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

Sharps grinned down at George. “You all call me kid, and I may be young, but I’m not blind. Get going. I’ll head my mules out and pass the word on to Frank. You can tell your husband.”


“Don’t mention it.” Sharps snapped the reins and whistled, and his mules threw themselves into their harnesses and began to run.


George hoisted up his skirts once again and raced to their wagon.


“Trouble?” Bart asked as he caught George around his waist and stole a kiss.


“More than you can believe.” George stole a kiss himself. “The men from Willow Crick are right behind us.”


“Son of a bitch. All right, I reckon we’d better gat a move on.” Bart boosted him onto the wagon seat. “Noelle and Charlie?”


“Steve’s going after them. We have to get to that place he told you about. Damn, I should have borrowed Mrs. Fox’s rifle.”


“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it once we reach the stream.”


Chapter 116