Page 22 of Hidden Depths

Twenty years of captaining boats had taught me something important.

You never stopped watching.

Even when everything looked perfect.

Especially then.

A knock sounded on the open bridge door.

"You busy?"

I glanced over my shoulder.

Ward.

He'd traded his jeans for shorts and a navy T-shirt sometime after lunch.

His hair was still damp from the ocean breeze.

He looked more relaxed than he had that morning.

Not completely.

But better.

"Depends."

He smiled.

"On?"

"Whether you're here to distract me."

"I was hoping for a tour."

I pretended to think about it.

"Hmm."

"I can leave."

"I didn't say no."

His smile widened.

"I'll take that as permission."

He stepped inside, looking around the bridge with genuine curiosity.

There wasn't much to see unless you loved boats.

To me...

It was the most beautiful room in the world.

Screens glowed softly.

Charts were neatly organized.