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

But…he wouldn’t have minded courting George Pettigrew.


To his surprise, they became close friends, even closer than Frank Thompson, although Bart had known the preacher’s son for some years and liked him well enough. He didn’t tell George this, since George agreed with Frank, who saw them as the three musketeers.


George even accepted his cockeyed notion of changing his name to Abe after he’d heard Mr. Lincoln give that speech at Cooper Institute. That name change had only lasted until Mr. Pettigrew was drafted into the army and George had to leave school and go to work himself.


Not that either Mr. Pettigrew or George or Bart blamed the president.


George put his expertise with horses to good use and drove a hansom cab, just like his pa had. Somehow that made him seem more within Bart’s reach.


“I’m working over on East 23rdStreet this week,” he said one evening while he waited for Ma to fetch her shawl and bonnet.


Chapter 63