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

The insulating tabby Otter stuffed between inner and outer walls was still standing in most places. The floor was pretty well eaten up by flames, but it wouldn’t be like starting all over to rebuild the place. Replacing the stolen water pump was likely beyond my smithing skills, but Timo could fashion another one. The house would make a decent place for Matthew and me. I glanced toward the hayloft. That was taking a lot on faith. Was his thirst for a warrior’s life quenched, or would he disappear again one day?


The answer I came up with brought me low again. My heart knew what my mind rejected. He was a nomad. He came by it honestly. Our forebears had always moved to someplace new before they wore out the land they left behind. Another way the white man had changed us.   17


Chapter 52