STORM
— James Sinclair
For several long moments...
No one spoke.
Thomas stood in the doorway of the old boathouse, watching us the way Grandpa probably had a thousand times before another voyage.
The evening sun painted the water in gold.
Everything looked peaceful.
Almost too peaceful.
Ward finally broke the silence.
"We should get everyone back on Sea Whisper."
Ben nodded.
"The less time we're sitting here, the better."
Nathan folded Grandpa's chart and carefully slid it into the waterproof case Ivy had brought.
"We'll study everything once we're aboard."
Thomas gave a quiet nod.
"Good."
Willow stepped forward first.
She wrapped her arms gently around Thomas.
"You're coming to visit us."
The old sailor smiled.
"I suppose I don't have much choice now."
"You never did," Willow laughed through tears.
"You were Grandpa’s best friend. You’re our family now."
One by one, each of us hugged him.
When it was my turn, Thomas held me for just a second longer.
"Your grandfather would be proud of you."
My throat tightened.
"I hope so."
"I know so."
Outside, Frank was already loosening the dock lines.
Rose stood beside him with her hands on her hips.
"If you boys are planning on standing around talking all night..."
"...we’ll never get to our hotel."
Frank grinned.
Thomas chuckled.
Laughter drifted across the dock.
For just a few precious minutes...
It felt almost normal.
Almost.
Ward wasn't fooled.
Neither was Ben.
Storm noticed all five SEALs quietly scanning the marina while everyone else talked.
No one mentioned it.
They didn't have to.
Sea Whisper eased away from Thomas's dock.
The old sailor lifted one weathered hand.
"Fair winds."
"Fair winds," we answered together.
I watched him grow smaller against the shoreline.
Standing beside the old boathouse.
Still watching.
Still guarding Grandpa's secrets.
The trip across the harbor was quiet.
The waves slapped gently against the hull.
Calle was captain for a few hours. All of us could captain a boat. We all had our own yacht. Calle lived on hers.
Nathan was checking every boat they passed.
Ben remained on the upper deck.
Ward never left the stern.
Watching.
Always watching.
I walked over beside him.
"Something bothering you?"
His eyes stayed on the water.
"I don't like unanswered questions."
"You think someone followed us?"
"I think if James Sinclair spent decades worried about these people..."
"...there's a reason."
“I also think if someone shot at us and launched illegal rockets, then there are definitely bad guys after you.”
I looked back toward the fading shoreline.
"I think so too."
Twenty minutes later...
Sea Whisper eased alongside the dock, where Frank and Rose would leave us.
Ben was the first one onto the dock.
His eyes swept every direction before he reached for a line.
Nathan followed.
Then Ward.
Only after the dock was secured did the rest of us step ashore.
Frank noticed.
"You boys always this careful?"
Ward gave him a small smile.
"Only when it matters."