FIND MOM A HUSBAND

Chapter Four: Operation Matchmaker Mayhem.

Emily had sown a seed of possibility with her "accidental" park meeting. Excitement was palpating, Sarah and Jack met in their room after dinner to analyze the day.

When Mom saw David's name badge, did you see her face? Sarah said, her joy was hardly contained. "Operation: Bakery Bump may have just worked!"

Ever cautious, Jack checked her exuberance. A possibility. But Mom doesn't become infatuated with someone after a single park chat. We have a long way to go still."

"Yes," Sarah said, "but it's a beginning! A great start at that. David looked fantastic too. Good listener, kind eyes, and, because of Mrs. Peterson's matchmaking abilities, he truly likes history."

The next hour was spent debating their observations and breaking down every aspect of the exchange. In sharp contrast to her contemptuous demeanor toward possible suitors on those hateful dating sites, they discovered their mother had seemed interested in David.

There was fresh tension over breakfast the next morning. While not talking about the incident to anyone, Emily was constantly looking at her phone, hoping for the best every time it said nothing.

This little shift increased Sarah and Jack's resolve to continue with Operation: Find Mom a Husband.

After school that day, Sarah said, banging a fist on the kitchen table, "Operation: Park Encounter was a success, but we can't rely just on Mrs. Peterson's matchmaking magic. More all-encompassing strategy is what we need."

Jack gave a slow nod from a stool close by. Completely agreed. Where, however, do we even start? Not that we can place an online husband order the same way we place a pizza order.

As always, the strategist, Sarah, smiled. The cavalry enters the picture there. She took out her phone and started sending texts, asking Emma and Liam, their best pals, to an urgent meeting at their favorite hangout, the neighborhood ice cream shop.

In no time, the cavalry arrived, and in high spirits too. Ready to get the gist and get in on the act.

Crisis? Emma raised an eyebrow and scoffed as they slid into a seat full of colorful ice cream scoops heaped high.

I laugh, Jack said. Though not quite an end to the world, it was significant for Mom.

Sarah started passionately explaining their search for a partner for their mother, going into great length about their unsuccessful dating app attempts and their lucky meeting in the park.

Expert gossip and local dating scene expert, Emma was interested. You're essentially the matchmaker for your mother, then? That's fantastic.

A reliable source of reason, Liam interrupted. While this is wonderful, selecting the ideal spouse is not like selecting an ice cream flavor. You must have a strategy.

Excited yet flushed from the ice cream, Sarah nodded. "We need you guys precisely for that reason! We have to write Mom's perfect man's profile."

The ensuing brainstorming session was a tornado of ideas, jokes, and sprinkles. Emily's brilliance, generosity, and love of history were the first things they listed.

Then they outlined the ideal mate for her—someone who would love and appreciate her above all else, could manage their active family dynamic, and share her hobbies.

Emma said, her eyes twinkling, "Humorous, that's a requirement. "Mum wants someone to lighten the mood and make her laugh."

Liam said, "The secret is kindness. Mum deserves understanding and encouraging company."

"Same interests are important, but not a deal-breaker," Sarah added. Perhaps someone who likes to pick up new skills? That way, they might become close by studying history together."

The list expanded, including standards for love of dogs (because of Jack's steadfast devotion to Max), family values, and professional aspirations. Before the last scoop of ice cream was eaten, each had a thorough description of their "ideal man."

Jack said, "Okay, we have the perfect guy on paper," blotting melted chocolate from his chin with a tissue. "But how do we find him in real life?"

Emma, who was always sociable, snapped. Remarkably easy! We disseminated! I'm in a group chat with the single guys from the debating club, and Liam, you belong to the great hiking club with fascinating individuals."

Sarah said, "Wait, wait," a cheeky twinkle in her eyes. "This procedure needs a code name. Anything less overt than 'Find Mom a Husband.'"

Liam offered, after some thought, "Operation: Second Chance at Love."

They related to the appellation. It encapsulated their hope: giving their mother a second shot at happiness in a loving environment.

The gathering was bathed in an orange glow as the sun sank below the horizon, and the ice-cream parlor lights darkened. Equipped with a well-constructed profile and an enticing code name—Operation: Second Chance at Love—Sarah, Jack, Emma, and Liam experienced a resurgence of energy.

Emma said, "Operation briefing time," her voice full of false seriousness. "All right. We want to find possible applicants who fit Mom's description of the perfect man.

We'll quietly let people know about it within our networks, scouting for potential candidates.

Still, Liam, ever the strategist, said, "We can't be too obvious. Mother shouldn't think we're playing matchmaking with a capital M. They need to have chances to meet what nature provides for them.

"Exactly!" Sarah agreed a cheeky twinkle in her eyes. "Think subtle recommendations, informal introductions, maybe even a well-planned history book exchange at the library."

A couple enjoying their evening cones nearby was temporarily startled as a collective fit of laughing reverberated around the ice cream shop.

Divided and vanquished, they had a plan. Social butterfly Emma started teasing her pal about her (unspecific) love of history and her need for company in her debate club group chat.

Ever the outdoorsman, Liam slipped into his hiking group and made light of his single sister's (another imprecise word) love of the outdoors and lively chat.

Jack and Sarah, meantime, were concentrating on their immediate surroundings. Recalling Mrs. Peterson's part in the park meeting, they began going to the bakery more frequently and casually chatting with her about Emily's interests and pastimes.

"Did I ever say Emily is a history buff?" Drinking her cappuccino, Sarah said in passing.

As usual, the astute observer, Mrs. Peterson chuckled. Well, yes, sweetheart. You carried it out. Maybe next weekend she would like to go to the Civil Wars reenactment? They anticipate quite a turnout."

Sarah's eyelids zipped open. Reenacting the Civil War! That is just what Mom would like. Maybe there will be," she said, stopping short, but the inference was clear.

Weeks passed, and Operation: Second Chance at Love proceeded with a mixture of humorous mistakes and eager expectations.

Liam's effort at a "casual" meeting at his hiking club backfired horribly when the too-excited single guy he'd "recommended" turned out to be a conspiracy theorist with a love of Bigfoot sightings—not exactly Emily's grounded temperament.

But Emma seems to have found gold. Daniel, a nice history teacher and member of her debating club, said he would like to meet a single friend who was as passionate about historical documentaries as he is.

"Intelligent, funny, and someone who loves learning new things," Emma said, leaving out specifics.

At a charming bookstore cafe that Emily and Daniel both frequented, a well-planned "coffee date" was set up.

The day came and, claiming to be looking over school assignments, Sarah and Jack sat at an adjacent table and listened intently.

To their relief, the talk moved quite smoothly. They told stories, talked about their favorite historical people, and even argued—a subject Emily had unexpectedly strong feelings about—about the value of made-up historical dramas.

Sarah and Jack gave one another a victorious high-five as the coffee date came to an inevitable end and Daniel led Emily to her car.

This was, they hoped, the real deal—a sincere bond created by common interests, not staged meetings or frantic swipes on dating apps.

But Operation: Second Chance at Love was not without difficulties. Emily was wary even if she had been captivated by Daniel. Years as a single mother had given her a good dose of skepticism.

"He looks nice," she said nervously during supper that evening. Still, Sarah, it's only one date.

Smiling comfortingly, Sarah said. Indeed, Mom. That is, however, how it begins. One exchange of ideas, one similar interest, perhaps a few more dates—who knows where it will go."

Emily seemed to beam just a little. Sweetie, maybe you're correct. Maybe.

First impressions flitted by in the weeks that followed. It worked out well that Mrs. Peterson had suggested the Civil War reenactment.

Wearing a period-appropriate outfit Sarah had discovered in a dusty attic trunk, Emily was enthralled with the historical reenactments and simulated wars.

She was suddenly talking to a kind-faced man named David there, among the smoke and musket fire, and to Sarah and Jack's amazement, he looked genuinely interested in Emily's life.