Do not be afraid of him.
Whatever Coldwater says, Gideon is a good man.
And if he is suffering again, believe him.
Years ago, before you were born, Dr. Elias Bell treated several children in this county for illnesses of the ear. Something happened during those treatments.
I learned about it too late.
If you need answers, look beneath the loose floorboard in my old sewing room.
Your father must not know.
Forgive me for leaving you with questions I was too frightened to answer while I lived.
Mother
Rosalie read it again.
Then again.
Her vision blurred.
Gideon remained across the table, giving her the privacy to grieve.
Eventually she wiped her eyes.
Why would my mother trust you?
Gideon looked down.
His answer took a long time.
Because I believed her.
