Sisters of the Heart

Jewel Austin is a foster mother to dozens, but forms a special bond with five foster girls she welcomed under her roof long ago. Through handwritten letters, Jewel keeps in touch with these women she nurtured to adulthood. Now in her eighties, Jewel's time is short, and her last letter spells out an unusual request. The five women have never met but Jewel's last wish is for them to return to Lavender Valley Farm together, back to the refuge where they once found the love and support they craved.

Harriet "Harry" McKenzie is coming to terms with buttoning up her thirty-year career with the Salem Police Department when she finally sees the letter sitting in her pile of mail. She is shocked to read that Jewel Austin has put her in charge of her estate. The beloved woman was a foster mom and guide to Harry throughout her teenage years and now she's gone. If that isn't enough of a blow, Jewel's will threatens to uproot Harry's entire life.

Olivia Davis credits her foster mom for helping uncover her kind heart and gift for helping animals when she was only a child. With Jewel's encouragement, Olivia becomes a successful nurse in Spokane. Her career brings her immense satisfaction, but her true joy comes from her marriage and the son she loves more than anything. Simon is a rebellious teenager spiraling out of control, and Olivia and her husband are powerless to stop him. After years of heartbreaks and disappointments, Olivia is dealing with the unbearable loss of her family when she receives an unexpected letter.

Micki Armstrong lost her husband years ago when her children were very young, but with her love of computers and hard work, she built a wonderful home and life for them in Seattle. Now her son and daughter are in college and she's adjusting to her empty nest, living for their visits during their breaks. But Micki has kept a secret for years, and when her daughter discovers it, the bond she thought was unbreakable threatens to shatter, and Micki is left questioning her life's choices.

Lydia Morrow has always been a bit of a nomad, but she has upped her game recently and does her best to live off the grid—because that's what people do when they're hiding from something. The invitation to return to Lavender Valley Farm makes Lydia suspicious, but Harry's credentials in law enforcement and Lydia's love for Jewel wins her over. Lydia sets out from Yakima in her motorhome, heading toward the promise of safety, and the anonymity of a new small town.

Georgia Moore is still grieving from the loss of her dear husband, Lee, when she discovers she can't remain in their home. With nowhere to turn, she accepts the invitation to return to Lavender Valley in the hopes that she can once again find a purpose. Lavender Valley Farm needs her, and Georgia soon finds her place managing the household, using her skill with a needle, and assuming a motherly role to her sisters of the heart.