Jorden hated the complexity of her feelings as she read his words. She wanted her marriage to Alex to work—it had to succeed. But . . . how did she expect her feelings for Matt to fade away? That’s what she prayed would happen.

Chapter 59: June 1970

Chapter 59

June 1970

Jorden woke Sunday morning with a start. Sunlight streamed through the split in the curtain and settled on her face. She reached for the clock; it was six forty-five. Relieved, she turned over—there was plenty of time before Alex arrived. But, sleep eluded her. To distract herself, she changed from one outfit to another, trying to find the perfect combination . . . but nothing seemed to work. She felt like a bundle of nerves.

“Come, sit down. It’s almost eleven. It won’t be much longer,” Darby said with an understanding look.

“You know we would be the same. It’s exciting,” Emma Lynn proclaimed.

“I’m so nervous. I can’t help it. I’ve been waiting a year for this. Are you sure you don’t mind if Alex stays here?” Jorden knew they shared an unspoken rule—usually no men stayed overnight.

“It’s fine.” Darby smiled.

The doorbell rang. Darby and Emma Lynn backed away. Jorden hesitated. She looked out the peephole. Alex. She froze for a moment before she grabbed the doorknob and opened it. Awkwardly, they looked at each other. It was almost like they were feeling their way, but then Alex pulled her into his arms. They kissed and held each other until they heard the lower entrance open and footsteps on the stairs.

“Come on in.” Jorden reached for his hand. Alex looked thinner than he had in Hawaii, but he had the same boyish grin. “Come meet my roommates. Hey, you two! Alex is here.”

Emma Lynn bounced out of the kitchen with Darby on her heels. “Finally, we get to meet. We’ve heard so much about you. It’s like we know you.”

“Same here.” Alex nodded. “You were often in Jorden’s letters. It’s good to meet.”

After a few minutes Darby and Emma Lynn excused themselves and went to their bedroom. Alex reached for her hand. The bracelet he had given her dangled against his wrist. He focused on the emerald. “I have a place for us.”

“You have what?” Jorden looked confused.

“I’ve rented a small, one bedroom apartment. I wanted us to have our own place.”

“Where?”

“Buena Vista Apartments. It’s close to Fort Benning. It’ll be good for us.”

A shadow clouded Jorden’s expression. She remembered Eloise and Nora had chosen the same apartment complex. Were they still there? Jorden stretched her memory. Yes, Matt had mentioned the major and Eloise decided to stay two more months. They didn’t want to disrupt Nora’s school year. No problem. She and Alex would probably never see Nora. If they did, so what?