Page 120 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Tomas murmured a prayer in Spanish as he sped as close as was safe.

“Fuck!” Nash swore.

Eli bobbed in the icy water, the red light of his emergency beacon flashing on his life vest.

“I’ll get him.” Nash grabbed a life vest and jumped into the dark waters.

A thousand pinpricks like frigid knives pierced his nerve endings. His lungs were just as frozen as the rest of his body as he floated. One second stretched into eternity before his fight-or-flight mode kicked in. He needed to grab Eli and get him out of the water before they both died of hypothermia.

Nash’s legs kicked and his arms shot out through the dark depths, forcing his sluggish limbs to move. His life vest helped carry him to the surface as he attempted to suck in a breath. Eli bobbed in the water only a few feet ahead. Nash swam towards him and grabbed his vest.

“I got you, bud. You’re gonna be okay.”

“I’m-m-m s-c-c-cared.”

“I know.” Nash kicked and swam as hard as he could, dragging the boy with him. As soon as they approached the boat, Tomas was there, reaching for his grandson. Nash gripped the ladder and shoved Eli out of the water, pushing him on board. The boat lurched. Nash’s hand slipped, knocking him back. Pain sliced across his side as his body hit something hard under the water.

Nash sunk beneath the surface. Lungs burning, darkness encroached his vision as everything quieted under the water. He struggled with lead-filled limbs; everything hurt. If he didn’t get through this, he’d never get to apologize to Bella. He’d never see his daughter be born. Nash gathered what was left of his strength and swam to the surface, heading back towards the ladder. Each breath was like swallowing shards of ice. He heaved himself on board. Eli lay on the deck, shaking uncontrollably in his grandpa’s arms, his lips blue.

Nash snapped into action, helping to lift Eli and take him out of the wind towards the helm. He stripped Eli’s clothes off down to his boxers, and then Tomas piled all the blankets he could find over the small boy. Nash picked him up and bundled him in his arms as Tomas headed back to the captain’s chair.

“Stay awake. You hear me? Stay awake. We’ll get you home.” Nash shook Eli just a bit, trying to get him to keep his eyes open.

Tomas gunned the engine, driving the boat back towards the marina as Nash’s eyes grew heavy. His body shook uncontrollably. He gripped the boy in his lap, trying to infuse whatever heat he had remaining into Eli as Tomas fought to get them home safe.

Tomas handed him the radio, keeping his solemn voice low. “Tell them where we are. We need the coast guard. I’m not sure we can make it back in this. We’re fighting the current and the wind. These waves are too big for this boat.”

Nash relayed their coordinates. “If you’re listening, Bella, I got him. He’s gonna need m-m-medical attention. He went in . . .”

The radio crackled, voices cutting through with too much white noise to understand.

“Bella?”

“N . . . sh, ah . . . you . . . re.” Her panic was palpable even through the shitty connection.

He shook Eli a little. The boy looked up at him with eyes that were heavy with sleep. “Stay with me, bud. Tell me about boats.”

“I’m-m-m s-s-sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m the one who’s sorry.” Nash’s gaze caught on the red droplets spreading into a small puddle by his feet. He reached for his side and jerked from the pain. Fuck, he was injured. Judging by the growing crimson pool, it was bad.

“N . . . sh? Are y . . . kay?” Bella’s voice cut through the speaker again.

His heart slowly thumped in his chest. The chill was so deep in his bones, he was sure slush was pumping through his veins. The wind sliced through the wet clothes hanging frozen off his body. All his remaining strength was used to hold Eli against him as Nash shared what little body warmth he had left. He might not make it out of this. He picked up the radio, his thumb sluggishly moving over the button. His heart rate slowed with every shallow breath he took. He leaned against the window on the opposite side of the captain’s chair.

“Bella, I don’t know if you can hear mmme.” He relayed the coordinates again. “You always wanted my honesty. I don’t think I’m gonna make it back, baby. Send the coast guard to our location to get Eli and your dad. I don’t know how much longer I can stay awake.” He shook his head, eyes burning as regret stabbed him. “I love you, Bella. That’s the one truth I kept from you. I’m so fucking sorry I can’t be there to tell you to your face like you deserve.”

The radio crackled, but nothing came through. Minutes or hours ticked by—he wasn’t sure. Tomas steered the boat as best as he could. Nash’s body locked up, his movements slow and painful. His head was foggy like he’d been drugged. Waves crashed against the boat, making them bob dramatically through the water. Cold seawater splashed over his back, the salt stinging his wound. He held on to Eli, shielding him as much as possible.

“Sss okay, b-b-ud. Almost there.”

Eli’s shivering had calmed down. He peeked his head out of the blankets as a light shone over them.

“There’s a helicopter!” Tomas pulled out a flare, ignited it, and waved it in the air.

Thank fuck.

“They’re here to save us,” Eli said before another wave rose, its shadow darkening the boat before everything went black.

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