money from half the valley during the previous winter.
He had gambled, drunk, and lost horses that did not belong to him.
Apparently one debt
had belonged to Gideon.
You forgave his debt?
Yes.
In exchange for me?
Gideon’s hand froze.
He looked furious.
Not at her.
At the words.
He tore the page from the notebook, crushed it, and threw it into the fire.
Then he wrote on a clean sheet.
No.
The pencil nearly tore through the paper.
He said if I agreed to marry you, your father
