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

As I rode down Main to the Yanube City Cattle Barn to discuss my contract with the Hagstone brothers, I encountered a heightened hostility on the streets. Gideon had shown me the issue of the Valley news that came out shortly after Landreth’s death which erroneously attributed the sheriff’s shooting to me. That was still the impression the good townsfolk of Yanube City held. And here was the lawman’s killer riding arrogantly down the main street of town.


The Hagstones’ greeting was a bit different, as well. James, the older brother, was cautious. Hugh, on the other hand, made a joke of it. As soon as I walked through the door, he threw up his hands and yelled, “Don’t shoot!” Then he howled with laughter.


They readily agreed to hold my order until I could give the cattle my full attention. James squeezed me for another two bits a head, rightfully claiming the animals were eating his feed on a daily basis.


Chapter 99