Others claimed he spoke to ghosts.
Children whispered that he had been born half-deaf and half-mad. Adults who should have known better repeated the rumors whenever they wanted to frighten someone.
Rosalie had heard them all.
When Gideon approached her at the altar, she looked into his eyes and discovered something the rumors had never mentioned.
He seemed nervous.
Not frightening. Not cruel.
Nervous.
The minister asked whether he accepted Rosalie as his wife. Gideon watched the minister’s mouth, then glanced at Rosalie and nodded.
When the minister instructed him to kiss his bride, Gideon touched his lips lightly to her cheek.
It was over in less than a second.
There were no flowers, no music, and no celebration afterward.
Thomas Ashford took the money.
Gideon took his new wife home.
During the journey, they sat beside each other in a wooden wagon while snow drifted across the trail. Rosalie tried twice to begin a conversation, but Gideon could not understand her words over the wheels and wind.
