Page 34 of Elling & Jackie

Chapter 13

"Jackie!"

She shut the car door and used her hand to shield the blinding sun. "Hey, Ash."

Ashley, her brother Olin's woman, walked across the parking area and hugged Jackie. She squeezed her back, happy to be home for the weekend.

"Did you just get here?" Ashley stepped back and hooked her hair behind her ear.

"No, I came straight from work late last night and crashed in my old room at the house. I just came out to put the box of apples Mom's pressuring me to take back with me as if I'll be able to eat them all. Do you want some for the kids?"

"No, we're trying to use all the ones she gave us last week." Ashley leaned closer. "Did you hear the news?"

"I don't think so." She motioned for Ashley to walk with her back to the clubhouse. "What's going on?"

"D-Con and Gillian got married. They went down to Vegas last weekend. Nobody knew their plans and thought they were only going down to gamble." Ashley stopped and peered off to the trees. "Cover your ears."

Jackie laughed, knowing what was coming.

"Gunnar? Where's Trik and Linnea?" yelled Ashley.

Her oldest nephew stopped whipping the rope. "They went across the bridge."

"Okay." Ashley sighed. "I swear, now that the kids are old enough to cross the creek, they would stay at Chief and Johanna's house all the time."

"My parents love it. You have nothing to worry about. Trust me, if the kids were bothering Chief, he'd let them know."

"True. I can't help wishing they were still young enough to stay in the daycare room at the clubhouse. It was easier to keep track of them." Ashley walked with her inside. "Everything is pretty much ready to be hauled outside. Olin's going to light the grills in an hour. We can wait until then to start carrying the food out, but we need chairs and the plastic tablecloths taken out."

A young girl ran toward Jackie. Elation warmed her at the sight of her niece.

"Aunt Jackie." Cora collided with her lower body and hugged Jackie around the waist. "Are you going to be here for Family Day?"

"I am." She leaned down and hugged Cora tightly. "Will you let me sit by you when we eat?"

"At the kids' table?" Cora's dimple deepened. "Really?"

"Really." She laughed. "I missed you. Where're your brothers?"

"Chee's with Nikki...somewhere. Gunnar's outside. I think Arik is with Daddy." Cora bounced. "I get to help with the babies. Momma promised."

It was obvious by Cora's hopping in place that she wanted to go play. "Well, you better get to work taking care of those babies. I'll see you later."

"Okay." Cora ran off, stopped, and turned around. "You won't leave while I'm helping, will you?"

She shook her head. "I promise. I'll be here."

Cora gave a hop and a skip in her exit. Jackie laughed, happy to see her niece.

"She's so damn cute," said Ashley.

"I think I miss the kids the most since moving to Portland." Jackie pouted her lips. "They remind me that everything they need and want is right here within Brikken."

"Better be careful and not let Chief here you say that. He'll have you moved back in your old bedroom before it's time to eat."

"Yeah, he's still determined that I'm going to get tired of being away and working in the hospitality business," she said.

"But you're happy?" Ashley leaned into her. "Right?"

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