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

Color came into George’s cheeks, too, when he saw the little smile on Mama’s face as she observed him and Bart the first time Bart came to visit. George had hoped Bart would arrive sooner, but they’d been in the country for a couple of weeks before he could get there. Bart had written about the new job Mr. Wagner had put him in charge of—Bart had been proud and so had George—but because of it, Bart wouldn’t be able to get out to Queens until Little Thomas’s birthday on August 16.


“I’m gonna show Bart around.” There were woods nearby surrounding two lakes that connected to each other.


“All right, but remember to be back for Little Thomas’s party.”


“Why don’t you ask Mrs. Hall to make some sandwiches?” Mama asked. “You can have a picnic.”


“I’d like that,” Bart said hopefully.


Chapter 78