Page 277

After everything she has survived, none of us intend to rush her.

But I hope she allows herself to be happy.

Dad loved her.

I think he would want someone kind to stand beside her now.

Ward steps onto the deck carrying two bottles of champagne. Scott, Mark, John and Piers follow him.

Ben turns from the bow.

The moment he sees me watching him, he smiles.

My heart still reacts the same way it did the first time he looked at me as though I wasn’t merely another Sinclair sister he needed to protect.

He walks toward me without a limp.

I notice.

He notices me noticing.

“My leg is fine,” he says.

“I didn’t ask.”

“You were about to.”

“I was going to ask why you’ve been standing at the bow for twenty minutes.”

“Thinking.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

Scott hears me as he passes.

“It usually is.”

Ben gives him a look.

Scott continues toward the table with a grin.

“What were you thinking about?” I ask.

“You.”

“That doesn’t sound dangerous.”

“It is when you’re involved.”

I place one hand against his chest.

“You’re getting rude.”

“I’ve been spending too much time with your family.”

“You love my family.”

“I do.”