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

“You okay? Is it the baby?” He reached for the call button.


Tonya laughed. “No. I just need to go pee.”


“When I’ve been to the bathroom, do you want me to go downstairs and round up lover-boy?”


Rory grinned. “Thank you, yes.” And the first thing he’d tell Zane was how much he loved him.


“Oh, God, Zane,” Rory said when a battered, bruised, and bandaged Zane came into his hospital room a couple of hours later. “You look awful.” He started to cry.


“Ror!” Zane sank to his knees by Rory’s bed and took Rory’s left hand in his. “I’m so sorry. Sorry for everything, for Tonya, for you gettin’ hurt, for…”


“It’s okay.” Then Rory remembered what he’d promised himself he’d say. “I love you, Zane Fox. Love you so much.”


“Me, too. Love you, Ror. Have for months.”


Both Rory and Zane started at the sound of someone applauding.


“About time,” Tonya said from the doorway.


Chapter 95