Samuel stepped into the Leather and Saddle Shop just as Edward pulled the last waxed thread snug through the sole of a new pair of work boots. He set the boot on the bench, trimmed the thread with a sharp knife, and held it up for inspection.
"There," Edward said with quiet satisfaction. "That pair ought to outlast the fellow wearing them, provided he takes care of them."
Samuel laughed.
"That seems to be the philosophy around here."
Edward looked up and smiled.
"Morning, Samuel."
The shop was alive with steady purpose. One apprentice cut heavy harness leather into long straps. Another burnished the edge of a belt until it shone smooth as polished walnut. A young woman stitched suspenders while another worked carefully on a bridle destined for one of the Belgian teams.
Finished boots stood in neat rows along one wall. Harnesses hung from sturdy pegs. Saddlebags, gloves, aprons, knife sheaths, axe covers, belts, and reins filled every available space.
Near the back of the shop, a battered coffee pot rested on a small cast-iron stove.
Its rich aroma reached Samuel before Edward spoke.
Edward caught him looking.
"Best shop in the settlement."
Samuel raised an eyebrow.
"Because of the leather?"
Edward chuckled.
"No."
He pointed toward the coffee pot.
"Because we make our own coffee."
The apprentices laughed.
Edward poured himself another cup.
"For as much coffee as we drink around here, we'd have to make Rebecca a new pair of shoes every month if she kept bringing us fresh pots."
Samuel laughed so hard he nearly spilled his coffee.
"May I pour myself a cup?"
Edward slid another tin mug across the bench.
"Help yourself."
Samuel took a long drink and nodded with approval.
"I believe you've got competition for Rebecca."
Edward shook his head.
"Nobody competes with Rebecca."
He smiled over the rim of his cup.
"We're just trying to keep up with her."
The shop filled with laughter.
For a few quiet minutes no one hurried. The only sounds were the scrape of a leather knife, the tap of a cobbler's hammer, the pull of waxed thread through thick boot leather, and the occasional satisfied sip of coffee.
Samuel wandered slowly around the shop.
"I never realized how much leather a community uses."
Edward laid a finished belt across the bench.
"Most folks don't."
He pointed toward a heavy harness.
"Without this, the horses don't pull."
Then toward a pair of boots.
"Without these, a logger doesn't work long."
He picked up a leather apron.
"The blacksmith needs this."
Next came a pair of gloves.
"So does the glassmaker."
He smiled.
"If wood builds the houses..."
He held up the harness.
"...leather keeps the whole settlement moving."
Samuel nodded thoughtfully.
His eyes settled on a young apprentice struggling to sew the sole onto another boot. The stitches wandered slightly.
Edward walked over without saying a word.
He gently placed his hands over the boy's and guided the awl.
"Don't force it."
The apprentice looked up.
"What should I do?"
Edward rubbed a little beeswax onto the thread.
"Help it."
The needle slipped cleanly through the leather.
The young man smiled.
"I think I understand."
Edward nodded.
"Leather has its own way. Learn to work with it, and it'll serve you for years."
Samuel watched for another moment before saying quietly,
"I've noticed something."
Edward looked over.
"What's that?"
"Every shop in this settlement has apprentices."
Edward smiled.
"Of course."
He picked up another unfinished boot.
"Boots wear out."
He pointed toward the harnesses.
"Harness breaks."
Then toward the growing stack of children's shoes.
"Children grow."
He looked around the busy shop.
"If we're going to have boots tomorrow, somebody has to learn how to make them today."
Samuel smiled.
"I suppose that's true for every trade."
Edward lifted his coffee mug.
"It surely is."
Samuel finished his own cup and set it on the workbench.
"I should probably let you get back to work."
Edward grinned.
"So should we."
He picked up another boot, threaded his needle, and settled back onto his stool.
"Tomorrow keeps showing up."
Samuel tipped his hat.
"So I've noticed."
Edward smiled without looking up from his work.
"There'll be more work tomorrow."
Samuel nodded.
"And there's no law against work."
The apprentices chuckled.
Samuel stepped back into the lane. Behind him, the steady rhythm of awls, needles, and cobbler's hammers continued as though it had always been there.
He smiled to himself.
The settlement wasn't just building houses anymore.
It was building craftsmen.