A Promise Finally Kept
Captain Peanut Butter • Chapter 1
New to Baron Britpop Blastfurnace? You can read Books 1 & 2 here:
As we sailed for Spain, the crew continued their efforts to get Captain Peanut Butter to change his mind. Eventually, he could bear it no more.
“Listen, swabs. I know you are badgering me out of affection, but my mind is set. If you continue tormenting me, I have a mind to keep your portion of the gold for myself. Stop wasting your breath and start considering your future.”
He turned and strode back to his cabin, slamming the door behind him.
Barrelhoop looked at me and said, “Maybe you can convince him. He is fond of you.”
“He is fond of me, but you are his family. This must have been a heartbreaking decision for him. I am sure he wouldn’t have made it if he felt there was another choice.”
We both looked out at the sea for a moment.
“I suppose I would be next in line for Captain,” Barrelhoop said. “But I tell ya, lad. My heart isn’t in it.”
“Maybe it is time for a change, then. Pirating is a dangerous trade. Why not take the gold and start a new life? Perhaps marry and settle down.”
“I admit, when we been at sea for weeks, the thought of settlin’ down has crossed my mind at times. But I would have to find a woman willing to settle for this ugly mug.”
We both laughed.
“I think gold helps with that.”
We both laughed again.
Once we reached Spain, we dropped anchor. The Captain, Jonas, Andelbert, and I rowed to shore. The rest of the crew remained onboard The Jellyfish. We followed the path to the Garcias’ cottage. Old man Garcia took us to the barn, and we sat on hay bales. After considerable conversation in Spanish that I didn’t understand, the Captain told us his plan.
“Jonas will oversee getting supplies for the voyage across the sea. He will also arrange passage back to Kapri for you and Andelbert.”
“You are not taking us with you?” I asked.
“Why would I? Andelbert has a wife in Kapri. You have a Barony. And if you are wise, a red-haired beauty to attend to.”
“I suppose it is for the best. I cannot thank you enough,” I replied.
“It is my pleasure and my privilege.”
“I shall miss you and the crew greatly,” Andelbert said.
“And we, you. But we must part. You have your life, and I must make mine anew. Yet, we still have one more adventure together. Come with me.”
The Captain rose, and we followed him out of the barn. We continued down the trail leading to town but soon branched off on another path. Shade trees lined much of the trail, which wound its way up a hill. A farm came into view as we crested the hill. A small stone farmhouse and barn sat off in the distance.
As we approached the farmhouse, Captain Peanut Butter stopped under a large tree.
“You and Andelbert wait out here while I go in and make my presence known. I will return for you in time.”
Andelbert and I sat down against the tree and took advantage of the shade.
After what seemed like a longer-than-necessary time, the Captain walked out of the house, trailed by a black-haired beauty who looked familiar.
“Ana, I would like you to meet my very good friends, Baron Britpop Blastfurnace and Andelbert Swift,” the Captain said. “Lads, this is Ana Arándano.”
“Well met,” Andelbert said. He saw my jaw hanging open and elbowed me in the ribs.
“Pleased to meet you, Ana,” I replied.
“I am pleased to meet you both, also. Welcome to my home. Come, you must be hungry. Allow me to feed you while we get acquainted,” Ana said.
We entered the small farmhouse and sat at the kitchen table. The furniture was old and rustic, but the bright flowers on the table made the place feel cozy. Ana prepared some bread and cheese and placed them on the table.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting outside for so long,” Captain Peanut Butter said. “But I had some important personal matters to discuss with Ana. Lads, Ana is the love of my life. She has agreed to accompany me to the New World and to be my wife.”
The Captain beamed with happiness. Ana smiled at him and took his hand.
“How wonderful. What a surprise,” I said.
“Yes. My congratulations, Captain and Ana,” Andelbert added.
“Thank you, Lads. I long wondered if this day would ever come, but now I find myself the happiest I have ever been,” the Captain stated.
“I, too, wondered if this day would come,” Ana said and laughed.
“Ana, I know it is impossible, but I feel as if we have met before,” I said.
“Have you ever been to El Gato Ciego?” Ana asked.
“Yes.”
“Then you have seen my sister, Isabella. We are twins.”
“The one dancing!” I said a little too loudly in my realization.
Ana smiled. “Yes. Isabella is well-known in Santander for her beauty and her dancing.”
“We will stay here until the Jellyfish is ready to go and your passage is acquired,” The Captain said.
“What about Isabella?” I asked.
“She knows about Jacques,” Ana said. I immediately interrupted her.
“Jacques. Is that your real name?” I asked Captain Peanut Butter.
“Don’t look so shocked. Did you imagine my mother named me Peanut Butter?”
“Umm. Of course not.”
Andelbert smiled at this new nugget of information.
“Wait until the crew finds out,” I said.
“I am not looking forward to it. But I will need a new name anyway.”
I realized I had interrupted Ana. “I am sorry, Ana. I interrupted you. Please go on.”
“No harm done,” Ana said. She shook her head and continued. “Isabella has no interest in farming. I imagine she will sell the farm and move to town, where she spends most of her time anyway.”
I was happy for the Captain. He seemed relaxed. At home. Something I had never seen in him before.
Next Chapter:
I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, and typo catches. Thank you.
Mark
And we are off on another adventure! Cool! I will get the rest of these books at Amazon for a Xmas present for my nephew. (You asked about typos? I think it is hay bale. Also, El Gato Ciego if you meant to say Blind Cat) Nice work, Mark!