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

The numbness continued through the rest of the conversation with Ms. Brickhill, especially when she asked if Rory had any plans to come visit his father. He’d answered honestly and said he didn’t know yet. She seemed to understand or at least said she did. Rory gave her his cell number as that was a more direct way they could remain in contact. Before hanging up, he promised that if he decided to visit his father, he’d call Ms. Brickhill first so she could make the necessary arrangements.


After laying his phone on the bench, Rory let out a long breath and stretched.


“You okay?” Barry asked after a minute or so of silence.


“Dunno,” Rory answered honestly. He wasn’t sure how much Barry had picked up from only hearing one side of the call, so he filled the man in. “He has lung cancer. It’s spread and he doesn’t have long to live.”


“Thanks,” Rory answered automatically. He guessed he was sorry, too, but it was complicated.


Chapter 31