Page 476 of Hidden Depths
He stood beside me at the helm.
His sunglasses covered his eyes, but I knew he was watching me instead of the horizon.
“You’re staring.”
“I’m supervising.”
“This is my yacht.”
“Our yacht.”
I looked at him.
He smiled.
He had been waiting three weeks to try that.
“You don’t own any part of Sea Whisper.”
“I replaced the salon windows.”
“The insurance company replaced them.”
“I spoke to the insurance company.”
“You annoyed the insurance company.”
“That still counts.”
Ward had remained in San Francisco.
At first, he said he would stay until the investigation ended.
Then until Sea Whisper was repaired.
Then, until Thomas recovered.
Eventually, he stopped inventing reasons.
He leased an apartment near the marina.
He slept there occasionally.
Very occasionally.
The Sinclair sisters accepted him.
Mostly.
Hazel loved him.
Willow tested him.
Ivy photographed him whenever he looked at me.
Calle watched him as if she were deciding whether he could be trusted with my heart.
He passed every test.
