Page 24 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

He scratched his head and shuffled his feet shyly. “Just wondering how soon I can start my own charter business.”

Her chest tightened as her son’s gaze focused on one of the boats off to the side through his dark eyelashes. Isabella swallowed the emotion that swelled in her throat. His love for boats had been something he’d shared with Robert. They’d made plans for Eli’s future, a goal of independence.

“I think we should find out the details, then. Let’s go talk to Abuelo.” She wrapped her arm around her son, tugging him against her as they walked down the docks towards the shop.

She cast a quick glance over her shoulder at the greenish-gray waters. She’d try again with Nash when he came back—make him listen. She had to.

11

NASH

Nash’s hands slid over the wheel, slippery with sweat. Dots of perspiration lined his forehead and none of it had to do with the warm summer weather or being out in the sun all day on the boat. No, it all had to do with the curvy woman who he never thought he’d see again. Why was she back in Shattered Cove? Had she lied about being from Colorado? Was she looking for another hookup? Well, too bad. He was into one and done. No emotions. That was why he’d run as far as fuck away from her as he could after he’d orgasmed. Because she stirred feelings in him. And he had no room for feelings. They were dangerous.

“Nash!” Anthony’s voice cried out in alarm.

He jerked his gaze to the front of the boat and immediately corrected the steering and speed so he didn’t hit the dock.

“That was close,” Anthony commented, tying the boat up.

“Take the catch in to Tomas—all except the ones I need to drop off to Atlantis,” Nash said, bounding off the boat. He needed to restock his vessel and get the hell out of there in case Bella came back.

A young boy walked towards him from the other end of the dock. “Do you need fuel for your boat?”

“You work for Tomas?” The kid couldn’t be more than twelve or thirteen.

“Yes. I’m the dock manager,” he answered in a monotone voice, his gaze focused on Nash’s chest.

Nash crooked his head. Was the kid joking? “You know what you’re doing?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You don’t gotta call him sir. He’s Nash and I’m Anthony,” his one and only employee supplied. “What’s your name?”

“Eli. So . . . do you want the fuel?”

“Fill ’er up.” Nash nodded.

“Is this your boat?” Eli asked, eyes admiring.

“Yup.”

“Is fishing your job, or do you do charters too?” Eli’s question surprised him.

“Mostly fish but if the season’s slow, I’ll do a charter for the right price. Why?”

The kid shrugged. “I’m going to buy my own boat and run my own fishing and charter company. My abuelo said I need to learn how it all works before I get my own boat.”

Nash recognized the eagerness. The glint in his blue eyes told him all he needed to know. He was once a kid with a passion that someone once took a chance on too. He grabbed a card from his wallet and handed it to Eli. “Have your parents give me a call, and I’ll take you out with me and Anthony one day. But be ready to earn your keep,” he added with a wink.

Eli’s eyes widened. A beaming smile split his face as his hand flapped excitedly. “Thank you, Nash.”

“Don’t mention it.” He clapped his shoulder and walked past him.

Eli frowned. “How can I tell my mom if I can’t mention it?”

Nash hesitated. Is he serious? “It’s just a saying.”

“It doesn’t make any sense. Do I tell my mom or no?”

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