Rory Brown grew up in care but found a home, friendship, and a much-needed sense of security working on the Double J ranch. As far as Rory is concerned, fellow cowboy, Zane Fox, is perfect. Zane is strong but gentle, kind, big, ruggedly handsome ... and straight. Rory works alongside Zane, eats alongside Zane, and when an ice storm causes a power outage, he sleeps alongside Zane ... for warmth. Inhibitions lowered after getting drunk on his twenty-first birthday, Rory Kisses Zane and confesses his feelings for the man. The next day, when Rory learns his father is dying, although estranged from the man, Rory feels obligated to see him one last time. Zane follows Rory to Kansas and confesses he has feelings for Rory, too. After learning his father has died, Rory and Zane set off for home in Zane's old truck. However, bad weather and a mechanical breakdown mean they have to hole up in a guesthouse. Rory doesn't mind, it gives him a chance to explore things with his hunky new boyfriend. And there's a lot of Zane to explore. Life on the ranch is little short of idyllic, Zane is everything and more Rory could want in a lover, protector, and friend. A tiny part of Rory knows he should brace himself for if/when the other shoe -- or cowboy boot -- drops. Rory is thrown when evidence of Zane's heterosexual past reveals itself, leaving him totally devastated. Are Zane's feet made of clay, or can he redeem himself and once again become Rory's rock?

Rory's Rock

Zane pulled over, stopped the truck, unhooked his seat belt, and began to take off his leather jacket. “You can put this on.”


“It’s okay, I…” Rory said, but nevertheless accepted the jacket, touched by yet another act of gallantry.


Zane laughed. “Probably should undo your seat belt first.”


Rory felt his cheeks heat. “Uh, yeah. Sorry.”


The jacket was way too big, Rory could probably fit in it twice over, but it was warm and smelled strongly of Zane. Fortunately the jacket, when he wrapped it around himself, covered his lap and hid the growing erection Rory was sporting. He prayed it would go down before they got back to the ranch.


Chapter 11