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

“Are you ready to go, Ma?” Bart asked his mother.


He stuffed the rest of his bread and butter in his mouth and got to his feet. “Thanks, Missus.”


“You’re welcome, Bart. Feel free to come by anytime.”


“Bye, Bart. I’ll see you.” George held his breath and waited to hear what the older boy would say to that.


Bart paused at the kitchen door and glanced back at him. “Yeah, I reckon you will.”


So now George had two friends, and what was even better…his friends were friends. Frank wanted them to call themselves the Three Musketeers, and George was fine with that, but he remembered something he’d seen when he and Papa had stayed with an Indian tribe on their way East.


Chapter 45