This book plumbs the depths and complexities of sibling (and step-sibling) relationships and the stresses and inspirations of joining together to meet challenges. Rue Anderson and her prickly sister Laura have joined forces to open their family ranch (Sassy Spinster Farm)to paying visitors in an attempt to handle their financial problems. Their characters are warmly and vividly developed and portrayed so that I wished I could visit this friendly-sounding place and get to know them both.

Rue's cancer recurs, throwing their whole household into a tailspin as they figure out how to divide the chores, handle Rue's 11-year-old daughter and deal with Rue's ex-husband getting married again and wanting the sisters to cater their wedding. Arriving out of the blue is Heidi, the daughter of a woman Rue and Laura hated who used to be married to their father and whom they used to torment when she lived with them as a child. She's running away from trouble (which ominously follows her and endangers everyone). Rue agrees to take her in, much to Laura's dismay, but it turns out that her help is critical when Rue gets sick and Heidi discovers a self-reliance she didn't know she had. Another likeable character is Webb, the "farm hand" who has been pining after Laura for years since they were in high school together and whose faith in her finally melts some of the walls she's built around her heart.

Get out the Kleenex and expect some degree of predictability, but this is a poignant, heart-warming story that was just the trick when I needed a mental diversion from work.