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

“You need to keep up your strength.” I’d heard those words from the time I was a little kid refusing to eat my peas.


“Thanks. Sorry I missed breakfast.”


I shrugged. “Worried about Matthew.”


“What’s different about him disappearing this time?”


I looked into her blue eyes and thought about the time she’d almost smothered Matthew hugging him to her breast after he’d run off to Otter’s when he was a child. What Pa had said was true. She loved Matthew as much as she loved the children she bore.


We walked to the bench against the wall where I sat beside her, drew a deep breath, and started talking. She clutched my arm, and I could see my words hit her hard. She’s a fair woman, and she grew even paler as I revealed more and more. She said nothing until I finished. Then the forge fell silent for so long I grew ashamed. I made to get up, but she held me tighter.


Chapter 75