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 opened his eyes and tried to focus. “Sorry.”


“You’re tired, so we’ll go now. The nurse said we shouldn’t stay too long anyway.” Barry got to his feet, closely followed by Jimmy and Jake. “We’ll come in again tomorrow when hopefully they’ll discharge you.”


“Thanks for coming in and for rescuing me and…” Rory yawned.


“No problem, bud,” Jake said. “Gotta look after our little bro.”


“Remember, I put a fresh set of clothes in here,” Barry said, tapping the cabinet next to Rory’s bed.


Rory didn’t remember, but thanked Barry anyway.


“The clothes you were wearing were wet and the EMT’s had to cut them off before wrapping you in an aluminum foil blanket,” Jake explained.


“Fuck, Rory, for a little dude, you sure got a big cock,” Jimmy said.


Rory couldn’t muster up the energy to get embarrassed. Although surely the cold had shrunken everything? He guessed not.


Barry whacked Jimmy upside the head, disturbing the hat he’d just put on.


Chapter 93