Yet bottom line, it felt right.

Should he follow his inclination—or err on the side of caution and nix the idea?

As he waited for Christi, he gave the pros and cons a thorough vetting. And by the time she appeared in the kitchen doorway fifteen minutes later, he’d reached a decision.

“She’s sleeping quietly now.” Christi hovered on the threshold, shoes in hand.

He flicked a glance at her bare feet, fighting back an annoying surge of testosterone. He must be desperate for female companionship if exposed toes could stoke his libido.

“Thanks for helping out.” He managed to maintain a neutral inflection.

“No problem.” Her cheeks pinkened, as if she’d sensed his reaction and was as discombobulated by it as he was. “I didn’t want my footsteps to wake her.” She lifted the shoes as she offered her explanation, then bent to slip them on.

He forced himself to look away. Fiddled with the coffeemaker. “You two seem to have bonded.”

“She’s a sweet girl—and my heart aches for her. I know what it’s like to have your world turned upside down. It was hard enough to handle as an adult. I can’t imagine going through that as a child and not having someone you love to lean on. She needs a ton of TLC for the foreseeable future.”

The perfect segue to the topic he wanted to discuss.

“I’d like to talk to you about that, if you have a few minutes.” He pivoted back toward her and wrapped his fingers around the edge of the counter behind him.

She gave him a wary scrutiny. “There’s nothing on my to-do list tonight other than unpacking the boxes the movers delivered to the cottage a couple of days ago.”

“In that case, would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Depends how long our conversation is going to last.”

“That’s up to you. I have a proposition. If it’s not to your liking, this could be a short discussion.”

A beat passed as she continued to study him, curiosity warring with caution in her eyes.

Curiosity won.

“I’ll take the coffee.”

“Have a seat.” He motioned toward the small kitchen table. “Cream and sugar?”

“Black.”

“I thought you liked your beverages sweet.”

“I still enjoy an occasional caramel latte—but tastes change. Like people.” She locked gazes with him as she claimed a chair.

Touché—and message received.