Float Plan(67)

I laugh. “I had no idea fundraising would be so easy.”

“But for right now, Anna,” he continues, “all I want is to stop chasing after things for a bit, and sail. I don’t care where, only that I am with you.”

“I love the sound of that.” I step through the companionway and climb down into the cabin. Keane follows. “So, you should know that, while you were gone, I learned a few things.”

I reach for his T-shirt, pulling it up and over his head. He shivers as my fingers skim his sides. “First, swimming with sea turtles is one of the best things in life. Ever.”

He works open the buttons on my shirt and kisses my collarbone. “Turtles. Okay.”

“Second”—I let my shorts drop to the floor as he watches—“replacing a water pump is easier than it seems.”

“I’m going to save my follow-up questions about that for later,” he says, hooking his fingers into the waistband of my bikini bottoms.

“And third, I can live without you.”

“I, um—” His hands fall away, and he runs his fingers through his hair, eyebrows pulling together in confusion. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

“You don’t have to say anything. Because fourth, I don’t ever want to do it again,” I say, reaching for the top button on his jeans. “So, the next time you leave me, Keane Sullivan, you’d better have a round-trip ticket in your hand.”

Days later, we motor out of Chaguaramas and head north, the entire Caribbean archipelago ahead of us. I raise the mainsail while Keane consults our new chart book. “Where would you like to go?”

There are islands we missed on the way down—Mayreau, Saba, Nevis, Tortola—that I would like to visit, or we could return to the places we love. We could do both. We have no timeline. No schedule.

I step down into the cockpit and sit beside him on the bench. Queenie creeps onto my lap. The destination really doesn’t matter. “You choose.”

Keane considers, and flashes me a grin so roguish that I wonder what devil’s bargain I’ve just made.

“Tell me, Anna,” he says, slipping on his sunglasses and adjusting our course. “How do you feel about sailing to Ireland?”





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS





Advice givers always tell you to write the book you want to read. For me, this is it. I started working on it about eight years ago, so there are a lot of people to thank along the way.

The last person I usually mention is my husband, but Phil’s sailing knowledge is reflected on every page, so this time he needs to be first. Thank you for answering my endless questions and not cringing too much when the characters made bad choices. I’m sorry I cut your cameo role, but you’ll always be my star.

I am so thankful to have Kate Testerman as my agent. Her faith in this story never wavered. More than once she picked me up, dusted me off, and then went on to find the very best editor.

And having Vicki Lame as my editor feels like winning the lottery. I knew Anna and Keane would be safe in her hands—and they were. It’s been an incredible experience, Vicki, thank you.

In fact, everyone at St. Martin’s Griffin has been so excellent, especially Jennie Conway, Kaitlin Severini, Chrisinda Lynch, Cathy Turiano, Marissa Sangiacomo, Naureen Nashid, Meghan Harrington, Marta Fleming, Kerry Nordling, and the creative services team. Thank you all for your dedication in bringing this book into the world.

I had no idea I was going to write for adults until my first YA editor, Victoria Wells Arms, planted the seed. Thank you for reading the early manuscript, for your support, and for helping me become a better writer.

Adam Finnieston and Elizabeth Pla of Prosthetic Orthotic Designs, Inc., answered all my questions about prosthetics and their care. Any inaccuracies are solely mine.

I don’t know where I’d be without my critique partners, Suzanne Young and Cristin Bishara. They’re like opposite sides of a coin; Suzanne is my biggest cheerleader, while I can always count on Cristin to say, “Yeah, but, what if…” And I’m so fortunate to have both.

I’m also lucky to have a bunch of talented writer friends whose opinions have been invaluable, including Kirsty Eagar, Annie Gaughen, Kelly Jensen, Miranda Kenneally, Elisa Ludwig, Amanda Morgan, Wendy Mills, and Veronica Rossi. Thank you all, not only for sharing your time but also for your friendship.

It’s not an exaggeration to say I had a ton of beta readers over the past six years: Carla Black (yes, she’s named for you), Taylor Cote, Christina Franke, Anna Hutchinson, Cee Jay Maxwell, Sarah Moon, Pam O’Neal, Marissa Davis-Orban, Ginger Phillips, Stephanie Pierce, Grace Radford, Jessica Sheehan, Andrea Soule, and Gail Yates (you have dibs). If there is anyone I missed, please know it was not intentional. Thank you all.

Talking to Dave Welch about his Alberg 30, Four Gulls, was supposed to be for research purposes only. His enthusiasm was so contagious we bought one of our own. Thanks, Dave.

Terry Igo answered a bunch of questions about wills, estates, and trust funds. Even though most of it didn’t end up on the page, he went the extra mile and I appreciate it.

It would be impossible to name all the wonderful people we’ve met in the islands who contributed to this story in large and small ways, but love and special thanks to Shelley and Phillip at Little Cocoa in Grenada; Njomo in Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau; and Andréa and Lovan in Les Anses d’Arlet, Martinique.