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

I pulled to a halt, and he turned sideways in the seat to look at me. “I heard what that army man said to you this morning. So I gotta go to the fort and face them down. If I don’t go stand in front of the army man, I’ll have to hide out for the rest of my life. And if I do that, I’ll put you on tender hooks if they catch you with me someday. The only way I can be with you without putting you in danger is to face up to this thing. Turn around.”


“I won’t let you take that risk for me.”


“Then I’ll walk back, and I’m not too steady on my feet right now. Take me to the farm so I can change into a decent shirt. Timo’s hangs on me like a blanket. I’ll ride back and turn myself in.”


Chapter 50