Page 26 of The Cinnamon Spice Inn (Maple Falls #1)

NINETEEN

MADISON

Coffee.

It was just coffee.

But Madison couldn’t shake the way her heart had melted at his words.

It was like an olive branch after all the friction between them.

Because coffee, especially in that cabin, was their thing.

And he remembered, like he always had. Just how strong she needed it, with raw sugar and fresh cream for an extra treat.

He knew she couldn’t start a day without at least two cups, usually three.

But Zach’s was always the best. She used to steal sips from his travel mug just because it tasted better when it came from him.

For one stupid, reckless second, she’d almost said yes. Almost walked toward him, toward the warmth she could already smell drifting from the open cabin door.

But Madison had caught herself just in time.

Let’s not pretend we’re who we used to be ; Zach’s words from last night replayed through her head.

So she’d turned him down politely, mumbled some excuse about things to do, and forced herself to walk away—because if she hadn’t, she wasn’t sure she would have stopped at coffee.

The chemistry between them didn’t care that her mind was in knots, and she didn’t want them to make just another “mistake.”

But something had flickered in Zach’s eyes when she’d said no. He’d covered it quickly, giving a short nod. It was that easy, casual way he used when he was hiding something bigger. He’d always been good at masking his emotions, unlike her.

Madison’s chest ached at the thought of that flicker in his eyes. She had just stepped into the inn, and almost said screw it and turned around, when she saw Emily inside the lobby.

“Hey, just dropping off a couple pastries for you,” Emily said, standing next to the registration desk in a caramel-colored knit sweater and dark jeans.

Her blonde hair was tied back into a messy bun that framed her heart-shaped face.

“Your dad said you didn’t need them for guests, but I figured you could still use a little sweetness to kick-start your day. ”

“Thanks so much, we really appreciate it,” Madison said, pulling off her beanie.

“We really do!” Gram added from behind the counter, already licking icing off her fingers. A half-eaten pumpkin cheesecake muffin sat on a napkin beside her coffee. “Consider this my official taste test, and these are divine!”

Emily beamed and then looked at Madison. “I know things are crazy right now, but when they slow down, we really need to catch up. We can get some coffee, walk around the lake or something?”

“I’d love that,” Madison said. The words felt both too small and too big all at once. “Definitely.”

“Perfect,” Emily said with a smile. “I’ll text you, okay?”

“Sounds good.” Madison waved her old friend out the door.

“Take care, love,” Gram called, washing down a bit of her muffin with a sip of coffee.

Madison eyed the pastries Emily had dropped off. They looked sinfully good. She poured herself an oversized mug of coffee and spotted a leaf-shaped sugar cookie nestled in the box. She plucked it out, then walked over to meet Gram at the counter.

“Do you know where Dad is?” Madison asked, breaking off a corner of the cookie. “I wanted to talk to you both about the inn, make sure we’re on the same page.”

Gram hummed, considering. “Well, I imagine he’s feeding Aspen his breakfast.”

Madison nodded, taking a sip of her coffee.

It tasted like heaven.

Okay, maybe not heaven.

Heaven would’ve been the coffee Zach had offered her this morning. Fresh, hot, and handed over with those rough hands that used to know every inch of her body.

She wrapped her fingers tighter around the cup.

Why did she say no? Madison had already admitted to herself that she was still wildly, stupidly attracted to him.

That wasn’t even a question anymore. Not after finding out the truth about what had happened in the tavern all those years ago.

Not after the kiss last night. And especially not after the way he had looked at her this morning, bare chest, damp hair, standing outside the honeymoon cabin like something straight out of her filthiest dreams. He didn’t just think she was a big mistake.

He didn’t just want her gone. He’d offered her coffee. He’d invited her in.

But to what end? Last night, Zach had been clear their kiss was a mistake.

And he was right. She knew they could never work long-term, not with her future away from Maple Falls.

But part of her, the reckless, aching part, was seriously trying to remember why they couldn’t have a little fun for old times’ sake.

Nothing serious. Just for fun. Like a summer fling, only in the fall. That could be a thing, right? Why not? They were grown adults.

Or maybe it was a chance for closure. They could spend some time together, remember what they had, and then move on. It could be therapeutic.

Before she could think about it any further, the front door swung open, and George stepped inside with Cocoa close at his heels, barking and tugging on his pant leg.

“Ho, ho! Good morning, you two,” he greeted Madison and Edith cheerfully.

“Hang on, you’ll get your biscuit,” George said down to Cocoa, ducking behind the registration desk and pulling a dog treat from the cookie jar he kept stashed there. “Sit, come on now, you can do it.” Cocoa plopped down, tail wagging wildly. “There’s a good girl.”

Madison took a breath, shifting gears. Time to focus. She was here for the inn, and they had work to do. “Dad,” she began. “I wanted to talk to you about Halloween. What if we shut down, use the next couple of weeks to fix up the inn, and have a themed grand reopening?”

“Oh?” Gram asked, clearly intrigued.

“It could be amazing,” she continued, feeling the excitement build, her ideas taking shape. “We could have pumpkin-lined, candlelit walkways, spooky cider tastings, maybe even a costume contest or trick-or-treat trail for the kids. Oh, a bonfire by the lake, too!”

George looked lost for words and Madison pressed on.

“We could start promoting it during the Pumpkinfest and partner with local businesses. Discounted rates if you buy a basket of local goodies from Liam’s farm shop, or donuts from the bakery, or hand-knit scarves from the outfitter.

That kind of thing. We could even raffle off a full weekend getaway for the holidays. ”

She glanced between Gram and her dad.

Gram lifted her coffee. “Sounds great to me, Honey Pie.”

George looked between Madison and Edith, reading their expressions. “Are you sure you can get it all done in time?”

“Positive. We’ve got this, especially with Zach helping. It’ll be ready.”

“Even the honeymoon cabin?” Gram asked.

“Even that,” Madison said tightly, not dwelling on the space that held so many memories for her and Zach.

“Which reminds me,” Gram said, turning a finger toward George. “There’s a Pumpkinfest committee meeting this morning at the café.”

“I already told Mrs. Bishop and Mrs. C. that I’d be there,” Madison said, speaking up. “I’ll find out what they still need, volunteer us for it, and start putting feelers out for promotional partnerships.”

In past years, the inn had hosted an open house for the annual Pumpkinfest, with carnival games and prizes on the front lawn.

They’d be closed this year, but they could at least have a stall outside and serve her mom’s famous cinnamon rolls—with Kit’s apple butter center twist—and start promoting the reopening.

“It’d have to all be outside, but we could fix up just the front porch, go all out with decorations, and set up a refreshment stand,” she mused. “Something cozy and inviting. That could work, right?”

“I’m sure they’ll need a sponsor for an event or two, as well,” Gram said.

At that, George fell silent. He stared off toward the window, lips pressed together, and Madison recognized that look instantly. It was the same one he always got when her college tuition was due.

Money. She knew he was worried.

“I’ll talk to the committee,” Madison assured him gently. “Hopefully, they just need manpower from us, not funding. I’m sure they’ll understand.”

George nodded, but he said nothing. Instead, he crouched down to give Cocoa another treat, scratching behind the pup’s ears.

Madison sighed. “Alright, I’ll fill you in when I’m back from the meeting.”

“Perfect,” Gram said with a broad smile.

George’s smile was less than convincing, but it would have to do.

One step at a time.

They could still save this place.

She just had to believe it, and it would be true.