Free Explosive Memories by Sherri Thomas

checking out the place?”
    “Maybe.”
    “If you do, have one of the guys take you, okay?”
    “I’ll think about it,” she replied, having no intention of asking anyone to accompany her.
    Her friend studied her for a minute. “Jordie, what’s going on? I get the feeling there’s a lot I don’t know. Especially about you and Trent. I mean, I don’t want to pry, but I thought we were close, then I find out you two know each other, and your name was Lynn?”
    Not sure how much she wanted to share at this point, she exhaled. “My middle name is Lynn, and truthfully, there’s not much to tell. Trent and I spent the night at the shack when I met him six years ago. The next morning, we parted ways and never saw each other again.” Knowing how it sounded, shame filled her chest as she glanced out the window to the empty drive.
    “Six years ago? But you had to of been what…eighteen?”
    Shrugging her shoulders, she didn’t comment. Meeting a cowboy, giving him an alias, then sleeping with him, she’d lived up to every name the kids at school gave her.
    A warm hand lightly touched her arm. “Let’s sit out on the porch. It’s a bit stuffy in here.”
    Following her out the door, Jordan sat on a chair by the railing. “You have to believe me, Darcy. I had no idea he was Nick’s brother or I would’ve said something. I never knew his last name.”
    “I believe you, hon. And really, it’s none of my business. I just care about you and don’t like the stress I see all of this causing you.”
    Feeling as though she owed her friend, she went on. “When I first met Trent, I wasn’t too sure of him, so I gave him my middle name. After we talked for a few hours and got to know each other, I never bothered to correct him. Seemed safer to keep it that way. He couldn’t track me or tell my parents.” Jordan shrugged, trying like hell to keep her voice strong and steady. The last thing she needed was for Darcy to suspect how deeply that night affected her.
    A movement in the distance caught her attention as a horse and rider approached. A tingling traveled under her skin, and her heart beat tripled as the cowboy neared.
    “You don’t have to say anymore. I can tell you’re uncomfortable, and the last thing I want is to cause you any distress over the situation.”
    With her back to the barns, the soon-to-be bride failed to see Trent.
    “Hey, I know, why don’t you grab a pair of jeans and go for a ride? Might help clear your head.”
    Her stomach fluttered with unwanted excitement. Another step toward the teenage years. She toyed with the idea of refusing while a part of her yearned to accept the offer.
    “You can take my horse, TJ.”
    Oh, God, she really, really wanted to.
    “Come on. Why do you beat yourself up over these decisions?” Darcy smiled as she inclined her head in a confused jester.
    Too many situations propelled her closer to the past. The odds of slipping into her old ways stacked up. Still… “You’re going with me, right?”
    The cowboy reined his horse in at the base of the steps, and Jordan found she was hard pressed to tear her gaze away.
    “I wish, but we have a big group coming in tomorrow, and I need to finish the chores. You can do a couple loops in the corral to get comfortable since it’s been a while, and I’m sure one of the guys would show you around. That reminds me, it’s Nick and my turn to take the guests on a two night camping trip. You wanna come along? It’ll be fun.”
    “No. I’ll be okay.”
    Listening with half an ear, she admired the way Trent swung his languid body out of the saddle. He tied the reins at the base of the railing and winked in her direction. She quickly pulled her gaze from the male who busted her staring.
    “Are you sure? I feel bad leaving you—again. Never mind. I’m sure I can get one of the boys to take my place.” Darcy sipped from her mug.
    “I didn’t come here to uproot your routine. I’ll spend time at the hospital, getting