Page 46 of Elling & Jackie

Chapter 17

Leslie carried twocinnamon roll flavored Frappuccino to the desk. Jackie covered the end of the phone with her hand.

"Thank you," she whispered, receiving a smile and a wave in return from the runner who worked in the restaurant downstairs.

Going back to the conversation on the phone, she finished making reservations for a couple arriving in Portland next weekend for their fifth wedding anniversary. As soon as she hung up, she took a sip.

Mr. Garrison, the owner of the hotel, would be arriving at any minute. She needed all the pep she could get to make sure his monthly fifteen-minute inspection went off without any problems.

The drink warmed her chest. She cleared off the desk, putting the extra Frappuccino on the counter in the back office out of sight of the lobby for Terri when she came in to work her shift. The restaurant closed at eleven o'clock, and she knew her co-worker enjoyed coffee.

With a half hour to go until she was off the clock, she kept glancing at the door, expecting Mr. Garrison. While he'd warned her of his visit, housekeeping was oblivious to the drop-in. The owner wanted to see for himself how the swing-shift workers were doing.

The front door opened. Putting a smile on her face, she straightened her back and prepared to greet her boss when she recognized Elling striding toward the desk carrying his duffle bag.

Her stomach fluttered, excited and angry at seeing him again while common sense told her today was not the day to mess with her emotions. Not with Mr. Garrison expected any minute.

Elling dropped his bag at his feet. "Is my old room available?"

Her skin prickled. "Which room would that be?"

"You know which one," he said softly. "I need it for a week."

Without looking at the computer screen to verify the occupancy of the room, she lifted her chin. "It's occupied."

"How about the room next to it?"

"No. It's taken, too."

"You're sure?"

"Positive." Growing angry now that the shock of seeing him again wore off, she said, "We're full."

"The whole hotel?"

"Yes."

The air changed in the lobby. She swallowed, knowing the front door had opened to the street. Before she could prepare herself, Mr. Garrison strolled in. Warmth flushed her cheeks. Not trusting Elling not to cause a scene, she put her fingers on the keyboard and put in his information, booking him the room across from hers for the week.

She pulled the keycard from the drawer and set it beside her on the desk. Giving Elling the total, she stared at him, silently pleading with him not to question her earlier behavior.

Concern flickered in his gaze. He glanced from her to Mr. Garrison. Her heart raced. He could ruin her job faster than anyone.

Instead, he handed over cash. When she counted and put the money away, she gave him the card with a smile.

"I hope you enjoy your stay. If you need anything, the number to the front desk is taped to the end table by the couch next to the phone." Her smile hid the turbulent emotions she was feeling.

Elling dipped his chin. "Thanks."

He walked toward the elevator. She stood and approached her boss, holding out her hand to shake his.

"It's wonderful to see you again, Mr. Garrison." She forced herself to stand in front of him without fiddling with her hands. "Can I get you a coffee or water while you visit?"

"That's not necessary." He straightened the front of his suit jacket. "I'm assuming you're the only one who knows I've arrived."

"Yes, just like you requested." She stayed in front of him until he dismissed her.

Going back to her chair at the desk, she inhaled deeply when the elevator closed. How she survived having her boss and Elling in the same room was a mystery to her. It felt like a semi-truck had smacked into her and never stopped.

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