Page 98 of Hidden Depths

Storm drew a slow breath.

"What do we do?"

Ben looked at Ward.

Ward looked back at Storm.

"You keep being Captain."

She blinked.

"And you?"

Ben's smile was calm.

"We do what we've spent our entire lives doing."

Storm watched both men for a long moment.

Then she nodded.

"All right."

She reached for the microphone.

"Attention, everyone."

Her voice carried calmly through Sea Whisper.

"We're making a slight course adjustment."

"Nothing to worry about."

"We're simply giving ourselves a little more room."

Frank and Rose smiled.

Her sisters acknowledged.

No panic.

Exactly as she'd intended.

Ward looked at her with quiet admiration.

"You've done this before."

Storm met his eyes.

"My grandfather taught me something."

"What's that?"

"The captain never borrows tomorrow's fear."

Ward smiled.

"I would've liked him."