You told me I was born this way.
The doctor’s face changed.
For a moment, his polite expression disappeared.
Then he turned toward Rosalie.
“Your husband has suffered from a complicated condition since childhood. There is nothing to be gained by frightening him with unnecessary questions.”
Rosalie folded her arms.
“I have no intention of frightening him. I want to understand why he is in pain.”
“Some things are better left alone.”
The words sounded familiar.
Rosalie had heard them from her father whenever she asked why their debts kept growing or why strangers came to the house after midnight.
She had come to hate that sentence.
“Perhaps,” she replied, “things are only better left alone when someone is afraid of the answers.”
The doctor stared at her.
Gideon stepped between them.
He pointed toward the door again.
This time, Silas Vane gathered his bag.
Before leaving, he turned to Gideon and spoke slowly, exaggerating each word so the rancher could read his lips.
