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 thecommercial-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, checkingevery 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.
