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“My brother, Matt, and his wife took their kids last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said.

“Look at the reindeer.” Ricky bounced in the backseat as he pointed toward ten or more brightly lit deer.

“I see them,” Sage told him. The entire hillside was dotted with lighted deer, some who were apparently grazing, while others stared directly at the long line of automobiles.

“If you’re interested, there’s a place to stop for hot cocoa at the end of the display,” Ethan told her.

“I love hot chocolate,” Ricky said, unbuckling his seatbelt and scooting up from the backseat so that his head was between the two of them. Apparently, in case they didn’t hear him, he added, “I like it a lot.”

“Then we’ll stop for sure,” Sage assured him.

“I can’t wait to tell Mom,” Ricky cried, his voice full of joy. “I’ve never seen so many lights in my whole life.”

Finally, Sage had done something right. To be fair, it was all Ethan who’d invited them, but she’d take what she could get.

Thirty minutes later they parked and walked the pathway through the lighted Christmas trees to the concession stand that sold a variety of hot drinks along with donuts and other baked goods.

Ethan volunteered to stand in line while Sage and Ricky scouted out an available table. Sage noticed several families had also decided to stop. They were able to grab seats when a group vacated.

Within a few minutes, Ethan returned with three cups of cocoa and a plate of sugar cookies. He claimed the chair next to Sage. Ricky reached with both hands for his hot cocoa.

“Be careful, bud,” Ethan said. “It’s hot.”

“I will.” Ricky took a tentative sip and declared, “It’s not too hot to drink.” He looked up and said, “Tom calls me bud, too.”

“Tom?” Sage asked. “Who’s that?”

“Mom’s boyfriend. His wife died, and he has a son, only Collin is way older. He’s in high school. Tom is part of the Army Reserve, too. That’s how they met. He stopped by at Thanksgiving, remember?”

The day had been hectic, with neighbors and friends stopping by for a glass of cheer. Sage vaguely remembered seeing Saffron standing by the fireplace, chatting with a man with silver-blond hair. She hadn’t thought anything of it. As she recalled, Saffron had introduced him in passing. At the time, Sage hadn’t paid much attention. She’d been distracted by an old family friend asking her about her life in Seattle.

“Have they been dating a long time?” Sage asked.

“Not really. I’ve only met Tom a couple times. Mom and I went to one of Collin’s basketball games right after Thanksgiving, though.”

So Saffron was dating again. Good for her. It was time.

“Are you Auntie Sage’s boyfriend?” Ricky asked, cutting into her thoughts of her last visit home.

“No,” Sage answered.

“Yes,” Ethan said simultaneously.

Ricky looked from one to the other as if trying to decide which one to believe.

Ethan spoke before she could come up with a response.

“I’d like to be your auntie’s boyfriend, but she isn’t there yet.”

“Oh,” Ricky said, although it was clear he didn’t understand what that meant.

Ricky took a bite of his cookie and stated as a matter of fact, “Auntie Sage could use a boyfriend.”

“Ricky!” Sage cried, embarrassed enough already.

With a look of pure innocence, Ricky said, “But it’s true.” He turned his attention back to Ethan. “Do you cook?”

“All the time. My mother insisted the four of us all learn our way around the kitchen.”