A love between two very different men is put to the test. John Strobaw, a young mixed-blood, grows up in the relative security of a family farm after the Civil War. His mother raises her family as Americans, but his foster brother, Matthew Brandt feels his red blood more keenly and leaves to ride with Crazy Horse. John doesn’t understand the longing he feels for his absent companion until he has his first sexual experience with a man and he only thinks of Matthew. After the murder of Crazy Horse, Matthew makes his way back home. John fights hard against a growing lust for Matthew, but when he ultimately succumbs, he is lost to this handsome, dusky warrior. Just when the future looks bright, another suitor appears -- a handsome Cheyenne army scout, and trouble looms on the horizon.

Echoes of the Flute

Then we got wind of the Battle of Big Hole up in Montana where the army whipped the Nez Perce. Later, when more details came in, it looked more like a draw. Still, the news should have made Mr. Killpenny rest easier.


I didn’t worry about the Big Hole Basin fight because I couldn’t see Matthew—or Bear as he’d be calling himself now—riding with the Pierced Noses. He’d be close to Crazy Horse and his Oglala.


The Thursday stage from Fort Ramson came in right on schedule. Dusty Skediver had the best reputation in the company for getting his passengers where they were going on time. When I brought the brace of fresh horses from the corral, Rachel Ann was standing there with her mouth open. That wasn’t like her. She was usually flying around helping the ladies in the coach get fed and comfortable. Her mouth snapped shut when I stopped in front of her.


“Did you hear?” Her voice had a quiver in it.


“All I heard was a grouchy driver wanting his fresh team.”


Chapter 16