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

Bart took the basket from him and slid his free arm around him, and George liked that. A glance showed no one was nearby, and he angled his face up so Bart could kiss him, and he liked that even more.


George leaned back and smiled into Bart’s eyes. “We’re here.”


“Huh?” Bart looked around and sucked in a breath.


“Do I…? Oh, hummingbird, this is amazing.” He looked at the lake that wasn’t more than a few yards from where they stood beneath an oak tree.


“I’m so glad you think so. We can go swimming later. Take out the blanket and spread it under this tree.”


While Bart did that, George reached into the basket and began emptying it of the sandwiches wrapped in paper, the pail of beer, and the cookies Mrs. Hall had made that would be their dessert.


Once Bart had smoothed out the blanket, he toed off his shoes and sat down cross-legged. George did the same and handed him a sandwich.


“It’s roast beef with horseradish.”


Chapter 79