Page 158 of Hidden Depths

He pointed to the chart spread across the navigation table.

"Three days later."

Storm frowned.

"You never came."

Nathan's shoulders slumped.

"I couldn't."

"My wife had just been diagnosed with cancer."

"I stayed with her."

His voice caught.

"I told James we'd go the following week."

He closed his eyes.

"There wasn't a following week."

No one spoke.

There was nothing to say.

For a long moment...

The only sound was the gentle creak of Sea Whisper riding the swells.

Rose quietly wiped away a tear.

"He went alone."

Nathan nodded.

"He always believed if there was danger..."

"...it belonged to him."

Storm looked out through the bridge windows.

That sounded exactly like Grandpa.

He had carried everyone's burdens.

And somehow...

He'd hidden the heaviest one of all.

A sharp knock echoed against the bridge door.

Everyone turned.

Calle stepped inside.

"Captain."