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

“Now, George, sit and have a cup of coffee.” And he began to go over his plans for the service.


George forced himself to pay attention. Later he’d worry about how he’d pay for this, where he’d find a job, what he would do to care for three young children, and most importantly of all, how he’d manage without the woman he’d called Mama for more than seven years.


George let himself into their dingy apartment. As the weeks passed, Mama continued to struggle, and more and more he found himself reluctant to leave the building they shared with so many other families.


“I’m home, Mama,” he called as he removed his jacket and hung it up. She was in such pain, he couldn’t bear it. He went to stand in the doorway to her bedroom and pasted a smile on his face.


“You’ve been gone a while, Georgie.”


Chapter 84