This dress belonged in the first category. The sprigged lawn would be used to best advantage in a simple design, appropriate for daytime apparel. And an unfussy dress would be quicker to make. But besides that, this was a dress for the sweltering heat of summer. It should give both the wearer and those around her a sense of coolness and calm; the smooth glass buttons would add to that feeling. She could picture exactly what the dress would look like when it was finished, and she couldn’t wait to see it.

Every woman in town would want one—if Hanna could sew fast enough to get it done by Tuesday’s opening.

Hanna was washing the dishes after an early breakfast on Friday when she heard a knock at the lean-to door. Whoever could be calling at this hour?

She was astonished to see Bess Harris on the doorstep.

“Am I too early?” Bess asked.

Hanna had been standing stock-still, both the door and her mouth wide open. Now she blinked and stepped back to let Bess in. “No, no! It’s just—I wasn’t sure if—I mean—” She inhaled once and started over. “Please, come in.”

Bess took off her sunbonnet and hung it on a peg in the lean-to. Hanna led her through the kitchen to the workroom.

“I’m sorry I gave you a bit of a start,” Bess said.

“No matter,” Hanna said. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me, too,” Bess said. A pause. “Ma wasn’t sure about me working here, at first. But Pa and I talked her around.”

Her blue eyes were wide and solemn as she went on. “Pa told her that we could use the money. Ma said that we always made do before, without me working. But that was when James was with us. He used to work odd jobs for pay, but now he’s gone to Oregon.”

Hanna remembered hearing about Bess’s older brother.

“Ma asked Pa, how did he know it would be a nice place for me to work? Pa said that he knew your father and trusted him, and that Miss Walters had spoken well of you. And I said that I knew you from school, of course. I asked her, couldn’t I try it out for just a day, and if it wasn’t—if there was anything that wasn’t quite right, I wouldn’t go back again.”

She glanced at Hanna, her expression suddenly anxious. “But I was only saying that to try to convince her. I’m sure I’ll like working here.”

Hanna smiled. “I hope so. Shall we make a start?”

She gave Bess a tour of the workroom, opening drawers and cabinets to show her the various supplies. “This cupboard here”—she indicated a cabinet door beneath the countertop—“this will be yours, to store your things or whatever you’re working on.”