Page 35 of Elling & Jackie

She was happy. Until she'd slept with Elling. Though she'd gone to him with the intent to help him in case he had no idea a Federal Agent stayed at the hotel, she'd left his room more confused and in a funk.

Having planned to speak with him the next day when she got off of work, she'd knocked several times on his door, and he'd either refused to face her or avoided her. It'd been a week now, and since he still avoided her, she'd started to believe what happened between them meant nothing. That realization hurt, and she couldn't even figure out why.

The more time that passed, she found it harder to pull herself out of becoming angry. No matter how many times she reminded herself that continuing to see him or sleep with him would not, could not, happen.

Knowing he was scheduled to check out of the hotel while she was gone, she had to face the truth. He'd be a distant memory, and that bothered her more than she wanted to admit. If she could admit what she'd done to anyone—which she couldn't.

"Yeah, I'm happy," She shrugged. "I'm surviving and earning my adult badge."

"Well, that's good." Ashley laughed, catching sight of someone. "I better get in the kitchen."

"I'll help." She stepped forward to follow.

Ashley stopped her. "Don't you dare. Go visit and enjoy your time off. If you see any of the men standing around, tell them to start hauling chairs outside."

"Okay, but are you sure I can't—"

"Take the offer and run, sis." Ashley kissed her cheek and then walked off toward the kitchen.

Spotting Keefe and Diana, she went over to say hi and give them both a hug. Her dad's vice president back when she was a child was a man she'd known her whole life. His wife, one of the special women who'd worked in the Brikken kitchen during her childhood, had often snuck her cookies before the meals when Chief and her mom weren't looking.

They stood close together, smiling at her as she headed their way. She threw her arms around both of them. "How are you, guys?"

"We're fine, sweetie." Diana patted her cheek, making her feel ten years old. "How are you doing in that big city all by yourself?"

"Good." She smiled. "I spend most of the time at the hotel, though. I work from three o'clock in the afternoon until eleven o'clock at night, so the only time I get away is on the weekends."

"I've heard Stassi likes to spend time with you." Diana raised her brows. "She's told me all about the good-looking men in the city."

"I bet Chief doesn't like to hear that," said Keefe.

She laughed. "Stassi overexaggerates. She comes and visits for the shopping."

Her mom and Chief walked into the clubhouse. She excused herself and hurried to see if her parents needed anything.

"You can ask Sydney where she wants the dessert dishes." Her mom kissed her cheek. "And I think your dad wants a beer."

Chief stood three feet away, his hands tucked in his vest pockets, and gazed around the room. Her chest warmed. Her father hadn't been president for many years, but his mind was always focused on the club.

"I'll get him one." She took the containers from her mom. "Has Stassi arrived yet?"

"She called and said she'd be here in twenty minutes, saying something about spider mites on leaves." Her mom put her arm around Chief and whispered to him.

Jackie walked away to do the errands. Her mom knew exactly where the desserts should go and how Family Day was set up for every member of Brikken, but she'd let Sydney lead the day Chief stepped down in the club and Jett became president, making his wife the first lady.

Once she finished making sure everything was covered to keep the bugs out of the dishes outside, she went to the cooler and retrieved a bottle of beer. She found Chief outside sitting in a lawn chair under an overhead tarp strung up to provide some shade for the long day.

"Here you go, Chief." She handed him a beer and kissed his whiskered cheek.

"Thanks." Chief grabbed her wrist. "Jacqueline?"

The use of her full name brought heaviness to her chest, reminding her of Elling. Guilt warmed her neck and crept into her cheeks. Her dad was the hardest person to hide anything from.

She grabbed the chair nearby and sat beside him. She'd arrived late last night, and using her own key, let herself in the house without waking her parents.

"Work going okay?" Chief tilted his head. "Everyone treating you right?"

She relaxed some. "I wouldn't be there if I wasn't happy."

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