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That was fine. Savannah wasn’t built in a day. He’d waited years for her. He could wait a little bit longer.
“Tell me about this meeting of the minds you helped Zelda and Wiladean reach.”
Elle’s face softened and she sat forward in her chair. “You already know that they have two different remodel styles in mind.”
Daniel nodded.
“Two ideas that are at opposite ends of the spectrum,” he added.
Elle shrugged. “I asked Zelda why she wanted something so radically different from the way the Forsyth has always been and came to find out she doesn’t really mind the traditional style of the inn as much as she wants to make changes so that we can expand the amenities we offer.”
That was interesting. It was something they hadn’t touched on in previous meetings.
“What kind of amenities? I hope she’s not thinking of adding tennis courts and swimming pools. We might be able to work in a hot tub or sauna, but we’re pretty much gridlocked with the road on two sides of the property and the neighbors on the other two sides.”
Elle shook her head. “No, she’s thinking of more adaptable, movable amenities. Although I know she’s going to love the hot tub and sauna idea. So, prepare yourself for that. She wants to turn the Forsyth into an artists’ retreat and eventually add a tearoom and spa. But those would come later.”
Daniel hung on every word as Elle relayed what she, her mom and grandmother had talked about—possibly turning one or two of the outbuildings into a classroom or artist-in-residence space and converting an interior area into a studio for guests to set up easels to work. Perhaps they could even open the garden to local artists once a month or once a week as availability dictated—and possibly add a tearoom and spa at some point to offer guests a means to refresh and refill the creative well.
“That way we could stay true to the history of the inn with the traditional decor, but bring the place into the new millennium, as my mother would say.”
“And you are staying around to help her implement the new plan?”
“I am. For a while. Until I have to go back to Atlanta.”
His gut tightened at the thought of Elle being right here in Savannah.
“With your background in art, and knowing the area so well, you should consider being a permanent artist in residence.”
“No,” she said. “I’ve made a life for myself in Atlanta. I don’t want to give that up.”
He thought about asking her if she had someone special back in Atlanta but then decided he didn’t want to know. A woman like Elle Clark probably didn’t want for attention, even if she was spending the holidays here.
“We may even switch it up a bit and do art and architecture tours.”
“That’s a great idea,” he said. “Before I started my business, I learned a lot about the architectural history of the city. If you need any help, let me know.”
“Is that how you got interested in restoring local properties?”
He nodded. “When I left, I went to Orlando and I was so taken with the difference in the cities. I mean, Orlando is nice, and parts of the metro area like Winter Park are beautiful, but the city didn’t have the same historical significance as Savannah. I missed it while I was gone. In fact, I couldn’t wait to get back.”
He started to add, Even if a lot of people weren’t very eager to welcome me back. But he decided if he was going to move forward, he needed to leave the past in the past. He may have been a hooligan when he was a teenager, but he’d grown up, grown out of it. He’d changed. Didn’t everyone deserve a chance to live down the stupidity of their youth?
That was something he needed to prove to Elle in actions, not deliver in lip service.
“I think we can make this happen.”
Hell yeah. He’d make sure it happened.
Chapter Four
The next day, Elle sat at a table for two by the window in the riverfront restaurant The Rusty Gull, waiting for her grandmother. It was one of the best tables in the house because it overlooked the water. Even if the riverfront area was crowded with tourists, looking out at the serene water as she waited for Gigi to arrive gave Elle a moment to catch her breath.
