"Thank you."
He smiled.
"Any time."
By the end of February, the roads were passable for short stretches between storms.
Gideon arranged to take Lydia to Calder's Crossing.
Ruth offered to accompany them.
Lydia accepted gratefully.
They left before sunrise with two horses and a small wagon.
The journey was long.
Snow still covered the shaded sections of road.
Mud slowed the wheels in lower ground.
But the weather remained clear.
By midday, they reached the settlement.
Lydia stared at the buildings.
She had been there only briefly on the day of her marriage.
Everything had happened so quickly.
The ceremony.
The wagon journey.
The approaching storm.
Now she could see the town properly.
The general store.
The hotel.
The courthouse.
The small schoolhouse.
And the row of businesses lining the muddy main street.
Gideon helped her down from the wagon.
Ruth adjusted her cloak.
"Ready?"
Lydia took a breath.
"Yes."
They walked toward Miss Mercer's office.
The attorney greeted them warmly.
She offered Lydia a chair.
Then placed several documents on the table.
"I've reviewed what you sent."
Lydia nodded.
"Is it enough?"
Abigail smiled gently.
"Enough to ask more precise questions."
She explained the situation carefully.
If Everett Bowman had survived, Lydia's marriage to Gideon might not be legally valid.
The question would require formal resolution.
But that did not give Everett the right to force her into his custody or control her movements merely by asserting their earlier marriage.
Lydia listened closely.
"What if he refuses to release me?"
Abigail leaned forward.
"Then we examine the legal grounds for dissolving the first marriage, including his conduct, abandonment, and deception. The procedures may involve courts in more than one jurisdiction."
Lydia swallowed.
"How long?"
"I won't promise a date until the facts are established."
She nodded.
Gideon remained silent beside her.
Abigail noticed.
She turned toward him.
"Mr. Hayes, do you have questions?"
He looked toward Lydia.
Then back at the attorney.
"Only one."
"Go ahead."
"If the second marriage is invalid, does Lydia have to leave my home?"
Abigail shook her head.
"Not merely because of that. She is free to choose her residence, subject to ordinary legal circumstances. If you both agree she may stay, that's not something Everett can simply prohibit by sending a letter."
Gideon's shoulders eased.
Lydia looked toward him.
For a moment, she wanted to reach for his hand.
But she remained still.
Abigail continued.
"I also want Lydia to consider independent accommodations if she would feel safer during the proceedings."
Lydia raised her head.
"May I answer honestly?"
"Please."
"I feel safe at Frost Creek."
Abigail nodded.
"Then that's important."
Lydia swallowed.
"But I don't want to stay because I have nowhere else."
Gideon looked toward her.
Abigail smiled.
"That's a wise distinction."
Lydia took a breath.