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“You okay?” he asked, looking concerned. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“You didn’t, I was deep in thought is all.”

“The Hudson project?” he asked.

She nodded. “My team and I have been working on it for months. Troy was by earlier. Something’s up with him. Have you heard anything?”

“No. I wouldn’t, but I’d pay attention if I were you.” Erica had told her as much earlier.

“Is Ricky all right with the plans for Christmas Day?” he asked.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it yet, but I know he will be. He had a great time at your parents’ home last Friday. I’m sure there won’t be any problem.”

Christmas Day with Ethan sounded ideal to Sage. Ricky had already formed a fast friendship with Maria’s son, Michael, and would enjoy more time with his newfound buddy.

“What time should we arrive?” Sage asked. She looked forward to being with Ethan. They would be able to relax and enjoy their time together and put aside the decision that awaited them after the first of the year.

“Early afternoon, if that’s okay.”

“That’s perfect. Ricky and I will have our morning together. He’ll likely sleep in after the Christmas Eve church service.” She hesitated. “You’ll come, won’t you?”

“Love to.”

“Great.” The idea of sitting in church with Ethan by her side left her with a good feeling.

Ethan stepped closer into the room. “I wanted you to know I had a long talk with Mowrey yesterday.”

“Anything you want to share?” she asked.

“Not quite yet. I’d rather wait until a more appropriate time. Mowrey said he won’t make his final decision until he hears which of you will gain the Buzz campaign.”

That made Sage curious. A week earlier she would have been rife with suspicions. What was up with Ethan? What were the two of them discussing this time? What did this mean? Had Mowrey already made his decision?

Sage dismissed the questions as quickly as they formed. She trusted Ethan and refused to believe he would do anything to hurt her chances for her dream job.

“I didn’t want you to hear about this from anyone else,” Ethan continued. “I will always be aboveboard with you.”

“I believe you.” And she did.

His relief was evident. “I’m glad.” Looking over his shoulder, he added in a low voice, “I have to admit it’s rather hard not to kiss you right now.”

Sage smiled. She’d enjoy telling how much she wished he would.

Ethan left a few minutes later and Sage couldn’t stop smiling. The holidays had taken a turn for the better. Her plans for a ski trip to Whistler had been canceled when she learned Ricky was coming. She’d been disappointed and even a bit resentful at the time. Little did she realize that being with Ricky and Ethan’s family would be a thousand times more appealing than fighting the lines for the ski lift.

An hour before Sage was due to leave the office, Erica came to her in a panic. “The Hudson Group is here.”

Sage blinked twice as panic gripped hold of her throat. For one wild moment she couldn’t speak. “I hope you’re joking.”

“I’m not. I just saw Troy escorting them into the conference room.”

Sage felt her anger rising. Troy had planned to sabotage her. He’d arranged this behind her back. He’d caught her completely off guard. It made sense that his team had been hard at work, while Sage and her team had been kept in the dark.

This was low. About as low as it got.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” Erica said, “but the group is here, and Troy is with them.”

Stanley Mowrey was in the office three days a week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It was unusual for him to show on a Tuesday. With a retirement announcement forthcoming, he had turned a lot of his responsibilities over to others, including Troy and Sage. She should have known something was up when she saw him sitting at his desk.