Thirty-two-year-old mixed blood John Strobaw, known to the Sioux as Medicine Hair, returns to his Turtle Crick Farm after a six-year exile on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Grief-stricken at the loss of his mate and lover Matthew Brand, known as Shambling Bear, at the Battle of Wounded Knee, he struggles to become a farmer again while fighting an internal battle to let go of the past and face his future. Will that future be with his best friend Winter Bird or with Pretty Face, an outrageous flirt who hasn’t yet decided who he is?<br><br>But before he can come to grips with this, John faces several battles. Will his former friends and neighbors accept him now the Indian War has come to an end? Can John forgive those same friends and neighbors after the murderous ambush of the Sioux by the 7th Cavalry at Wounded Knee? Or survive the hostility of an Indian-hating sheriff named Charles Landreth and protect himself against the mindless fear and loathing for Two Spirits, men who love men?

Wastelakapi…Beloved

“He’s out on the range. I’ll take you.”


Yellow Thunder was a good animal. Proud and feisty, he chewed at the bit to leave the cavalry horses behind, but I reined him in. When Bird and Wind Rider came into view, I knew my friend had been following our progress for some time. I removed my hat and waved, hoping to calm his nerves and keep him from doing anything rash. It apparently worked because he sat motionless until we reached him.


“The lieutenant just wants to make sure you’re not Plenty Horses.” I spoke in English to ease the military men’s minds.


“Identify yourself,” the officer said, almost tromping on my warning.


Bird matched the lieutenant’s rudeness by staring him directly in the eyes. “I am Winter Bird.”


The lieutenant fired question after question at Bird, making me realize he and the sergeant had no idea of what Plenty Horses looked like. Consequently, they were unsure if this was the Brulé or not.


Chapter 14