Page 67 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“But that would only happen if I hoped, right? If I set my expectations correctly, then I can’t be let down.” She just needed to accept that she and Nash Emerson would never be anything other than co-parents. It wasn’t like he’d given her any indication he wanted more.

So why was it so hard to accept?

“Have you talked to him about this? My brother has a lot of faults, but if you lay it out like it is, he’ll listen and give you an honest answer. Actually, his answer will probably be more conservative than what he’s really capable of, because behind all that bluster is a man who’s just as afraid as you if not more.” Nova took a sip of her drink.

“I can see that.”

Nova spread her palms open. “All I’m asking is you give him a chance and let him know what you need. Give him the opportunity to respond without you making that decision for him. He needs someone to push him out of his comfort zone. I think you’re just that person, Bella.”

“I think that’s fair.” This isn’t just about me anymore. I have our baby to think of too.

Nash would need to prove he was willing to go outside his comfort zone. He’d have to be open and honest with her so they were on the same page. But that meant opening herself up to possible heartbreak. No matter how much she wanted things to change, and for him to give them a chance, Nash had made his position perfectly clear. He was there to be a father—not a partner.

31

ISABELLA

Isabella held her belly as the wagon bounced over a pothole. The whole thing came to a stop in the middle of a small orchard still on the Emerson property, sending her leaning against the wooden wall. A brisk fall breeze blew against her skin, the scent of sweet apples in the air.

“Can we make apple crisp later?” Eli asked, his leg bouncing against hers as the rest of the Emerson family began filing off the wagon.

“Sure.” Isabella stood, a twinge in her hips making her wince.

She was the last one off the wagon, gripping the edge of the stairs to jump down. Nash stepped in front of her before she could go, his hands reaching to her waist, picking her up and setting her down on the ground like she weighed nothing close to the two hundred and fifty pounds she was currently at. His palms burned against her, sending tendrils of arousal swirling through her.

The moment her feet touched the ground, he left, turning abruptly and disappearing into the orchard. Her heart raced, her body reeling from that quick encounter. She hadn’t even been able to utter a thank-you.

Isabella searched the rows of trees for Eli, tucking her sweater a little closer. She found him next to Ariel, pointing to an apple higher up and then to the little girl, and then to himself.

Ariel nodded and signed something with her hands. Eli picked her up, holding her so she could reach above his head to the apple. Ariel plucked it off, A triumphant smile lit her face as he set her back down and gave her a high five.

A burst of joy exploded in her heart. To see Eli connecting with another child was a rare occurrence, and when he did manage to do so, his friendships didn’t last long. But after three months of weekly family dinners, he and Ariel seemed to connect so much so that she’d even caught him learning some basic signs and practicing them over and over.

“Remember that time Nash got Ricky to eat an apple with a worm in it?” Roman asked Nova who was busy picking up dropped fruit from under a tree and filling her bag with them.

“Yes.” She snickered.

Ricky shrugged and bit into an apple. “Extra protein. Need it for all these muscles.” He flexed his biceps.

Nash shoved him from behind playfully. “If only it worked for your brain, where you really need bulking up.”

Ricky threw his apple at Nash’s chest, the fruit exploding and falling to the ground. “You calling me stupid?”

“The fact that you even have to ask proves my point,” Nash grumbled.

Ricky nodded. “Least I can communicate with sentences and not grunts and grumbles like a fu—” Ricky eyed the kids nearby. “Freaking caveman.” Ricky pounded his chest. “Me Nash. Me like no one but fish.”

Nova burst into laughter along with Roman, and Nash’s eyes narrowed. “I do not sound like that.”

Ricky smiled triumphantly, his gaze moving to Isabella. “Well, I guess it’s not completely accurate. There is one person you liked so much you knocked her up.”

Isabella stiffened as all eyes moved to her.

“You boys stop fooling around and pick apples. I need bushels to get my canning done. And leave Isabella alone,” Renita interjected as she passed by to the next row.

“Of course, Ma.” Ricky smacked his hand on Nash’s back.

Nash didn’t even flinch—he just turned his angry eyes onto his brother and wrapped his arm around Ricky’s neck, pulling him against his body. “We’ll just hug and make up.”

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