Mothers' Day has always been a special day for Sandi, because her beloved kids spoil her rotten. But this year won't be the same. Her daughter, Gracie, has joined her brother Jack at boarding school and Sandi dreads waking up to a quiet house. Even her husband, Paul, seems distant and preoccupied with farm work. So she never could have guessed what the day has in store ... The Empty Nest includes an exclusive preview from Fiona Palmer's novel, The Sunnyvale Girls .