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

“‘That’s the truth, and a carbine’s longer than a handgun. And we tote them both.”


“What do you judge their strength to be?”


“Near to our own. If they come all the way from Ramson, their boys is tireder than ours.”


Our attention had been diverted to the plains south of us. “Well, that battle’s theirs,” I said. “Ours is up here. Keep an eye out. Those Cherokee are close.”


Just then, a figure rose to the left of Miles. I jerked up my rifle and pulled off a shot, catching the warrior in the throat as he raced to bring his tomahawk down on the soldier’s head. I immediately threw myself to the side and twisted around. A second man popped up from behind the hill and loosed an arrow. It passed through the space I had occupied a moment before. I got off a second shot but wasn’t sure if I hit the man.


Chapter 6