“I would hope so.” Katie brushed the crumbs to one corner of her plate. “Because you’ve got your hands full as it is. When are you and J.D. going to get married?”

Tiffany’s gaze slid away. “Soon.”

“How soon?” Bliss insisted. “You said something about this fall.”

Tiffany bit her lip and leaned over the table. “Our plans have changed a little. I think we might just drive to Reno and elope.”

“No!” Bliss’s eyes were round with dismay. “You have to have a wedding.”

“I agree.” Katie had always considered herself practical, but she had enough of a romantic side to think that there should be a little pomp and circumstance, white lace and satin, a wedding cake and flower girls.

“I did the big-wedding bit before. Remember, I was married to J.D.’s older brother. It’s like we’re already family.”

Bliss was having none of her arguments. “But you need a special day, an event, a rite of passage to start your life with J.D.”

Tiffany leaned back in the booth as the waitress brought their check. “We’ll see.”

“Really, Tiffany—”

“Look, Bliss, there are other complications, as well,” Tiffany said, then, hearing the edge in her voice, she sighed.

“Oh.” Bliss cleared her throat and Katie got the message.

“You mean you’re not going to have the big church wedding because you don’t want to deal with John.”

“What would I do, have him give me away?” Tiffany asked, her lips pursing. “That’s a joke, isn’t it, since he never even claimed me for over thirty years.”

Bliss’s chin hardened. “Have Stephen give you away. Leave Dad out of it.”

“Too late.” Tiffany tossed her napkin on the table and reached for the check. “John’s already asked to pay for the wedding, just like he’s been my father all along.” She lifted a shoulder and shook her head. “Maybe if this were my first wedding, maybe if there had been more time since I’d connected with him and accepted him as a father figure of some kind, if not a real dad, then maybe this would work. As it is, I think it’s best if J.D. and I scoop up the kids and steal away in the night. When we return a few days later, we’ll be married.”

“There is an edge of romance to that,” Katie allowed.

“Well, it’s your decision.” Bliss reached across the table and squeezed her half-sister’s fingers. “Don’t mind me. I just learned at an early age to speak my mind, even when I know that discretion is the better part of valor and I should be shot for being so blunt.”

“Forgiven,” Tiffany said with a wave of her hand.

“Good, then consider a big wedding.”

“I’ll think about it,” Tiffany promised.