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

“Hi,” Rory said quietly. Getting no response, he added, “It’s Rory.” No way was he going to address the man as ‘Dad’ or label himself as ‘son.’


Garry raised a bony hand and slowly took off his mask. “Why are you here?”


Rory thought that was obvious. Hadn’t they told Garry he was dying? He turned to ask the guard, or was he a nurse? But the man had left. Turning back to the bed, he said, “I got a call that you were, uh, in the hospital so…”


There was a long pause and Rory didn’t think the man was going to answer. Then he did. “See you’re still a pussy.”


Rory stopped himself from taking a step back. Instead he grew angry. “And I see you’re still a heartless bastard.” It felt freeing to talk back to his father, something he’d never dared do as a boy. The plane trip was worth it just for that experience alone.


Chapter 34