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

The day had started out weird and got worse until…


Breakfast was tense and uncomfortable. Barry wasn’t talking to Jimmy or Jake, asking Rory instead to ask his men to pass the coffeepot, toast or whatever. Rory hated being in the middle of their argument.


For their part, Jimmy and Jake kept snapping at each other, and it didn’t sound friendly. As best he could, Rory kept his head down and ate. Zane seemed oblivious to the tension, which Rory thought could be cut with a knife. The big guy just inhaled breakfast as usual, occasionally smiling at Rory, patting his knee or rubbing his leg. Zane’s actions did go some way to calming Rory’s nerves. Rory realized, much to his shame, that perhaps Zane wasn’t as oblivious as he’d first thought. Rory laid his hand over Zane’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Zane turned his hand over and interlaced his fingers with Rory’s.


Chapter 90