Then, Travis Blake spoke. “I think it would be best if we got you a new house, as there are plenty that are ready to move into,” he said. “I suppose no one would want to move into the houses with their names on them.”

Although no one said it out loud, most of them internally shared Rowena’s thoughts. Since Hailey’s existence had not prolonged Calvin’s life, a woman like her, whose husband died upon marrying into the family, was considered a curse. The only difference ...