“Sorry to cause a fuss. My dog escaped. I was chasing after him,” Nicole explained, hooking her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the cottage. “New neighbor.”

“I have a new friend, Daddy.” Holly hugged Gus, who ate up the attention by falling on his back to get tummy rubs. “Can he stay and play?”

Nicole tried not to roll her eyes over Gus’s antics. Then she read the indecision on the man’s face. “He’s safe,” she assured him, also noting the love shimmering in the depths of his dark eyes. The earthy scent of his cologne—sandalwood, maybe?—tickled her senses.

“For a minute, while I talk to…”

Nicole moved to the steps and held out her hand, wishing she had put on a cute sundress instead of a baggy T-shirt and shorts. “Nicole Connelly.”

He stepped down to the ground, taking her hand in his. “Ethan Price.”

When his skin touched hers, a tingle shot up her arm. Her gaze flew up to meet his, catching the surprise that matched hers. He quickly masked his response while she removed her hand from his to tuck her thick, short hair behind one ear, and she wondered again where his wife was. She attempted what she hoped was a sneak peek at his ring finger, finding it bare, which was good in light of her reaction to his touch. Still, no ring didn’t mean no wife…

With a chuckle, Ethan placed his phone on the counter and returned to the glasses in the sink, then out of the corner of his eye he noticed a streak go by. From his view, he saw Gus galloping toward the swing set, his leash dragging in the grass behind him. Then Nicole came into view, chasing after her wayward dog, who had a significant lead.

He couldn’t tear his gaze from her, dressed in a floral sundress, the jaunty elf hat half-hanging off her head. Her outfit elicited a laugh. Nicole’s antics made his heart light, and he couldn’t recall when he’d been so charmed. A welcome reprieve after the stress that had ushered in the end of his marriage.

Finally, she stopped chasing the energetic dog. Placing her hands on her hips, she stared him down. Gus came back to sit in front of her, meeting her gaze without flinching. He wondered how long the standoff would last. When they didn’t move, he dried his hands again, then walked out the back door and onto the wooden porch, stopping at the railing to rest his palms on the rough, flat surface.

Neither of his new neighbors twitched.

He decided action was needed and let out a low whistle. Gus jerked and then bounded over to him, rushing up the steps for a brisk rubdown.

Making sure he had everything, Ethan handed the bags to Nicole, who placed them on the dock. He helped Holly off, then did one last run-through to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind. He grabbed the keys and joined the small group.

“This was really amazing,” Nicole said as she shouldered her bags. She turned to walk backward. “I’ve never been boating but—”

“Nicole, you really need to watch where you’re—”

Before he could finish the warning, her ankle got tangled in rope piled on the dock. She tripped, her arms flailing in the air to stop her fall. Ethan raced forward, wrapping an arm around her waist to tug her upward.

She landed hard against his body. He held tight, his heart racing.

Their gazes met. He saw the heat reflected there and put a little distance between them.

Oh, boy, this was getting serious.

“Daddy, you can let go now. Nicole is safe.”

His daughter’s words shook him out of the spell Nicole had cast over him. He stepped back, slowly letting go of his beautiful neighbor. She might be safe, but Ethan’s heart was not.

“Thanks,” she said as she got her footing back. “I promise, I’m not usually this clumsy.”

“I’d catch you anywhere,” he unintentionally blurted.

Her eyes went wide, and she picked up her pace, hotfooting it farther up the dock.

“Too much,” he muttered.

“Too much what, Daddy?”

He smiled down at Holly. “Too much activity today.”

The charged air had nothing to do with snowflakes falling around them, or children laughing, or even the idea of an early winter. No, it had everything to do with the beautiful woman whose mouth was inches from his.

And despite his fears of her eventually leaving, he leaned in to capture her waiting lips.

He brushed over the softness, once, twice, until she scooted closer. He reached over to cup the back of her head with his hand, his fingers tangling in her lush hair. Her hands landed on his shoulders, squeezing as she held on. The machine grumbled, but he could hear her surprise as the kiss deepened. Angling his mouth, he soundly kissed her like he’d never kissed before, his heart aching with a tenderness for this special woman.

Not sure how much time had gone by, he suddenly heard Holly calling him. He shook his head, breaking the trance just as Nicole seemed to realize where they were. Their gazes met and held.

Ethan straightened, holding his hand out to Nicole. The jolt that occurred whenever they touched returned. As soon as she was upright, she removed her hand from his.