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 was about to lose it. “What’s in there that you want? There’s only bridles and saddles in there.”


Surely the horse wasn’t trying to tell Rory that that’s what he wanted. No, that was stupid. “You want me to ride you? Escape?” Rory’s voice cracked. He’d never ridden Shadow. The stallion wouldn’t let anyone but Barry do that.


More snorting, nodding, and kicking of the tack room door.


“I must be fucking crazy,” Rory said, shaking his head but nevertheless opening the tack room door. “Either that or desperate.” He sniffed. “Probably both.” Picking up Shadow’s saddle, Rory showed it to the horse, who’d stuck his head through the door. “You sure about this?”


There was more snorts and head nodding from Shadow.


“This isn’t happening,” Rory kept saying under his breath, but fearing someone could come along at any minute and find him, he worked quickly to get Shadow ready.


Chapter 91