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

By alternating between a trot, canter, and walk, they covered about twenty-five miles before they had to stop to rest the animals.


They managed to get a few hours’ sleep, with the men keeping watch in shifts, before they headed out again at first light.


“We can’t take the chance of starting a fire,” Steve said. “Breakfast will be biscuits and dried fruit washed down with water.”


Nooning passed in much the same way. “We should be able to make a fire tonight,” Steve promised. He’d found a stream, and while they rested and watered the mules, George thought of hot coffee and frying up a batch of bacon and cornbread.


They were still tired when Steve had them heading out again.


Chapter 115