and warm while you watch.”

  She didn’t remain seated long. Drawing in a breath, she stood at the railing as Crazy Klaus wove back and forth across the white slope, sending up fans of snow with each sharp turn. Midway, he doubled over, tucked the poles under his arms, and came shooting down the steepest part, aiming for a mound at breakneck speed. He soared up and over with an echoing whoop of pure joy, did a backwards somersault, and landed on his feet to the cheer of a dozen men watching the show. Turning his body sideways, he skidded down the last hundred feet and stopped. Removing the boards fastened to his feet, he shouldered them and headed back up.

  “Time for one more run,” Wyn told her. “He calls those things skis.”

  Kathryn’s heart still raced. “I’m surprised there aren’t men lining up to learn how to do that!” She would be if she wasn’t expecting a baby.

  “There are. Half a dozen fools are carving and smoothing boards . . .”

  On the way home, Kathryn had time to think about the future of the Keeweetoss and Calvada and Crazy Klaus coming down the mountain on skis. Matthias was conducting a meeting in the parlor of their newly rebuilt house. The men all stood as Kathryn came in. Matthias’s brows rose slightly as he looked her over. “Good news?”

  “Oh, yes!” She laughed, pulling off her gloves as she headed for the kitchen, where she kept some writing materials. Throwing her coat over a chair, she went to work jotting down lists of things that would have to be done to put a plan in motion.

  A few minutes later, Matthias leaned against the doorjamb, watching her. “You looked ready to burst when you came in the door.”

  “I feel ready to burst, but Millie says it will be a few more weeks.”

  “Men have a lot of money riding on dates.”

  “So I heard.” She rolled her eyes. “They need better things to do with their money than gamble.” She grinned.

  “Uh-oh. What sort of wild hare plan are you getting us into this time?”

  “Just an idea.” She chuckled. “An alternate future for Calvada, if the mine ever shuts down.”

  EPILOGUE

  MATTHIAS AND KATHRYN BECK continued to live and work happily for the betterment of Calvada, though they made frequent visits to Sacramento. The Becks eventually had eight children, five boys and three girls. Matthias and Henry Call continued as partners in Beck and Call Drayage. The company delivered goods up and down the state of California, eventually building refrigerated boxcars that sent California produce east by train. Matthias was reelected as mayor for a second term, but declined to run again after that.

  Wyn Reese married Elvira Haines, and they had four children. Scribe and Millie had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Though Kathryn continued to write editorials and articles, she turned the newspaper over to Scribe after the birth of her fourth child. The Mercer boys graduated from the Mother Lode School and went to work as reporters for the Voice. They both learned to ski, married local girls, and settled down to rear families in Calvada.

  The Keeweetoss continued to produce high quality silver and copper for the next two decades. The Twelve who first joined Kathryn’s business experiment became wealthy men. Some stayed on with the mine; others used their profit-shared earnings to start other businesses. Jian Lin Gong became a banker in the Chinese community.

  Determined that Calvada would not die like so many other mining towns when the mine did eventually play out, Kathryn worked with Crazy Klaus Johannson to develop an alternative source of income for the town. By the time the Keeweetoss Mine closed, the Keeweetoss Mountain Ski Resort was drawing hundreds of tourists each winter.

  Kathryn donated the money to build a town square. She laid out the plan: a cross of walkways to the center, where a large gazebo stood. Pine trees were planted to offer shade to families who would gather for concerts and outdoor plays during the hot summer evenings. The gazebo was decorated for Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The square became a gathering place for Calvadans. Businesses surrounded the square. Ronya Vanderstrom’s Café and Boardinghouse took a sizable space in the middle of one block.

  Aday’s General Store took up the center of another block on the square. Nabor slipped on an orange peel and broke his neck when he fell on a barrel full of kidney beans. Few mourned his passing, other than sweet Abbie, who then hired two men and continued to run the store successfully. She bought herself a piano, something she had missed from her days as a girl back East.

  When the Nineteenth Amendment passed and the presidential election came in November 1920, Kathryn Walsh Beck gave a speech from the Calvada gazebo. When the polls opened, she and her three daughters were ushered to the front of the line, casting the first votes by women in Calvada. After Matthias and their sons voted, Kathryn and Matthias lingered on a park bench in the town square, listening to the band play patriotic songs.

  “It’s a good life, isn’t it?” Kathryn watched people wandering in the square, children laughing and running along walkways. A boy had climbed a pine tree, his mother pleading for him to come down. Families sat on blankets, enjoying picnic dinners.

  “Yes, it is.” Matthias slid his arm around her. She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Good speech, darlin’.”

  Kathryn sighed. “Oh, I didn’t think people would want to listen for more than thirty minutes, but there was so much more I wanted to say.”

  “It’s always wise to keep a speech short.” Chuckling, he kissed her forehead. “That’s why God made you a writer.”

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Dear Reader,

  COVID-19 hit shortly after my husband and I returned from South Africa and the filming of Redeeming Love. All trips on our schedule were canceled, and we joined the masses of citizens ordered to shelter in place. As the weeks at home turned into months, it seemed the perfect time to reimagine and rewrite a story that had been with me for decades, something addressing serious issues with humor and grace. Life had become too somber to add heaviness to it. We all need to laugh, even when days are dark—maybe even more so during those times. And we all want changes for the better and a happy ending.

  My stories always start with questions, and several had been on my mind that would work in an 1870s silver mining town with applications for today. Can one person impact an entire community? We’ve all met and watched people who inspire others. We all know people who follow their conscience no matter the cost. What can we do to make life better for those experiencing homelessness? We see them living in tents and shanties in our towns across the country. Is there a better, more equitable way to “spread the wealth” without stealing from one group to give it to another? The apostle James said, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27). How does that look?

  The Lady’s Mine is my pandemic book. A love story, it harkens back to my roots as a romance writer. It tells of a displaced Boston suffragette and a disinherited Union soldier who meet in a remote California mining town. But it also explores how one determined individual can impact an entire community. You may have noticed a few nods to both The Taming of the Shrew and Oklahoma! along the way, too. I cheered for Kathryn and Matthias’s romance and had so much fun writing it. I hope you had as much fun reading it.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  One of the questions the author was exploring as she wrote this book was “Can one person impact an entire community?” How do different characters try to influence the community of Calvada, for good or bad? What can we learn from their examples? How would you answer the author’s question?

  Both Kathryn and Matthias are disinherited by their families. What were the reasons? How did they each handle the rejection? When Matthias reveals to Kathryn why his father disowned him, Kathryn responds with “God promises to finish the work in us.” What does this mean? Have you ever been rejected by someone you love? How did you handle it? What, if any, future do you see for Matthias and his father?

  In what ways are Kathryn and City Walsh alike? Do you think personality traits can be inherited from family members? What was Kathryn able to accomplish that City Walsh was not?

  Once Kathryn starts up the Voice, Matthias tries to warn her against writing inflammatory editorials. Do you agree with his advice that “too much truth at one time can hurt more than help”? Is Kathryn right that following one’s convictions and facing trouble seem to go together? Are there ways to create change without agitating others, or does change always cause upheaval?

  Give some examples of restrictions women were under in 1875. Did any of these surprise you? Are there areas where women’s rights still fall short today? Or are there certain expectations or burdens placed on women that men don’t carry? In what ways should society strive for equality between genders? Or is it okay to allow for different roles based on a person’s strengths?

  Is Kathryn wise or foolish in her dealings with Morgan Sanders? What signs of warning did she ignore? Have you ever put yourself in harm’s way? How and why? What avenue of escape did God give you? Did you use it? What did you learn from your experience?

  Matthias turns to Reverend Thacker for help in convincing Kathryn to keep to a woman’s place in society. What does Thacker say about Adam and Eve? Is his sermon fair? How does Kathryn react? Were you as surprised by her reaction as Matthias was? What does she conclude about a woman’s role?

  As a Southerner who fought for the North in the Civil War, Matthias has a unique perspective on victors and the vanquished. He muses: “Men lived not by what they were told, but by what they believed.” Do you agree with that idea? What does City tell Matthias about what people believe? (See chapter 17.) Where do you turn for the ultimate authority on truth? When you come in contact with those who have different views, how do you choose to interact?

  Nabor Aday verbally abuses his wife, Abbie. How does she handle it? How do others respond when they observe this couple’s interactions? Do you think people today are more or less likely to speak up when they see abuse? What resources are available today for those in abusive situations?

  Ronya tells Kathryn, “A woman needs to guard her heart and use her head when picking a husband.” What makes her say this? Do you agree with it? What other advice would you give?

  City had a lot to say about regrets, including “Some decisions haunt you. You can change your mind, but you can’t go back.” Which characters are haunted by regrets? How do they respond? If you can’t go back, what can you do to keep moving forward?

  Kathryn ponders this idea: “What a tangled mess men make when they try to play God.” What messes do various characters in this book make when “trying to play God”? Have you seen any examples of this in your own life? How were they resolved?

  Widows in the past as well as today have many difficulties. Why did Fiona Hawthorne choose the path she took? What path did she hope to take at the end? Why did it not seem possible to her to stay in Calvada? How would you rewrite the end of her story?

  As Kathryn learns the truth about City’s murder, Matthias points out that some people seem bent on evil. How much truth is there in that statement? What factors (a wounded soul, a seared conscience) might contribute to that? Do you believe everyone can be redeemed?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  MY SINCERE AND DEEPEST THANKS go to the following people:

  Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne and Miller Literary Associates—my hardworking, multitalented, trustworthy agent, who keeps me free from stress about the ever-changing market and medias. You’ve always gone far above and beyond what is expected of an agent.

  Kathy Olson—my keen-eyed, creative editor, who continues to rescue me from overwriting and linear structure. I love working with you.

  Karen Watson—publisher, mentor of new writers—you have encouraged me from the beginning.

  Cd’A brainstormers: Brandilyn Collins, Tammy Alexander, Karen Ball, Gayle DeSalles, Sharon Dunn, Tricia Goyer, Robin Lee Hatcher, Sunni Jeffers, Sandy Sheppard, and Janet Ulbright. Talented writers, all of you! You share the joys and frustrations of the writing life. Whenever I’ve been stuck, you’ve been there Zooming with ideas and solutions. You ladies ROCK!

  My friendly fellow inklings: Claudia Millerick, Erin Briggs, Kitty Briggs, Christy Hoss, Jackie Tisthammer, Lynette Winters. You have inspired and encouraged me from day one.

  Early reader and constant encourager: Colleen Shine Phillips, for your insights and wisdom.

  My best friend and the love of my life, Rick Rivers. Thank you for patiently listening to me as I talk (and talk) story. And I admit—it is true that I can take forty-five minutes to tell you about a thirty-minute program.

  God bless you all!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers had a successful writing career in the general market for several years before becoming a born-again Christian. As her statement of faith, she wrote Redeeming Love, a retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea set during the time of the California Gold Rush. Redeeming Love is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction, and it continues to be one of the industry’s top-selling titles year after year.

  Since Redeeming Love, Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes—all bestsellers—and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the world. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for many honors, and in 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. In 2015, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

  Francine’s novels have been translated into over thirty different languages, and she enjoys bestseller status in many foreign countries.

  Francine and her husband live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their grown children and grandchildren. She uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

  Visit her website at francinerivers.com and connect with her on Facebook (facebook.com/FrancineRivers) and Twitter (@FrancineRivers).

  BOOKS BY BELOVED AUTHOR

  FRANCINE RIVERS

  The Mark of the Lion series

  (available individually or in a collection)

  A Voice in the Wind

  An Echo in the Darkness

  As Sure as the Dawn

  A Lineage of Grace series

  (available individually or in an anthology)

  Unveiled

  Unashamed

  Unshaken

  Unspoken

  Unafraid

  Sons of Encouragement series

  (available individually or in an anthology)

  The Priest

  The Warrior

  The Prince

  The Prophet

  The Scribe

  Marta’s Legacy series

  (available individually or in a collection)

  Her Mother’s Hope

  Her Daughter’s Dream

  Stand-Alone Titles

  The Lady’s Mine

  The Masterpiece

  Earth Psalms

  Bridge to Haven

  Redeeming Love

  The Atonement Child

  The Scarlet Thread

  The Last Sin Eater

  Leota’s Garden

  And the Shofar Blew

  The Shoe Box (a Christmas novella)