Bryson Merritt may have started life as a broken baby in a basket, but he got lucky with an extraordinary set of circumstances that brought him his adoptive parents. Rich, supportive, and kind, they've given Bryson everything he's ever needed in order to deal with his ongoing recovery issues. If only they could give him some luck when it comes to picking out the right kind of guy.<br><br>When Bryson meets Duke at a horse auction, all he can think about is getting Duke's sweaty hands all over his body. Until he meets Beau -- the beautiful dark horse in Duke's care, who shares Bryson's mobility and pain issues -- and realises exactly where Beau's final destination is. Enraged by what he sees as an unfair, undeserving, and cruel punishment, Bryson decides to buy Beau, problems or not, experience or no, and walks away without looking back.<br><br>However, once again forces have gathered to help Bryson out, and Bryson finds himself working alongside Duke for the sake of Beau. Bryson's attraction is rekindled, but now Duke isn't interested at all. Worse still, it looks like a possible relationship with Duke isn't the only thing that is going to end in tragedy.

Still Standing

He reached for the horse, wrapped both arms around its neck, and squeezed. “Well, hello to you, too. And you’re welcome.”


“Step in?” Duke asked, following him when Bryson did. He wheeled the door closed behind them. Duke did a review of the stall, adding water to the small trough, kicking corners and seams of the door, feeling and sniffing the hay and doing the same to the grain before putting some in the feed bucket. Beau immediately nosed him out of the way and started eating. Appetite, at least, didn’t seem to be an issue. For a couple of minutes, Duke had to wrestle-sneak-cajole Beau into giving him space to put the halter on his face.


Finally, Duke came back to Bryson and looked down at him. “Can you bend in that gear?”


Bryson frowned. “Of course I can bend. What the fuck do you think?”


Chapter 17