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’m going to get us a tree,” Tom told Olivia when they returned from visiting the Thompsons, and by the time he’d found one that would fit in their small parlor, rather than use fruit for decorations, which would have been wasteful, she had needlepointed figures and holiday scenes to be placed on the tree.


He talked to Mrs. Hall about a huge meal for Christmas Eve. Don Jorge had brought the tradition with him from Spain, and Analeigh had whispered in Tom’s ear, “Esta noche es Noche Buena, y no es de dormir.” This night is the Good Night, and is not meant for sleeping. Tom didn’t know how much George remembered—he’d been so young when they’d had to leave the rancho—but it was a part of his heritage, and Tom would do whatever he could to keep it alive.


Chapter 46