First Sentence

"Clinging to the edge of the great gray expanse of Lake Erie, the little two-masted schooner bobbed up and down as Ruth shuffled sideways across the narrow gangplank. Although the gangplank was barely wide enough for one person, she had watched sailors run confidently over the swaying board from dock to ship. Ruth doubted whether she would make it across without disaster. Leading the way, Cordelia tugged eagerly at Ruth’s hand while Gran hung back, clutching at Ruth’s other arm. Pulled between them, Ruth teetered along the plank, trying not to look down at the choppy water below."