"I want to earn my own money."
Gideon turned.
"Lydia—"
She looked at him.
"Not because you haven't provided for me."
He stopped.
She continued.
"Because I need to know I can."
Gideon studied her.
Then nodded.
"All right."
Abigail leaned back.
"Well, Mrs. Bowman, there may be an opportunity."
Lydia looked surprised.
"What kind?"
"The town has several families looking for skilled sewing work. School uniforms, winter garments, repairs."
Lydia's eyes widened.
Abigail continued.
"And I know a merchant who needs someone capable of keeping accurate accounts."
Lydia stared.
"You think I could do that?"
The attorney smiled.
"After examining your pattern book, I suspect you could."
Lydia looked toward Gideon.
He was smiling.
Not with pity.
With pride.
For a moment, she felt something unfamiliar and wonderful.
A future that might belong to her.
After the legal meeting, they stopped at the general store.
Lydia purchased thread, needles, cloth, and several small supplies using money from the box Gideon had given her.
She insisted on recording each expense.
Gideon watched.
"You don't have to account for every penny to me."
She smiled.
"I know."
"Then why write it down?"
"Because I like knowing what I've spent."
He nodded.
"Fair enough."
At the counter, the storekeeper's wife examined Lydia's sewing samples.
"Did you make these?"
Lydia nodded.
"Yes."
The woman turned a small embroidered cuff.
"Beautiful work."
Lydia smiled shyly.
"Thank you."
The woman looked toward Abigail's office across the street.
"I heard you might be taking commissions."
"Possibly."
"Would you repair winter coats?"
"Of course."
"And make children's dresses?"
"Yes."
The woman nodded.
"I may have work for you."
Lydia felt her heart lift.
She wrote down the woman's name.
Then the requested garments.
When they left the store, Gideon looked toward her.
"First customer?"
Lydia smiled.
"Perhaps."
He grinned.
"Better charge enough."
She laughed.
"Are you giving me business advice?"
"Only the kind Elias would give."
She looked toward him.
"And what would he say?"
Gideon thought for a moment.
Then answered.
"Never let somebody pay you less because you're grateful they asked."
Lydia stared.
Then smiled slowly.
"I think I would have liked your brother very much."
Gideon's eyes softened.
"He would've liked you too."