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

“What you thinking about anyway?” Zane asked through a yawn.


Rory thought about lying but instantly rejected the idea. “The fucking bitch and what she did.”


Zane’s rubbing didn’t pause. “Forget her. She’s not worth losing sleep over.”


“Yeah.” He closed his eyes and breathed out slowly, trying to release the rest of his anger.


As the room had twin beds, Rory had thought he and Zane would have to sleep apart, but when Rory had mentioned this, Zane had insisted Rory sleep with or rather on top of him. “Never gonna let you sleep on your own again,” Zane had insisted. “Like holding you, and don’t want you to have any more bad dreams.”


So they’d undressed, visited the bathroom—Zane carrying Rory once again—and gotten under the covers.


But, try as he might, Rory’s mind wouldn’t switch off. “Zane?”


“Why did you ask me to read that book to you if it…held such bad memories?”


Chapter 60