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“No, I’m okay.” She wouldn’t admit it even if she was hurt. “Lesson learned. Keep your eyes straight ahead.”

“Right.” He tucked her arm in his elbow as he’d done earlier. “Maria’s back and the kids are hungry. I hope you and Ricky will join us for lunch.”

She couldn’t refuse, Ricky wanted to be with his friends, and she couldn’t deny him that. Nor herself time with Ethan.

With her backside throbbing, Sage made her way to the railing. Ricky was right behind her. “Michael and Lilly are going to lunch at McDonald’s,” he said, grabbing hold of her sleeve. “Can we go with them?”

“You betcha.”

“Yahoo.” He raced off to tell his friends.

Maria stood by the seats as Sage cautiously came off the ice. Now that she was on solid ground, her butt hurt worse than ever.

“You look like you were having fun out there,” Maria commented.

“I was,” Sage said, grinning. Despite her aching posterior, she was proud of herself.

Ethan was busy rounding up the three youths and helping them remove their skates. When he finished, he joined Sage and Maria. His eyes were full of concern.

“You hurt yourself,” he said, as if he’d been the one responsible.

“I’m fine. It’s nothing.” Her bruised tailbone hurt like the dickens. No way was she admitting it, though.

“An ice pack will work wonders,” Maria advised.

“Good idea,” Sage said with a laugh. “Unfortunately, I’ve had all the ice I can handle.”

Chapter Thirteen

Ricky, Michael, and Lilly had their Happy Meals and were in the play area at the local McDonald’s. Ricky chased Michael through a tunnel as Lilly, with her arms stretched high above her head, went down the slide.

Sage enjoyed watching them play, amazed that after several hours on the ice, they remained full of joyful enthusiasm. When she looked away, she noticed Maria’s gaze had followed her own.

“I wish I had half their energy,” Maria confessed.

“Me, too,” Sage agreed. “Thank you for inviting us today. I had a great time. It was exactly the distraction I needed.”

Both Ethan and Maria’s eyes filled with questions, and Sage realized she’d said more than she’d intended to say.

Sage sighed and explained Saffron’s situation without going into a lot of details. “Ricky has his heart set on his mom showing up for Christmas. Saffron’s being transferred to another site and it all depends on how bad the damage assessment is there.”

“I had no idea the devastation in Florida was this bad,” Ethan said.

“The hurricane was all over the news when it happened, then was quickly forgotten while people were left to rebuild their lives. It’s been nearly a month, and Saffron said there are a few remote areas that still don’t have power.”

“Saffron told Ricky they would have a special Christmas once she’s back home, but Ricky is holding on to the hope she’ll surprise him on Christmas Day. I hate to see him disappointed.”

Ethan looked thoughtful. “So that’s the reason he wants to talk to the real Santa.”

“I suspect as much,” Sage confirmed. “The cookies were likely a bribe.”

“It looks like either way, Ricky will be with you over Christmas,” Ethan said.

“It seems so, not that I mind, but I’m a poor replacement for his mother.”

“How can we help?” Maria asked.

Ethan’s sister was a problem solver. Sage could almost see the other woman’s brain working, seeking a solution.