Matt reached for his beer. “Oh there was. Downtown Anchorage got hit the hardest, along with the rest of Cook Inlet. Some families lost their homes into the inlet, but worse tsunamis followed, damaging Seward, Kodiak, Valdez and Chenega Bay.”

None of those names sounded familiar to Jorden, but she could picture the annihilation. “How many died?”

“I’m not sure. Um . . . one hundred and thirty sticks in my mind but don’t quote me.” Matt looked at his watch. “Can you believe it’s after ten?”

“Can’t be,” Jorden said, checking hers. “Oh, you’re right.” She reached for her purse to pay for her share.

“Put your purse away. This is my treat!” Matt whipped out his wallet.

Jorden’s palms flew up to stop him. “Remember, you’re my escort—your words. I want to pay my portion.”

“Well, this escort pays for outings. My rule.” Matt smiled, pushing his chair back.

“Whose rule?”

“Mine.” Matt winked and strolled off.

An irrepressible smile spread across her face. Jorden had to admit she liked him. Spotting the ladies’ room, she stepped past Matt as he paid the bill. “I’ll be right back.”

After leaving the restroom, Jorden stepped outside. “There you are! I thought you had left.”

“Never,” Matt replied. “It was just too crowded in there. I needed some air.”

While they walked back to his car, Matt changed the subject. “Do you remember the poor woman I told you about earlier?”

“Yes, what about her?” Jorden asked.

“Well, I promised I would help her find housing tomorrow morning. Eloise, her friend Lisa and maybe her daughter, will be coming along. Why don’t you come with us? You could help.”

“I don’t know.” Jorden still wasn’t sure if she should see Matt again. Then she remembered the picture of the young girl.

“Right now Eloise and her daughter are staying with her friend, but she wants to get her own place. Come with us—another opinion will help.”

“I guess I could try.” Jorden’s curiosity about the young girl was taking over her good judgment.

Matt concentrated on the road, maneuvering the curves smoothly. He parked directly in front of Jorden’s apartment building. “Hold on, I’ll walk you up.” At the landing her eyes met his. “Are you on for tomorrow?”

Jorden hesitated before she opened the door. She paused before saying, “I’ll try.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up in the morning at nine thirty.”

Chapter 4: October 1969

Chapter 4

October 1969

Jorden never heard Darby or Emma Lynn come back to the apartment. She had fallen asleep with her pen, paper, and Alex’s letters still on her bed.

“Where are you going at this hour?” Darby yawned as she crossed paths with Jorden, leaving the bathroom Saturday morning.

“It’s almost nine. I’m going with Matt to help his receptionist find an apartment to rent.”

“Oh!” Darby replied.