Junior Matchmakers Read online

  JUNIOR MATCHMAKERS

  by Judy Teel

  Golden Angel Press

  This flash fiction piece is dedicated to my readers.

  This short story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Published by Golden Angel Press

  Copyright © August 2011 by Judy P. Mills

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce or borrow concepts from this short story or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

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  http://judyteel.com/

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  “But Mom, Stacy’s daddy needs a wife. And you deserve someone nice, too.”

  I looked at my ten-year old daughter. Her earnest blue eyes gazed at me pleadingly and I tried to ignore the flush of embarrassment spreading over my face. As much as I loved spending time with my daughter, I had been entertaining thoughts lately of, well...entertaining. That didn’t mean I wanted my kid playing matchmaker for me.

  I took a deep breath. “I understand you and Stacy would love to be sisters—”

  “We are like sisters, Mom.”

  “That doesn’t mean her dad and I are destined to fall in love. I haven’t even met him.”

  “I’m telling you, he’s perfect for you,” she insisted. “And cute.” She stuffed a notebook into her backpack and gave me a mischievous smile.

  “Scoot, missy.” I handed Kim her lunch, gave her a kiss and urged her toward the door just as her carpool ride pulled into the driveway. “Remember, we leave for the campground today,” I called after her.

  As I navigated traffic that morning, I couldn’t help thinking about what Kim had said. It had been nearly two years since the divorce, but I’d been so busy moving us out of the city, getting my camping store off the ground, and helping us both adjust to life on our own I hadn’t had time to date.

  I chewed my bottom lip. I had to admit I wasn’t being honest with myself. The truth was, I just couldn’t seem to find a guy I was willing to take a chance on. I didn’t have only my heart to consider anymore. I also had Kim’s.

  Fridays were always busy at the store, giving me no time to think about my lack of a love life. When the bell over the door chimed just after noon I hardly paid any attention, knowing my competent assistant manager could handle it—until a pleasant male voice spoke right behind me.

  “I was wondering if you could help me pick out some camping equipment?” the voice said, sounding hesitant.

  I turned around and an unexpected tingle ran through me at the sight of the handsome brunette standing in front of me. “Um...of course,” I stuttered, surreptitiously taking in his athletic build plus no wedding ring. The store seemed to disappear for a moment as his deep brown eyes locked with mine.

  I cleared my throat and told my knees to stop feeling like they’d give out any minute. “What kind of supplies do you need?”

  A beautiful smile lit up his face and my heart rate jumped into overdrive. “Everything. My daughter is set on going camping and I don’t seem to be able to tell her ‘no.’ She can be very insistent.”

  “I have the same problem with my daughter,” I said, relaxing as he chuckled. “Let me show you some things that might work for you.”

  When the man left a little while later with his new camping equipment, I was puzzled at how disappointed I felt. I hadn’t even gotten his name since he’d paid with cash. The chemistry between us had been unmistakable and my instincts told me he was exactly the kind of man I’d been looking for. Sadly, I’d probably never see him again.

  I was still mulling over my surprising reaction to the handsome stranger when Kim and I pulled into Mockingbird Campground that evening for our monthly weekend getaway. Intent on setting up our campsite, I politely ignored the activity in the site next to ours until I heard a frustrated grunt. I glanced over and saw the man from that afternoon struggling with his new tent.

  A surge of happiness swept through my chest. “Hi!” I called. “This can’t possibly be where you’re camping this weekend.” I could have kicked myself for how silly that sounded. He looked up in surprise and then grinned.

  “I can’t believe it! Stacy, I want you to meet someone,” he called, striding toward me.

  Stacy? What a coincidence, I thought. But when Kim and her new best friend came out from behind our minivan grinning from ear to ear, I knew it was no coincidence.

  “Meet Stacy’s daddy!” my daughter said. The girls broke out in happy giggles, looking from one of us to the other.

  “I think we’ve been set up,” the dad in question said. He held out his hand. “I’m Kevin. You must be Marjie.”

  His warm grip enveloped my palm and my heart stuttered. “Don’t tell me Stacy’s been nagging you too?”

  “For weeks. Now I know why she was so insistent about camping this weekend.”

  “Would you like some help with your tent?”

  “Only if you let us feed you dinner.”

  “We’d love it.” And I knew this was the start of something wonderful.

 

 

  Judy Teel, Junior Matchmakers

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