Page 35 of The Cinnamon Spice Inn (Maple Falls #1)

TWENTY-EIGHT

MADISON

The afternoon air had turned chilly and Madison shivered, wishing she’d worn more than just her thin knit sweater and faded jeans. Her hands were already cold and her cheeks tingled from the wind. A cozy jacket, a scarf, anything more would’ve been smart.

Zach, on the other hand, seemed as comfortable as could be in his thermal shirt, sleeves pulled up, hands casually in his pockets. Absolutely maddening.

The downtown streets had already been closed off in preparation for tomorrow’s festival, with wooden barricades marking each end of Oak Way, effectively turning the area into one big street party.

Vendors were in the midst of setting up their festival booths, featuring handmade crafts and other goods like local jars of honey, artisanal soaps, and jewelry.

The Pumpkinfest wasn’t just about a celebration of fall with pumpkin spiced lattes and scarecrow contests, although there were plenty of those. No, it was a celebration of Maple Falls itself, where people from far and wide came together to shop, eat, and take in the magic of the town.

The street corners were lit with gas fireplaces, each surrounded by decorative concrete and clusters of Adirondack chairs.

People were already gathering, pulling up seats with steaming cups of mulled cider and hot buttered rum, chatting around the warmth of the fire.

There was a relaxed warmth to it all, a sense of belonging so natural it almost made Madison ache.

No rushing, no jostling crowds, no clipped conversations over takeaway coffees.

Just neighbors lingering, swapping stories, savoring the change of season together like even the gap between every moment mattered.

Madison let herself absorb it all, just for a moment. The leaves swirling in the air, the twinkle lights strung between lampposts, the sound of laughter, and the occasional strum of an acoustic guitar from a street musician. This life was what she had missed. And she hadn’t even realized it.

Despite Zach’s insistence that they walk down to the café together, he didn’t say a word. And she was hardly going to break the silence.

Madison didn’t know if she could handle talking to him without snapping. One wrong word out of his mouth, and she might just lose it right here in the middle of downtown.

She bit the inside of her cheek, stuffed her hands into her sweater sleeves, and kept walking.

“Twice in one week—well, isn’t this a surprise!” Anita greeted them with a warm smile as they stepped into the Maple Leaf Café. “And with my son, no less.”

“Mom,” Zach said flatly.

Before he could say more, Madison spoke up. “We actually have something we need to talk to you about,” she said.

Anita’s brows lifted slightly, curiosity in her eyes. “Given the looks on your faces, I’d say this calls for some tea. Why don’t you two pop over to that corner booth? I’ll join you in a minute.”

Zach and Madison did as they were told. Madison tried to ignore the curious glances from the other patrons, like Mr. Alders from the hardware store, and Mrs. Humphrey, having a late lunch with her schnauzer.

Madison read the chalkboard menu hung up by the register.

The daily special was a melt with roasted turkey, sharp cheddar, and thinly sliced apples on grilled multigrain bread.

And the soup of the day was roasted butternut.

The smoky scent of the roasted squash soup lingered in the air, mingling with the sharp, fragrant bite of freshly ground coffee beans.

The soft hum of conversation filled the space, broken only by the occasional clatter of dishes. Regulars lingered at their favorite tables, tucking in to hearty meals or oversized cups of coffee. Everyone was all friendly smiles, trying to be subtle about their interest but failing miserably.

Zach shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

A moment later, Anita appeared, setting down three steaming mugs of ginger lemon tea. Madison leaned forward and inhaled the spicy citrusy aroma. It instantly helped calm the nerves dancing in her belly.

“Alright, now. What’s this about?” Anita slid into the booth. “I hope everything’s okay at the inn.” Concern creased her forehead.

“It is, we’re all just busy getting it ready for the relaunch,” Madison assured her. “Speaking of the inn, though… Zach told me someone sent you a letter about it. I was wondering if you could tell me anything more about what it said?”

Anita hesitated.

“It’s alright. Mads got one, too. That’s why I told her,” Zach said, encouraging his mom.

“It’s true. I’ve been trying to find out who sent it,” Madison added.

Anita exhaled before wrapping her hands around her tea. “It’s just… the letter said to keep it a secret.”

Madison’s pulse kicked up a notch. “A secret? What else did it say?”

“Well… I don’t have it on me, but it said that the inn could use some help, in any way I saw fit.” Anita took a sip of her tea then set it down with a thoughtful frown. “Truth be told, I have been wondering if you sent it,” she admitted, looking at Madison.

“Me?” Madison’s brows shot up. “No. I didn’t even know how bad things were.”

Anita gave her a pitying look, one that made Madison’s stomach drop. She hadn’t realized just how out of touch she’d been with her family.

“Well, be that as it may,” Anita continued, “there wasn’t much I could do except encourage Zach here to lend a hand.

I knew that honeymoon cabin was empty and needed fixing up.

Your mom used to say it fetched a pretty penny back in the day.

Figured that would help your family out, along with any other work he could do on the inn. ”

Madison’s gaze flicked between Anita and Zach.

Zach was staring into his tea, still untouched.

“Other than that”—Anita shrugged—“I wasn’t sure how else I could help. Maybe just being a listening ear for George, checking in on things.”

“Do you know if anyone else got a letter?”

Anita shook her head. “No, but I didn’t mention it to anyone except Zach. If you didn’t send it, I’m not sure who did. Heaven knows Edith would just come right out and tell me if she needed something.”

Madison laughed. “That’s true.”

Anita’s voice softened. “So, how are things going at the inn, really?”

“Better.” She smiled. “Zach finished the dining room, the roof’s all repaired from the tree caving in. And Kit’s ready to start testing out a few dishes. We’re giving them a trial run tomorrow at the Pumpkinfest ahead of our Halloween relaunch.”

“The cabin’s about done, too,” Zach added.

Madison looked over at him in surprise. She’d yet to step inside that space. She wasn’t sure she could.

Because the cabin wasn’t just a place; it was their place.

She would never forget the two of them sneaking away as they often did, desperate for a few moments alone together.

He’d grasp his hand in hers and they’d run through the woods, laughing as they slipped away into the night.

She could still feel it all as if it was imprinted on her DNA, how Zach would press kisses along her throat, hands fumbling at her jeans, her fingers gripping his shirt, tugging him closer.

The heat of him, the way his hands knew exactly where to touch, how to unravel her completely. The way nothing had ever felt more right than the two of them, tangled up together, hearts racing, skin burning.

And now, sitting here with Zach only inches away, an older, rougher, even more beautiful version of him, Madison felt it all again.

“I heard about your relaunch. I think it’s brilliant.” Anita smiled, drawing Madison from her memories. She reached over and gave Madison’s hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re doing good, sweetheart. I hope you know that.”

Madison swallowed hard and managed a smile. “Thanks.”

Zach stood, brushing a hand across the back of his neck. “We should probably get going. Still lots to do before tomorrow.”

Anita gave them both a look that hovered somewhere between maternal pride and amusement. “Well, don’t let me keep you. But if you find out who sent those letters, you better let me know.”

Madison smiled. “Trust me, I will. I hate a mystery I can’t solve.”