Page 62 of The Cinnamon Spice Inn (Maple Falls #1)

FIFTY-FIVE

MADISON

The town turned out in full force in support of the inn’s grand reopening—and at that point Madison didn’t expect anything else.

The weather was perfect for late October.

It was warm enough that you didn’t need a coat but cool enough for scarves and boots.

The only person missing was Zach. Madison had told herself that she would seek him out later that night if he didn’t show.

Mrs. C. was sampling everything to eat in the dining room, telling Kit what she thought, leaving nothing behind.

“Don’t let Mr. Alders sample your pumpkin pie—it’ll top mine in his regards!

” she said, going back for a second forkful.

“I think you have a little bit too much cinnamon on those turnovers, but if I had a bit more ice cream, maybe that would balance it out. And you know I just love a good butternut squash soup. Yours is divine. You could probably sprinkle some toasted pine nuts on top if you wanted to give it a little extra kick.”

Kit took all the feedback in stride, knowing deep down that her recipes were perfect as is.

That was just Mrs. C.’s way—she always had to weigh in and give her opinion.

Madison was coming to appreciate that, too.

There was never a short supply of people willing to lend a hand, lend an ear, or give an opinion in Maple Falls—for better or worse.

Madison looked around at everything they had accomplished in the past few weeks. The inn looked completely magical. There were glowing jack-o’-lanterns on the front porch, apple cider barrels and hay bales out front, and a big Halloween wreath hung on the front door—courtesy of the crafting circle.

Bowls of candy sat in the entryway, and the smell of cinnamon rolls still clung to the air from that morning. The wooden floors gleamed, polished and clean, and guests chatted in the lobby with mugs of cider in hand.

Madison couldn’t wait until tonight. Kids would come knocking, saying, “Trick or treat,” in their adorable Halloween costumes. A few of them were already running up and down Oak Way dressed as superheroes and princesses. She might’ve even seen a zombie here or there.

Guests were steadily arriving, too. The inn wasn’t sold out, but they were well on their way. Things were looking bright and up in all areas.

Except for one.

Zach.

After that day at the farmhouse, Madison had reached out, tried to tell him she was sorry and that she wanted to talk more—but all she’d heard back was radio silence.

She didn’t blame him. She had iced him out first and she was willing to take full responsibility for how she’d acted.

She just prayed that Zach would hear her out.

Give her a second chance… or maybe it was a third by now.

Regardless, Madison had to be brave and ask him to take that chance on her, on them.

Madison moved through the crowd, smiling and chitchatting here and there.

The place felt full of life. Cocoa was there too, getting plenty of pets and more than one dog biscuit.

Visitors naturally filtered out onto the lawn, petting Honey and Biscuit and giving Aspen carrots.

The animals were getting more affection than they had in the last six months—well, more than from just George, anyway.

Madison looked for her dad and smiled when she saw him chatting easily with Mr. Alders and Mayor Bloomfield.

They were congratulating him on a job well done.

George was quick not to take any credit.

“I couldn’t have done it without Maddie here.

Well—Zach, Kit, Gram, the entire crew. You too, Mayor,” her dad said, raising his cider in a toast to the man who had kept the inn going long enough to give Madison a chance to buy it back.

“There you are,” Gram said, joining her on the lawn.

“What’s wrong?” Madison asked more out of instinct than anything else.

“Well… I may have accidentally loosened the inn’s porch railing earlier.” Gram had the decency to pretend to be sorry. “Someone’s on his way to fix it. Maybe you could patch some things up too?” Gram patted Madison’s hand.

“You did not,” Madison said with a smile.

“He won’t dare ignore a call from me,” Gram said, chuckling.

Madison knew she was right. Zach wouldn’t ignore a call from Gram any more than he would ignore a call from his own mother.

Speaking of which, Anita had arrived with a lovely bouquet of orange and white flowers.

Madison had put them in a crystal vase and set them on the registration desk. It really brightened up the lobby.

Zach arrived just as Kit was starting to panic about keeping the guests away from the danger zone while the railing was still loose.

“If everyone could just come toward the back, that would be great. The railing is just a little unsteady,” Kit said, luring people away with caramel-dipped apples and homemade kettle corn. She didn’t have to tell people twice—the sweets easily lured them away.

Madison watched from a distance. Zach, with his sleeves rolled up, looked every bit like a small-town hero trope come to life. He wasted no time opening his toolbox and tightening the railing. If Madison didn’t act quickly, he’d be in and out in less than five minutes.

“Hey,” Madison said, approaching.

He looked over his shoulder with a head nod, then turned back, continuing to tighten the bracket. “Thought you’d left town already.”

“Not yet. I want to talk to you.” Madison looked around, realizing how many prying eyes were watching them. “Maybe someplace in private?” she suggested.

Zach allowed Madison to lead him down the path toward the lake until they were behind the honeymoon cabin, with the water stretched out before them. It was about as private as they were going to get, and it felt right—having this conversation with Zach in a place that meant so much.

“So, what did you want to say?” Zach asked, as if he’d rather be anywhere else.

“That morning, when I got the job offer, I needed space. I didn’t know what to do, so I ran, and I’m sorry for that.”

He shook his head, a humorless laugh leaving his lips. “You didn’t just run, Mads, you disappeared. Just like before.”

She winced. “I know. I know, and you’re right. But it wasn’t because I didn’t love you. It’s never been that.”

He looked away. “You have any idea what it’s like, watching you walk away? Wondering why I’m never enough for you to stay?”

Tears stung her eyes. “Zach, it wasn’t like that.

I found out my family didn’t own the inn anymore, that they sold it to pay for my college.

I thought I had to take the job in New York, get the inn back for them, for my mom’s legacy—even if it meant losing you.

I thought it was the only way to fix everything. ”

He looked back at her then, eyes burning. “You didn’t even give me the chance to fight for us.”

“I know.” She swallowed hard. “And I’m so sorry for that. I thought I had to choose, but I was wrong. I talked to my new boss, and the job’s going remote. I’ll have to travel some, but I’m staying here. I want this life, Zach. With you. And the inn.”

She stepped closer. “I’m in love with you. It’s always been you; it always will be. Please tell me it’s not too late. Tell me you can forgive me.”

His gaze softened, but the hurt was still there. “How do I know you won’t run again?”

Madison lifted her chin, trying to show her strength. “Because I’m done running. Because I love you more than I love any job or city or anything else. I’ll fight for this. For us. For you.”

Zach looked at her. Really looked at her. And then he stepped forward. “You’re late,” he murmured, “but not too late.” And he kissed her, pressing her back against the cabin wall.

The kiss deepened, hot, urgent. Madison was suddenly very aware of exactly how little privacy the back of the cabin offered.

Breathless, she broke away.

“Inside,” she whispered, tugging him toward the door.

Zach didn’t hesitate. His hand found hers, and together they raced to the door, fumbling with it like two people who couldn’t bear another second apart.

The door slammed shut behind them, and then he was on her again. He laced his hands through her hair and pulled her sweater up over her head, discarding it onto the floor without ceremony. She did the same with his shirt.

He kissed down her body—slow, unhurried, savoring. She gasped when his mouth found her breast, teasing her nipple with slow, lazy flicks of his tongue until she was writhing before him, clutching at his shoulders.

“You’re driving me insane,” she panted.

Zach chuckled low against her skin, the sound sending vibrations straight through her core.

“Good,” he said, grinning wickedly. “Because you’ve been driving me insane for years.”

Zach lifted Madison up and carried her effortlessly to the table, just like he had in her fantasy.

“I dreamed of us like this,” she confessed.

“You did?” Zach arched a cocky brow. “When?”

“That first night back,” Madison whispered, her cheeks flushing, but she didn’t look away.

Zach’s grin turned wicked. “And here I thought I was the only one losing sleep.”

He set her carefully on the table, undressing her until she was bared to him.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he murmured, voice low and reverent. “Every time you smile at me, every time you look at me like you see the best parts of me… I come undone.”

Madison’s heart squeezed, her throat tightening with emotion.

Because she did see him. She always had.

“I don’t want to dream anymore,” she whispered, reaching for him. “I want this. I want you.”

“You’re not dreaming,” Zach said roughly, leaning in and capturing her mouth in a kiss that was both a promise and a possession.

Madison fumbled with the button of his jeans, needing more, needing him.

When he was ready, Zach slid his hands up her thighs, gripping her hips and pulling her closer to the edge of the table.

Their eyes locked.

With one slow, deliberate thrust, Zach pushed inside her, filling her completely.

They both gasped because it was perfect.

It had always been perfect between them.

“God, Mads,” he rasped.

She clung to him as he began to move, slow and deep, each thrust sending sparks racing up her spine.

The table creaked beneath them, but neither of them cared.

It was raw and real and so, so good.

Zach kissed her like he couldn’t get close enough, his hands everywhere, grounding her and worshipping her all at once.

Madison met every roll of his hips with a little whimper that only made him move faster, deeper, driving them both higher.

The coil of pleasure tightened until she was shuddering around him, crying out his name.

Zach followed with a guttural groan, his body trembling with the force of his release.

She lay back on the table, breathing hard and laughing softly.

“What’s so funny?” he murmured, still trying to catch his breath.

Madison smiled, a warmth blooming in her chest. “That first night, my dream was interrupted. I’ve been waiting for this exact climax for a while. And it was way better than any fantasy could have been.”

Zach huffed a low, pleased laugh. “Good. I like exceeding expectations.”

He leaned forward and helped her up. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close like he had no intention of letting go.

And for the first time in a long time, Madison believed it.

This wasn’t a fantasy; this was real.

Him. Them. This moment.

It wasn’t the start of something. It was everything.