Page 14 of The Cinnamon Spice Inn (Maple Falls #1)

ELEVEN

MADISON

Outside Emily’s bakery, Madison held tightly to her latte, the warmth seeping into her fingers but doing little to distract her from the thoughts swirling around her head.

Had Zach really never moved on?

It sounded like something out of a romance novel—small-town boy holds a torch for the girl who left. But life wasn’t a movie. And she wasn’t that girl anymore.

No, if Madison had to bet, Mrs. C. was just romanticizing the past. People loved a good love story—especially if it was hard fought. It gave them something to root for. Happily ever afters were even better when they were tied up neat and tidy with a little bow.

But real love was never tidy. And Zach hadn’t loved her enough to come with her, or even to keep away from another woman on their anniversary.

Madison knew it had been hard for him when she left. It was hard for her to leave him too, but the internship in New York had been everything Madison dreamed of. She simply couldn’t have turned it down.

The thing is, she’d hoped he would’ve at least asked her to stay. Or better yet, offered to join her. But he hadn’t; he’d just let her go. No big fight. No sad goodbye. Nothing. Not even when she’d given him the chance to come clean about that girl.

That silence had stuck with her. Twisted itself into doubt over the years. If he hadn’t fought for her then, why would he still want her now? And why should she want him, why should she forgive him, after what he’d done to her?

She took a slow sip of her coffee, letting the familiar taste of apple, cinnamon, and vanilla mix in her mouth. It was fall in a cup—like fresh orchard air, golden afternoon light, and the crunch of fallen leaves beneath her boots.

Madison took in the scene around her. Across the street, a group of kids wearing blue and red puffy jackets and knit scarves clustered around a street vendor.

The older man stirred an iron kettle full of hot caramel, dipping apples into the melted candy before rolling them in crushed peanuts and setting them aside to harden.

It was so peaceful and cozy, the rhythm of small-town living. She needed this, she realized, being back home. Being grounded in the comfort of her childhood. It soothed something inside of her that she hadn’t realized had been frazzled to begin with.

Madison let out a breath and forced herself to focus.

She wasn’t going to think about Zach. She couldn’t.

Not his maddening half-smile that used to undo her in seconds.

Not his steady hands and quiet presence.

Not how he’d filled out over the years with broad shoulders, those ripped forearms, the way his jeans fit like a temptation she didn’t need and made her forget how to breathe.

Nope. Not thinking about any of that. He did not deserve even a fraction of her thoughts.

And she couldn’t afford the distraction, anyway. Not if she wanted to get things checked off her list and stop the inn from collapsing physically, financially, and in every other possible way.

Refocusing, she tapped her phone screen with her thumb, pulling up her messages. At least one thing had a clear solution—she needed a chef. And Emily had given her a name.

Madison: Hi, this is Madison Kelly. Emily Whitaker gave me your number. My family owns the inn in town. She said you might be looking for work? We need a new chef. Do you have time to chat?

Madison felt her phone vibrate not two minutes later.

Kit: Would love to. I’m free today if that works for you?

Madison couldn’t believe how quickly Kit had replied. In New York, things took longer. Sure, the city never slept, but people’s schedules were jam-packed, and nobody would just drop everything at a moment’s notice to meet up.

Things worked differently here. People in Maple Falls weren’t rushing from one meeting to the next, checking emails at red lights, or scheduling lunch two weeks in advance. There was time here—time to pause, time to breathe, time to just… exist.

For so long, Madison had craved the city’s frantic pace.

She needed the endless work, the jam-packed schedule.

It filled the space where the loss of everything she’d left behind, and then grief over losing her mom, would have crept in.

Her city life gave her something to chase instead of something to feel.

But now maybe the quiet was just what she needed.

Madison replied to Kit that today would be great and suggested they meet at the inn at 1 p.m. She was still looking down at her phone when she nearly walked straight into Liam.

“Well, look what the wind blew in! Madison Kelly, back in town.”

Madison’s smile was wide and immediate. “Hey, Liam. I see you’re still here stirring up trouble.”

She hugged Liam with one arm, careful not to spill her coffee, while still holding her phone in the other hand. He squeezed her back, grinning, with what looked like a sketch book tucked under his other arm.

Madison wondered if liking Liam’s social media posts counted as keeping in touch. She’d rarely commented, but she admired the work he’d been doing on the family farm and he’d posted about the new farm shop he was getting ready to open in town.

He’d stayed and built something here. Something substantial. His family must be proud. He must be proud. She wondered if Zach felt the same. Did he have something that satisfied him, made him happy?

“Me, trouble? Never. That’s Zach’s job.” Liam pulled back, flashing her a knowing grin. “Speaking of, I heard you two already crossed paths.”

Madison sighed dramatically. “Gotta love living in a small town.”

“You know it.” Liam cracked a grin. “Seriously, though, now that you’ve got that awkward first meeting out of the way, we can all hang out like old times, no?”

“I don’t know.” Madison looked down at her coffee cup. “It’s been so good seeing you, Emily, everyone, really. But… I think it’s best if Zach and I keep our distance.”

“Nah, where’d be the fun in that?”

“You and I have very different ideas of fun.”

Liam rolled his eyes. “You two are both so stubborn, you know that?” He nudged her shoulder.

Madison let out a soft laugh. “Gee, thanks.”

“You free tonight?” Liam asked.

Madison hesitated. Because it wasn’t just about grabbing a drink and catching up. It meant stepping back into a world she wasn’t sure she still belonged to. As much as part of her missed the town, missed these people, another part worried the feeling might not be mutual.

“I’m not sure,” Madison said, forcing a casualness she didn’t feel. “What’s going on?”

“Just a couple of friends getting together down at the Kettle for my birthday. It would mean a lot to me if you could join us.” Liam rocked back on his heels.

Madison smiled. “Is it the twelfth already?” She glanced at her watch, then back at Liam. “It is. Happy birthday.”

In Madison’s experience, most men tried to shrug off their birthdays, but Liam loved any reason to get together and throw a party.

It was just his personality. He was outgoing and funny and kind-hearted.

Nothing like his twin brother, Jackson, who skipped half the parties and joined the military as soon as he turned eighteen.

Madison had never been very close to Jackson. But Liam had been a good friend to her. Even after she’d broken up with Zach, he had been the last connection to let go.

Liam had always believed in her, too. He said she could do anything, if she put her mind to it. Even launching a career all alone in the big city.

And she really did. She had helped transform the food scene; people knew who she was, and they respected her.

If you were opening a new restaurant, you cared about her opinion.

Sometimes, Madison wanted to pinch herself with how fortunate she had been.

She had worked hard to get there, but she knew it was a privilege to do a job she loved so much.

She was passionate about food, about finding the stories behind every dish, and writing about it.

But despite all the business accolades and professional success, part of her heart still felt hollow.

She sometimes wondered what Zach would think of New York, and she missed talking to Emily. She wanted them there with her.

She wanted the impossible.

Madison swallowed hard, pushing the thought down the way she always did.

She hadn’t just left Maple Falls; she’d cut it off. Cut off friends who once felt like family. Cut off memories too bittersweet to revisit. Because once she started missing it—truly missing it—she was afraid she’d never be able to move forward again.

Anyway, this wasn’t the time to get sentimental.

She was here to help the inn get back on its feet, nothing more. Then she could leave again, clean and simple.

“So, does that mean I’ll see you tonight?” Liam asked, already turning to walk up the street.

“I’m not sure. I’ll see what I can do,” Madison replied.

“Uh-huh, and then something will ‘come up,’ and you won’t be able to make it.” Liam smirked. “Just think about it, okay? I’ll be sure to keep Zach in line. If he even shows up,” he added.

Madison frowned. She refused to chase after Liam for gossip about her ex. But seriously, why wouldn’t Zach come to his best friend’s birthday party? Surely, it wasn’t because of her… was it?

Madison shook off the thought and headed for the hardware store.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Madison! So good to see you,” the older gentleman behind the counter greeted.

“Thanks, Mr. Alders. It’s good to see you, too. I see you have a lot of mums still in stock. I’d like to get four of them for the inn’s front porch, please. And I’ll take the jumbo pumpkins, too.”

Mr. Alders nodded, punching the numbers into the register.

“Do you have any hay bales left? I didn’t see any up front,” Madison asked, scanning the store.

“Tommy’s picking up a fresh order right now. They should be in this afternoon.”

“Great! Can I put in an order for two? I’ll pick everything up later.”

“How about I have Tommy deliver everything?” Mr. Alders offered.