Page 61 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Nash couldn’t help but be more curious about Bella’s husband. “He wasn’t?”

“No. He’d rather build model boats that fitted into the glass jars. And he read a lot.”

“Sounds like he must have been smart if he liked books.”

A few seagulls flew overhead, their shadows swooping across the boat.

“He was a professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado,” Eli answered.

So Robert had been nothing like Nash. Why that bothered him, he wasn’t sure.

Nash studied his calloused hands. They were usually covered in seawater and fish in the summer, and sawdust and manure in the winter. A working man’s hands. Like everything else about Nash, they were hardened from life and rough.

Bella was nothing but soft curves and beaming light. Fire and resilience. He was just the monster that wanted what he couldn’t have.

“Look, there’s Mom.” Eli pointed out as he shifted the boat to slow down, getting closer to the docks of the marina.

Bella stood with red Solo cups, a bottle of sparkling apple juice, and a smile that made his cock jerk and his chest ache. But those upturned lips weren’t for him, and he needed to remember that.

He could take care of her from a distance. After all, the best way to avoid getting burnt was to stay away from the fire.

28

ISABELLA

Two Months Later

Isabella ran a hand over her five-month baby bump from the back of the marina as Eli expertly pulled the boat into Nash’s spot. The crisp September air sent a shiver through her. She tugged her sweater over her shoulders a little tighter.

She smiled and waved as Eli helped Anthony unload a cooler from the boat and head her way with Nash trailing behind them. Eli went out with Nash as often as Isabella approved. Nash swore it wasn’t a bother, but she didn’t want to take advantage of his goodwill, so she tried to limit how often she said yes. She loved Eli, and he could require a lot of patience. But who better to talk to about an obsession with boats and fishing than a fisherman?

Nash had offered to take her out too, but she didn’t want to risk getting seasick. This was his busy season, and the last thing she wanted to do was become a burden. So she settled for Sunday dinners, and weekend events with his family, and daily text check-ins from Nash.

Isabella kept herself busy at her parents’ marina or helping at the Emersons’ farm. She was happy to pitch in for Mama E, feeding some of the animals, or baking for the weekly farmers’ market in Shattered Cove. She’d even whipped up a few batches of pot cookies with Nova.

“Mom! Look what we caught.” Eli set down his end of the cooler and opened it. Isabella got a strong whiff of fish and covered her nose as she stepped away. The morning sickness had lessened now that she was in her second trimester, but the smell of fish was her biggest trigger.

Eli held up a huge striped bass that was nearly as big as he was. Nash reached out to steady her son’s shoulder with a proud tilt of his lips. For a moment, Isabella couldn’t speak. They almost looked like father and son. It was a bittersweet moment. A part of her heart ached for Robert missing this, but the other piece was so thankful that her son and Nash were getting along so well. Eli spent much more time with Nash than Isabella did. Nash came to every doctor visit, and spent time with her and the rest of his family during their weekend get-togethers. But other than that, he was out to sea, working before the sun rose and coming home after dark most days if the lights at his house were any indication.

“That’s quite a fish,” she remarked.

“I caught it. I almost fell into the water, it fought so strong.” Eli beamed.

Her eyes widened and her heart raced as she looked to Nash. “What?”

“He was fine. Tugged him before we got it in the rod holder while we uncrossed lines. I had him the whole time. I wouldn’t let anything happen to Eli,” Nash promised, conviction soaking every word.

She breathed out a sigh of relief. Why couldn’t her son take up a safer hobby?

“How about we head back to the farm. I’ll cook some up for dinner?” Nash asked.

Adjusting her shirt, which was a bit too snug these days, Isabella shook her head. “As lovely as that sounds, we actually have somewhere to be.” She turned to Eli. “Go up to Abuela’s to shower and change, okay?”

Eli nodded and was off, Anthony leading the way into the marina with their catch. She turned back to Nash. His expression was stony and cold as ice. It was chilling how fast his emotions could change.

“What?”

“Are you seeing that guy again?”

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