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Sage found it difficult to refuse him.

“Come on,” Michael urged a second time. “It’s fun.”

Lilly scooted closer to Sage. “I had a hard time at first, but I learned. You can, too.”

She noticed that Ethan remained silent, leaving the decision up to her.

“Ahh.” Sage felt herself weakening. She wanted to be with Ethan, skating with the kids.

“Please.” Ricky’s eyes were as big as a full moon. If they grew any wider, they’d be in danger of falling out of his head.

Unsure, Sage looked at Ethan, as if he had the reassurance she needed.

“Up to you,” he said, “but if you want, I’ll be by your side and make sure you don’t fall.”

His promise was all the incentive she needed. “Okay, but if I do this, you have to promise not to tease me.”

The kids applauded and then quickly agreed to her one stipulation.

In his excitement, Ricky wrapped his arms around her. “You’ll love it,” he insisted, “and I won’t laugh, no matter what.”

After renting the skates and putting them on, Sage awkwardly made her way to the railing. She fully intended to hold on to the bar until she became accustomed to the feel of the blades on the ice.

The minute she stepped onto the rink, Ethan was at her side. “How does it feel?” he asked.

Her hand held the railing in a death grip. “Okay, so far.”

“You’re doing great.”

Ricky slowed down and then skated backward in front of Sage as she slowly progressed around the circle. “See, you can do it,” he said with a know-it-all smile.

After Sage had completed one full loop, Ethan skated closer. “Time to let go and hold on to me. I’ll help guide you.”

“I’m not ready,” she said, and bit into her lower lip.

“You can trust me,” he said.

Ricky returned to her side and said, “You’ve got to let go sometime, Auntie Sage. Ethan will help you.”

She glared at Ethan. “You better not let me fall.”

“I would never,” he promised.

Sage noticed the way he struggled not to smile.

“Come on.” He held out his arm, and she wrapped hers around his elbow. “Slow but sure,” he said.

Sage was beginning to get the hang of it, although she wobbled precariously as she released the railing.

Ethan quickened their pace from that of a slug to a slow, easy glide. Sage matched his movements with her own.

“See,” Ricky said, skating past her, “it’s easy.”

“Right,” Sage agreed, beginning to feel a bit more confident. She was actually skating, even if Ethan was propping her up.

They’d made several rounds around the ice when Ethan asked, “Think you can skate on your own?”

“Ah…maybe.” Although she enjoyed being close to him, she was ready to go solo and test her wings.