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 are you doing? Put me down!” He batted ineffectually at Zane’s arms.


Zane kept walking. “You said if your ass was sore, you’d let me carry you and take care of you. So that’s what I’m doing.”


“Zane! I haven’t finished mucking Star’s stall.”


“It can wait.” Zane opened the barn door.


“No it can’t. I need to at least take out the muck bucket and pitchfork and close the stall door.”


Zane reversed course, Rory removed his equipment, apologized to Star, told her he’d be back soon, and closed the stall door.


“Couldn’t this have waited until after breakfast?” Rory asked as Zane walked as briskly across the yard as the snowy conditions would allow. Although he couldn’t deny, Zane’s excitement at getting a house of their own was contagious.


Rory chuckled when they tried the house’s front door but found it locked.


Zane turned around and headed for the ranch house. “We’ll get the key.”


Chapter 86