They called him the “half-mad deaf rancher.”
During the ceremony, Gideon barely grazed Rosalie’s cheek when he was told to kiss his bride. During the wagon ride to his isolated property, he remained silent.
But Rosalie knew cruelty.
Cruelty smelled like whiskey on her father’s breath and sounded like creditors knocking at the door.
Gideon smelled of pine, leather, and woodsmoke.
His cabin surprised her. The floors were clean. A fire burned brightly. Fresh bread sat beneath a cloth, and clean blankets covered the bed.
Then Gideon opened a worn
