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

“Leave it alone,” he said, growling deep in his throat.


“Not if it disrupts my household. Face gets along with Rachel Ann and the children just fine.”


Bird’s eyes clouded. “Watch him around the boys.” He stalked out the door.


Puzzled, I shouted after him to send Face to me before I picked up the hammer to finish the horseshoe Bird had been fashioning. I had been hesitant about accepting the boy on the farm but was swayed by the reasoning that he would be a good and probably willing companion for Bird. My friend was undoubtedly frustrated in his man’s parts by my inability to show interest and he held no disdain for Two-Spirits. Had I been willing, he would likely be one himself. So, what was the problem?


A few minutes later, Face sauntered through the door to the foundry and flashed a devastating smile. “You wanted me?”


“Yes.” His tone and attitude were such that I was compelled to add, “To talk. How is it for you here?”


Chapter 18