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James brightened so fast it was almost comical. He launched immediately into a detailed account of tail-swing biomechanics and I kept my face pointed at the stove and my shoulders perfectly still while I stifled my laughter.

We were halfway through the stack of pancakes when the front doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" James was off his chair before either of us could respond, bare feet on the hardwood, dinosaur still in hand.

Then he stopped and looked at his dad. “You should get it.”

“Good job, James.”

Adam went and opened the door.

I heard a woman's warm voice. "Hey, Adam."

"Miss Carrie! I'm eating chocolate chip pancakes! Want some?" Now that it was someone safe, James was in front of Adam.

"I can smell them from out here.”

"Miss Zoe slept over! She's made pancakes! She's very good at it! Do you want some?”

I continued to sit at the table, shaking my head and laughing.

Carrie Lancaster appeared in the kitchen doorway in a barn jacket and jeans, her hair pulled back. Knowing her, she’d been awake for two hours and accomplished six things already.

"Morning," she said.

“I have an offer for the two of you.” She looked from Adam to me. “Rumor has it you have to go in and talk to the sheriff today. I thought I might take James to the movies with my kids.”

James’ eyes went wide. “Can I? Can I really? Please, Dad.”

Adam’s shoulders relaxed. I know he was wondering how he was going to explain the trip to the sheriff’s office to his son.

"Sure, bud. Shoes, socks, pants. Like Aunt Carrie said."

He zoomed out of the dining room like his feet were on fire.

Carrie looked at me. "You look like you had a rough night," she said.

"Eventful." I touched the stitched and bandaged cut above my eyebrow self-consciously. "Long story."

"Renzo texted Tommy this morning. The movies were Tommy’s idea.”

"Tell him thank you," Adam said.

“Will do.”

James reappeared in the doorway fully dressed, shoes on the correct feet, Ankylosaurus tucked under his arm. He looked between Carrie and me.

"Why are you laughing?"

"We're just happy," I told him.

He accepted this. "Can I bring my dinosaur?"

"Absolutely," Carrie said, pulling herself together. She stood, planted a quick kiss on Adam's cheek, and pointed at me. "Rest. Head injuries aren't a joke." Then to James, "Say goodbye."

James crossed the kitchen and hugged my legs with his free arm, brief and hard. "Bye, Miss Zoe."

A lump formed in my throat. "Bye, James. Thank you for the dinosaur facts."