Page 23 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Isabella walked towards the fueling station, her gaze wandering absently over the docked boats as it had every day since she’d been back. She froze, nearly tripping on the swaying dock.

She’d know that boat anywhere. Nash was here. Isabella’s mouth went dry as nerves ratcheted up her spine. Her belly flipped, churning like the sea.

She took a deep breath and let it out. “You can do this, Bella. He deserves to know.”

She straightened her shoulders and turned around to make her way closer to his boat. She searched wildly for the man who owned it.

She stepped closer. It didn’t seem as if anyone was aboard. Should she wait here? Ask her dad about it?

“Can I help you?” The gruff voice made her jump.

She spun around, eyes wide. Nash stood in front of her looking even better than before if that was possible. His wild hair was still untamed, and now his short beard looked as wild as the mess of curls on the top of his head. He only wore a T-shirt, showing off his tattooed muscular arms. His waist tapered down to a pair of camo shorts that came to just above his knees. She forced her gaze back up in time to catch his jaw tighten as his eyes flared.

“What are you doing here?” His abrupt tone made her flinch.

“I was looking for you. We need to talk—”

A young teen in a hoodie with a backpack walked up behind Nash and climbed onto his boat. “Mornin’, Nash.”

Nash grunted.

“We have company joining us today?” the kid asked, turning towards Isabella. “I’m Anthony, first mate of The Anastasia.”

She offered him a shaky smile. “Nice to meet you.”

Nash climbed on board the vessel.

“Nash! I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

His back remained to her. “Get us untied, Anthony.”

“If now’s not a good time, I can come back later,” she pressed.

Nash’s shoulders tensed, rising to his ears. He started the engine as Anthony cast her a questioning look, obediently following his captain’s orders.

“We have nothing to discuss,” Nash ground out loudly, not even giving her the courtesy of looking at her when he spoke. As soon as Anthony freed the last rope, Nash steered them through the marina and the no-wake zone, heading out to sea.

She blinked a few times. “Did he really just . . . cabrón!” What an asshole!

Why was he so cold to her? They hadn’t parted as best friends, but still. You’d think he’d at least be cordial. She fumed.

She had seen that going somewhat differently in her head. Of the hundreds of scenarios she’d come up with, behaving like she didn’t exist hadn’t been one.

He still deserves to know. Something told her he was going to be less than pleased, especially after that reunion. But the gossip would spread around town soon enough. She was surprised her mother hadn’t spilled the beans already. She had to give her some credit.

Isabella would never forgive herself if she kept a secret like this from the father of her child just because he didn’t like her. He’d been kind to her for most of that night. And he’d been honest with what he could give her. I’m good enough to fuck but not to love. Not that she’d entertained such fantasies with the grumpy fisherman. But if he wanted to be in their child’s life, they’d have to work something out. They needed to be friends at the very least, pleasant acquaintances.

She placed a hand on her belly. “You deserve more. And I’ll do my best to give you everything.”

Why did the first man she slept with since Robert have to be so prickly?

“Mom?”

She turned, facing her son, forcing a smile. “Hey, carinõ. I brought you back some cookies from the café in town.”

“How old do you have to be to own a boat?”

“Um, well, I think it depends on the boat. Not sure there is an age limit. But I don’t think you’re quite ready to go out on your own. Why?”

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