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

“You sure you got everything?” Liam asked just before pulling up in front of the airport. “Tickets, money?”


“Yes, I have, thank you,” Rory said quietly. He yawned, not having slept a wink the few hours he’d been in bed.


As soon as Liam pulled up, Rory undid his seat belt and was about to hop out the cab but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.


“Take care of yourself, you hear? Don’t say it often enough but you mean a lot to me, kid.”


Rory nodded, unable to speak, unused to such shows of concern and affection from the usually gruff foreman.


“If you need anything, and I mean anything, you just give one of us a call.”


Liam gave Rory’s shoulder a squeeze before removing his hand. “And call us when you arrive.”


Rory nodded, opened the door, stepped out, closed the door and retrieved his borrowed suitcase from the truck bed. He watched as Liam drove off, the pickup merging into traffic. He felt very alone and more than a little scared.


Chapter 33