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

By tradition, Barry’s gift was the meal, so Rory was surprised when the man handed him a small, flat package.


“It isn’t much, so don’t get upset. I just saw it and thought of you,” Barry told him.


Rory ripped into the wrapping paper and pulled out a leather-bound volume of cowboy poetry. “Thank you.” Rory was touched. Barry was the only one on the ranch who knew Rory enjoyed reading poetry and some forms of literary fiction.


Next came a somewhat larger flat package, this one quite heavy. The gift tag said the giver was Liam. It was a set of leather-working tools. “Wow, thank you, Liam.” Rory carefully ran his fingers down the smooth metal of a piercing tool. It felt incredibly sharp.


“I know how much you like working with the tack, so I thought you should have your own set of tools,” Liam told him.


Rory nodded. “Yes, thank you very much.”


The next gift was an Amazon gift certificate from Wayne. “I didn’t know what a kid your age would like,” Wayne admitted sheepishly.


Chapter 19