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

When they arrived, Papa swung Noelle in his arms, hugged her, and kissed her cheek. “So pretty, my little Christmas angel.”


She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered something in his ear. He kissed her again and set her down.


Charlie had grown used to him, and she let him pick her up. “Papa go bye-bye?”


“Papa go bye-bye, peque?a,” he agreed. “George.”


“Stay safe, Papa.” He handed him a sugar cube. “For Sunrise.” He felt a burning behind his eyes as he thrust out his hand.


Papa took it, then pulled him into a one-armed hug. “I love you, son.”


George knew he was going to start crying, so he gave a jerky nod and took Charlie so Papa could say a proper goodbye to Mama.


And then Papa was on the train, leaning out the window, waving his hat in farewell. 26


Two months later, on George’s seventeenth birthday, Mama told him she was expecting a baby, and he danced her around the room.


Chapter 59