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

My mind held onto the image of the handsome man longer than was normal. I do not usually dote on the looks of other males. Was my unrequited yen for young Lucas still too fresh, or was I drawn to the man because he lived the life I unconsciously longed for? I had lived peacefully among white men since I was ten-summers-old. Perhaps my heart yearned to throb with a warrior’s pulse.


I headed straight for the blacksmith shop in Yanube City. Timo Bowers was well-regarded in town and would likely know what was going on with Hardcastle and his clique of Indian haters. He gave me a huge grin as I entered his forge.


“Otter, good to see you.” The smith frowned suddenly. “I heard what happened. I am sorry about that young man and his mother.”


Relieved Timo had introduced the subject, I accepted his American handshake and asked what he knew of the affair.


Chapter 35