Page 194 of Hidden Depths

"My team."

"My family."

He smiled sadly.

"I've always kept them."

Storm nodded.

"I believe that."

Ward looked down at the deck.

"I just don't know if I made the right one."

Before Storm could answer...

Ben stepped onto the deck carrying two fresh mugs of coffee.

"I figured you'd both need these."

Storm laughed softly.

"You've become everyone's favorite person."

Ben handed them each a mug.

"Willow made the coffee."

"I just carried it."

Scott joined them a moment later.

"The others are rotating watches."

Storm glanced toward the stern.

Piers remained stretched comfortably across a lounge chair.

John appeared completely absorbed in a paperback novel.

Mark quietly polished a pair of binoculars as though he hadn't a care in the world.

Scott smiled.

"They're enjoying themselves."

Storm grinned.

"Not fooling me."

"They're not trying to fool you."

Scott replied.

"They're trying to fool whoever's watching from out there."

He nodded toward the distant silhouette of Mariner's Crown.