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"I know," Charlotte replied,pride swelling in her chest. "It's got good bones, but it needed a lot ofwork. I wanted to restore it to its former glory."
She guided Roxanne from room to room,pointing out the new furnishings and fixtures that brought warmth and charm tothe once-neglected inn. Roxanne oohed and aahed over the cozy library with itsfloor-to-ceiling bookshelves, the cheery yellow kitchen with copper potshanging above the butcher block island, and the tranquil gardens with windingstone paths and benches tucked beneath weeping willows.
With each room, Charlotte felt a bitmore of the loneliness and heartache from the past year slip away. FirstAmelia’s visit, and now, having Roxanne here, seeing her sister appreciate allthe details she had poured her heart into, filled Charlotte with hope for thefuture. As they stood looking out over the rocky coastline from the solarium'sgrand plate-glass window, Charlotte slipped her hand into Roxanne's and gave ita grateful squeeze.
Roxanne squeezed back. “I feel like I’min an old Victorian novel,” she mused. “In the best of ways.”
“Oh, good,” Charlotte said. “Not likethe crazy aunt locked in the attic, right? That would make the tour of theturrets a little awkward.”
Roxanne laughed. “No. Definitely in agood way.”
Next, Charlotte led Roxanne up thecreaking back wooden staircase, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous,narrow hall.
"I wanted to save the best forlast," Charlotte said with a playful smile. At the end of the steepstaircase was a set of French doors opening onto a wide balcony overlooking thesea. Charlotte swung them open dramatically, letting the salty breeze roll in.
Roxanne stepped out onto the balcony,gripping the carved railing. "Oh, Lottie, it's magnificent!"
Charlotte joined her at the railing,and they both gazed out at the endless blue horizon. "This view was whatsold me on the place. I could tell the inn just needed someone to love itagain. Even with the back-breaking work of stripping away years of neglect, theastronomical costs of repairing the roof and updating the wiring—every ounce ofeffort has been worth it.”
"I can't wait to see thevillage," Roxanne said, sliding her arm around Charlotte's waist.
Charlotte rested her head on hersister's shoulder. They stared out at the ocean for a few minutes beforeCharlotte led Roxanne back inside, eager to show her the cozy sitting room shehad restored. The sagging floorboards were replaced, the antique furnishingspolished to a shine, and a stone fireplace added warmth and cheer.
"It's so inviting," Roxanneremarked, sinking into a plush velvet armchair.
"I wanted to create little oasesthroughout the inn where guests could relax and unwind," Charlotteexplained. She pointed out the carefully chosen details - the soft throwblankets, the vase of fresh flowers on the side table, the stack of classicnovels for reading.
"You really have thought ofeverything," Roxanne said. "I'm so proud of you, Lottie."
Charlotte's eyes misted over. Afteryears of catering to her ex-husband's grandiose tastes, it meant the world tohave her sister appreciate her own simple vision.
"Just wait until you see the roomsupstairs," Charlotte said, helping Roxanne up. “The ones guests haven’tbooked yet.” She was eager to show off the rest of the inn's transformation.Roxanne, groaning but laughing good-naturedly, followed. Charlotte led Roxanneup the front staircase, walking slowly so her sister could take in the details.
"I wanted the rooms to feel freshand airy," Charlotte said as they stepped into the first bedroom. Thewalls were painted a pale blue with white trim, and sunlight streamed in fromthe windows.
Roxanne ran her hand over the smoothlinen duvet on the king-sized bed. "It's so peaceful in here. And I lovethese antique nightstands."
"Aren't they charming? I foundthem at an estate sale in the village," Charlotte said. She opened thedoor to the en-suite bathroom, newly fitted with marble counters and aglassed-in shower.
"Ooh, fancy," Roxanneremarked.
Charlotte nodded. "I renovated allthe bathrooms. I know the rest of the house is pretty vintage, and it was ahuge project, but I think a luxury bathroom makes a real difference forguests."
They peeked into a few more rooms, eachdecorated in soft, soothing colors and furnished for maximum comfort. Then,back downstairs.
Charlotte led Roxanne through the foyerand into the dining room. "Here's where guests will take their breakfasteach morning," she said, unable to keep the excitement from her voice.
The once-dreary dining room had beenfully transformed from the dark, dingy state it had been in previously. Lightpoured in from tall windows framed by wispy curtains. A fire crackledinvitingly in the stone fireplace. At the center sat three farmhouse tableswith fresh flowers and settings for the next morning's breakfast service.
But the crowning jewel was thebreakfast nook tucked into a sunny alcove off the side of the kitchen. "Iwanted to create a cozy spot just for us—for my personal guests—to talk overtheir coffee or tea," Charlotte explained. The nook had a cushioned benchseat and overlooked the garden, where the last of the summer roses were stillin bloom.
"It's absolutely delightful,"Roxanne said, sitting down on the bench.
Charlotte nodded, picturing it too. Shejoined Roxanne on the bench. "My vision is for the inn to be a place wherepeople feel cared for. Where they can slow down, relax, and find a sense ofhome. I know I have."
She looked out at the view of the seajust visible over the garden wall. "I want to provide comfort when peoplemost need it."
Charlotte knew that The Crown’stransformation was about far more than cosmetic changes - it representedCharlotte's dream of creating beauty, community, and personal healing. Shegestured around the cozy room. "When I first bought the inn, this room wasdrab and dreary. Now it's warm and welcoming." Her voice filled withpride. "It's better than I ever imagined. My vision is finally coming tolife."
