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

“All right.” He looked at the bracelet. Hopefully, it would help carry them until this damned war ended.


“Please don’t tell Papa in your letters,” she instructed.


He touched her shoulder. “I won’t.”


George finished his schooling at the academy after he’d turned fourteen in 1862, and they couldn’t afford for him to go on with further studies. Frank was continuing his education, but George didn’t begrudge his friend the knowledge he craved.


“I’m so sorry, George,” Mama said, wringing her hands, and he went to her and hugged her. The rent on the cottage had gone up again, and he’d taken another of her pieces of jewelry to Mr. Feinstein.


“It’s okay.” He’d always been more interested in the horses. “I’ll get a job and help out.”


Chapter 54