Free Some Kind of Wonderful: A Holiday Novella (The Cupcake Lovers) by Beth Ciotta

himself he wasn’t going to pursue the attraction. That he cherished Maya’s friendship too much to screw it up on the off chance that they might click in bed. But as the evening wore on his resolve crumbled.
    Scents from the delicious dinner Maya had whipped up lingered and mingled with the smell of pine wafting from a lone candle and the pleasing aroma of burning wood. While she’d cooked, Maya had hummed and sung Christmas songs, an old-fashioned form of entertainment that had moved Zach deeply as he’d toured around Marx’s cabin, acquainting himself with the grump of Franklin County via random pictures and keepsakes.
    Marx was an army man. A veteran of Vietnam. And near as Zach could tell, Marx had never married. No evidence of a wife or children, ever. Just photos with a few fellow soldiers and a hunting buddy or two. Marx struck Zach as a loner. A man who dwelled in the past. Was he shackled to the war by personal demons? Mentally and emotionally incapable of letting go and moving on? Had he even tried to fit into civilian life? Zach commiserated and at the same time fought the notion of ending up like this himself. Alone and miserable for life.
    Maya’s singing helped to lift his spirits and he suddenly found himself clinging to her goodness and optimism like a lifeline. While they feasted on turkey, soup, and various simple side dishes, she shared several touching stories based on holiday parties she and Giselle had volunteered to cater for local homeless and women’s shelters. Maya spoke casually, as if Cupcakes & Dreamscapes had only played a small role, and focused on the people in need and their heart-tugging stories. But Zach felt the depth of Maya’s and Giselle’s kindness and generosity to the pit of his soul. It certainly shed new light on Giselle and only made Zach love Maya all the more.
    Oh yeah. He’d fallen for Maya Templeton in a way that made his mind swim and his heart ache. He was the moon to her sun, the rain to her rainbow. He was the exact opposite of what he wanted for her, yet he didn’t want to miss out on what she offered him. Hope. Happiness.
    Even if only for tonight.
    “Thank you for helping me clean up,” she said to Zach after they’d cleared away the remaining food and dishes.
    “Sure.” He watched as she dried her hands on a ratty dishcloth. Her long hair was still tousled from the wind. Sexy. Even the Santa hat was a turn-on. All she had to do was lose the reindeer sweater and a few more layers and he’d be a goner.
    “Have room left for dessert?” she asked.
    “Let me guess. Cupcakes?”
    She smiled and his heart skipped. “Why don’t we have them in front of the fireplace?” she suggested. “There’s a bottle of red wine, too, although it has a screw cap. How good can it be?”
    “Who cares? You get the glasses. I’ll fix us a pallet.” Trying to get in the spirit and wanting to make the evening as festive as possible for Maya’s sake, Zach pulled Marx’s bearskin rug closer to the hearth. He shook out the comforter and blanket he’d brought along, draping them over the furry hide, then nabbed the pillows he’d found on Marx’s bed, shimmying them into fresh pillowcases he’d found in a closet.
    “Oh, wow,” Maya said as she joined him, wine bottle and two plastic tumblers in hand.
    “I don’t know about you, but I’m not high on sleeping in Marx’s bed. It’s cold in that room and it just feels wrong.”
    “I agree,” Maya said. “This is great. Sort of like a slumber party.”
    Zach noted her bright pink cheeks. Flushed in anticipation of sleeping together? Or because of her close proximity to the crackling hearth? “I’ll pour the wine,” he said, freeing up her hands. “You get the cupcakes.”
    Pain shot up his left leg as he lowered himself onto their makeshift bed. Like always he ignored the discomfort. Even when he’d been hospitalized, both legs in traction, he’d never once complained. His injuries were nothing compared to