Jody Hedlund | Exclusive Excerpt: MARRYING THE MATCHMAKER

Excerpt from Chapter 3 of MARRYING THE MATCHMAKER:

“You told me you could help me with Deirdre.” His voice was soft and free of the arrogance that usually filled it. “I’m sorry I turned you down. I could use your perspective, if you’re willing to give it.”

A tiny needle of guilt pricked Zaira. She should help him because it was the right thing to do, not because she needed something in return. But she had only three days left to rewrite the next segment of the story that included the kiss. And she had to get everything right or perhaps lose out on her chance to continue publishing.

Slowly she pushed up, shaking out her now-damp skirt. She didn’t hassle with donning her stockings and shoes, but she did make a point of tucking her feet out of sight underneath the hem of her skirt. She wasn’t sure why she was bothering, especially now that he’d already seen not only her feet but also her calves.

“You do actually know who Deirdre cares about, do you not?” His voice contained a note of exasperation. “I’m running out of time to make the match, so if you’re not knowing, be kind enough to say so.”

“I said I’d help you, Bellamy.” She took a step closer. What should she ask him for first? “And yes, I know who Deirdre admires.”

“Who?”

She moved again, this time putting herself directly in front of Bellamy and leaving only six inches—or less—between them. “If I give you the name, I’d like something in return.”

His eyes rapidly narrowed. “What?”

She halved the distance so now only three inches remained. She was close enough she could hear his breathing.

If he was intimidated by her nearness, he wasn’t showing it. He didn’t move and didn’t react, not even in surprise.

She had the urge to walk her fingers up his arm and across his chest as she’d once seen her oldest sister, Finola, do with her husband, Riley. Finola had finished her finger-walk at Riley’s top button, then had fisted a hand in his shirt and pulled him down for a kiss.

Zaira guessed such a move would be entirely too bold. Nevertheless, she had to keep going. Too much was at stake if she acted shyly.

Sucking in a steadying breath, she reached out and laid her hand on Bellamy’s arm.

His gaze snapped there like he’d been stung by a hornet. “What are you doing, Zaira?” His voice was low and full of warning.

Warning of what? She shrugged as nonchalantly as possible. “I need to do some research for my writing. And I’d like your help.”

He stared at her hand for several long heartbeats before lifting his eyes to hers again. “What kind of research?”

She hesitated. She hadn’t really thought through her plan. What exactly did she want Bellamy to do? Hug her? Perhaps kiss her? That surely ought to be enough to help her understand romance, wouldn’t it? “I was thinking one hug and one kiss.”

“Holy mother.” He took a step back and shook his head, a strange panic filling his features.

She grabbed his arm. “Please, Bellamy. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.”

He was still shaking his head, his eyes wide.

“Okay, no hug. Just a kiss.”

“I’m not kissing you.”

“It won’t mean anything. It’s not like I want to have a relationship with you. In fact, I don’t even like you.”

The panicked look seemed to ease from his features. “You don’t like me?”

“No.” Maybe she liked him a little. Or a lot. But she didn’t want to like him. And that was mostly the same thing, wasn’t it?

He studied her, as though he was reading her thoughts, probably realizing her denial had been too adamant.

“Okay,” she said. “I admit I find you a tiny bit attractive. But I don’t want to marry you or anything close to that.”

“So, you’ll help me with Deirdre if I help you with your research by kissing you?”

She bit her bottom lip. She wanted to tell him yes, that was the only way. But she wasn’t so desperate that she would deny him help if he really was opposed to kissing her. “Listen, Bellamy.”

He was staring at the bottom lip she’d just worried between her teeth. And the brown of his eyes was dark and melted and dangerous.

She couldn’t keep from releasing her hold on his arm. Something about him was so magnetic that she was liable to be drawn in and lose herself to him if she wasn’t careful.

“I’m listening,” he whispered, a small smile beginning to tug at the corners of his lips.

Did he think she was silly? Maybe she was, but she didn’t care. “It obviously has to be a good kiss and one full of feeling. But that’s all.”

He nodded slowly. “How long does it have to be?”

“I don’t know. How long are kisses supposed to last?” See, this was why she needed to do the research.

He shrugged, his smile turning sly. “It can last as long as you want.”

“Then let’s agree to a time limit.”

“What will be sufficient for your research?”

“Half a minute?”

His brows shot up.

What did that mean? Was half a minute too long or two short? Probably too short, if the kissing of her married siblings was any indication. “Then two minutes.”

“Two minutes of kissing?”

“You’re right, that’s too long. Maybe one.”

He crossed his arms, the muscles in his forearms taut. “And when would you like to do this one-minute kiss?”

“The sooner the better. I need to turn in my next segment in three days.”

He hesitated. “So, your story has a kissing scene?”

“Just a brief one, and the editor says it needs to be more realistic.”

“Does it now? And you think kissing me will help you convey that?”

“Aye.” She actually didn’t know, but it was worth a try.

MARRYING THE MATCHMAKER by Jody Hedlund

An Irish Matchmaking American Historical Romance Novel Set in 1800s St. Louis

As the middle child of the Shanahan family, Zaira does her best to keep the peace. She doesn’t share her dream of becoming a published author with her family to spare herself their disapproval. When she’s caught in a scandal involving the local matchmaker, Bellamy McKenna, she must put her storytelling ability to good use and feign a match with him to avoid wagging tongues and her parents’ anger.

Feeling the growing pressure to marry as a well-known, yet single matchmaker to St. Louis’s Irish community, Bellamy reluctantly agrees to a temporary match with Zaira. But even though the matchmakers in his family might be able to find love for others, they have a history of disastrous relationships for themselves. When secrets and danger force Zaira and Bellamy to work together, is it finally the matchmaker’s turn to be lucky in love?

Hedlund delivers another captivating closed-door historical romance with sizzling chemistry, witty banter, a fake relationship, and close-knit Irish families where the matchmaker finally meets his match in this final installment in her series for fans of Mimi Matthews and Elizabeth Camden.

Romance Historical | Christian [ Baker Publishing Group, On Sale: February 3, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764244377 / eISBN: 9781493452538 ]

About Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Bride Ships | Colorado Cowboys | Waters of Time | Shanahan Match