Read Some Kind of Wonderful: A Holiday Novella (The Cupcake Lovers) for Free Online Page A

both heard this saga a million times, but for some reason this version felt different to Zach. Maybe it was the passionate twinkle in Maya’s eyes.
    “Soon after inception,” Helen said, “the Cupcake Lovers decided to spread some joy. Up until then they’d felt useless, helpless. So they sent care packages overseas. What soldier wouldn’t love a home-baked cupcake? That part’s tradition now. Decades ago we branched out, by participating in fund-raising events to help various causes. Then, five years ago, we started a new tradition. Christmas care packages for any veteran within Franklin County. We always gift the food baskets on Christmas Eve. We divvy up the deliveries and usually enlist volunteers to help. Ethel said she tried to find a replacement for John but couldn’t. I suppose—”
    “I’m already carting you to three different homes this afternoon, Helen,” Dan cut in. “I’m not driving all the way up Thrush Mountain to deliver cupcakes to a grump who greets every visitor with the business end of his Remington.”
    “But he’s a veteran,” Helen said.
    “Who lives in the middle of the forest and who doesn’t give diddly-squat about Christmas charity.”
    “But—”
    “I’ll go,” Zach said. It was one way to escape the day’s planned festivities. Hard to justify indulging in a lighthearted sleigh ride, the community theater’s rendition of the living nativity, and a candlelight wassail toast around the town Christmas tree while his comrades endured another dog day in hostile territory.
    “It’s a long drive,” Helen said, looking worried, “and you’d have to take an old logging road, which could be rough given the recent snow.”
    “I’ll manage.”
    “Your leg—”
    “Won’t be a problem. As for the snow, that’s one of the benefits in owning an all-wheel-drive Hummer. Where exactly on Thrush?” he asked Dan.
    While Dan rattled off specifics, Zach glanced at Maya, who seemed suddenly and unnaturally engrossed in slathering a muffin with orange marmalade. It triggered a lingering sexy memory, something Giselle had written about in one of her letters. Last night, in trying to reconnect with his pen pal, Zach had touched on that fantasy. If Giselle had had any latent interest in him, she would have snatched up the flirtatious baton. Instead she’d veered off, avoiding the subject altogether.
    “Depending on traffic and weather, it could take up to three hours to get there and back,” Helen said. “You’ll miss out on part of the fun. It’s not fair—”
    “Happy to do it,” Zach said, still focused on Maya, whose brow was creased in deep thought. Was she angry with him for bailing on the sleigh ride? Worried about him driving that kind of distance with his bum leg? He kept waiting for her to volunteer to ride shotgun. To keep him company or to trade off driving. Delivering a cupcake care package to an isolated Scrooge, trying to inject some Christmas cheer into a lone soul’s life, was right up her alley.
    “You should invite Giselle along,” Maya said, still focused on her muffin.
    “Invite me along where?”
    All heads turned as Maya’s friend and business partner stepped into the kitchen. Zach knew from Maya’s carefully worded excuse— G’s jetlagged and sleeping in —that Giselle had slept in because she was hungover. Even so, she looked gorgeous—her dark hair sleeked into a high ponytail, makeup expertly applied. And even though she’d skipped any hokey holiday attire, she still looked festive in her tight jeans and emerald-green sweater set.
    “Sorry I’m late,” she said.
    “Jet lag is a horrible thing, dear,” Helen said. “No apologies necessary. I’ll fix you a plate.”
    “Please don’t go to the trouble,” Giselle said as she took the empty seat next to Dan. “I’ll just have a toast and coffee.” She glanced at Maya. “Invite me where?”
    “Zach’s delivering a Christmas care package to a war veteran on Thrush Mountain. Kind of