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

“We make a good team,” Zane said, casually slinging an arm around Rory’s shoulders. “Your brains and my brawn.”


“I do,” Zane muttered. “It was your idea not to pull the wires quite as tight.”


Rory shrugged, not comfortable with the praise, particularly when it was accompanied by Zane thinking the opposite of himself. Rory had explained that a taut wire was more likely to snap than one which had a little play in it. He suspected that was why two out of the five strands had given way on this occasion.


Rory shivered, partly at the sudden change in their conversation but mostly because now he’d stopped working, he was cold. The temps were still in the low 20s and their breath came out in foggy clouds when they spoke.


“Let’s get back to the ranch house,” Zane said, straightening. “It’s too early for lunch but maybe Barry will have a snack for us.”


Rory laughed. “I’m sure he will.”


Chapter 17