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

“Shit!” To his shame, Rory realized he hadn’t checked in with the ranch yesterday, hadn’t told them of his father’s death or Zane’s safe arrival.


Rory explained his predicament as he retrieved his phone from the nightstand and unlocked it.


Rory tapped out, yes, sorry, forgot to text you yesterday.His friend Debbie often ribbed him about how Rory always insisted on writing out his texts in full, using proper grammar and punctuation. Zane is here.Then he thought he’d better add, My father passed away yesterday. I’m doing okay with it.


Rory’s attention shifted from his phone when Zane rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom. God, the man was magnificent. Big, firm ass. Heck, big, firm everything. And those shoulders—they needed their own zip code as Zane had to turn slightly in order to squeeze through the narrow doorway leading to the bathroom.


Rory almost dropped the phone when it pinged and vibrated in his hand. Barry had sent another text.


Chapter 41