Page 80 of The Wexley Inn
They kissed, soft and sweet, interrupted by Wade from the second floor, yelling about garland placement.
“Duty calls,” Thomas said, touching her face once more before heading up the stairs.
Wednesday was the final staff training. Isabella had hired people carefully - people who understood the hospitality industry and appreciated the inn’s history. The assistant manager she’d selected was Margaret Lee, who had twenty years of boutique hotel experience and a passion for historic properties.
“The key,” Isabella told her staff in the dining room, “is making the guests feel like they’re experiencing history rather than just observing it. We don’t want this to feel like a museum, so every interaction we have with them should reinforce that they’re in a special place, but don’t make them feel like they can’t touch anything or relax here.”
She walked through service standards, showed them the guest rooms with their carefully curated period details, and introduced them to Luella, who would oversee all food service.
“Miss Luella is the heart of this operation,” Isabella said. “If she tells you something about how the kitchen runs, you listen to her. She’s forgotten more about Lowcountry hospitality than most of us will ever know.”
Luella, pretending to be utterly unaffected by the compliment, just humphed and returned to looking at her opening night menu.
Thomas appeared midday to conduct the safety orientation, explain fire exits, emergency procedures, and the systems that kept the old building functioning safely. This was what partnership looked like - not just one person running everything, but two people bringing their different strengths.
After the staff left full of enthusiasm and ready for Saturday’s opening, Isabella found Thomas on the back porch looking at the gardens.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
He smiled. “Just thinking about how different this feels from when I started back in May. This was just another project. Now it’s—” he gestured, “so much more.”
“It’s home,” Isabella said.
“Yeah.” He pulled her close. “It’s home.”
Thursday brought final inspections of the fire marshal, health department, and building inspector. Isabella and Thomas had walked through with each official, documentation in hand, answering questions with confidence. Every inspection passed with flying colors.
“This is exceptional work,” the fire marshal said, examining the sprinkler system. “You’ve updated everything necessary. Not easy to do in a building this old.”
When everything was done, Isabella looked at Thomas. “We did it.”
“We did it,” he repeated.
Then they were kissing, celebrating, and laughing with relief and joy.
“Two more days,” Thomas said. “Two more days and we open the doors to this place.”
Friday was for final touches. Emma arrived from Atlanta to help with last-minute details, with her marketing materials displayed in the lobby and social media posts already generating interest.
“The reservation system is working. Already showing bookings through February,” she said, looking at her laptop. “And the holiday season is completely sold out.”
“Sold out?” Isabella’s eyes widened. “Really? Already?”
“People want to experience this place. Isabella, you’ve created something really special. Plus, I have to say my marketing is pretty amazing,” Emma said, grinning.
“Humble as always,” Thomas said.
Maggie stopped by Friday afternoon to review the placement of the historical society’s informational materials, but really to check on Isabella and Thomas.
“You two look happy,” she said. “Actually happy, not just pretending for show.”
“Well, we’re working on it,” Isabella said. “Some days are easier than others.”
“Well, that’s real life, sugar. Anybody who tells you relationships are easy all the time is either lying or hasn’t been in one long enough.”
Maggie squeezed her hand. “I’m proud of you. Both of you. Not just for restoring this beautiful old building, but for doing the hard work of restoring your relationship with each other.”
CHAPTER 21
