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

I turned my attention back to my own board. Ides and I had played several times, and it was not wise to allow your attention to be diverted when this child was at play. We exchanged bishops, although he gained a pawn on the move. I am not one to allow a youngster to win simply to boost his confidence, but if the game is close, I might fail to take an advantage or two. Tonight was one of those times. Eventually, Ides proclaimed “checkmate” and giggled gleefully.


A few minutes later, Gabe yelled, “I won! I won!” Likely, Ethan had deliberately misplayed his game to permit the victory. We were both softies, I suppose.


Chapter 40