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

Rory ran a critical eye over the room, straightened a couple of towels on the racks, smoothed out the rug in front of the tub, and gave the tiled wall where they’d both shot their loads a quick wipe with a cloth. Rory sniffed the air. It didn’t smell like sex but he still spritzed a little of Zane’s cologne into the air, just to make doubly sure.


Deciding he might as well pee while he was there, Rory lifted Zane’s tee, lowered his briefs, and took care of business. After rearranging his clothing and flushing the john, Rory turned on the faucet and cupped his hands in the water before bringing them to his mouth. The mirror above the sink was still fogged. He reached for a wash cloth to wipe it clean but instead used his pointer finger to draw a large heart and wrote R&Z in the center. Feeling foolish, he picked up the washcloth once again and cleaned the mirror. “Pull yourself together,” he told his tired reflection. “It won’t seem as bad in the morning.”


Chapter 72