22. Chapter 22
N elie stepped off the elevator, 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, their chain and their resorts, but his problem.
“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?”
“I don’t think she’s happy.”
“She made her bed,” Jackson said, sounding unsympathetic.
“But what if she thought that was the only bed she’d get? I think she gave up more than just me.”
“You think I should forgive her? She hid you from us?” Jackson huffed, and Nelie’s heart warmed. It sounded like he wasn’t upset about gaining her as a sister, but about all the lost time.
“They hid all of you from me.” Nelie leaned toward him.
Jackson could boo-hoo all he wanted, but Nelie had been the true loser in all of this.
“I grew up thinking I had no family. Sure, I had Stella, but she was my great-aunt ”—Nelie used air quotes—“I didn’t have any close relatives.
And now? I’ve got a brother and a sister.
A grandmother. A birth mother, and birth father, who she’s still in contact with.
I’ve got family crawling out of the woodwork. ”
“You don’t sound happy about that,” he said.
“Honestly? I’d be happier if they wanted me as much as I wanted them.”
“Is Pris giving you trouble?” he asked, and she snorted.
“No, you are, which is where we started this conversation. I’m not going anywhere, Jackson. You’re going to have to deal with me.”
“It’s not you I have an issue with.”
“They did the best they could. Accept it and move on. I’m trying to.” Nelie touched his knee, hoping he’d stop bouncing it. The movement was driving her crazy.
“It’s not them, it’s me,” Jackson said, leaning back in the chair and staring at the ceiling. “Don’t you see? I failed.”
“How did you fail?”
“My son was born with a genetic defect.”
“So?”
“And my sister was the one to save him, not me. I couldn’t even match with my son.” Jackson sounded disgusted.
“Oh, Jackson. You really are as big of an idiot as Emily claims you can be. I don’t think genetics works that way.
” Nelie pressed her hand against his knee, but he bounced the other one.
“I know you’re a planner and a protector, but you can’t control everything.
You had nothing to do with Nate’s illness but everything to do with his recovery. ”
“All I’ve done is driven endless miles back and forth to the hospital.”
“And changed his diaper and walked the floor with him when he was home. Took care of Emily. Took care of yourself so you didn’t make them sick. Ruined my vacation.” His head snapped to hers. “I was supposed to go to Florida, but someone reminded me Nate’s life was more important.”
“I hope he told you nicely,” Jackson said, sounding chagrined.
“Nah, he was a bit of an overpowering ass.”
“I’m sure he regrets it.” Jackson smiled.
“I know he does. He’s not that kind of guy. He’s one of the good ones.” Nelie winked.
“Finally,” Jackson said, standing and pulling her into a hug. “A sister who truly gets me.”
“Are we good then?” Nelie asked into his chest.
“We were never not good. I was too much in my head to see what I jerk I was being. But I’m done.”
“For now,” Nelie said, and he laughed. “I’ve heard brothers can be jerks.”
“But not half-brothers,” he said, sounding like he was defending himself. Nelie looked at him, hoping he’d understand and accept what she was about to tell him.
“Jackson, even though it’s technical, I don’t have time for this half-crap.
In my heart, you and Pris are my brother and sister.
You’re all I’ve got, so you’re getting my all.
” His arms tightened around her in a bear hug, and he lifted her off her feet.
Nelie laughed and squirmed out of his arms. “I need to get back to the Galley, and you need to run your empire.”
“ Our empire,” he said as she neared the door, and her heart warmed. “Hey, will you still love us if you have another set of siblings in Norway?” Jackson asked as she walked toward the elevator.
Nelie blanched. The possibility of more family hadn’t crossed her mind. She couldn’t find her voice, so she let her middle finger do the talking. Jackson was still laughing when she stepped into the elevator.