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

“Just these two gents here. I ain’t got a spare dollar, but maybe them two has. Course, I got a mail pouch.”


The Texican, who looked like he might have some Mexican blood, claimed he just had a little traveling money. The blackleg, tall with red hair associated with Irishmen, echoed that. But his signet ring looked like a diamond and his pinkie, a ruby. Maybe he’d hit a big pot before he left Yanube City.


They didn’t linger long, and two minutes after Dusty cautioned them to visit the “Gent’s” a final time, the stage clattered out of the yard and crossed the bridge over the Yanube.


Chapter 57