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

He made his way to the street. A brown and black dog lay by the curb, dead.


“Son of a bitch.” It shouldn’t have died that quickly, not from rabies. He approached it cautiously, but sure as fire it was dead. He was surprised flies hadn’t started buzzing around it yet, but they would soon, and he needed it away from here. The last thing he wanted was dead animals piling up in front of the cottage he’d selected for Olivia.


A glance up the street showed a street sweeper lackadaisically pushing a broom and dragging his cart along behind him.


“Get rid of this dog, would you?” He reached into his pocket, took out a coin, and gave it to the man.


“Okay.” The man retrieved his shovel, scooped up the dog, and dropped the body into his cart.


Tom watched as the sweeper continued down the street, then turned, about to walk up the cobblestone drive. He came to an abrupt halt and rocked back.


Chapter 38