Page 27 of Hidden Depths

He looked around the galley.

At Willow.

At Scott, still guarding the dessert tray.

At Ben, shaking his head.

At the sound of Calle and Mark arguing beneath the deck.

Then back at me.

"I like it."

"So do I."

Later that evening...

The sun hung low over the Pacific.

The sky glowed orange and gold.

The sea looked like molten glass.

I stood beside the helm while logging our position for the day.

Grandpa's old leather logbook rested open in front of me.

The pages smelled faintly of salt and age.

As I turned another page...

Something slipped free.

A folded piece of yellowed paper drifted onto the chart table.

I frowned.

I'd never seen it before.

Carefully...

I unfolded it.

Only one sentence.

Written in Grandpa's unmistakable handwriting.

Never trust the calmest water.

I smiled.

"You always did like riddles."

I folded the note again and slipped it back between the pages.

Someday...

I'd probably figure out what he meant.