New to Baron Britpop Blastfurnace? You can read Books 1 & 2 here:
In the previous chapter, Britpop and Andelbert said goodbye to Captain Peanut Butter, Ana, and Isabella. Then set sail for home on a Dutch merchant ship.
Captain Peanut Butter will take the telling of this portion of the story.
“Captain, The Jellyfish is fully stocked for the crossing, and the lads are eager to be underway,” Jonas said, perched on the wagon seat.
“As am I.”
I found Ana wandering through the house.
“My love. I know you are giving up everything for me, and I am grateful. I will miss this place also. Keep your spirits up. We will build a new farm in a new country. And a family, I hope. It will be a wonderful adventure.”
“I am excited to start a new life with you, Jacques. But I will miss my home here. And Isabella.”
“I wish we could stay, but it is not possible. I am a pirate, and Spain would gladly see me hang.”
“Yes. So let’s not delay.”
I picked up the case I told Ana she could take. It is hard to fit a whole life into a single case, but that was the reality of it. We would have to travel light and start over in the United States.
Isabella was waiting outside. I could see she had been crying. She walked over and threw her arms around Ana.
“My sweet, Ana. I am so happy for you, but my heart is breaking. I shall miss you dearly.”
“As will I, dear Izzy. Have you decided if you will sell the farm?”
“I cannot. It is our home. I am sure I can rent the fields to one of the local farmers.”
“I am glad.”
Isabella turned to me.
“Take care of my sister. Promise me.”
“I promise,” I replied. “Ana means more to me than anything.”
“And to me. Keep your promise, you old pirate,” she said, then hugged me and kissed me on both cheeks.
“I am not that old,” I said with a smile.
Isabella smiled back.
Ana walked over to Isabella, kissed her cheeks, and took her in one more embrace.
“Until we meet again,” Ana said. Then she wiped the tears from her face and took my hand.
We climbed aboard the wagon, and Jonas drove us back to the Garcia’s house. We said our goodbyes to the Garcias, and I handed them a bag of gold. Then Jonas and I picked up the case with Ana’s belongings and keepsakes and started down the path to the shore.
Once onboard The Jellyfish, I introduced Ana to the crew. By this time, Jonas had already relayed the news to them about Ana.
“Lads, this is Ana. My future wife.”
There was a chorus of “Welcome aboard, Ana” and “Pleased to meet you” from the crew. Ana looked slightly apprehensive but smiled and said, “I am pleased to meet you all.”
“Alright, swabs, there will be plenty of time for chatter during the crossing. Let’s get underway,” I said, using my Captain’s voice.
After a flurry of activity, we were under sail and heading for a new life. I gave command of the ship to Barrelhoop and showed Ana to our cabin.
“This is our home for the next six weeks or so. It is not much, but better than sleeping below deck.”
“It will do nicely. I am not accustomed to luxury.”
I laughed. “Are you implying it is not grand?”
“Anywhere with you is grand,” Ana replied.
I kissed her.
“Of course, a little dusting and tidying up wouldn’t hurt,” Ana said as she looked around.
I smiled. “It is the way of the pirate. It can’t be helped.”
“We shall see. I’ve been thinking. I don’t want to spend my days sitting in a cabin or on deck. I would like to help the cook.”
I laughed.
“What?” Ana asked.
“You sound like Britpop.”
“If only I could bake bread like Andelbert.”
“I don’t think my heart could take it,” I replied.
Ana smiled and hit me in the arm.
“A ship. Starboard,” Pint shouted from the crow’s nest.
Next Chapter:
I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, typo catches, etc. Thank you.
Mark
Uh - oh! That ship to starboard does not bode well....