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 gunfire continued unabated while I lashed the six militia horses together before remounting the palomino. Leading the horses up out of the gully, I emerged into the open, easily within view of Smith and his men. I was out of range of a handgun, but a rifle still posed a risk. Nonetheless, I pointed my Henry into the air and fired. It took three shots to claim their attention. The startled militiamen grew careless. One stepped into the open, rifle to his shoulder and toppled over, shot dead by Panther or Star. The militiamen scrambled for cover and began firing at me. I turned my back and led the horses down into the gully again.


Half a mile later, I emerged from the ravine so I could once more be seen. Then I rode hard to the north, putting distance between the enraged killers and myself. The gunfire had ceased, so I assumed Panther and his family had taken the opportunity to slip away from the stranded militiamen.


Chapter 110