Free Explosive Memories by Sherri Thomas Page B

you to TJ.”
    Jordan’s legs refused to move. She didn’t know if she was angry at Trent for the public display, or angry at herself for sitting there and letting him kiss her. How could the mere brush of his lips cause her to go all tingly everywhere?
    A giggle caught her attention.
    “It’s either that or a cold shower.”
    A ride sounded much better than icy water. Besides, she could use time away from the tempting and distracting cowboy tying her insides in knots. “You talked me into it.” Getting up with her empty mug, she crossed to the door.
    “I’ll take that. You go get ready.” Her friend plucked the cup from her hand, and Trent’s from the railing.
    “Thank you.”
    Feeling the strain of the last few minutes in her chest, she drifted down the steps and headed toward the cabin, only to spot the troublesome man atop his horse. Not wanting to draw his attentions, she slowed her pace and hung back in the shadows.
    Trent made an absolutely devastating, sexy image in the saddle, from the way he sat tall to the wide berth of his shoulders to the hat shadowing his handsome face. Her equilibrium tilted and dizziness washed over her.
    A movement off to the side caught her attention, and she stopped in her tracks. The small boy she saw with the pregnant mom earlier snuck out from between the cabins and ran in the same direction as Trent. His feet traveling faster than his body, he stumbled, toppling over on to hands and knees. A cry broke through the air.
    Instinctively, Jordan hurried to his side. “Are you okay, honey?”
    The child struggled to right himself.
    “Here, let me help you.” She guided him to his feet.
    Shrugging her off, he rose with tears streaming down his chubby freckled cheeks. Torn jeans revealed spots of red on the skin beneath. Eyes wide, he reeled toward the sound of a horse approaching and groaned.
    “I’m okay.” His bottom lip puffed out. “I’m tuff.”
    The envy on his little face as the rider neared tugged at her heart strings. “Let’s bandage these up before you run off into the sunset?”
    “Hey, partner, what happened?” Trent reined in his gelding and swung out of the saddle.
    “Tripped over a stupid rock.” He swiped the wetness off his cheeks.
    Even the kid failed to be immune to the cowboy. The frustrating male bent on his hunches and inspected the damage.
    “Don’t look too bad, but best to let the nurse decide.” He glanced up and smiled.
    She stood motionless, observing the tenderness he showed toward the child.
    “Aw, I don’t need no girl.”
    “All cowboys want a pretty lady to check them out.” Standing up, the large man-child winked.
    A sudden urge to kick dirt in his face propelled her over to the steps. “Bring the patient over to my porch, I’ll be right back.”
    Walking into the living room, she struggled to compose herself. She’d tried over and over to envision Trent with children, but the images failed to materialize. Now, the picture was sure to replay a million times.
    The rumble of the cowboy’s low murmur floated in from the screen door and surrounded her in warmth. She closed her eyes and absorbed this new discovery.
    “You wanna tell me what you’re doing wondering off? Your mama’s gonna be worried.”
    “Nah, she’s gots the new baby coming to worry ’bout.”
    “Huh, I see. You think she don’t care ’bout you anymore?”
    Silence met the statement.
    “Those mamas are amazing people. No matter what happens or what you do, they never stop loving you and have lots of room in their hearts.”
    “Really?” a small voice asked.
    Jordan smiled at the question. She loved working with the kids at the hospital. They were so innocent and impressionable, and the highlight of her week when she’d been scheduled on the children’s wing.
    “Oh, yeah. When my younger brother was born, I was sure my parents would forget ’bout me.”
    “You’re joshin’.”
    “Nope. One time, I even hid to see how long it’d take my ma to