The Matchmakers by Janette Oke

jumping up to serve or to clear the plates, all of them settled in to enjoy the food and the conversation.
    When the meal was over there was no lingering over coffee, no playroom to which to send the kids. The attorney settled the bill and Mrs. Weston pushed her chair back.
    “We must get these youngsters away from the table and give them some running room,” she said. “They have been sitting quite long enough.”
    Her smile included all five. “You have behaved so nicely. I’m proud of you.”
    The kids squirmed in embarrassed pleasure.
    They had done well, Cynthia agreed as she pushed away from the table. Even her Todd and Justin. But she was a little nervous now. What would happen at the bachelor apartment? How would the immaculate attorney respond to five active, noisy kids romping through his quarters? She wished they could just go on home and leave the event on a positive note.
    Just as she feared, when they were invited to step through the door, everything in the apartment spoke of expensive taste and extreme orderliness. Cynthia held her breath.
    “You youngsters. Check the closet there,” Mrs. Weston said as she bustled in. “Preston did some shopping so you’d have something to do while we visit.”
    The kids needed no second invitation. They bounded toward the closet and fell to their knees. Indeed the attorney had done some shopping. Cynthia’s mouth opened in surprise. She had never seen such up-to-date toys. They were not many in number but carefully chosen. She quickly spotted two new motorized space station building sets that her boys had begged for as Christmas gifts—and she had been unable to supply. There was also a small train set, complete with tracks and a village to construct.
    Erin, too, had been considered. Quietly she took schoolteacher Barbie with her potential classroom and went off to a corner to set up the scene.
    The boys expressed enthusiasm and dived in with noisy excitement. Cynthia noticed the attorney smile softly. He seemed pleased with their pleasure.
    Maybe it was self-protection rather than generosity, thought Cynthia. He knew if they didn’t have something to do they might— But that’s unfair, she checked herself. It was kind of him to think of the kids.
    The dessert, pound cake with strawberries and whipping cream, was delicious. They sat around the living room and drank rich, hot coffee and chatted while the kids continued to play with the new toys. Cynthia decided that it hadn’t turned out too badly after all.
    When it came time to go, the boys were disappointed. Reluctantly they began to gather up remote-controlled cars and the many connecting pieces and place them back in the box in the closet.
    “They’ll still be here when you come again,” said the attorney. Cynthia glanced up. Was he serious? Was he actually considering letting them come again? Their social obligation was now covered. Was there to be another round?
    Cynthia looked toward Judith. Her friend only smiled.

    “It’s really working quite well, don’t you think? I mean, your dad and Mrs. Weston seem to really enjoy each other.”
    Cynthia smiled. “You’re not going to believe this, but do you know what Daddy said the other day? He asked me to go shopping with him. Shopping! He hasn’t added anything to his wardrobe since Mama died, except for the shirts, socks, and underwear that I pick up for him.”
    “Shopping? A man?”
    “I couldn’t believe it. I asked him just what he wanted, and he said—with a rather embarrassed look—that he needed about everything. That he had let himself get pretty seedy. Imagine!”
    “Well…” said Judith, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe things are moving along faster than we would have dared to think.”
    “I hope they don’t move too fast,” Cynthia said soberly. “I mean, I think she’s great, but I want them both to be sure.”
    “They’re not kids—either one of them,” Judith reminded. “I know, but  … well  … you never can be too