Introduction

With the emotional pull of Debbie Macomber, Barbara Delinsky and Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne Thayne brings readers an uplifting, brand new story told with her trademark charm and heart.

She knows what’s best for everyone but herself…

With a past like hers, Jessica Clayton feels safer in a life spent on the road. She’s made a career out of helping others downsize—because she’s learned the hard way that the less “stuff,” the better, a policy she applies equally to her relationships. But a new client is taking Jess back to Cape Sanctuary, a town she once called home…and that her little sister, Rachel, still does. The years apart haven’t made a dent in the guilt Jess still carries after a handgun took the lives of both their parents and changed everything between them.

While Jess couldn’t wait to put the miles between her and Cape Sanctuary, Rachel put down roots, content for the world—and her sister—to think she has a picture-perfect life. But with the demands of her youngest child’s disability, Rachel’s marriage has begun to fray at the seams. She needs her sister now more than ever, yet she’s learned from painful experience that Jessica doesn’t do family, and she shouldn’t count on her now.

Against her judgment, Jess finds herself becoming attached—to her sister and her family, even to her client’s interfering son, Nate—and it’s time to put everything on the line. Does she continue running from her painful past, or stay put and make room for the love and joy that come along with it?

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Excerpt

Rachel almost forgot the doorbell had rung until she heard a whoop of excitement out of Grace. A moment later, the last person she expected to see that day walked into the kitchen.

Jess, her older sister. Jess, who lived a rambling life and was usually on the other side of the country.

Jess, who hadn’t given her one single whiff of warning that she might be coming to Cape Sanctuary.

Her sister surveyed the chaos of broken cookies and upset children with the impassive expression she always seemed to wear whenever she was around Rachel and her family.

“Looks like I’ve come at a bad time.”

“Aunt Jess!” Ava exclaimed. Her tears miraculously dried as she launched herself at her aunt, who hugged her with a little laugh.

Rachel couldn’t seem to stop staring.

Jess was as stunning as ever, her sun-streaked hair shorter than Rachel remembered. She wore hardly any makeup but was still beautiful. Lean, fit, with a flat belly that had obviously never had anything to do with giving birth to three children.

Her sister lived almost the entire length of the state away and rarely even came for a scheduled visit, let alone an unexpected one.

“Jess. What are you doing here? Why didn’t you call and let me know you were coming?”

“Surprise.” Her older sister smiled, though it seemed forced. “I picked up a job in this area so that I can spend time with you and the kids.”

“A job?”

She knew Jess helped people, usually senior citizens, clear out their houses before moving. Rachel considered it a strange occupation but her sister seemed to thrive on it.

“Yes. I’ll be here for a few weeks cleaning out a place over near Sunshine Cove.”

Rachel knew a handful of people who lived in that area of Seaview Road but didn’t have time to figure out who might have enlisted her sister’s help. She was too busy trying to figure out what her sister was really doing there.

And also trying to face the fact that her relationship with Jess was yet one more area of Rachel’s life where she was failing. Their bond had been broken for a long time and at this point she didn’t know how to repair it.

“That’s great,” she said now. “So great.”

Did her voice sound as hollow to her sister as it did to Rachel? Could Jess tell her presence was a shock on par with a UFO landing in the backyard?

“I haven’t spent nearly enough time with the kids. A few phone calls and visits here and there during the holidays. I’m looking forward to spending more time with them.”

“Wow. They’ll love that.” Rachel tried to infuse her voice with warmth and delight but it took every iota of her limited acting skills.

How could she pretend to be overflowing with joy when her insides felt as hollow as her words?

She was tired, frustrated, afraid for her marriage, worried about her son’s future and upset about her book club cookies. She didn’t know if she had time to deal with all the guilt and pain inextricably tangled with her sister.

The Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne is available wherever books are sold on March 30, 2021. view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

In THE PATH TO SUNSHINE COVE, Jess Clayton has created a company where she travels around the country helping older people downsize their homes to accommodate new life circumstances like moving into assisted living or senior apartments. Why do you think she has chosen this career? Is this something you would enjoy? Why or why not?

Jess and her sister Rachel both grew up in the same circumstances, with a domineering, abusive father and a meek, needy mother. Why do you think the sisters have traveled such different paths in life as adults? Which sister do you relate more to, Rachel or Jess?

How do you think Rachel’s need to present a perfect picture to the world stemmed from her childhood? Do you see this in yourself on social media? What are some of the advantages and disadvantage to this?

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