Page 92 of Elling & Jackie

Chapter 35

Jackie straightenedthe magazines on the table in the sitting area of Colman Hotel and turned to Lisa and Brooke, two new hires in the housekeeping department. After a promising week of training, she hoped the ladies would be able to hold down their jobs.

"Your shift will start in a few minutes." She glanced at the time. "Your cleaning schedule is printed out and placed in your folder in the supply room. I want to remind you that every room needs doorknobs and light switches washed. It's an easy one to forget. Also, every toilet needs to have a throwaway sealer in place after cleaning, so we can open the room for guests."

While the ladies worked swing shift for their training, tonight was their first time working the night shift. They wouldn't have Jackie there to walk them through the paces.

Catching movement out of her peripheral vision, she turned and found Terri walking toward the desk.

"Great. Terri's here. You both are officially on the clock. I know you'll both do fine, but if you have any questions or problems, you can ring the front desk." She smiled in encouragement. "Go ahead and get your carts and pick up your schedule."

Walking over to speak with Terri before she left for the night, she grabbed her cell phone from the desk, quickly checking for any missed calls.

"Any excitement tonight?" Terri sat down in the chair.

"No, surprisingly, it's been quiet, and vacancies are down." She smiled and stepped away. "Have a good night."

Terri logged onto the hotel's computer program. "You, too."

She turned to go to the elevator, and the front door opened. Seeing a familiar sight, she held in her excitement and rushed to Olin, walking into the lobby. She threw her arms around her brother and hugged him tightly.

"What are you doing here?" She leaned back to look at his road-weary face. His hair, blown by the wind, hung wild around his shoulders. His beard was even parted in the middle. She combed the strands down for him. "Nothing's wrong with Mom and Dad, is there?"

"Nah, they're good. We're just riding through town, and I thought I'd stop." He pulled her off to the side of the room.

She pointed her thumb over her shoulder. "Let's go upstairs, and you can rest and fill me in on everything going on back home."

"Can't. I parked out front. Everyone else is circling the block waiting for me. I told them I'd only be a few minutes." He slid his hands in his vest pockets. "What are your plans for this weekend?"

She shrugged, knowing Elling would be gone. "Not much. I'll probably stay around the hotel and get caught up on laundry and clean the room."

"You don't have maid service?"

"Sh." She slapped him on the chest. "You can't call them that. It's insulting. They're housekeepers, and no, I don't have that particular service here. My room is the manager's suite and comes with a washer and dryer and a dishwasher."

"Swanky." The corner of Olin's mouth tilted up. "Why don't you come and spend the weekend with your mom and Chief? We'll be riding back through here at six o'clock in the morning. You can follow us."

Should she? Elling was gone, and she missed her family.

"Let me think about it." She hugged him again. "I do want to see everyone. Last time I was home it was Family Day, so things were a bit chaotic. I feel like I only had a second with each person."

"Give me a call if you plan to go." He kissed her cheek. "Remember, six o'clock straight up."

"Gotcha." She waved goodbye and watched him walk out of the hotel.

With no plans for the weekend, she'd take him up on the offer. It'd make time go faster until she could see Elling.

She walked to the elevator, pushed the button, and when the doors opened, she stepped inside and turned around. Making sure nobody else was running for the elevator, she looked out and spotted Elling strolling into the hotel. She quickly held her finger on the 'door open' button to stop and wait for him.

Her pulse accelerated. Had Olin seen him on the way out? They'd barely missed each other.

He headed straight toward her and joined her in the elevator. She let go of the button and pushed the one for the Fourth Floor, anxious to touch him.

As soon as the doors closed, she jumped into his arms. "What are you doing here? I thought you were leaving on your ride."

He captured her mouth. She moaned in happiness, holding him tighter. Only the ding from the elevator arriving at their destination broke them apart.

"I finished getting ready early and wanted to see you." His gaze swept over her body.