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

“We’re going to have to figure a way to wash our own bed clothes, or everybody on the farm will know our relationship.”


“Already do. Washed my own since I moved to the cabin.” I reached up and pulled his naked form to me. He covered us with a damp, sticky sheet, and settled in my arms. Just before I dropped off again, he said he loved me…in English.


I was certain my happiness—our happiness—betrayed us to everyone at the Mead, but no one seemed to notice except Pa. Then Alex started giving us looks. He’d put five pennies together and come up with a nickel.


Matthew tended the livestock while I went to work in the forge. Before long, I came down off my high horse and thought about Raven. Could the Cheyenne be trusted? Then another thought almost struck me dumb. When they met in Yanube City, had Matthew bought him with his body? Had they gone to the farm and pleasured one another in our hayloft?


Chapter 62