Page 123 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“Was that Phillip?” Nash asked.

She nodded, her nose reddening in the chilly air. “Yeah, he wants to schedule a time to visit when the baby’s here.”

“Mom and Dad have extra rooms in the main house if he needs a place to stay,” Nash offered.

“You sure they wouldn’t mind?”

“Have you met my mother? She basically adopts anyone who comes for dinner.” He chuckled.

Bella laughed, her teeth chattering. They strode another few moments in the beautiful peace of the snow. “My fingers are so cold I can’t feel them anymore.”

Nash stepped in front of her, pulling her thin-gloved hands into his before blowing warm air on them. “You’re the one who wanted to walk. I told you it would be too chilly.”

She rolled her eyes, surveying the fresh blanket of snow covering the fields and woods around them. Only a few spots of greenery were left in the trees lining the property. “I was hot when we left, but I didn’t account for the wind.”

“I guess you’ll just have to let me carry you the rest of the way.”

“Nash—”

He hooked one arm under her knees and one under her upper back, lifting Bella against his chest where she’d be warm.

“I’m too heavy and you’re gonna drop me on this ice and reinjure your side!” she screeched.

“I’m not gonna drop you.” He headed for the house. “And you sure as fuck aren’t too heavy, so stop saying that.”

The house wasn’t too much further. She clung to his neck, her eyes closed. He loved having her so close.

“You trust me, don’t you?” he asked, a little afraid of the answer.

There was no sound but the crunch-swoosh of his feet wading through the snow-covered road and a few crows overhead.

His chest squeezed tight as his steps slowed. “I’ll put you down.”

“No.” She gripped his jacket. “Sorry, I was just lost in thought. You asked if I trusted you and . . . and I really want to. I don’t mean about you carrying me—I know you wouldn’t drop me on purpose. And if we fell, you’d make sure you took the brunt of it, because that’s who you are—a protector.”

Nash flicked her a glance as they rounded to the bottom of his driveway. He kept his attention on the slippery ground after that, nervously waiting and hoping as she mused aloud.

“You risked your life for my son. So in the physical sense, I trust you one hundred percent. But when it comes to . . . other matters . . .”

“Like your heart?” he clarified.

“I want to trust you, if that makes sense? I just . . . need some more time.”

He gave a stiff nod. “I understand.”

“I’m sorry,” she apologized.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. If you don’t feel completely safe with me, that’s on me. I know it’s gonna take a while.” He kissed her forehead. “Thing is, sweetness, I’ve already decided you’re it for me. So I have all the time in the world to wait and earn your faith. I’ll wait forever if I have to.”

Her stare at the side of his face made his skin prickle as he carried her up the porch. The rumble of an engine bounding up the driveway had him turning as he set her on her feet. The tan sheriff’s truck parked next to Bella’s new SUV.

Bently got out and gave them a wave as he walked to the bottom of the steps. “Hey, Nash, Isabella. Do you have a minute to talk about the case?”

Nash swallowed, dread sinking into his veins. “Sure, come on in where it’s warm.”

Bella walked in first, stripping off her winter jacket and boots before slipping into the kitchen. Nash followed suit. Bently toed off his boots and shut the door behind him.

“Hot chocolate, anyone?” Isabella asked.

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