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

Pa showed up at the forge as soon as they were out of sight. “I hope you didn’t lie to him.”


“Only when I said I didn’t know where Matthew was going, and that wasn’t much of one. I know what direction he headed, but I don’t know any more than that. Pa, I think I ought to go looking for him. He doesn’t know they’re on his trail. He thinks they haven’t been able to identify him.”


“If they catch you with him, they’ll paint you with the same brush.”


“They have to catch me first. But the Lieutenant hinted at coming back. Said he’d like to race his mount against Arrow.”


“Be awkward if you weren’t here.”


“You could say I was at Turtle Crick.”


“That might work once or twice.” He left the rest of the thought unsaid. “If you decide it’s something you need to do, don’t leave without saying goodbye to your mother.”


“I think Matthew is a careful man.”


Chapter 46