to port. She’d explored every wonderful place she’d ever dreamed of visiting: England, Ireland, France, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Fiji, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Japan, China. Everywhere her heart desired, she’d gone and explored.
Some people dreamed of a trip around the world and never did because they couldn’t afford to, or just didn’t take the time. Three hundred and sixty-five days at sea. On day three hundred and sixty-six, she’d dock in San Francisco, sign the estate papers at the lawyer’s office, and make a life on dry land—alone. Her heart ached over the loss of her grandmother, and soon the sea.
She’d rather not go back to the city, but the year was up and she’d fulfilled her grandmother’s last wishes. How could she refuse such a wonderful request? But she couldn’t spend the rest of her life sailing from port to port. She wanted to, but needed to get back to her life. Actually, she had to start her life. She was ready to stay in one place for a while and make some friends.
“Marti, we’ve dropped sail and anchored for the night. The fog’s rolling in and we should get settled. What time do you want to get underway and drop anchor in the bay in the morning?”
“Let’s not make it early,” she said over her shoulder to her trusted captain. “How about eleven? I can watch the sun come up and spend a quiet morning with you and the crew. It’ll be our last breakfast together for a while.”
“You look sad. It’s been quite an adventure, wouldn’t you say?”
Captain Finn understood her reluctance to leave the ship and begin an unfamiliar life.
“A grand adventure. I’m going to miss it as much as you salty dogs.”
“I think we can call you a salty dog after a year of sailing. You handle this ship as well as anyone. You make a great mate.”
“I learned from the best.” She smiled to let him know how much she appreciated him for treating her like a part of the crew and not keeping some sort of boundary between them because she was technically the boss. “How long until dinner?”
“A few minutes. We’re set up on the back deck.”
“Perfect. We’ll watch the fog roll in and play our last poker game.”
“Will the men keep their money for shore leave?”
“They may just leave with a bonus tonight.” She winked and he laughed.
An experienced card sharp, she’d make sure all the men left with her money.
Captain Finn caught her looking longingly at the water. “She’ll still be here come tomorrow night when you’re tucked into some hotel room. Stay aboard.”
“I have things to do. I need to find a place to live on dry land. If I stay on the ship, I’ll only want to sail away again.”
“I understand and know just how you feel.” He belonged to the sea and she was cut from the same cloth. “The ocean, she calls to you, but you have to find your way now that Sofia is gone. She gave you a gift, Marti. She would be proud to see you embraced it with your whole heart. I’ve never seen anyone take to the open water like you, or enjoy the adventure of exploring a new land with such enthusiasm. She understood your spirit.”
“Yes. She did. She left me in good hands too. You and the crew have been wonderful to me. I couldn’t have gotten through the first few weeks without your kindness.”
“Kindness was easy to give to someone like you. You earned my respect, and that of the crew, when you insisted on becoming a sailor. Your Uncle Anthony doesn’t deserve either kindness or respect from you. Remember that tomorrow and all the days after that. He’ll come after you. He wants what Sofia gave you.”
“Did he call?”
“This morning. We told him you went diving and couldn’t be reached.” He gave her one of his lopsided smiles.
“You tell him that every time he calls.”
“It’s been true a time or two.” Captain Finn’s mouth tilted up in an unapologetic grin.
“Thank you, Captain Finn, for everything.”
“I loved your grandmother. I’ve taken her all over the world and watched her create some of her masterpieces. And now I’ve had the pleasure to take you around the world and watch you do the same in your own way.”
Marti thought fondly of her grandmother, the world-famous painter. Her paintings hung in galleries and museums all over the world. She’d taught Marti how to paint from the time she was old enough to