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“And they must be delicious,” she said. The plate was filled with what she assumed were peanut-butter cookies and chocolate-chip ones.
“I got to help mix the dough just like Mom lets me.”
“That’s great.” Sage was pleased, and grateful to Ethan’s mother.
Despite his enthusiasm, Ricky yawned, and Sage noticed it was well past his bedtime. As much as she hated to leave, she needed to get Ricky home and to bed.
Ethan helped Ricky put on his coat. “I like your family,” Ricky said, yawning a second time.
“I do, too,” Ethan returned, and shared a smile with Sage.
With Ethan attending to Ricky, Sage collected her coat and sought out Ethan’s mother to thank her. Rafaelle had been nothing but gracious. She found the older woman in the kitchen, helping the other children collect their own stash of baked goods.
“Thank you, Mrs. Cornwell,” Sage said. “I had a wonderful evening and so did Ricky.”
Ethan’s mother hugged her, surprising Sage. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally meet you. I’m sorry if Walt embarrassed you.”
“Please don’t apologize,” Sage insisted. “You have an amazing family. I was pleased to meet everyone. Besides, Ricky is over the moon at having cookies to give to Santa.”
“The real Santa,” Rafaelle added.
“Right, the real Santa,” Sage repeated.
They spoke for a few minutes longer. Just as Sage was ready to leave the kitchen, Rafaelle added, “You and Ricky would be welcome to join us again Christmas Day. I’ll make sure Walt doesn’t say anything that would embarrass you or Ethan.”
“I appreciate the invitation. Would it be all right if I let you know later?”
“Of course.”
When she returned to Ethan and Ricky, she found her nephew asleep in Ethan’s arms. “He’s out for the count,” Ethan said. “I’ll walk you to the car and get him situated.”
Ethan nodded toward the plate of cookies on the entry table and Sage collected them before they headed outside to where she’d parked her vehicle.
The car doors automatically unlocked as she approached. Sage opened the rear passenger door for Ethan. He secured Ricky in his booster seat and then came around to the driver’s side, where Sage stood.
He didn’t say anything for an extended moment. “I’m glad you came.”
“I am, too,” she said, and she meant it. “I like your sister.” Sage had bonded with Maria while they played Jenga.
“We’re only a year apart,” Ethan explained. “We’ve always been close.”
“As different as we are, Saffron and I are close, too.”
“Speaking of your sister, what’s the word? Any chance she’ll be home before Christmas?”
Sage relayed what she knew. “At this point it looks doubtful, but who knows? I’m sure a lot of families are wondering the same thing.”
“I hope you know either way, if you don’t already have plans, you’d be welcome to join me and my family for Christmas.”
“It’s sweet of you to offer. Your mother said something along those lines, too.”
“I suspected she would.” His hands were on Sage’s shoulders, and he held her gaze with an intensity that stole her breath. Sage found it impossible to look away. She was falling for this guy, and she was falling hard. It was difficult to remember he was her main competition, especially when he seemed unable to look away from her and her from him.
It seemed neither of them wanted the evening to end.
After what felt like an eternity, Ethan said, “Mom likes you.” His warm eyes continued to hold her hostage.
Sage couldn’t move if her life depended on it. She’d never been more aware of a man. It felt as if an overwhelming magnetic force was drawing her to him. Before she even realized what she was doing, Sage leaned toward Ethan.
