The Story Behind the Story...A Train Ride to Hearbreak
by Donna Schlachter The idea for this story came from a love of a movie and a friend with a great story to share. The movie was “The Fugitive”, both the original series pilot and the more recent remake. I loved the idea of a train ride leading to a second chance. My friend had recently taken a train ride from Denver to San Francisco, and she shared several delightful stories. I wondered if a train ride might be like a cruise in that it would provide an insulated environment where the travelers might do something they’d never done before. If so, this was perfect fodder for a romance, much like the old TV show, “The Love Boat”. And then I saw “Murder on the Orient Express”, and as a lover of anything Agatha Christie, decided to incorporate a few of the details in my story. The result? A chance meeting, two characters with integrity, and a way for God to reach both of them. 1895, Train to California John Stewart needs a wife. Mary Johannson n...