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

“How long till we reach your valley?”


“Our valley, querido. Three or four weeks, I reckon.” He frowned when Bart groaned. “What’s wrong? Did that bastard hurt you? Dammit, I should have stomped on his hand like I did Lewis St. Claire and his bastard father.”


“No, no. I was just thinking…it’s going to be that long before we can make love again.”


“I reckon we can find a remedy for that.”


“How? We’ve got to make tracks out of here.”


“Trust me, Bart. I’ll find a way.”


Bart gazed at him with so much love in his eyes…That was the way it was for him and Bart too 49


George was relieved to be back in camp. He supposed he should be devastated to have killed those three men, but Bart, Frank, and Steve had been threatened, and Mr. Fox was dead. George felt nothing but fierce satisfaction.


Noelle, Charlie, and Thomas ran to him, crying in relief, even though they’d seen him hours earlier.


“Didn’t you think I could take care of those varmints?”


Chapter 113