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 sound of a wagon approaching from the south interrupted their silent funeral. It was Mr. and Mrs. McAvoy. James hid behind Gregory like a shy child might hide behind his mother’s skirts.


“We just wanted to see how you and the boy were getting along,” McAvoy explained.


“I had some old clothes that might fit the boy, so I thought I’d bring them over. My husband said that everything inside the cabin burned to the ground,” Mrs. McAvoy explained.


Frank spoke up. “Thank you. We’re grateful. We were able to make a couple of changes of clothes for him from some of our old clothes, so these will definitely help. We’d invite you to stay to eat, but we really need to head up north and see what damage has been done up there. See if anything’s left.”


“Why don’t you go do that, and I’ll throw us something together? I know my way around a kitchen and can probably find anything I need,” Mrs. McAvoy offered.


Chapter 55