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Elsie.” Viola’s twin was the sweetest, most even-tempered daughter you could ask for, in great contrast to her twin. But she’d been diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease when she was but a child. Little by little, her dear daughter was going blind.
    â€œThat’s because I’m not worried about her, Marie, and you shouldn’t, either. I feel certain that Elsie will be all right, with the Lord’s help. And we’ll all be there for her, even if the worst happens and she does go blind.”
    â€œI’ll always be there for her. As long as I’m able, that is. Thankfully, Viola and Roman have promised to always look after Elsie, too. . . .”
    â€œWhat are you talking about? What are you two saying about me?” Elsie said sharply from the doorway.
    â€œNothing, dear,” Marie replied quickly, but the look of hurt in her daughter’s eyes revealed her fib wasn’t appreciated.
    â€œNo, I know what I heard.” Looking from Lovina to Marie, Elsie scowled. “Mamm, you two were talking about taking care of me as if I were a burden. Weren’t you?”
    â€œI was only saying that I want to make sure you always have our help. And you will, maydel ,” Marie said weakly.
    â€œI won’t always need your help, Mother. I am not a child.”
    Looking at Lovina in a silent request for help, Marie bit her lip. “Of course not,” she said in a rush.
    But Elsie wasn’t buying that. “Mamm, I am not helpless.”
    â€œI never said you were.” Because she didn’t know what else to do, Marie found herself snapping at her dear daughter. “Don’t put words in my mouth, Elsie.”
    â€œI’m not. But you need to stop treating me as if my destiny is living at home and being tended to. I will be just fine.”
    But how could she be, if she couldn’t see? Marie felt her reply stick in her throat.
    â€œWe were only discussing your disease, Elsie,” Lovina interjected smoothly. “And you are fooling yourself if you don’t think your health concerns us all.”
    â€œBut I am not blind. Yet,” she blurted, then turned around and walked away. Two minutes later, they heard her close her bedroom door with a decidedly firm click.
    Marie shook her head. “Well, I didn’t handle that too well.”
    After a moment, Lovina spoke. “Roman has every right to enjoy a few days away from here. If I were him, I’d consider staying in Florida even longer. This family of ours has more problems than a squirrel has nuts.”
    Marie thought that was putting it mildly. Feeling tense, she began carefully cutting fabric. Only when the slow whir of the sewing machine started did she feel able to exhale.
    When would things ever settle down?

Chapter Four
    One of Roman’s favorite things to do in Pinecraft was to watch the older men play shuffleboard. The numerous courts that were scattered around the boardwalks always gave a man someone to compete against, and the congenial conversation that took place around the playing was as entertaining as the game itself.
    Usually, men his age played volleyball or basketball, but Roman was partial to the shuffleboard courts. Maybe it was because of his close relationship with his father and grandfather, but whatever the reason, he found he enjoyed watching the older men strategize and joke with each other. And, of course, Roman was always happy to give the men a run for their money when he could.
    Walking with his cousins Evan and Jonah, and Beth’s husband, Paul, Roman felt almost like his old self . . . or maybe even a better version of his old self.
    The guys were an easygoing lot, and the jokes they passed back and forth made his mood lighten even more.
    Especially since at the moment they were teasing Evan, who couldn’t seem to make a choice between the three girls he was halfheartedly dating at the same time. Three!
    â€œIt takes a