George Pettigrew and his papa must leave the California rancho they'd lived on since his birth. They end up in New York City, where Papa marries and George gets a new beloved mama. George also meets Frank and Bart who become fast friends, and in Bart's case, even more.<br><br>The start of the Civil War leaves George the man of the family, but although he’s found a job, it’s difficult to pay the ever-increasing rent. Then Papa dies at Appomattox and Mama falls ill.<br><br>After Mama dies, her father takes George’s siblings. When George learns his younger sister is being abused, he rescues the three children. But will dressing his sisters as boys and himself as a woman be enough of a disguise to keep them safe until they can reach the valley he’s dreamed of? Will Bart leave behind his own family and go with the man he loves?

Home Before Sundown

“Hold still, boy. You ain’t going nowhere.”


George ducked and covered his head with his arms, and the man laughed.


“You a-scared of me?” He looked down at his big fists. “I reckon your pa trained you up right. I’m gonna enjoy—”


George wondered if the man heard the hammer being cocked or the shot that scattered his brains all over the stall’s wall.


“Papa!” He scrambled to his feet and ran to his father, who scooped George into his arms.


George nodded and tucked his head under Papa’s chin. He’d seen death before, and that wasn’t what bothered him. “He…he wanted to take me back to Grandpapa. I’m sorry, he must have heard me call Mr. Ike se?or.”


“It’s all right. We’ll just have to be more careful in the future.” Papa stroked his hair and his back, which made George feel better until he realized Papa was shaking as much as he was.


“I don’t know—some saddle tramp Don Jorge hired, I suppose. We’d better get out of here.”


Chapter 8