As for my sister and nephew, once we said we accepted, Chris moved into his mother's room. She now worked full time at the RSL, with word that she might move into a management position before too long. So he'd drive her to work, while he'd spend the day working in the town library or somewhere else quiet, then drive both home. Whenever they returned home later than usual, Chris looking smug, my sister rather rosy cheeked, Emily and I laughed as we knew exactly what they'd been doing.

Standing on the veranda one afternoon, I was watching the cottage nearing completion. Another month at most until my sister and...