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

“Hey, you,” he whispered. He lifted Beau’s head as carefully as he could and scooted underneath so he could rest Beau’s cheek on his lap. “Don’t worry, I won’t ask you how you’re feeling.” He stroked Beau’s neck and got a long ruffle of air breathed onto his thigh for his trouble. Assuming that was a good sound, he kept the motion going. “I always hate that, you know—when they ask you how you are? Most people only ask because they want you to say that you’re feeling better. They want you to give them hope. Like that’s your fucking job, right? Here you are, feeling like a big piece of crap that’s been shit out onto the sidewalk and ground into the concrete, and they want you to smile and tell them you’re feeling much better, thank you so much.”


Beau blew another breath and Bryson nodded at him as if he had answered.


Chapter 50