She pointed at him as if he’d just said something brilliant. “I guess that’s why you call it the original.”

“Actually, I call it the Harmony. The Harmony S’more.” He kept his eyes fixed on her, awaiting the inevitable reaction.

“You named it after me?” She suddenly felt incredibly touched by the gesture, by this whole day she’d had with Nolan.

“I had to, seeing as you inspired it.”

“How’d I do that?”

“Allow me to explain.” He paused to add a marshmallow to each of their roasting sticks. “We start with the marshmallow, which is sweet, fun to look at, and also required to make this a s’more.”

Harmony giggled. “And also liable to catch fire at a moment’s notice, right?”

Nolan laughed, too. “Nope. For that, we have the gingersnap.” He pulled out a Tupperware of what appeared to be homemade cookies. “Hard exterior, filled with interesting, unexpected flavors and—let’s be honest here—also thoroughly Southern.”

“I like where you’re headed so far. What’s next?”

“I’m glad you asked, because this is the best part.” He brought a glass jar out from the bag followed in short order by a plastic butter knife. “Strawberry jam. Not what you’d expect to round out your s’mores, yet somehow it’s perfect just the same. It also represents your guts.”

“That’s a little bit gross, but I like it all the same. Definitely a good description of me.”

They both laughed as their marshmallows finished roasting, and Nolan spread jam on a pair of gingersnaps in preparation. When the full dessert was built, Harmony studied it a moment before taking a bite. “The Harmony S’more, huh?”

“The Harmony S’more,” he echoed. “The perfect blend of spicy and sweet. Just like you.”

Their eyes locked and neither said anything until a bit of hot marshmallow goop oozed onto Harmony’s finger, bringing her focus back to the morsel before her.

She took a big bite and silently prayed that she wasn’t about to go doing something so foolish as falling in love with Nolan Murphy.

Chapter 30

Pastor Adam

The church potluck last weekend was a smashing success, and I couldn’t be happier. Even though its primary purpose was to offer fellowship among our members and the community at large, Eternal Grace still managed to raise enough money to fund our Resurrection Sunday stage play, complete with costumes, beautifully painted backdrops, and all the bells and whistles. I know the kids are beside themselves with excitement, and so am I.

Tonight my daughter, grandson, the church dogs, and I decided to enjoy a quiet night at home. My future son-in-law Gavin dropped by, too. Even though it will be much lonelier for me when Abigail and little Owen move out, I’m looking forward to officially welcoming this kind-hearted young man into the family.

He’s a good man, made even better by the fact that he cooked supper for us tonight—and better than better for the fact that it was really quite tasty. I’m not too proud to admit that I helped myself to seconds and thirds of his pot roast stew. If we hadn’t cleared the pot, I’d likely still be at the table helping myself to fourths and fifths!