Lydia sat slowly.
"Does she think Everett is alive?"
"She thinks it's possible."
Lydia nodded.
Gideon explained the next steps.
The need to obtain reliable records from St. Louis.
The legal questions.
The investigation into Elias's survey.
And the importance of keeping the matters separate until the evidence could connect them.
Lydia listened carefully.
When he finished, she stared at the papers.
"Will Miss Mercer speak with me?"
Gideon nodded.
"She asked for you."
Lydia looked surprised.
"Me?"
"Yes."
She smiled faintly.
"What did you tell her?"
Gideon looked at her.
"That you kept better records than most businessmen I've met."
Her cheeks warmed.
He continued.
"And that you found Elias's journal when I couldn't."
Lydia laughed softly.
"Because the screw didn't match."
"Because you looked carefully."
She lowered her eyes.
Gideon reached into his coat.
Then placed the envelope on the table.
Lydia looked at it.
"What's this?"
"Money."
She frowned.
"For what?"
"For you."
Her eyes widened.
"Gideon—"
He raised one hand.
"Please let me explain."
She stopped.
He took a breath.
"Miss Mercer reminded me that you need choices. Proper ones."
He placed the small locking box beside the envelope.
"That's yours. The key too."
Lydia stared.
"I don't understand."
"There's enough for travel if you decide you want to go somewhere. Or for clothes, supplies, whatever you need."
She shook her head.
"I can't take your savings."
"You're not taking them."
"But—"
"I'm giving you something that belongs to you to decide about."
Lydia's eyes filled.
Gideon continued.
"If you want to stay here, you stay. If you'd feel safer with Ruth, I'll take you there. If you want a room in town while we sort the marriage, I'll pay for it."
He looked down.
"I won't use winter or hunger to make a choice for you."
Lydia stared at the envelope.
Then at him.
For years, Everett had made her ask permission for a few coins.
Now Gideon was offering her money she could control without asking what she intended to do with it.
She began crying.
He looked alarmed.
"Lydia, did I offend you?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Then what's wrong?"
She stood.
Walked around the table.
And stopped in front of him.
Gideon rose.
She looked up into his face.
"Nobody has ever done this for me."
His expression softened.
Lydia placed one hand against his chest.
"Thank you."
Gideon swallowed.
He seemed unable to speak.
She looked into his eyes.
Then asked softly, "May I kiss you?"