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

“He didn’t cheat on you with me, if that’s what you’re thinking. We, uh, did it before you and Zane were an item, Zane told me that.”


“I know, but…” Why couldn’t she understand?


“I’m not going to marry him or anything. I wouldn’t, even if he asked, and he won’t.”


Rory rubbed his head. Was he getting a headache?


“You love him, he loves you. Nothing’s changed, except you both now know how the other feels.”


“Men!” she said yet again, sounding more exasperated. “He does, because I told him. It’s so darn obvious, but then he’s a man so of course he didn’t see it, or wouldn’t see it or…” She huffed in frustration.


The two fell silent for a while before Rory asked, “You said you workedat the bar. You don’t anymore?”


“Not good for the bar’s image to have a pregnant woman serving drinks. Plus my feet swell if I stand for too long. And bar staff are constantly on their feet. Why’d you ask?”


Chapter 94