Stroke of Luck is a novella with the same characters Jourdan Lane used in a previous anthology, Cowboy Up, that I haven't read. But I don't feel like something is missing, since the story is quite nice as it is. It's a 'classical' contemporary western tale, with cowboys who are the real type, not the fake commercial one: there is dust and sweat and fatigue, but at the end, there is also the small town way of life, where everyone knows everyone and where your neighbor wants to help you, not to harm you.

Dale and Brandt probably didn't have an easy start, this you can understand from some hints in the story, but now their life is pretty good: the ranch is going well, there is a lot of work but also their share of compensation, and as I said, even if they work hard, at night they are together in the comfort of their house. It's not all idyllic, they fight a lot, but it's that type of fight that doesn't matter, upon irrelevant things, and the morning after it's all forgotten. Dale learned to accept Brandt's tough behavior and Brandt learned to accept the up and down of Dale's character.

But there are still things that can fight them a lot, as when Dale takes decision he should consult Brandt before doing so. This time he decides to take home Evan, an old friend of him in deer need of a shelter; all right Evan was raped and he is clear out of luck, but still it would be enough for Evan to call Brandt before instead of going straight for his road. And so Brandt pulls out his silent rage more as demonstration than real feeling it.

The story is not very long and there are not a lot of turns in it, but what it's really nice is the atmosphere: I like as Brandt and Dale are not the perfect happily ever after couple, yes, they are happy, but more than star crossed lover, their relationship is built upon a good play of balance between their two different characters; the reader knows that it was not, and it will be not, easy for them, but since there is something strong and steady between them, whatever will happen, they will manage to stay together.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024NP3YY/?tag=elimyrevandra-20