Troubled Waters

Sandy Steele’s world is turned upside‑down when his eccentric Uncle Russ surprises him with a brand‑new sailboat. Stuck in a town a hundred miles from the sea, the teenage boy must grapple with a gift that promises adventure but also demands skills he doesn’t possess. With his father, a geologist more comfortable with rocks than waves, offering little practical help, Sandy’s only hope lies in finding someone who truly knows how to handle a boat.

He quickly remembers Jerry James, a former Sea Scout who grew up sailing before moving to Valley View. Jerry’s reputation for keeping his promises and his love of the water make him the perfect, if elusive, partner for the three‑day voyage the uncle wants to set before he leaves the country. As Sandy races against the clock, the story sets sail on a lively mix of youthful determination, friendship, and the promise of uncharted waters.