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“Christmas shopping. I told her I’d look after the kids.”

Sage felt like brother and sister had conspired to get her to the rink with Ricky under false pretenses. It was a natural assumption that Maria would be here and not Ethan.

Ricky skated to the edge of the rink, cupping his gloved hands over the railing. “Auntie Sage, did you watch me?”

Unfortunately, she’d had eyes only for Ethan and had completely forgotten her nephew. “Show me what you can do,” she called back.

Arms swinging, Ricky glided skillfully over the ice. She kept a close eye on him as he circled the rink.

He came to an ice-dusting halt as he approached where she sat, Ethan in the seat next to her. “Did you see?” His face was red from the cold and his eyes glowed with happiness.

“I sure did. You’re as good as you said.”

His young face broke into a huge smile. “Told you.”

“Yes, you did.”

Michael joined Ricky at the railing. “Come on,” he urged. “Lilly wants to race.”

Sage waved him off and then relaxed against the back of the chair. She hadn’t said anything to Ricky about the likelihood of Saffron finishing her duty before Christmas. She knew her nephew had his heart set on being with his mother. She frowned and nibbled on her lower lip, praying Saffron would make it back in time.

“Sage?” Ethan softly said her name, breaking into her thoughts. “Something on your mind? Has something happened I don’t know about?”

“It’s all good,” she said, unwilling to share.

“You can talk to me, you know.”

She did, and that was part of the problem. It would be far too easy to talk to Ethan. If she did, it would only draw her closer to him than she already was.

“Thank you,” she said, offering up a weak smile.

As if he understood, Ethan reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Uncle Ethan,” Michael cried, as he breathlessly plowed into the railing. “Come skate with us.” Ricky joined his friend’s side. “You, too, Auntie Sage.”

Sage waved him off. “Perhaps another time.”

Instead of immediately agreeing, Ethan reluctantly stood. Instinctively, Sage knew he would have preferred to stay with her.

“Go,” Sage urged, gently nudging him.

He frowned as he studied her before addressing the boys. “Okay, you two. Get ready, I’m coming.” He reached for a bag by his feet. One Sage hadn’t noticed.

He had his own skates? She should have known he’d be an expert on ice, the same way he was with most everything.

Ethan disappeared, and the next time she saw him, he was circling the rink. The three kids were attached to him as the four of them formed a train, whirling their way over the ice. Sage grinned as the sounds of their laughter echoed around the rink. She loved seeing Ricky this happy.

After an hour, the three kids took a break. Sage brought them big cups of hot cocoa.

“Come skate with us,” Ricky pleaded with Sage again.

“You should,” Michael added.

“Please.” This came from Lilly. “I’m not good, either. I’ll skate with you if you like.”

Sage had to admit she’d enjoyed watching Ethan with the three youngsters all enjoying themselves. Feeling like the odd man out, she was tempted to give the ice a second chance.

“I’ll teach you,” Ricky pleaded.