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

“I think you’ll be needing a new pair of boots soon, George. I should have ordered them when we got shoes for you to wear to school.”


“We didn’t think I’d be riding much.”


“That’s so. Still…we’ll take care of that our next free morning.”


Tom patted Sunrise’s flank, grinning when his son copied his action.


They saddled up, and he hoisted George onto Nightfall’s back.


“Papa, I’m too big for you to keep doing that.”


“You’re my boy. No matter how big you get, I’ll always want to do that. I might not be able to when you get as big as me, but I’ll always want to.”


Tom reached up and ruffled his son’s hair. “You look so much like your mama.”


George touched his chest. Beneath his shirt was Analeigh’s locket.


Tom missed her so much. It had been seven years now, but her loss was still a dull ache in his heart. He blinked away the moisture in his eyes and mounted his mare.


“Ready to head back to the boarding house? Mrs. O’Connor should be done with the breakfast chores.”


Chapter 11