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He didn’t respond, so she quickly added, “You could choose the time that works for you…I mean, if you agree. You’d be doing me a huge favor, so you could set the day and time.”
At his hesitation, her heart felt like it might leap into her throat. She didn’t want to disappoint Ricky.
“It’s a busy time of year.”
“I’m aware,” she said. “I’m willing to pay you whatever you think your time is worth.”
“This is important to you and Ricky.”
Holding her breath, she nodded. He had no concept of how important. She was tempted to throw out a generous fee, hoping that would entice him to agree.
“Seeing that this appears important, I’ll help you.”
“What about me paying you?”
“Forget it, I don’t need any compensation.”
“Thank you.” Her relief was immediate.
His broad smile said everything. “I have been playing the part of Santa for a few years now. I’m the only member of the family who’s single, so the role fell to me. I do a good job of it, too. Ricky would never guess it was me in a costume.”
If there was any other option, Sage would leap at it.
“What you need to consider is, if Ricky insists on talking to the real Santa, then I need to be authentic enough for him to believe it’s me.”
She silently agreed.
A thoughtful look came over him. “The only way I can think to convince Ricky is if I know him.”
That sounded reasonable. “Okay.”
“The best way to make that happen is if the three of us—”
“Hold on,” Sage said, raising her hand and stopping him. “The three of us?”
He looked surprised. “Yes. Ricky wouldn’t be comfortable being alone with me. I’m a stranger. The only way to convincingly pull this off is if you’re with us, too.”
Before she could come up with an excuse, Ethan continued. “We can start this evening. I’ll pick you both up and we’ll drive through the Winter Wonderland and view the Christmas lights.”
Sage had never heard of this Winter Wonderland. Not that it should surprise her. Instinctively, she knew that Ricky would be thrilled. She’d become deeply attached to her nephew. She found herself looking forward to the time they spent together. He’d given her a gift, an appreciation of Christmas and all the festivities that surround the holiday.
It hadn’t taken long for Ricky to plow his way into her heart. Being with him had given her a fresh insight into her sister as well. Saffron, for all her impulsive ways, was a good mother. Sage hoped someday, if she was graced with children, that she would be half as good.
“That sounds great. Thank you, Ethan.” She doubted he knew how relieved she was. Meeting Santa meant the world to Ricky, and because it was important to him, it was to her, too.
“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until Christmas to see if I can convince Ricky I’m the real deal.”
From the way he’d immediately taken to the idea, Sage believed if anyone could do it, it would be Ethan.
Chapter Eight
Sage had never seen Ricky more excited. Ethan drove down the curving street at a slow pace, following a long row of other vehicles as they viewed the spectacular display of Christmas lights.
“Auntie Sage, look. Look!”
Ricky must have cried the same words dozens of times. Sage shared a smile with Ethan. Ricky pressed his face against the passenger window as they drove past each display. The presentations were breathtaking and incredibly creative. The lights beaming into the still, dark night were a reminder that the light of the world had been born.
“This was a great idea,” she told Ethan, grateful for the suggestion. She’d had no clue how stunning the Christmas lights would be. Not only was she happy for this experience for Ricky, but for her, too.
