Page 48

The small, ecstatic voice came from behind him, and then James Beckett was barreling up my porch steps like his feet were on fire. He was wearing a dinosaur sweatshirt and a backpack that was almost as big as he was. It was shaped like a stegosaurus with a cheerful green tail.

I dropped into a crouch and caught him. He smelled like little boy shampoo and apple juice and peanut butter.

"Hey, kiddo, this is the best day ever."

"I have all my dinosaurs," he informed me, pulling back to look at me with enormous blue eyes. His father's eyes. "Dad said I could bring my whole backpack. I have the T-Rex and the Brachiosaurus and the ter-duck-tail and the Spinosaurus because he's actually bigger than the T-Rex. Did you know that?"

"I actually did not know that."

James looked both gratified and genuinely concerned for my education. "He is. By a lot."

"We'll have to talk about that." I stood up and reached for my coat. "Are you ready to go see Little Grandma and Miss Gladiola?"

James grabbed my hand and tugged. "Is baby Olivia going to be there?"

Oh.

I hadn't seen that one coming, and it hit me straight in my heart. I kept my face gentle. "No, sweetheart. Olivia lives with her mom and dad. She's with them today."

"Oh." He digested this. "Can we see her some other time?"

"Absolutely, some other time."

"Okey-doke.”

I glanced up at Adam as we headed down my porch steps. Something had moved across his face while James and I were talking, thoughtfulness, understanding, caring. He caught me looking and held my gaze for just a moment. Then, without saying a word, he reached over and squeezed my hand, once, brief and sure, then let go.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

Thank you, I thought.

"Alright, let's go," I said.

Adam had parked his truck at the curb, the big old Ford that had featured in what I could only describe as the most dramatic evening of my life. James climbed into his car seat in the back and easily buckled himself in. Adam checked it out, making sure everything was secure.

“Dad! I did it right.”

“Always got to check, Buddy. It’s my job.”

I liked that.

Then Adam opened the passenger door.

I climbed up into the front seat, arranged myself, and looked out through the windshield.

"Well," I said. "The view from up here is considerably better than last time in the back seat."

In the back, James giggled, apparently deciding this was hilarious without knowing why.

Adam walked around to the driver's side, got in, and gave me a look, doing his level best not to appear amused. It wasn't working.

"Seat belt?" he asked.

"Of course. Were you an Eagle Scout?"

“No, I was a Spec-4.”

“Is that better or worse than being an Eagle Scout?”