Page 40 of A Package Deal

“Absolutely not”—he tightened his arms as she pulled away—“I’ve barely recovered from the last time we spent the night on the couch, and I pulled a muscle in my back this morning shoveling. It’s bed for us.”

“Oh.” Her face creased with worry. “Do you think that’s wise?”

“It could be my dumbest decision ever, but I’ll set my alarm and sneak down to the couch before the girls wake up.”

They filled the night with loving touches and quiet conversations about Nelie’s future dreams and schemes—some realistic and some outlandish. By the time his alarm clock buzzed, Chet knew they’d started building the bridge to Nelie’s future.Fingers crossed today goes well, he thought as he crept down the stairs, using his phone for light. But if Nelie’s meeting was a disaster, they make a new plan. Together.

Chapter 22

Neliesteppedofftheelevator, unsure of where to go. The front desk clerk downstairs had told her this was the elevator to take to Jackson’s office. There was a desk and a cubicle in front of her, and the light from the window above it didn’t lessen the room’s claustrophobic feel. The slightly wilted plant in the corner didn’t help either.

The door to her right was closed. A gurgling noise came from her left, and her nose twitched at the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She should have thought this through more. Maybe even made an appointment, but she didn’t want to give Jackson wiggle room. Nelie wanted to hash out whatever had put the stick up Jackson’s backside.

“Hey, can I help you?” a man asked, coming from the left and carrying a mug of coffee. He looked older than the last time she’d seen him, but he could still double for a Hemsworth brother, especially if he was carrying Thor’s hammer.

“Will, right? I’m Nelie Peterson from the Galley. Welcome back,” she said. He set down his mug and shook her hand.

“I’ve been dying for one of your walleye sandwiches, but work’s kept me pretty busy. It’s not easy being the new Emily.” He grinned.

“I don’t think anyone thinks that, especially Emily. She’s said you’ve already taken on more than she had, especially with Nate’s early arrival and Jackson working from home so much. Your coming back to Haven and Hart Hotel has been a blessing for them.” She squeezed his bicep—his very firm, very large bicep—and he blushed. “And you don’t need to come in for the sandwich. Just call.”

“DoorDash? In Haven?” he asked, looking doubtful, and Nelie chuckled.

“No, busboy dash. It’s a well-kept secret, but I’ll let you in on it.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” He picked up his mug. “Are you here to see Jackson, or are you the welcoming committee?”

“Jackson, please.”

“I’ll let him know you’re here. He should be done soon. Can I get you a cup before I head down the hall for another meeting?” Nelie shook her head and watched him walk away.If I were ten years younger and not in love with another man, I’d like a piece of that.

Nelie sighed and stuck her finger in the nearly dead plant’s soil. If she needed to wait, she might as well be useful. She followed her nose to the small kitchenette, and after rummaging around, filled a small watering can. Nelie was drizzling water over the soil, allowing it to absorb, when Jackson opened his door.

“Hi,” he said, sounding neutral. “Why are you watering the plant?”

“Because it’s dying.”

“Um, thanks?” He plowed his hand through his hair. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. No”—Nelie set down the watering can—“I know you’re not happy, and I’m sorry.” Jackson reached his hand toward her, but dropped it.

“How can I not be happy? You saved Nate’s life. I’ll be forever indebted to you.”

Nelie crossed her arms. “See? That’s just it. You feel indebted to me, and you hate that.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He looked at her like she was crazy.

“Don’t I? We’ve been friends for years and now I’m getting the cold shoulder from you. I won’t cause problems for you or Hart or the resorts. Treat me like a silent partner. I’ll vote however you want me to.” He looked at her and she sensed a softening in him, like the businesses had been his concern all along, and boy-howdy did that piss her off. “Unless it’s a dumb ass decision, in which case I’ll hang you out to dry.”

The corner of his mouth twitched, and he jerked his head toward his office. “Can we move this behind closed doors, please?”

Nelie followed. She’d never been in his office. It was a mix of modern and classic and it had a killer view of the Poplar River.Beats my office, she thought, but she wouldn’t trade places with him. If she had his office, she’d have his problems. She’d stick with her single-location restaurant over his international chain of boutique hotels and the family-friendly resorts in the Pacific Northwest. Or, technically,theirchain andtheirresorts, buthisproblem.

“I wasn’t concerned about the businesses until now. But good to know where I stand.” They shared a small smile. “You’ve always been honest, and I appreciate that. I just wish the same could be said about my mom. Our mom,” he quickly amended. He sat on a chair and motioned for her to take the couch across from him.

“No, your mom. Stella was mine,” Nelie said. She and Jackson shared a birthmother, not a mother-mother. Stella was hers and Nelie wouldn’t change that for all the tea in China. “I had breakfast with her a few days ago, and she alluded that things are complicated for her. That I complicated her life. I’m not justifying what they did, but there’s more to this.”

“There’s more? How much more than a secret sister could there be?”

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