Sunshine Island

"I feel as if I never properly thanked you for your help on the dock that day," he said quietly, and it was a moment of sincerity I had not expected to find within his playful manner. I looked away, wringing my hands.
"As I said before, captain, I was happy to help."
"It was some of the most astounding courage I've ever seen," he said firmly. "You are a woman of determination in the face of danger."
"Most call it dumb luck."
"Some call it grit."
I smiled and looked up at the horizon, breathing in the dying blue sky. Grit. I liked the word, and I liked the idea of having the trait. No one had ever told me I was brave or determined. I looked back at him and watched him carefully inspect a rock. He held it up to me and I could see it was actually a piece of muted green sea glass. He smiled and offered it to me. I looked from the sea glass, then back to him and suddenly, words poured out.
"Two weeks ago, a deranged man snuck into my cottage, called me by my mother's name, and insisted I was in danger," I blurted.