Grasping the handrails, she climbed the steep stairs to the main deck where she paused at the top, relishing the warmth of sunlight on her face. In contrast, the crisp and cool wind whipped some stray tendrils that refused to remain under the hat onto her face. She inhaled the scent of the ocean—a salty-tangy combination that was strangely comforting and oddly arousing. Moving to the rail, she leaned against it as she scanned the horizon to the lee-side. She saw nothing but water and one ship far off into the distance ahead of them. Spray washed up and wet her face as the hull sliced through a wave. Thankfully, she’d buttoned up her oil-cloth slicker, or she’d be soaked.
Suddenly, she felt the fine hairs along the back of her neck rise to attention and she knew without looking that her ca
