After Mrs. Hurling left, looking happier than Jack had ever seen her, Abe returned to reviewing the paperwork. But there was a lightness to him now, a spring in his step.
Finally, Abe set down the last document and looked at Jack.
“Are we going to be able to have the ball?” Jack asked, unable to keep the anxiety from his voice.
Abe smiled. “Jack, I can see that all the required work has been completed. The repairs are solid, the workmanship is excellent, and everything is up to code. I’ll need to go back to my office and write up the official report, but I can tell you right now that you’ll pass.”
Relief flooded through Jack so powerfully that he had to grip the edge of his desk. “We passed?”
“You passed,” Abe confirmed. “I’ll file the report this afternoon.You’re cleared to operate. Keep the inn open, have your ball, and enjoy your Christmas.”
After Abe left, promising to see them all at the ball and send the report as soon as it was done, Jack sat at his desk in stunned silence.
His mother appeared in the doorway.
“Jack?”
He looked up at her, and she must have seen something in his face because she rushed forward.
“We passed,” Jack said, his voice breaking. “Mom, we passed the inspection.”
Julie’s hands flew to her mouth, and tears spilled down her cheeks. “Oh, thank goodness. Oh, Jack.”
She pulled him into a fierce hug, and Jack hugged her back, both of them crying with relief and joy.
When they finally pulled apart, Jack wiped his eyes and laughed shakily. “I don’t know what to do. For the first time in months, I don’t have a crisis to deal with.”
“Why don’t you go take a walk or have a nap?” Julie suggested.
“Where is everyone?” Jack asked, suddenly realizing the inn was quieter than usual.
“They all went into town,” Julie told him. “To collect some last-minute things for Christmas and for the lantern decoratingactivity tonight.”
Tonight.The word hit Jack with the weight of a miracle.
They were going to have tonight. They were going to have tomorrow and Christmas. The inn was saved. The ball would happen. Thanks to everyone who had helped, and thanks to one honest man who had come to right a wrong in his department.
Maybe they’d pulled off a miracle after all.
“You could always take Duke for a walk,” Julie gave him another suggestion, realizing Jack was too keyed up to sleep.
An idea struck Jack. He’d been planning to fetch Brandy this evening, but he was sure Detective Bruce wouldn’t mind if he picked her up now. That way, when everyone got home, he could introduce them all to the newest member of the family. Mrs. Duke, he thought with a laugh.
“Are you okay?” Julie asked, eyeing him curiously.
Jack stood and kissed his mother’s cheek. “For the first time in a long, long time, Mom, I’m okay. I’m really okay.”
He turned and walked out of the inn, his heart lighter than it had been in months.
They’d done it. Against all odds, through all the obstacles, they’d saved the Christmas Inn. Okay, well, that was a bit premature. They didn’t have to shut down for Christmas!One step at a time, Jack, we are not completely out of the woods yet.There was still the threat of debt and foreclosure. But for now he’d take this win.
17
HOLLY
Holly climbed into the shuttle at just before eight in the morning, stifling a yawn. She’d managed to grab forty-five minutes of sleep before Gabe had knocked on her door, announcing they were all going into St. Augustine for the morning.
“We need to vacate the inn,” Jane had explained when they’d all gathered in the lobby. “Guests start arriving after one, assuming we’re allowed to have them arrive. We don’t know yet about the outcome of the inspection. But I thought we’d give my father some space while he took the inspector around.”
