Page 28 of Hidden Depths

Outside...

The Pacific stretched endlessly toward the horizon.

Calm.

Beautiful.

Perfect.

I looked at it one last time before closing the logbook.

For reasons I couldn't explain...

Grandpa's words stayed with me.

Never trust the calmest water.

6

WARD

Iunderstood why people fell in love with the ocean.

It wasn't because it was quiet.

It wasn't.

It breathed.

The steady rush of water against the hull.

The whisper of the wind through the rigging.

The distant cry of gulls that had followed us farther offshore than I would've thought possible.

It never stopped moving.

Neither did Storm.

I found her exactly where I'd expected.

On the bridge.

Coffee in one hand.

Binoculars in the other.

She lowered them without looking at me.

"You walk quieter than Scott."

"I'm hoping that's a compliment."

"It is."

“Seals learn to never make noise.”

I laughed.