“Good thing he got here now,” Grandpa pronounced, “before JJ got to all the waffles.”

“Look, Grandpa,” JJ said with a grin, as Elissa hurried across behind Grandpa’s tall chair and out of the room. “You can bet your bottom dollar I’m gonna enjoy the hell out of some waffles. I haven’t had chow like this in years.”

Grandpa reached for the china pitcher of maple syrup and poured a dollop on the half-eaten waffle on his plate. “Well, JJ, it sounds like you need to come down to the bank for a lesson in financial management, if you think I’d bet my bottom dollar. Speaking of that, Jack, we’d like to contribute a little something for Elissa’s wedding. Maybe have the reception here, right, Wilma?”

“Oh!” said Wilma. “Certainly, I suppose.”

“Now, hold on, Dad,” said Jack. “Let’s wait and see what Lissa wants.”

John nodded, confirming his own plans. “I’ll talk to her. I’m sure she can be convinced to have that wedding as soon as possible. They’ll live here in Pine Rapids, of course. We can get Ty in at the bank. Way better than that insurance racket his old man runs.”

JJ laughed. “You talk like it’s a business deal, Grandpa. What’s your interest here?” he said.

“JJ!” scolded his mother.

“JJ,” added his father, who was seated to Mary’s other side. JJ was glad to hear that his parents hadn’t changed their tones. They had been the same since he was a child whenever he had stepped across a line: Mom shocked, Dad warning: If you take this one step further…

John’s face clouded over. “My interest, young man, is seeing that my granddaughter is well taken care of. And since she’s your sister, I would think you would have the same concern.”

JJ just laughed again, and took another bite of his waffle. His stomach was about to burst, but he couldn’t seem to stop eating.

“Well, of course he does, John,” Wilma said. “He’s just teasing, aren’t you, JJ?” She reached over, patted JJ’s hand, and sighed. “Ty’s waffles are going to be ice if those two don’t get in here.” She pushed back her chair. “I’ll go and make sure everything’s all right.”

“I’ll go, Mom,” Harry said, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “You just sit.”

“Oh, no, Harry, I’ll just run and give them a little prod.” She got up, walking the length of the dining room and out into the hallway. Then there came an audible gasp.