Page 55 of Hidden Depths

She smiled.

"I think he would've liked all of you."

“Her grandfather has some very good quotes,” Ward said, smiling.

The smell of grilled steak drifted up from the aft deck.

Scott's voice carried across the yacht.

"Willow!"

"What?"

"Marry me!"

Ward groaned.

"We've been over this."

"I know."

Scott looked toward Ben.

"I'm just asking for dinner."

Willow laughed.

"Dinner you can have."

Scott pumped his fist.

"I knew persistence paid off."

Mark shook his head.

"One of these days she's going to throw you overboard."

Scott looked thoughtful.

"...Worth it."

Storm laughed.

Really laughed.

Not the polite smile she'd worn when greeting guests.

The sound made everyone nearby smile.

Even me.

It reminded me why we fought so hard overseas.

So people could have moments exactly like this.

Dinner stretched well into the evening.

Frank and Rose told stories about their first apartment.