Page 126 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“I think she might be warming up to me,” Nash whispered in her ear.

Isabella smiled and turned to face him, looping her arms around his neck. “I think saving her grandson’s life has won you some good grace.”

Nash chuckled and kissed her chastely on the mouth. “I’m just glad Eli promised never to do it again.”

Isabella’s chest tightened. It didn’t matter how much time passed. The fear of losing her son would stick with her forever. “I’m certainly not going to replace the boat anytime soon.”

“He’ll just have to go out with me until he’s old enough to handle it on his own.” Nash smoothed his thumb over her cheek.

“I know he was hurting, and the sea is a place of calm for him—where he feels connected to his dad. I just wish he’d find a safer hobby.”

Nash kissed her forehead. “I’ll teach him everything he needs to know, including respect for the unyielding power of Mother Nature. Though I think she taught him that herself.”

Nova plucked a cookie from the platter on the table under the bouquet of lilies that had been delivered earlier. “Would you two lovebirds give it a rest? You know you don’t have to touch her every minute out of every day, big brother.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s what got them into this mess—Nash’s inability to keep his hands, and other parts, to himself.” Ricky snickered, motioning towards her nine-month belly from his seat at the table.

“When is the little princess going to make an appearance?” Nova asked.

“Alba is due Friday,” Nash answered.

Ricky winced. “You sure that’s the name you’re going with?”

“It’s Latin for sunrise. And don’t you dare start, Ricardo Andrew Emerson.” Isabella pointed her finger at him.

“Ooh, she used your full name. You’re in trouble, Uncle Ricky.” Nova laughed, wiping what was left of the cookie crumbs off her chest.

Ricky held up his hands. “I’m just saying, a niece named after her favorite tío might be better.”

“Keep dreaming.” Nash chuckled.

“I don’t need anyone else,” Roman said, walking into the dining area a few steps ahead of his mother.

Renita already had her coat on, as if she were ready to take her leave.

“Don’t need anyone for what?” Nova asked.

Renita looked around the room. “I suppose now that you’re all here, it’s as good a time as any to tell you the news. Your father and I decided to take that trip we’ve always talked about later this summer. And with the weddings already booked, I know I won’t have enough time to keep an eye on Ariel every day like I have been doing.”

“I can help some days,” Nova offered.

“No, your brother needs to hire a nanny. Someone who can give her consistent care so she doesn’t have to be shuffled from place to place every other day. And someone who can prepare her for starting school next fall,” Renita argued.

Roman sighed. “She hasn’t been around anyone else but her family—”

“And that’s exactly why you should do this. It will ease her into being social with more people and break her out of that protective little shell she’s stuck inside. Otherwise school is going to be much more of a shock to her.” Mama Emerson wasn’t backing down.

“Maybe I’ll homeschool her again.” Roman wiped a hand over the back of his neck.

Renita placed her hand on her son’s shoulder. “You can’t keep her in a bubble forever, son. It will do more harm than good. Trust me. We’ll find someone who can sign, and be the perfect fit.”

Roman waited a beat, then nodded. “Fine.” Turning towards Nash, he said, “I’m gonna head out with Ariel and get her ready for bed. You good?”

Nash nodded. “Yeah. Thanks for being here.”

“Of course.”

“I don’t just mean today.” His gaze moved from one sibling to the next until he landed on his mother. “I mean the whole time. You never gave up on me, and I can’t say how much I appreciate that.”

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