JACK
Early the next Morning
It was six am, and Jack stood eating a toasted egg and bacon sandwich, watching Holly hang the final set of curtains in Room Eleven. The morning light was just starting to filter through the new windows, illuminating the completelytransformed space.
“Phew,” Holly said, stepping back to admire her work. Her eyes were red from lack of sleep, just like everyone else who’d been working through the night to ensure everything was ready for Abe’s inspection in two hours.
Jack looked around the room with satisfaction. The walls were freshly painted in a warm cream color. The new floorboards gleamed with their coat of stain. The window frames were solid and properly sealed. The curtains Holly had just hung added the perfect finishing touch.
“It’s beautiful,” Jack said. “You’re a miracle worker, Holly Bennett.”
“We all are,” Holly said, gesturing to encompass everyone who’d helped. “This was a team effort.”
They moved through all three rooms one more time, doing a final check. Room Nine looked perfect, the repaired floor completely seamless with the original boards. Room Ten’s new windows let in beautiful natural light. Room Eleven was finished and gorgeous.
In the hallway, people were gathering tools and cleaning up. Rupert and his carpentry crew were packing up their equipment, exhausted but satisfied with their work.
Jack stopped them before they could leave. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done. You saved us. You saved the inn.”
“Happy to help,” Rupert said with a tired smile. “You know my grandmother speaks very highly of your family. We’re glad we could be here.”
“Please,” Jack said, pulling out a stack of envelopes he’d prepared earlier. “Take these. Complimentary tickets to the Winter Ball tomorrow night for you and your families. It’s the least we can do.” He turned and picked up a fruit-and-wine basket from the counter. It was huge. “This is for you, your team, and your grandmother to share from all of us at the inn.” His smile widened. “Your grandmother’s invitation is in there as well. Although I think William and my mother have already invited her. We gave her a golden invitation.” Those invitations meant you were either at the family’s table at the ball or right near it.
Rupert’s eyes widened. “Jack, you don’t have to...”
“I want to,” Jack insisted. “You gave up your time right before Christmas to help us. You’re all welcome at the Ball. Please come.”
The carpenters accepted the tickets with genuine appreciation, shaking Jack’s hand before heading out.
Jack turned to find Gloria Bright making her way up the front stairs with his mother.
“Gloria,” Jack said warmly. “Thank you for sending Rupert and his crew. I don’t know what we would have done without them.”
“When I heard you needed help, and I knew someone who could, I was happy to,” Gloria said. “In this town, we take care of our own. The Christmas Inn is part of our history. We weren’t going to let it gowithout a fight.”
She squeezed Jack’s hand. “Your father was a good man, Jack Christmas. He helped a lot of people in this community over the years. This is us returning the favor.”
“Gran,” Rupert called her. “Are you coming back with us or getting a lift back to town later?”
“I’m coming,” Gloria said, rolling her eyes. “I will talk to you later, Julie.”
“Bye for now,” Julie waved her off as she walked outside and climbed into the minivan she’d arrived in to fetch her grandson and his crew.
After Gloria and the carpenters left, Jack walked through the rooms one more time with Holly and Logan. They checked every detail, making sure everything was perfect for the inspection.
“I think we’re ready,” Logan said finally. “Abe Tanner is going to find all the rooms in our inn have been perfectly renovated and now meet every building code requirement.”
“I hope so,” Jack said. “Because if we fail this inspection...”
“We won’t,” Holly said firmly, taking his hand. “We’re going to pass, Jack. I can feel it.”
They made their way downstairs, where the rest of the family was starting to gather. Isabella and Christopher were in the kitchen, making a huge breakfast for everyone. Trinity and Maddy were setting the tables in the dining room.
Gabe and Jane were organizing the final decorations for the Winter Ball, which was now just over twenty-four hours away.
Jack caught Holly’s eye and tilted his head toward the back door. She nodded, understanding he needed a moment alone with her.
They stepped out onto the back porch, where the morning air was crisp and cool. The ocean stretched out before them, peaceful and eternal.
