Page 50 of Hidden Depths

The bridge was peaceful.

The first streaks of dawn painted the eastern sky.

Storm handed Ward the binoculars.

"What do you see?"

He slowly scanned the horizon.

Clouds.

Ocean.

Birds.

A fishing boat.

Then...

He smiled.

"A darker line."

Storm looked at him.

"Where?"

He pointed.

"There."

She raised her binoculars.

A smile slowly spread across her face.

"You found the current."

"I did?"

"You did."

She looked genuinely proud.

Ward laughed.

"I think I just passed a test."

"You did."

"What do I win?"

Storm pretended to think.

"Another lesson."

"I was hoping for a cinnamon roll."

She laughed.