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 evening, as we sat at the kitchen table after our meal, James discussed the rest of his trip before asking about the raid on our farm.


“Nay. A lot has happened since you’ve been gone. I must be careful about going to Yanube City these days. Not everyone is friendly.”


“It was already turning that direction.”


“Yes, but it’s worse than ever now. There’s a new preacher in town named Jeremiah Berglund, and he’s on the hunt for sinners. He and Smith have started making comments about naked boys and men. They accosted me on the street in Yanube City and deliberately set out to humiliate me.” I explained the boys’ visit and the two Maartens brothers working shirtless on the barn roof.


“I think Smith’s a sodomist who hasn’t faced up to the fact. At any rate, he’s twice made comments about me having naked boys and men around the place. So he’s sensitive to the matter. He’ll be suspicious of any close relationships.”


Chapter 66