Page 42 of Elling & Jackie

At least there, she could give comfort to everyone.

She used to hate not knowing what the members did away from their families. Her and Stassi had spent much of their childhood snooping around and eavesdropping in an attempt to find out what the men were doing. The one time she got caught hiding out in the meeting room, Chief had swatted her fanny. While the pain only lasted a moment, the disappointment she felt coming from him lasted a lifetime. She never asked or tried to find out more than what they'd willingly give her.

Lesson learned.

Finishing her shift, she anxiously hurried up to her room and shut herself inside. While she trusted Jett to keep everyone safe and Chief wouldn't lie to her, she needed to know how significant the lockdown meant to the club.

She called her sister. Stassi would be the one who would fill her in and set her mind at ease.

"Yo, sister of mine," answered Stassi.

Surprised by the good mood coming over the phone, Jackie sat down on the bed. "Is everyone okay?"

"Far as I know."

She exhaled loudly, falling back on the bed. "Longest work day ever."

"Freaked?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Chief?"

"Bingo." She kicked off her heels and closed her eyes. "I take it you won't be coming to stay at the hotel with me next weekend?"

"No, and not because of...some family commitment, I'm going to work. There's a shipment of grafts coming in, and I don't want them sitting until I get there Monday."

"Gotcha, and I'll pretend to know what you're talking about with work." She sighed loudly, knowing nothing about growing trees or even keeping plants alive. "How's Mom?"

"She's fine. I heard her talking on the phone earlier about getting together with Lindsay on Tuesday, so...."

"Okay. Gotcha." If her mom made plans with her best friend, the lockdown wasn't thought to be long-lasting. "Work goes on for you then?"

"Yep. It took a few tears, but I got permission."

"Spoiled." She laughed and sobered. "I better let you go. You have to get up early, and I'm dragging ass tonight. I just wanted to see what was up."

"Well, relax. Things are cool, and I'm here just chilling in bed watching Netflix until I fall asleep."

"Alright. I love you," she said.

"Love you, too."

She disconnected the call. A few years ago, Stassi had been the pain in the butt sister, always getting her way, and because she was the youngest, she got away with everything. But Stassi had matured. Whether their closer relationship came about because she no longer lived at home and physical distance made them emotionally closer, her sister was her best friend.

Staring at the ceiling, she went over everything her dad hadn't said on the phone. And, then there was his question about the Federal Agent still at the hotel. Obviously, Jett told their dad about her conversation.

She'd noticed over the last couple of years, Jett kept more club business away from Chief. Their dad was getting up there in age. She could only speculate that Jett wanted to keep the stress away from Chief and let him enjoy life without the worry. Everyone knew he'd lived a hard life and deserved to take it easy.

Her phone vibrated. She rolled and picked it up, seeing her parents' number again.

She answered. "Miss me already, Chief?"

"It's Mom."

She sat up. "Dad said you were calling, but I thought he meant later-later."

"I just wanted to check in with my girl," said her mom.

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