Page 480 of Hidden Depths
Grandpa’s words had been engraved across the back.
NO ONE SAILS ALONE.
My eyes filled.
“I’m not asking you to marry me.”
“That’s becoming clear.”
“Not yet.”
The final words warmed everything inside me.
He fastened the compass around my neck.
“I’m asking you to let me sail with you. Wherever Sea Whisper goes. Whatever your family finds. Whatever current pulls us next.”
I placed my hand over the compass.
“And if another armed boat follows us?”
“I sink it.”
“If my sisters interfere?”
“I distract them with Ben, and my other buddies.”
“That might work.”
“If the port engine starts making that imaginary vibration?”
“You admit I’m right.”
He sighed.
“I knew there would be a difficult condition.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Yes.”
His expression changed.
“Yes?”
“Yes, you can sail with me.”
“For how long?”
“As long as you don’t call Sea Whisper our yacht.”
He lifted me against him.
“No promises.”
I kissed him.
Behind us, cheering erupted from the beach.
