The loneliest woman in the world is a woman without a close woman friend.

--George Santayana

The only thing Anneke Strickson was looking for was a quiet place to read. Kam and Jack had suggested she borrow a book called Age of Innocence and she'd managed to find a copy on the Captain's shelves. She'd originally intended to find a spot in the reading room but decided she's rather settle somewhere with a view. And on the Welshman, that meant the observation deck. There'd been no sound, nothing to tip her off that the deck was occupied, just an eyeful of Buddy and Leah wrapped in a tight embrace on the comfiest of the couches as she came up the companionway. Leah's head was tucked in against Buddy's neck, his protective, possessive, cherishing hands rubbed reverently against her back. They were so caught up in each other they were both oblivious to the invasion of their space. With tears welling in her eyes, Anneke backed carefully back down off of the observation deck.