What signs are there in this chapter and Chapter 10 that Lou Ann is gaining self-confidence?

Lou Anne is finally opening up to Taylor and dealing with her demons. Perhaps the fullest expression of Lou Ann's development occurs when she rejects Angel's proposal for her to join him in Montana. She no longer sees taking back her husband as a singular option, and views herself as holding a larger and more important place in the world than as simply the wife of Angel Ruiz.