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

Betsy turned and lowered her feet to the carpet. “Sorry, Rory, I didn’t mean anything bad. Me and Zane always joke around but I know not everyone gets it.”


Rory nodded. “Zane’s…special.” He felt himself blush.


Betsy smiled. “Yeah. Can see you’re good for him.”


Rory was relieved that Betsy dropped the conversation and after surfing through another handful of channels, she turned off the TV.


“Nothing worth watching.” She then focused her attention on Rory. “So you like trivia then?”


Betsy reached into her voluminous bright pink purse and pulled out a cell phone in a case in a matching shade of pink. After a few taps, she said, “Here’s a good question for you. Who was the first US vice president not to later become president himself?”


“Aaron Burr,” Rory said immediately.


Betsy smiled and swiped her phone’s screen. “The only president to serve two non-consecutive terms?”


Chapter 75