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 was lying on the bed in their hotel room, admiring the sight of George fussing with his hair. Bart liked the fact it was longer than men usually wore it—he loved burying his fingers in it when they kissed or made love—but it wasn’t as long as a woman would wear it. If anyone asked, George would give a delicate cough and tell them he’d had to have it cut after he came down with a fever.


“You know if anyone comes asking after you and the kids, my family will play dumb.” For a second, Bart thought uneasily of Mary Beth. Sam Pickett had managed to get a message to him that Mary Beth had been awfully curious as to their whereabouts and almost threw a tantrum when he questioned her about her curiosity. Bart would talk to George about it later. Now…Bart swung his legs off the bed and crossed to where George stood. “And you know Frank’s family really do think he’s on his way to California by way of steamship.”


Chapter 95