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

Three quarters of the way across, my biceps were burning. Shortly thereafter, my back began to strain. Chest muscles cramped so badly I almost dropped into the river and swam the remainder of the way. Then my thighs started to lose strength. A sudden charley-horse almost brought a cry from me. Any minute, there’d be a shout of alarm from the ferryman. Still, I laboriously placed one nearly numb hand in front of the other and pulled myself along until I bumped my head into the piling rigged up to hold the tow ropes.


My calf muscles nearly refused, but I managed to lower myself to the ground without crying out. Then I had trouble keeping to my feet. It took a minute for my body to agree to obey my will. When I felt strong enough, I stole silently to the sleeping man’s side and snatched the rifle from his arms. He came awake with a start.


Chapter 87