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

Little James’s lids were half closed over vacant blue eyes. His rusty locks were matted with darker, bloody stains. His tiny fist lay nestled in his big brother’s palm. They had been trying to flee the horror of the brutal attack together when they were cut down by the murderers’ bullets.


I carried Libby to where James stood helplessly watching Andre grieve for his dead wife. I handed the baby to my companion and motioned toward the end of the porch.


For a moment, I thought James would collapse, but he cradled Libby in his arms and straightened his shoulders. My lover was a steady man in a crisis. He would do his grieving in private. I whirled and went for Patch.


“I’m coming too,” James called in a steely voice.


“Don’t be foolish, man. You don’t know how many got away.”


Chapter 114