Page 47 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Isabella woke to a dim room. She wiped the drool from her mouth before turning to the clock on the bedside table. Oh, mierda. I slept for three hours. She sat up quickly, groaning as her head spun with dizziness. She remained still until it settled and then went downstairs. Eli probably devoured the snack cupboard for dinner.

The scent of something savory and delicious filled her nose. Nova must be cooking.

Isabella made it to the living room first. Eli was reading a book on the couch. Movement from the kitchen caught her eye. Nash stood with his back to her by the stove.

“I thought you left,” she said, walking to the counter.

He turned around, her gaze momentarily dropping to his wide chest, the material of his T-shirt stretched taut across it enhancing the defined muscles she knew from experience were just as delicious as they appeared.

He scanned her face. Oh Dios, I must look a fright. She pulled her hair out of the messy bun and scooped it back into her hand, trying to smooth out any bed head in the process.

Nash’s attention remained on her. “No. I wanted to make sure you and Eli were okay. We spent some time comparing boats to see which one would be best for him to start with. And then we talked sustainable fishing. He knows his stuff.”

Nash had spent three hours with her son? Emotion clogged her throat. “What’s all this?” She motioned to the stove behind him.

He ran a hand over the back of his neck, eyeing her sheepishly. “Dinner.”

“You cooked?”

He shrugged like it was no big deal. “Back in the early days, my parents both worked the farm, so dinner landed on my shoulders as the oldest. Soup was easiest. And this should help settle your stomach. There’s some ginger with the chicken.”

Isabella was speechless. How long had it been since someone took care of her like this? And how was this the same man from earlier at the town celebration?

He scooped some of the soup into a bowl, slid in a spoon, and handed it to her. “I already made Eli a grilled cheese. He told me about his food aversions.”

“Nash, I . . . thank you.”

“It’s nothing special,” he grumbled, turning his back to her to grab another bowl.

She blinked. With her eyes growing watery, she turned away to look at Eli. She had a feeling that if Nash saw her tears, he would run for the hills.

She hadn’t expected him to be this supportive. But maybe it was time she learned all there was to know about the father of her child.

23

NASH

Nash loaded the cooler onto the back of the four-wheeler, securing it on the back before running a hand over his face. The warm summer breeze blew over him, sending the trees swishing nearby. Nerves twisted his stomach as he climbed on and started the engine. It had been a long day of fishing in the sun. He’d come home and showered, then thrown together a few things because the moment he’d anticipated all day long had finally come. Nash hit the gas and steered the ATV away from his property towards his sister’s.

It’d been almost a week since he’d laid eyes on Bella. He'd had to get the fishing in while the weather was good and had been out spending long days at sea. With her morning sickness, it wasn’t like she could come along. But tonight, they needed to make sure they were on the same page. He’d do whatever it took to make sure she and his child were taken care of—and Eli now fell into that category.

Nova’s home came into view along with a car he recognized and two figures that had his stomach sinking and his spine stiffening.

Bella turned, looked over at him as he rounded the house in his four-wheeler. Her parents stood by their SUV behind her. Tomas seemed friendly enough as Nash shut off the engine. His gaze was assessing, as if he was trying to read Nash’s intentions for his daughter—Nash couldn’t blame him. But Catherine scowled, her cheeks flushed like Bella’s were when she was angry. Catherine Noveas had been one of the biggest rumor spreaders after he was taken in for questioning for Ana’s disappearance. It must be eating her up that he was the father of her future grandchild.

“Good evening,” Nash said. He wasn’t usually one to greet anyone, but for Bella, he’d make an effort.

“Nash.” Tomas held out his hand to shake. “You had quite the catch today.”

Nash released his palm and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Really, Isabella Marie? You couldn’t have picked anyone but this man?” Catherine’s words spewed like venom in a string of Spanish as she eyed him with disdain.

It might have been the one time he wished he didn’t understand the language. But his brother, Ricky, was half Colombian. The family had all learned to make him feel more comfortable after he was placed with them by the state.

“Mama, detener.” Stop. Bella turned to him, giving him a shaky smile. “Hey, Nash. My parents were just picking Eli up for the night.”

Nash’s gaze roamed over the empty porch, the few potted flowers, and the open door, searching for the boy.

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