Explosive Memories Read Free

words when she’d been curled up on his chest listening to him talk about the animals on his farm. Standing real still, she could almost feel the rumble of his chest on her ear as he spoke in that deep, quiet tone.
    A hand touched her arm.
    “Hey, you okay? You got a far away look on your face.”
    Giving herself a mental shake, Jordan nodded. “Sorry, I’m fine. Probably a bit of jet lag.”
    Wrapping her fingers around the sturdiness of the railing, she followed her friend up the wooden steps to the wraparound deck and entered into a large, pale yellow kitchen. The spacious room sported two large, stainless steel refrigerators, a huge stove, and a round, wooden table in the corner. A robust woman stood at the sink, scowling in their direction.
    “Ms. Liz, this is Jordan. Ms. Liz is the ranch cook and makes the best coffee and chocolate mousse cake.”
    Jordan held out a hand to the square-shouldered lady. “Hello.”
    “Humph. Might want to get in here earlier if you want a decent breakfast,” the cook growled, walking away.
    “Her bark’s worse than her bite.” Darcy grabbed two cups from the counter, filling them with caffeine. “Don’t take it personal. Took me six months to get her to even say good morning.” She held out a mug. “There’s sugar and creamer by the canisters, or if you want flavored, I believe there’s several different kinds in the fridge.”
    “This is fine.” Jordan used one spoon to scoop the sweetener and non-dairy product into her cup and another to stir. “Has anyone suggested Ms. Liz loosen the bun on top of her head?” she whispered. Setting the utensils on a napkin, she sipped the brown liquid. The flavor flooded her mouth and awakened her taste buds.
    “My thought exactly.”
    As Darcy laughed, Jordan regarded the future Mrs. Nick Matthews with a bit of envy. “This place has been good for you. You really are happy, aren’t you?”
    “Nick has been good for me. This place was a bonus.” She ambled over to the old, round table in the corner. “I’m even working part time at White’s Law Firm in town.”
    “That’s great. I’m glad you found this ranch, and each other.” Jordan sat on the wooden chair. Hearing her mother’s speech to her about sitting like a lady, she straightened her spine and crossed one leg over the other.
    “Okay, spill. What happened with Mr. Wonderful? You were very vague over the phone and never spoke of any problems.”
    She sighed, wondering where to begin. Deciding on the quick version, she admitted, “Ed only needed me to support him financially while he chased his pipe dream of becoming a country western singer, and everything in a skirt.” Finding it improper to discuss the dirty details of her relationship, she stopped short of revealing the knockdown, drag out arguments concerning the lack of sex. The man couldn’t understand why, after months together, she refused to sleep with him—a detail he envied at one time saying she was truly a lady, and the fact she wanted to wait made her even more attractive…until the clock ran out anyway, and he found other willing females.
    “That asshole. After everything you gave up for him.”
    “I truly think he loved me in his own way. He was always full of compliments.”
    Ed continuously told her how he loved the fact she always used manners in everything she did, how she never put her elbows on the table or burped or slouched, always ladylike. He often said he loved her outfits and how neat and tidy she kept the apartment. So, she worked every available minute of overtime to help pay their mounting bills, only to hear him say “someday” he’d hit it big, and she could quit her job. Not that she would have. She needed something to do while he spent hours playing in the honky tonks. And he definitely had been “ playing , ” according to the countless women who called looking for him every night.
    “Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” Darcy reached out and touched her arm. “But I am