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

Buoyed by the success of the half smile, Rory continued, “But there’s one guy who works there who I’m particularly fond of, so much so, I wished I could spend some more time alone with him away from the ranch, time when he was all mine and I didn’t have to share him with anyone else.”


“So you see, I kinda wished for this to happen.” Rory gestured to encompass the broken down truck and maybe even the snowstorm. “So don’t blame yourself, blame me.”


Zane shook his head. “You’re crazy.” But he kept on smiling.


Yes, it was crazy but mostly true. “Come on, we can’t sit here all day. It’ll be dark in a couple hours. We need to call for a tow truck, get a motel room for the night, and find a diner or something.” Smiling and waggling his eyebrows, he added, “Although I am prepared to negotiate the order of the last two.”


Chapter 45