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

They were the words that Bryson had been waiting for. He pushed himself out of the chair of the lounge and did his best to hurry after Duke. As he passed the ring, he waved at Briana and hollered out, “He’s here!”


“Oh my, God, Bryson, yay!” Weirdly enough, Briana was as enthusiastic as Rebecca might have been, but somehow managed to not be annoying when she did it. It had been two years since Rebecca was booted and Briana had arrived and not once had her overt perkiness reminded him of her predecessor. “I’ll meet you there in fifteen minutes. I just have to finish up this lesson.”


The most direct route to the stalls would have been to the right, but although he could see Duke already halfway along that route, Bryson veered left. Beau was in the paddock and he was damned if they were going to show up without him.


Chapter 55