Page 140 of Hidden Depths

Ward watched quietly from the back of the bridge.

He'd never met James Sinclair.

Yet somehow...

He felt as though he were standing in the presence of the man.

Not through stories.

Through the people who loved him.

He glanced toward Storm.

She was smiling.

Really smiling.

For the first time since Nathan's warning.

Without realizing it...

Ward smiled too.

Across the bridge...

Ben noticed.

He said nothing.

Nathan's eyes drifted to the worn leather logbook.

"So..."

Storm gently picked it up.

"I've been reading it."

Nathan accepted it with both hands.

Almost as though it were something sacred.

He smiled.

"He always wrote at sunrise."

Storm nodded.

"I know."

"He'd make coffee..."

"...complain it wasn't strong enough..."

"...then write before anyone else woke up."

Storm laughed softly.

"He still sounds like Grandpa."