Mamaw’s heart was fit to break. “I know,” she said, her voice trembling. “I did, too.”

The screen door slammed and two more women joined them on the porch. Mamaw leaned back in her chair to collect herself while Carson quickly wiped her cheeks, then reached to the table to pour herself a glass of wine, right to the brim.

Harper handed Mamaw a glass.

“No more wine for me,” Mamaw exclaimed.

“Me neither,” Harper said. “This is water.”

“Bless you,” Mamaw said, and took a thirsty sip. She waited while Dora and Harper grabbed two of the oversized black wicker chairs and dragged them closer to form a circle. Mamaw smiled, amused to see the girls in their nightwear but still wearing their pearl necklaces. Even their pajamas were different, reflecting their personalities. Harper looked sleek and elegant in her gray silk sheath and three-strand choker. Dora’s opera-length pearls draped over her long, mauve granny gown. Mamaw couldn’t be sure in the dim light, but it looked like Carson’s black pearls hung above yoga pants and a camisole.

Dora bent to light the large candle in the middle of the table. “We look like a coven,” she said.

“The three witches,” Harper added wryly.

Mamaw was relieved to see them all trying to lighten the mood after the earlier explosions, but a thinly veiled tension still hovered in the air.

“Mamaw,” said Carson gently, reaching out from the chair beside her to touch her hand. “How are you feeling? Do you want to go to bed?”

“No,” she replied, realizing that this second gathering was, for her, a second chance. “I’m a little tired but I’m old; that’s to be expected. There’s been too much excitement today. And perhaps too much to drink.”

“Do you want more water?” asked Dora, shifting to rise.

“No, no, stay. I don’t need a thing. Really, my dears, I’m fine now that I’m free from that dress. But you must all remember to drink plenty of water while you’re here. Stay hydrated. Or you’ll get the worst lines on your face.”

The girls started laughing, and though it was at her expense, this time Mamaw didn’t mind. “Don’t laugh!” she admonished them. “Someday you’ll look in the mirror and see all those lines and crevices and wish you’d listened to dear Granny’s advice.”

“We’re listening!” Carson said, still chuckling.

Mamaw leaned forward and said in a forced whisper, “If any of you can get out of Lucille her secret recipe for keeping her face so smooth, I’ll reward you handsomely!”

“You’re on,” Carson replied.

“I don’t know,” Dora said dubiously. “She’s pretty tight with her recipes. I’ve been trying to get her gumbo recipe for years.”

“The old crone,” Mamaw said, settling back in her cushion.

The women all chuckled softly; then Harper continued in a more reflective tone, “Mamaw, I don’t mean to pry into your business, but we were talking in the kitchen—and we wondered, are you financially okay? Do you need our help?”

“Oh, dear girls, aren’t you as sweet as sugar? Of all the things you have to worry about, to worry about me? That’s very touching but unnecessary. My greatest glory is that I won’t be a burden to you. I don’t have a mind for figures, but I do have good advisers who have helped me with estate planning. And of course Edward was very conscientious when it came to banking. I’ve settled my affairs so that I can move into a retirement community, and once I’m in”—she laughed—“I won’t leave again till the Lord calls me home.”

“And that won’t be for a very long time, we pray,” Dora said.

“Do keep praying,” Mamaw said. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m only explaining, not very well, I fear, why I’m selling Sea Breeze.” She paused. Now she was moving on to the things she’d intended to discuss.

“I wish I could leave it to you, but . . .” Mamaw looked from one granddaughter to the next. “Naturally, if any of you have any desire to purchase Sea Breeze, I will do everything I can to make that possible.” She paused but there were no comments forthcoming, nor had she expected any. None of the girls was in a financial position to buy any house, much less one that cost the staggering amount Sea Breeze was worth.

“After you, I’ll contact the extended family members. With the increased taxes, the skyrocketing insurance premiums . . .” She sighed. “I don’t know if anyone can buy it or even wants to. I would, of course, like to keep the house in the family. But if there’s no interest, I’ll be forced to contact a real estate agent and let the house fall into strangers’ hands.” She sighed and clasped her hands in her lap. “It can’t be helped.”

“When?” asked Carson, stricken.

“Sometime in the fall, I imagine.”

When no one spoke, Mamaw continued. “Which brings me to the next topic. Since the house will be sold, I must deaccess some of the more important family pieces. Here’s what I propose.” She looked around to discover that all the girls’ eyes were shining with interest.

“I would like each of you to list the item that you most want to have. The one item you are desperate for, more than any of the others. I want to be sure you each take something from the house that you love.”

“There are so many pretty pieces,” Dora said eagerly. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

“You’ve already begun!” Carson teased. “I’ve caught you snooping around the house, checking out the goods already.”

Dora’s cheeks colored. “I was not! I haven’t, Mamaw!” she sputtered.

“Oh, come now, Dora,” Harper teased. “Even I’ve seen you lift the porcelains to check the provenance.”

“There’s nothing wrong with education,” Dora blustered. “What about you?”

“Please . . .” Harper said with an air of condescension.

“Don’t go all English royal on me. You’re always on that computer. Are you Googling Early American furniture, hmmm?”

Harper barked out a laugh. “Hardly. But come to think of it . . .” she said, and her eyes sparkled with mirth. She turned to Carson and wagged her finger. “I saw you checking out the prices of vintage Cadillacs!”