Lake House edit

[dukealien]

"Now questioned why they ever had to leave" - this is clear enough, and the suggested "always"  is more editorial.  So, stet, really.
I don't understand what the issue is here, when you have the time could you explain in more detail?

Not an issue so much as an alternative.  The people, returning to build their houses, say "Why did we ever have to leave?" makes perfect sense.  The people, thinking about returning, say "Why did we always have to leave?" recall each year's vacation being so pleasant they hated to leave every time.  "Always" stresses the repetition, cycles; "ever" evokes childhood as one unitary period of bygone happiness to which they happily returned.  Maybe it's a question of when it's said.

Anyway, that was my thinking there.  Too many words (mine), a mild suggestion.