Born into a society tolerant of homosexuals, River Otter is confused by the white culture’s persecution of such men. As the war begins to wind down, Otter leaves the only home he has ever known to help Major James Morrow, commandant of Ft. Yanube, build a farm north of the fort. He begins a new life with the handsome major while coming to grips with growing hostility toward natives and rising danger from a local militia bent on eliminating all bloods from the territory.<br><br>As his physical attraction for the blond soldier slowly grows into a love perilous to both of them, Otter is distracted by personal challenges. As he struggles to survive the social and political upheaval sweeping the plains, can remain true to his own set of values?

River Otter

The dispatch rider got us an audience with the commandant much faster than I would have been able to do. James tried to hide his surprise at seeing me, but that was quickly wiped away as the young trooper came to attention and reported that Fort Ramson was under attack by the Rebels and requested relief. I then added what I knew.


“McComber’s Battalion,” James said to his adjutant, a lieutenant I did not know. “That’s a mounted infantry unit out of Arkansas, I believe. What the devil do they want with Fort Ramson?”


When James looked at me again, I saw he longed for a private moment, but there was no time. “Thank you, Otter, for your aid. This man owes you his life.”


I nodded acknowledgement with a solemn face while my heart lifted at what I had read in his look.


Chapter 4