Page 1 of One S'more Time

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MATCHMAKER’S LOG - KRISSA

Look, Zara may be the soft heart of this operation, but I'm the one who actually gets things done. So when she first floated the idea of matching Nate Campbell and Ellie White at the annual First Fires festival, I set down my teacup and braced for chaos.

"Let me get this straight," I said, eyeing Zara over the rim of my glasses. "Nate just retired from fighting literal fires, and you want to throw him into what amounts to the sparkliest bonfire-themed blind date in small-town history?"

Zara didn't flinch—she never does when she knows she's right. Her pen moved steadily in her notepad, looping hearts around both their names with a deliberateness I couldn't decide was whimsical or mildly concerning. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous habit that contradicted her confident words.

"Not just any bonfire," she said, her soft voice belying the strength of her matchmaking convictions. "Ellie's bakery, Sweet Somethings, is running the s'mores booth this year."

"And?" I prompted, already sensing where she was headed. Zara loves a theme.

"And," she continued, narrowing her eyes at me like I was the one missing the obvious, "what better way to prove to two stubbornly wonderful people that love is worth giving a second chance than over s'mores? S'mores are basically a metaphor for relationships: messy, layered, but so worth it."

I tipped my head back, letting out the kind of sigh that my husband Jonah would describe as myyou're-right-but-I'll-never-say-it-out-loud sigh. "Okay, point to you. But let's talk about the major obstacles."

"Such as?" Zara's pen hovered, poised to add whatever flaws I listed to her notes like they were already solvable.

"For one, Ellie doesn't know she's being matched." I ticked the point off on my fingers. "She's just agreed to run the booth because she's too nice to say no. Second, Nate is practically allergic to the kind of spontaneity that Ellie embodies. You do remember the frosting incident at last year's bake-off?"

"I remember," Zara said, grinning. "Three contestants walked away covered in buttercream, and she still delivered the winning cake. She's a whirlwind of creativity."

"And he's steady as bedrock," I countered. "With chemistry, there has to be just enough tension to keep things interesting. But too much, and?—"

"They both pull away," Zara interrupted, resting the pen against her chin. Her expression softened, thoughtful. "I know. But I've watched them both from a distance. She's stuck, Krissa. She's convinced that playing it safe is the only way she can keep her heart intact, but she's miserable. And Nate…" Zaraleaned forward, her smile tinged with that hopeful twinkle she gets when she's absolutely sold on matchmaking magic. "Nate's exhausted from being everyone else's strength. He needs someone who makes him feel like home."

I studied her, the warmth of her words sinking in despite my instinct to push back against overly sentimental plans. Maybe it was the sincerity in Zara's voice, or maybe it was because, deep down, I agreed with her. Ellie deserved a man who saw her layers not as flaws but as complexity worth savoring. Nate—well, if anyone could remind Ellie that it was okay to fall, it was him. He'd spent decades catching people when they needed it most.

"Fine," I said, threading my fingers together on the desk. "Let's do it. The festival's only two weeks away, so we need to move quickly. But if his proverbial marshmallow burns within five minutes, you owe me a week of pastries from Sweet Somethings."

"I'll take that bet." Zara grinned, already scribbling logistics into her planner. Her handwriting was as neat as her cardigan collection. "Nate's calm where Ellie's vibrant. She'll bring color to his world, and he won't even think to step back."

"And if he makes her cry?" I arched a brow.

"He won't," Zara said with absolute certainty. "But he might make her laugh."

Matchmakers’ Log

Name:Nate Campbell

Occupation:Retired firefighter (early retirement due to shoulder injury), now volunteering for local restoration projects.

Referred By:His sister, Tara. Wrote in her referral,"He's too principled to swipe right. Just find him someone who sees how good he is beneath all that stoicism."

Notes:Charming but reserved. Spends too much time fixing his brother's furnace and not enough time focusing on himself. Hesitant about relationships according to Tara, who claims his firefighter schedule was "the perfect excuse to maintain his independence."

Name:Ellie White

Occupation:Baker and owner of Sweet Somethings, a small-town bakery with a devoted following for her seasonal creations.

Notes:Exceptionally talented but underestimates herself—both professionally and personally. She'd give away everything for free if she thought someone needed it enough. Her accountant probably has nightmares about her generosity. Needs someone steady and patient enough to remind her she's worth investing in, too.

Meeting Location:First Fires Festival

As Zara moved off to confirm Nate's schedule, a small part of me—carefully concealed beneath my vintage suits and professional demeanor—hoped she was right about this match. Maybe Ellie could finally embrace her worth beyond what she creates with sugar and flour. Maybe Nate might choose happiness for himself after years of putting others first. And maybe, just maybe, love really was as straightforward as finding someone who sees your imperfections as part of your charm.

But only time—and one carefully orchestrated meeting—would tell.

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