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“Thank you, Sage,” Mr. Mowrey said. “It isn’t like you to come into a meeting unprepared. I understand your priorities have changed since your nephew came to live with you. However, you appeared ill-equipped. I’m surprised you didn’t take this assignment more seriously.”

Sage desperately wanted to defend herself and explain the situation. All she could say was that she’d done her best and to leave it at that. Now wasn’t the time or place to explain what Troy had done.

Sage rushed out of the office and into the employee parking lot. She shrugged off her worries and instead focused on getting to Ricky’s party as fast and as safely as she could.

When she arrived, just as she suspected, Ricky stood by the window, anxiously waiting for her.

He had the door open as she walked toward the house. “What took you so long?” he asked.

“Sorry, sweetie, I got hung up at work. Am I too late for the party?” She hated that she’d kept him waiting, knowing how important this day was to him.

“No, it’s okay. You’re the last one to arrive.” He grabbed hold of her hand and led her into the room, where the other families mingled. Ricky joined his friends and headed to the table where the popcorn and candy were displayed.

Erica came to her side, leaning toward her to whisper, “How’d the meeting go?”

Sage didn’t know what to tell her. “Not great. I gave it my best shot. I’ll hear more later.” She wondered how long she’d need to wait to hear the Hudson Group’s decision.

“Don’t you want to strangle Troy? If the Hudson Group chooses him and he takes over the agency, I swear to you I’m quitting.”

“Erica! Don’t be so rash.”

“You mean you’ll stay?”

The question hit Sage square in the solar plexus. She’d believed her team’s campaign would win. She’d been foolish not to pay more attention to Troy. She’d known all along he would do everything within his power to put her in a negative light, especially when he learned Ricky had arrived. The only way he could win was by subterfuge. Erica was right, though. If Troy took over leadership of the agency, Sage would need to look elsewhere for another job. Having Troy as her immediate boss would be intolerable.

“Here,” Ricky said, “this is for you.” He handed her a small paper plate with two sugar cookies and a piece of fudge, along with a cup of pink punch.

“Thank you,” she said, accepting the items. “These look delicious.”

Ricky beamed with pride. “We all decorated the cookies.”

The abundance of sprinkles clued Sage in that that was likely the case.

“Not only delicious,” she said, after her first bite, “but beautiful, too.”

“Try the fudge next. Lisa let me stir the melted chocolate and add the walnuts.”

Sage sampled the fudge. “Best I ever tasted,” she told him, and it wasn’t an exaggeration.

“If you want to make some, I know the recipe. It’s easy. It’s butter and sugar and chocolate, and you can add nuts if you want, but they aren’t necessary.”

“Maybe we could give it a try. I’m getting a handle on how to work the burners on the stove.”

Ricky’s smile was huge.

After the refreshments had been served, Lisa rounded up the children, who gathered in front of the fireplace. The six of them stood shoulder to shoulder and together recited the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

When they finished, they received a hearty round of applause. The boys bowed with their arms tucked around their waists, and the girls curtseyed.

The party lasted only ten or so minutes longer, as parents gathered their children and headed out. Sage lingered, wanting to thank Lisa.

“You’ve been great,” she told the woman. “Thank you isn’t nearly enough to show my appreciation for the care you’ve given Ricky this month. He’s loved spending time with you and the other children.”

“I’ve loved having him. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. He was out of his normal routine and away from all that was familiar without his mother. I needn’t have worried. Ricky fit right in. The children are going to miss him when he leaves.”

“That might be a few days longer than we originally planned. I hope that won’t be a problem.”

“Not in the least. Ricky is welcome anytime.”