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

The cabin that had been their home for eighteen months became a huge kitchen and pantry. A modest stove replaced the fireplace. They covered the weathered logs inside and out so the new house completely engulfed their one room cabin. To protect their meager investment, they whitewashed the cheap siding. It looked as good as any of the frame houses back in Iowa that had been built by professional carpenters.


After completing the Nordhuff addition, the weather turned into the traditional fall weather Frank and Gregory had expected. Thanksgiving was hosted by the Nordhuffs, just like the year before. Frank and Gregory were supposed to host Christmas again. They found a small pine tree and set it up in the corner of their big living room. Frank wrapped some pine boughs into a garland that he placed on the mantle. It was a festive time in their new house, until the storm started on the morning of Christmas Eve.


Chapter 46