Page 53 of The Wexley Inn
Thomas knelt on the dining room floor of the inn, carefully aligning a piece of reclaimed heart pine with the existing floorboards. The morning light streamed through the tall windows and brought out the amber tones in the wood. Around him, his crew worked with focused precision, each one contributing to the restoration with their own practiced skills.
“That’s fitting beautifully,” Wade said, pausing beside Thomas. “Can’t hardly tell where the old floor ends and the new one begins.”
“Well, that’s the idea,” Thomas replied. “Once we apply the finish, this color variation will blend even more naturally.”
He stood, brushing sawdust from his knees, and looked around the room. The dining room was nearing completion, with the original crown molding restored, the walls replastered, and the floor now being carefully repaired. The space was gradually reclaiming its former elegance.
The sound of voices in the hallway drew his attention. Isabella entered, accompanied by a middle-aged woman Thomas recognized as Dr. Eleanor Simmons, the historical paint analyst.
“Thomas,” Isabella greeted him with a warm smile. “Dr. Simmons has completed her preliminary analysis, and I thought you might want to join us for her report.”
“Absolutely,” Thomas said, wiping his hands on a cloth before extending one. “Dr. Simmons, good to see you again. I do hope your investigation has been productive.”
“Fascinating, actually,” she said. “This building has quite a story to tell through its paint layers. Shall we find somewhere to review my findings?”
They settled in the library where Isabella had established her temporary office during the renovation. Dr. Simmons spread her documentation across the table, including detailed photographs, microscopic analysis of paint samples, and a comprehensive report outlining her conclusions.
“The exterior of the inn has been painted at least fourteen times since its construction,” she said. “What’s particularly interesting is the color palette has remained remarkably consistent throughout history, just minor variations in the shade.”
She produced a fan of color samples, each one meticulously labeled with dates and locations. “The original color scheme, which dated to the 1870s, featured this warm white for the clapboard and these specific green tones for the shutter and trim. The porch ceiling was painted this particular shade of light blue, which, as you know, is a tradition in Lowcountry architecture that’s believed to deter insects and evil spirits.”
Thomas looked at the color samples with interest, noting their alignment with his own research. “These match the tones that were visible in the earliest photographs we found,” he said. “They’re consistent with the other buildings of the same period that I’ve restored on the island.”
“Exactly,” Dr. Simmons said, nodding. “There’s a clear historical precedent for this color scheme, not just on the building, but throughout the region. My report documents this thoroughly, of course, with references to other historically significant structures.”
Isabella reviewed the findings with evident satisfaction.
“This is exactly what we needed.”
“The colors are beautiful and historically accurate - and thoroughly documented to satisfy even the most demanding interpretation of the review board’s requirements,” Thomas said, thinking of Grayson’s transparent attempt to create obstacles.
After reviewing the interior color findings, which also revealed equally interesting historical patterns, they thanked Dr. Simmons for her thorough work. The specialist left with promises to provide her final report within the week.
“Well, this is excellent news,” Isabella said once they were alone. “With Dr. Simmons’ analysis so thoroughly documented, even Grayson can’t object to our color selections.”
“He’ll try,” Thomas said, “but her credentials are impeccable and her methodology is beyond reproach. I know that we’ve satisfied this condition exactly as required.”
Isabella smiled, clearly pleased. “One more hurdle cleared. The renovation’s really coming together now, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “The structural work is almost complete. The system updates are progressing on schedule, and now we have documentation about the paint. Barring any major surprises, we’re on track for your holiday opening.”
“I can hardly believe it,” Isabella said. “After so many years with corporate hotels, where projects drag on beyond projected timelines, this efficiency is refreshing.”
“Hey, don’t jinx us,” Thomas said with a smile. “We still have plenty of work ahead, and old buildings have a way of revealing unexpected challenges just when you think you’re in the clear.”
As if the cautionary words summoned him, Wade appeared in the doorway, a concerned expression on his face.
“Hey, Thomas, we’ve got a situation in the kitchen. A plumbing contractor just found something you should see.”
Thomas exchanged a glance with Isabella. “Duty calls,” he said. “Let’s see what surprise the inn has in store for us today.”
The “situation” proved to be significant: a previously undiscovered cast-iron waste pipe embedded in a structural wall, which had severely deteriorated and required immediate attention.
Thomas spent the next several hours working with the plumbing contractor to develop a solution that would fix the problem without jeopardizing the timeline for the kitchen renovation. By late afternoon, they had come up with a workable plan, although it would require additional costs, materials, and labor.
Thomas found Isabella in the front parlor, looking at fabric samples with Daphne for the custom furniture that would furnish the space.
“I hate to interrupt,” he said, “but we do need to discuss the kitchen plumbing issue.”
