Ruth pulled out a chair.
"Sit."
Lydia sat.
The older woman poured water from a pitcher.
Then placed the glass in her hand.
"You did well."
Lydia shook her head.
"I'm shaking."
Ruth smiled gently.
"That doesn't mean you didn't do well."
Lydia looked up.
Ruth squeezed her shoulder.
"You told him no. You held your ground. And you didn't have to do it alone."
Lydia began crying.
Ruth sat beside her until the trembling stopped.
When Gideon learned what happened, he was furious.
Not loudly.
Not with threats.
But Lydia could see the anger in the way he stood beside the stove that evening.
His hands were clenched.
His jaw was tight.
He stared toward the window.
Lydia watched him.
"Gideon."
He turned.
"I'm listening."
She stepped closer.
"Please don't go after him."
He looked down.
"I wasn't planning to."
She studied his face.
"Were you thinking about it?"
He gave a humorless smile.
"Very much."
Lydia placed one hand against his chest.
Gideon closed his eyes.
"He touched you."
"Yes."
"He frightened you."
"Yes."
His voice broke slightly.
"And I wasn't there."
Lydia looked up.
"Gideon, you cannot be everywhere."
He shook his head.
"I should've been."
She reached for his hands.
He allowed her to open his clenched fingers.
Then she held them.
"I need you to hear me."
He looked at her.
"I don't want another man deciding that my safety requires him to control where I go."
Gideon's expression changed.
She continued.
"I love that you care for me. I love that you want to protect me."
He went still.
The words had escaped before she intended.
I love.
Lydia felt her cheeks burn.
But she did not take them back.
She looked into his eyes.
"I need you beside me. Not standing between me and the rest of the world every time something frightens us."
Gideon stared.
For several seconds, he seemed unable to breathe.
Then he whispered, "Lydia."
She swallowed.
"I know."
He shook his head.
"No."
He closed his hands carefully around hers.
"You said you love something about me."
Her eyes filled.
She smiled through embarrassment.
"I suppose I did."
Gideon looked at her as though the room had changed around him.
Then he lowered his forehead gently toward hers.
"Lydia."
His voice broke.
"I've been trying not to say it too soon."
She looked up.