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

Andre pulled to a halt before the porch and peered over at us. “Otter, will you go stay with Bella and the children while I take these men to Yanube City? She’s panicked at news of a war party in the vicinity.”


“Aye. I’ll stay with her until you return.”


“What happened, Smith?” James asked.


The man’s head whipped around like a snake. His jay-wonky eyes seemed to stare directly at each one of us. “We was ambushed by hostiles, that’s what happened. Bushwhacked us without no warning. Kilt two of us before we could fight them off.”


Smith’s broad mouth pulled down at the corners, emphasizing his gaunt cheeks. “One of them slithered in among us like the scaly serpent he was and knifed the guard. Then he run off with the horses when the others opened up on us. Let’s get on outa here, Tiller. Need to get back to organize a search party. Pick up our dead.”


“I’ll ride along and keep Andre company on the way back. In case of another attack,” James added dryly.


Chapter 111