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“I wish I knew.” Sage was fresh out of ideas. Ethan had agreed to be Santa for Ricky. The cookies were set aside in the refrigerator, waiting for the special moment when Ricky could deliver them to the real Santa.

“I hope you’re planning on stopping by the house on Christmas. Santa arrives in the early afternoon, and if Saffron can’t make it, he’ll tell Ricky that his mother will be home soon.”

Having Santa deliver the news might ease Ricky’s disappointment.

“What do you think?” Maria asked.

Sage shrugged. “I guess that’s the best we can do under the circumstances.”

Ethan looked thoughtful. “As Santa, I’ll explain to Ricky this will be the best Christmas ever, even without his mother, because he’s made new friends and gotten to know his auntie Sage.”

“It’s certainly one he won’t forget.”

Ricky had gotten to know Sage, she realized, and she him. Until this month, she’d spent a minimal amount of time with him. Naturally, she’d cared about Ricky before his arrival. He was her nephew. She made sure she remembered his birthday and sent gifts at Christmas.

However, these last few weeks, Sage had grown to deeply love her nephew. She’d enjoyed having him with her: his subtle sense of humor, his devotion to his mother, his sweet laugh. She marveled at his willingness to hold out for what he felt was right. This little boy had captured her heart and she treasured every minute they’d shared.

During this time, Ricky had changed Sage’s perspective on what was most important in life. Her concentration and effort had been her position at Park Marketing. For the first time since Mowrey offered her the opportunity to take over as manager, she realized that if Ethan got the job, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. He was an excellent leader. Their management skills were on par with each other, and in every other area they were equals.

Troy, she remembered, had been offered the same opportunity. Sage had to believe Mowrey was smart enough to recognize her colleague’s shortcomings. She barely considered him competition. No, the real contest was between her and Ethan. For the first time since she’d learned Ethan was in the running, she didn’t feel it would devastate her to lose to him. The realization forced her to look toward Ethan with fresh eyes. In her heart of hearts she knew in that moment she could trust him. He wasn’t anything like Mark.

As if sensing her perusal, Ethan met her gaze, and, seeing the intensity in her eyes, frowned slightly as if trying to read her thoughts. In response, she smiled softly and looked away.

After lunch, Sage and Ricky ran a few errands. While at the Safeway store, Ricky instructed her on more healthy food choices. He went to great lengths to explain why Pop-Tarts were bad for her.

Once home, he helped her cart the groceries to the condo and put everything in its proper place. The shelves in her small pantry held more food items than they had at any other time since she’d owned her condo.

“Can we watch a movie?” he asked, when they finished.

“Sure thing. Which one?” She guessed he’d dismiss any show from the Hallmark Channel and chose a cartoon one instead.

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Ricky said, bouncing onto the sofa. He patted the seat next to him. “Mom and I watch it every year. It always makes her cry, but she says they are happy tears.”

“Let me see if I can find it,” Sage said, checking an app that listed which streaming platform to download the movie from.

“Mom always pops popcorn, too,” he added. “And not the microwave kind.” He glanced toward the kitchen.

Before Sage could explain that all she had was the microwave kind, Ricky spoke again. “Maybe this one time we don’t need homemade popcorn. Mom says hotels are expensive.”

A subtle reminder of the cookie episode.

Sage poked him in the stomach and Ricky dissolved into giggles.

“Very funny.”

As she suspected, Ricky fell asleep halfway through the movie. He sagged against her, and Sage placed her arm around his shoulders. She couldn’t remember the last time she saw the iconic Christmas movie and wondered if she ever really understood the message. At the end, she felt tears well in her eyes. Little wonder her sister loved it.

Ricky woke when the credits rolled at the end. Sage’s phone was likely what stirred him. Caller ID told her it was Ethan. Awake now, Ricky stretched his arms above his head and arched his back before retreating into his bedroom, likely for his hour on his tablet.

“Hey, there,” Sage greeted, surprised to hear from him since they’d spent nearly the entire day together.

“Would you let me take you to dinner?” he asked, and to her surprise, he sounded nervous.

“Sure. When?” she asked.

“Tonight? Maria said she’d watch Ricky.”

This seemed important, the invite coming out of the blue. “Ah, sure. Any particular reason?” This was a surprise, but not an unwelcome one.