Frank Greerson and Gregory Young have been discharged from the Army and are headed to their childhood homes. They both defied their parents in 1861 when they joined the Army. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union of the United States of America, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Once they find their claim, they encounter common obstacles to life on the Kansas Prairie in 1866: Native Americans, tornadoes, wild animals, and weather.<br><br>When a prairie fire destroys their crops and takes their neighbor’s lives, Frank and Gregory are instructed to find their young son’s aunt. Faced with leaving a destroyed claim, the railroad coming through their land, and dwindling funds, Frank and Gregory must decide whether to leave the place they have worked hard to make their own or fulfill their friends' dying wishes.

A Place to Call Their Own

“You’ve done enough. I don’t want to put you in any more danger than you already might be.”


“Well, just because they haven’t crossed the river since we’ve been here doesn’t mean they won’t. This might be the beginning of more raids on white folks in these parts.”


“Oh, I’m sure we’ll be fine. Sally’s been a great help since we got her. She’s young, but learning.”


“She seems to be bonded pretty tightly to both of you. How long you had her?”


“Just a bit over two weeks, going on three. Gregory picked her up when he bought the new team.”


“Yeah, first one was stolen one night by three men who camped with us near St. Joe. Greg went to buy the new team and came back with her as well.”


Gregory and Sarah returned with the clean dishes.


“Well, Sarah, James, we should head back to the river and camp there overnight. I’m going to see what I can get back later tonight. We’ll figure out what we’re going to do in the meantime and start heading south tomorrow.”


Chapter 24