a sky so clear it almost hurt to look at.
By noon, Coldwater’s church steeple appeared.
People noticed them immediately.
A deaf rancher and the doctor’s daughter.
Newly married.
Riding side by side.
Rosalie saw curtains move.
Men outside the general store stopped talking.
A woman crossing the street pulled her child closer.
Gideon noticed too.
His expression did not change.
That hurt Rosalie unexpectedly.
He was accustomed to it.
They tied their horses near the old medical office attached to the Ashford home.
Before Rosalie could reach the porch, the front door opened.
Merrick stepped outside.
He looked terrible.
Unshaven.
Red-eyed.
His coat unbuttoned despite the cold.
Then he saw Gideon.
“Christ.”
Rosalie climbed the steps.
“Where’s Father?”
Merrick glanced between them.
“What happened to Rook?”
“Where is Father?”
Merrick attempted a smile.
“Sister, you’ve been married eight days and already you’re marching home with complaints?”
Rosalie struck him.
