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“You realize I don’t cook, right?”

“Then this will be a good time to learn. Microwave dinners aren’t healthy. Besides, Ricky would be happy with peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches.”

Sage made a mental note to add both to her shopping list. The most familiar part of the grocery store was the frozen food section. Uber Eats and DoorDash were her mainstays.

“Your sister is most comfortable leaving Ricky with family,” her mother insisted. Of course, Saffron would want Ricky to be with Sage.

Sage released a deep sigh. It didn’t escape her notice that Saffron had asked her mother to plead her case. She wanted to help, she really did. It was understandable that her sister couldn’t ask anyone else to watch her son for an entire month. Sage agreed that it needed to be family. Ricky had already lost his father. Learning that his mother was going away for an extended time was sure to raise all kinds of anxieties in the poor kid.

“Sage?” Her mother spoke after several moments of stilted silence.

“Tell me what you need me to do,” Sage said, capitulating. She might as well kiss this promotion good-bye. The minute Troy, her main competition, got wind of this, he was sure to use this distraction to his advantage. It wasn’t beneath him to pull every trick in the book to put her in a bad light.

Her mother’s voice showed her relief. “Thank you, Sage. I know this isn’t a good time. I wouldn’t ask if there was anyone else.”

Sage heard mumblings from the other end of the line. “Hold on a minute,” her mother said. “Saffron is here and wants to talk to you.”

“Hey,” Sage said as soon as her sister was on the phone. “How’s it going?” She did her best to hide her feelings.

Her sister returned with a weak laugh. “Mom says you’ll be able to keep Ricky. Thank you, sis.”

“How could I refuse?” Sage said. It wasn’t like she had a choice. “How does Ricky feel about all this?” Sage’s heart went out to the little boy. For one so young, he’d had enough upheaval in his life. She could only imagine how he must be feeling with the news that his mother was going away.

“He understands better than I expected. He’s used to me being away for short periods of time over the weekends I’m training and the like. I explained that people need help after the hurricane. He thinks it’s cool that he can come live with you while I’m away.”

“Are you sure you’ll be needed a full month?” She hated the desperate plea in her voice.

“The hurricane damage was severe. I’m sure you heard about it?”

“Of course.” Florida had been hit with two Category 5 event hurricanes. Homes were destroyed. An entire town had been wiped out. The National Guard and Army Reserve had been deployed from all over the United States to help people rebuild their lives.

“I’m hoping I’ll be back before Christmas. My Sergeant said it was a possibility, but I shouldn’t count on it.”

Well, that was that. Sage had to accept that she would likely have Ricky all of December.

“Can I ask a favor of you?”

“Another one, you mean?”

Her sister ignored the sarcasm. “This is probably the last year Ricky will believe in Santa. Do your best to make sure he gets a chance to see Santa.”

“Of course,” Sage agreed, feeling petty for her earlier comment.

“Thank you again,” Saffron added. “I leave in the morning. Mom has already booked her flight. She’ll deliver Ricky to you Saturday afternoon and will fly out Sunday morning.”

“When is their cruise?” Sage should know this, but her mind was whirling with all she’d need to prepare for her nephew’s arrival.

“Their flight is Wednesday. They are flying into Hawaii for a couple days before boarding the ship for Asia.”

A week. Sage realized she had only a few days to prepare to bring a five-year-old into her life.

Her mother was back on the phone. “I don’t know what your plans were for Christmas,” she said, “but I’d plan for Ricky to be with you. Be sure and don’t build up his hopes that Saffron will be back.”

“Got it.”

Sage decided it would be best to make holiday plans with Ricky now. Already her mind worked on what she would need to do to make this time away from all that was familiar as comfortable for her nephew as possible. She’d need to get a Christmas tree. She’d never gone to the trouble before. She had nothing when it came to decorations. Her head buzzed as a sinking feeling took root in her stomach.

Her sister was back on the phone. “I’ll do my best to keep in touch. As it is, I’m unsure what to expect. I don’t know what cell service is like yet. I promise to call as often as I can.”