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

“Fucking bastards!” the man slurred. Even from that distance, Rory could smell the whiskey on his father’s breath. Even though the man wasn’t very tall—about 5 feet 7 inches—he was still an imposing figure.


“Everything okay, Garry, dear?” Rory’s mom squeaked, setting the skillet on the stove top and lighting the gas under it. “You’re so early, but supper won’t be long. Just go into the family room for a few minutes. I’m sure there’ll be something on TV you could—”


“Shut up, woman! You’re always fucking talking too much! Yack, yack, yack!” Garry Brown staggered further into the kitchen, his gaze fixing on Rory, who stood, frozen, a model of a Hereford clutched tightly in his grasp. “What’s this!” he bellowed. “Thought I told you to stop playing with stupid toys. Didn’t raise no fucking pussy!”


Rory opened his mouth, but he couldn’t speak.


Garry picked up the model farm and hurled it to the floor.


Rory’s mom gasped. “Rory’s doing a project for school, and—”


Chapter 15