Chapter 16 Jack
JACK
Jack, along with everyone else who had helped the night before, had no sleep.
He doubted he would’ve even if he had gone to bed.
Jack’s mind was racing through worst-case scenarios.
What if they’d missed something? What if the work wasn’t up to code?
What if Abe found some other violation they didn’t know about?
In fact, Jack had walked through all three floors of the inn four times in the past twenty minutes while he waited.
Everything looked perfect. The volunteer crew had done incredible work.
The rooms gleamed. Every detail was in place.
His eyes widened. “Oh, no, I forgot to check the two suites on the third floor. The ones, Holly, Charlie, Trinity, Gabe, and Christopher, are in.”
His heart lurched, and he was about to rush upstairs, but it was too late.
A car pulled up outside, and Jack watched through the window as a man in his late fifties or early sixties climbed out. He was tall and solid-looking, with salt-and-pepper hair and the weathered face of someone who’d spent decades working with his hands before moving into administration.
Jack opened the door before Abe could knock.
“Mr. Tanner,” Jack said, extending his hand. “Thank you so much for coming out on such short notice.”
“Call me Abe,” the inspector said, shaking Jack’s hand with a firm grip. “And it’s no trouble. When I hear about irregularities in my department, I make it my business to sort them out personally.”
There was something reassuring about Abe’s directness. No pretense, no politics. Just a man who wanted to do his job right.
“I have all the paperwork from the original inspection two months ago,” Jack said, leading Abe inside. “And documentation of all the work we’ve completed since then.”
“Good,” Abe said, pulling out a tablet and stylus. “Let’s start on the ground floor and work our way up. I want to see everything.”
They began in the kitchen, where Mrs. Hurling was already preparing breakfast for the staff. She gave them a friendly wave but stayed out of their way as Abe examined the commercial-grade appliances, the updated fire suppression system, and the new electrical panel.
“When was this electrical work done?” Abe asked, making notes on his tablet.
“Six weeks ago,” Jack said. “I have the permit and the final inspection report from the electrician.”
“I’ll need copies of those,” Abe said, but his tone was matter-of-fact rather than suspicious.
They moved through the dining room, where the tables were already set for the arriving guests later that day. Abe checked the exit routes, tested the emergency lighting, and examined the vintage chandelier that had been rewired during the electrical updates.
In the library, Abe spent extra time examining the built-in bookshelves. “Original to the building?” he asked.
“Yes,” Jack confirmed. “From 1892.”
“Beautiful craftsmanship,” Abe said, running his hand along the wood. “You don’t see work like this anymore. But I need to check the structural integrity.”
He pulled out a small tool and gently tested several points along the shelving. After a few minutes, he nodded with satisfaction. “Solid as the day it was built. You’ve taken good care of this place.”
Jack felt a small measure of relief. Maybe this would be okay after all.
The ballroom was next. Abe paused in the doorway, taking in the space.
Evergreen garlands draped along the walls, twinkling lights strung across the ceiling, tables arranged around the perimeter with the dance floor gleaming in the center.
The stage was set up at the far end, ready for tomorrow night’s entertainment.
“Winter Ball?” Abe asked.
“Yes, on Christmas Eve,” Jack confirmed. “It’s been a tradition here for over a century. We’re expecting around two hundred guests.”
Abe nodded and began his inspection. He checked the capacity signage, tested the fire exits, and examined the electrical connections for the lights and sound system. He even tested the floor itself, walking across it and checking for weak spots or unevenness.
“This floor was refinished recently?” Abe asked.
“Yes,” Jack said. “We had a professional crew come in.”
“They did excellent work,” Abe said, making notes. “Everything here looks good.”
They climbed the stairs to the first floor, and Jack’s heart rate picked up. Abe took notes and made comments. Jack was sweating a little as this was where the real test would be. Rooms Nine, Ten, and Eleven. The rooms that had almost cost them everything were up next.
Abe started with Room One, working his way methodically down the hallway.
He was thorough, checking every room’s smoke detectors, examining floors and windows, testing fixtures, and looking at finishes.
In each room, he made notes, occasionally asking Jack questions about when work was done or what materials were used.
Room by room, they progressed down the hall. Jack’s palms were sweating by the time they reached Room Eight. The beautiful room with the antique dresser that Holly had restored. The room that represented everything they’d been working toward.
Finally, they reached Room Nine.
Jack held his breath as Abe entered and began his inspection.
The inspector knelt down and examined the new floorboards, running his hand over the smooth surface.
He checked where the new wood met the old, looking for gaps or unevenness.
He tested each board for give or creaking.
He examined the window frames, checking the seals and the operation of the sashes.
Minutes felt like hours as Abe worked in silence, his expression giving nothing away.
Then he moved to Room Ten. The same thorough inspection. Testing the new window frames, inspecting the floor repairs near the windows, and examining every detail.
Then Room Eleven.
Jack’s chest felt tight. This was it. This was the moment that would determine everything.
“These three rooms had significant damage?” Abe asked, straightening up from examining the baseboards.
“Yes,” Jack admitted. “From an old flood six years ago. The damage was never properly repaired. We discovered the extent of it just a few days ago when we pulled up the carpet in Room Nine.”
“And you had all this work done in less than a week?” Abe asked, looking around Room Eleven with what might have been admiration.
“We had help,” Jack said. “A lot of help. The community came together.”
Abe nodded slowly, making more notes. “The workmanship is excellent. Whoever did this knew what they were doing.”
“Rupert Bright and his crew,” Jack said. “They’re local contractors.”
“I know Rupert,” Abe said with a small smile. “Good man. Does quality work.”
The second floor was also beautifully done and finished. Abe made a few more notes, then looked at Jack. “Let’s see the third floor.”
The third floor. With his worry over Rooms Nine, Ten, and Eleven, Jack had completely forgotten that the two rooms up there were in need of some more repairs.
They had done a lot before Holly and her family had arrived; the rest was cosmetic until after the season, but not meant to pass an inspection of this kind.
They climbed the narrow stairs to the third floor, where the two guest suites were located.
Abe checked the guest suite where Holly, Charlie, and Trinity were staying.
Jack stopped short in the doorway, his breath catching.
The suite had been transformed.
When Holly and her family first arrived, this suite was tired and worn. The furniture was old, the paint was fading, and the overall feel was of a space that had been well-loved. Now it glowed.
The walls had been freshly painted in a warm cream color. The old, sagging furniture had been replaced or reupholstered. New curtains hung at the windows, letting in the morning light. The hardwood floors had been refinished and gleamed. Even the light fixtures had been updated.
Jack’s heart filled with emotion so powerful he almost choked on it.
Holly had done this. While working on all the other rooms, helping with Rooms Nine, Ten, and Eleven, dealing with her divorce, and supporting him through the crisis with Victor and Pamela, Holly had been secretly fixing up this suite.
Jack had to turn away for a moment, pretending to look at something in the hallway, while he got his emotions under control. He blinked rapidly, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.
When he turned back, Abe was examining the electrical outlets, completely unaware of the emotional moment Jack was having.
“Recent work?” Abe asked.
“Yes,” Jack managed to say, his voice slightly rough. “Very recent.”
They moved to the smaller two-bedroom suite where Gabe and Christopher were currently staying. The same transformation. Fresh paint, refinished floors, updated fixtures. Holly’s touch was evident everywhere.
Jack made a mental note to talk to Holly about this. To thank her. To tell her what it meant that she cared enough about the inn to do this work without being asked.
She’d done it because she loved the place and him.
Back on the second floor, Abe checked a few more details, making notes as he went. Then, finally, they returned to Jack’s office on the ground floor.
“I’ll need copies of all your permits and final inspection reports from the contractors,” Abe said, settling into the chair across from Jack’s desk. “Electrical, plumbing, structural work. Everything.”
“Of course,” Jack said, pulling files from his desk drawer. “I have it all here.”
As Abe reviewed the paperwork, there was a knock on the office door.
“Come in,” Jack called.
Mrs. Hurling entered carrying a tray with a coffee pot, two mugs, cream, and a plate of her homemade cookies.
“I thought you gentlemen might need some refreshment,” she said with a warm smile.
“Thank you, Mrs. Hurling,” Jack said.
As she set the tray down on the desk, her eyes met Abe’s, and something passed between them. Recognition.