It suited her. Very no-nonsense, which was perfect for her demeanor, if not her looks. Her features were delicate—small snub nose, cute shell-like ears, dainty cheek and collarbones, a heart-shaped face, slim fingers. She was petite, although he’d noticed a decent bicep as she’d shaken his hand. But her manner was far from delicate. She was wary and standoffish.

Maybe also still a little annoyed.

“This is Finn.”

Cole had already gleaned that from last night, but Finn waved and smiled and said, “I’m four.” He held up three fingers.

Suppressing a smile, Cole stuck out his hand like he’d done to Jane only a minute prior. “Nice to meet you, Finn.”

The boy seemed impressed to be shaking hands and did it with gusto. When his hand was finally released, Cole addressed Jane again. “I’d like to apologize for the…mix-up last night. It was dark, I was exhausted, and my leg hurt like a bi—”

Cole broke off at the small but very definite shake of her head and the accompanying frown forming between two olive green eyes. Even her eyelashes were delicate!

He slid a glance at Finn, who was hanging on his every word. “It was killing me,” he amended quickly, returning his attention to Jane. “I’m sorry for frightening you. I thought the house was empty, and I swear to god I didn’t see you in the bed. The room was really dark.”

The tension that had been keeping her torso erect eased a little at his apology. “Yeah, sorry ’bout that. I put blackout blinds on the window.” She tipped her chin at her son. “Someone is up with the first ray of sunshine.”

Cole shrugged away the apology; he didn’t need one. “I hope your…husband?” He slid his gaze to Finn. “Is as understanding.”

Her shoulders tensed again. “No husband. Just me and Finn.”

Cole felt instant relief at the information, being quite attached to the current arrangement of his facial features and all. But he also felt something else—a spark of attraction. Which was dumb. He was only in the U.S. for a matter of weeks, if that. The last thing he needed to throw into the clusterfuck of his life right now was a woman.

With a kid.

“Speaking of,” she said, interrupting Cole’s thoughts as she turned to Finn. “What do you have to say to Mr. Hauser?”

Cole opened his mouth to object to the mister and to rebuff the forthcoming apology, but he didn’t think she’d appreciate his intervention.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hauser,” Finn parroted in a voice suddenly as solemn as a hymn. “For going into your room.”

“I accept your apology, Finn.”

The boy regarded him frankly for a moment or two. “Why do you walk funny?”

“Finn!”