bothered her.
Horace Bell could have paid hundreds.
Why would Silas surrender Rosalie to Gideon for a fifty-dollar forgiven debt?
Unless the fifty dollars had never been the true reason.
She picked up the medical receipt.
Unless Silas had wanted Rosalie in Gideon’s house.
Or wanted Gideon occupied.
Or wanted something hidden.
Rosalie looked up sharply.
Did my father know about Mother’s letter?
Gideon shook his head.
I never showed him.
Did Merrick?
Another shake.
Rosalie rose.
“We’re going to Coldwater.”
Gideon read enough from her mouth to understand.
His expression became immediate refusal.
She wrote:
Tomorrow.
He took the pencil.
Snow.
Then when road clears.
Your father dangerous.
Rosalie stared at him.
For eight days, Gideon had treated her more gently than any man in her own family.
He had given her the bedroom.
He had never entered without knocking.
He had left bread beneath a cloth because he
