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 felt deflated. He knew he was being silly but he couldn’t help wishing Zane had acknowledged him in some way before leaving.


“Coming!” Bill folded his paper and laid it on the table. He stood, handed his wife his coffee mug, kissed her cheek, thanked her for breakfast, then joined Zane in the hallway.


Rory watched the brief but to him meaningful exchange between husband and wife and sighed inwardly.


Zane, who’d put on a light jacket and a John Deere gimme cap but was no longer carrying the boxed pies, re-entered the kitchen. He approached his mother, pecked her cheek, thanked her for breakfast then turned to the still seated Rory. Tilting Rory’s chin up, Zane bent and kissed him lightly on the lips. “See you soon, boyfriend.”


Blushing, and feeling a mixture of flustered and happy, Rory watched as Zane walked out the door once again.


“Don’t forget those pies!” Brenda called after her son.


“Got ’em!” Zane replied before closing the storm door behind him.


Chapter 73