Page 40 of The Wexley Inn
They continued discussing the meeting while waiting, dissecting questions and responses, and trying to identify areas where they might need additional documentation if the board requested more information. The professional discussion helped calm Isabella’s nerves about the pending decision.
After about forty minutes, they saw board members starting to exit the building.
“They finished deliberating,” Thomas said. “We should head back.”
The chairman was waiting for them in the meeting room, along with two other board members, including, notably, Grayson Williams. His presence during the delivery of the decision suggested that the outcome could be complicated.
“Ms. Montgomery, Mr. Langley,” the chairman began very formally. “The board has reviewed your plans carefully, and we’ve considered both the technical requirements and public input.”
Isabella tried to maintain her professional composure, but her heart rate accelerated to the point that she was afraid everybody could hear it banging against her chest wall.
“We’ve decided to grant conditional approval for your renovation plans,” he continued. “The majority of the proposed work does meet our guidelines for historical preservation while also taking into consideration necessary modernization.”
Relief washed through Isabella, although the word “conditional” kept her from celebrating prematurely.
“The conditions are as follows,” he proceeded. “First, the kitchen renovation must incorporate more of the original cabinetry than currently planned. Our historical consultant will work with you to identify specific elements that should be preserved.”
Thomas nodded and made notes. That was a reasonable request that wouldn’t significantly impact their plans.
“Second, the bathroom additions must use historically appropriate fixtures and finishes, with samples to be approved by the board before installation.”
Again, it was manageable. They’d already planned to use period-appropriate fixtures anyway.
“Finally,” the chairman concluded, “the exterior color scheme has to adhere strictly to the original palette and be based on paint analysis of the earliest accessible layers. Mr. Williams has specifically requested this condition.”
Grayson offered a thin smile that didn’t reach his eyes. The last condition, although seemingly minor, could potentially restrict their design options for the inn’s exterior appearance. Paint analysis was notoriously subjective, and Isabella suspected Grayson would advocate for the most restrictive interpretation possible.
We accept these conditions,” Isabella responded. “Thank you for your thorough consideration.”
As they gathered their materials to leave, Grayson approached them directly.
“Congratulations on your conditional approval,” he said, his smile as sharp as broken glass. “Those conditions may seem minor now, but I’ve found that historical paint analysis can be… surprisingly complex. And time-consuming. I do hope you’ve built adequate contingency into your timeline. Historical accuracy is so important to maintaining our island’s unique character.”
The threat was clear from the start. Grayson planned to manipulate every requirement, turning reasonable demands into bureaucratic quicksand. Paint analysis could take weeks, involving multiple rounds of testing and board review. He was betting she'd run out of time, money, or patience - and then he'd be there with his buyout offer, more aggressive this time.
“We are committed to historical accuracy in all aspects,” Isabella replied evenly, “and I’m sure the analysis will confirm appropriate choices for the inn’s exterior.”
Once outside the building, Thomas let out a low whistle. “Conditional approval with minimal modifications? That’s actually a pretty significant win, despite all of Grayson’s maneuvering.”
“That paint analysis requirement seems designed to create obstacles,” Isabella said as they walked to their cars.
“It is, but I’ve dealt with similar tactics from others. We’ll hire an independent historical paint analyst with impeccable credentials to conduct the study. Grayson can argue, but he sure can’t dispute scientific evidence from a recognized expert.”
Isabella smiled. “You’ve navigated these waters many times before, haven’t you?”
"More than I care to remember," Thomas admitted. "I've watched these same battles play out for years - different faces, same arguments about change versus tradition, progress versus preservation. You learn to read the patterns, understand what's really being fought over beneath the surface disagreements."
They reached Isabella’s car first, pausing beside it. The stress of the meeting gradually dissipated, replaced by the satisfaction of having cleared another hurdle.
“We should celebrate this victory,” Thomas suggested. “Small as it may seem, getting a conditional approval with such minor modifications is pretty big.”
“Oh? What did you have in mind?” Isabella asked, surprised by the suggestion, but not opposed to it.
“Well, the Island Bake Shop is known for more than just the coffee we had. Their peach cobbler is legendary, and they’re still open for another hour.”
The invitation was casual, framed as a professional celebration, but Isabella sensed a shift beneath the surface. They had maintained strict boundaries - every interaction centered on the renovation, every moment careful and controlled. However, tonight felt different, like standing on the verge of something she couldn’t quite identify. Part of her wanted to keep those walls up; another part was exhausted from hiding behind them. Their conversations always focused solely on the renovation. Even their kayaking trip had been presented as project research. But tonight felt different. It felt like a moment of connection that didn’t need to be weighed down by their complicated past.
“Peach cobbler sounds perfect,” she said with a smile. “Lead the way.”
