SOLVED. YA Historical set in Colonial America, main character is named Elizabeth but went by Bessie or Betsy. Lived with 4 out of 5 bothers. Read around 2001-2008. [s]

[FanyFany]

Set in Colonial America - main character's name was Elizabeth (either went by Bessie or Betsy). She had five brothers but lived with four. One of the brother was a soldier and they assumed he had passed away in battle. Later they find out that he was injured and cared for by a Native American woman. They marry and he has two kids with her. He returns with his family but in the end of the book, he leaves to go back with his wife and children.
I believe two of the bother's names were Isaac and Silas. Also the eldest brother was married and his wife was Elizabeth too.
For sure the mother was dead but I can't remember if the father was too. However, I am 80% sure he was not alive in this book.

One main scene I remember:
During Christmas, the brothers find footprints in the snow outside their window as if the person was looking in/watching them. Whoever had stood there had stomped their feet into the snow because they were cold
(I believe this ended up being their brother)

I had read this book in middle/high school so around 2001-2008

This is fiction and in the end she gets married

[Sue]

One possibility is Betsy Zane, Rose of Fort Henry. Some of the details are off, though, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Linda Durrant is the author.

[Jamie]

I agree that this sounds like "Betty Zane" by Zane Grey, at least as far as the characters go. The footprints in the snow remind me of another book, but I can't quite put my finger on it...

[PaulGamerBoy360]

Or "Betty Zane" in the "Ohio River Trilogy" writen by "Zane Grey" Betty Zane

[FanyFany]

Thank you! I will take a look at them all and report back. I appreciate it

[FanyFany]

Sue wrote: "One possibility is Betsy Zane, Rose of Fort Henry. Some of the details are off, though, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Linda Durrant is the author."

It was this one! I was able to get a hold of a copy. Some of my details were off but thank you so much for the suggestion.