A PIRATE'S TREASURE

Chapter 2

Rumors were everywhere about Blackbeard's whereabouts. We'd head west to learn that he settled somewhere east, just to arrive too late because he then headed south.

The crew was getting anxious with supplies getting scarce and the time running down. James couldn't keep playing this cat and mouse game but giving up wasn't an option.

    "We'll dock in France so pull down the flag."

Couldn't be too careful nowadays. Some places frowned upon pirates but the people would just usually stay away. While another place would send their army to try to eradicate them all.

James just wanted to restock and head back out.

The crew had no idea of James' time limit and why he was so keen on following around the crazy captain Blackbeard.

    "Tomorrow night, we set out again men. Be back on my ship or be left behind."

Everyone went their separate ways while James dealt with the merchants. Finishing up, a young woman caught his eye as she was playing with the village kids. Her smile was affectionate and contagious. As he got closer he saw her eyes sparkle an ocean blue and her hair long and golden. James couldn't stop staring, her beauty was like a magnet and he just couldn't pull away.

She smiled and waved goodbye to the children picking up her stuff. He spotted a book seeing she forgot it as he chased after her.

    "Miss, I believe this might be yours."

She turned and being this close actually made him nervous.

   "Oh my, thank you, sir. I would've been devastated if I ever lost it."

James smiled hearing her voice.

     "What's your book about?"

     "A turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. They must overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice to fall in love and marry."

    "Sounds very..."

He tried to find the words to compliment the book but he wasn't much of a reader unless treasure was involved.

   "You don't have to lie to me, mister..."

    "James Hook miss. And your name?"

    "Jenny Williams. And you don't have to lie, I know men don't particularly enjoy romance novels."

Again James smiled hearing her laugh. Soft and gentle.

    "I better be going."

She started to walk away but he wasn't ready to let her go. She just stole his breath and train of thought all in one encounter and James just wanted time with her now.

  "May I accompany you in Miss Williams?" He ran next to her.

She just smiled and shook her head.

     "I'm just grabbing a snack and heading out to read."

    "I'll understand if you would like to be left alone but may I accompany you?"

     "Wouldn't you be bored?"

     "Not possible."

She just smiled and agreed.

She started to walk off into the forest to show James her secret spot. At the top of a hill stood a large oak tree that overlooked the sea. Beautiful scenery and quiet from the business in the village.

     "I like reading here or just enjoying the view."
   
     "It's beautiful."

    "So you in town to stay?"

     "Just here to collect supplies."

Her eyes dimmed with a small frown appearing for just a second.

    "Oh, what a shame."

    "But that'll be a while. Probably won't leave for a month."

Where did that come from? He planned for one day and now pushing back his plans?

    "That would be amazing to hang out again. Maybe come back here then?"

She smiled hearing that he would stay.

    "That would be great. Whenever you're free, you can find me on my ship. You can see it from here."

As the sun was setting, they parted ways as the biggest smile spread across his face. The crew noticed and just smirked thinking something scandalous happened. Mr. Smee then asked,
 
    "Fun night captain?"

    "Very, so fun that I need to push back our departure."

Everyone groaned which he understood but they couldn't leave just yet.

    "Come on captain, no woman is worth a month to stay here when there's treasure to be found. You promised us treasure and freedom!"

     "Are you questioning my leadership?! If you want to leave, then leave mate. But Blackbeard keeps changing his route and I need to pinpoint where he is instead of wasting everyone's time by chasing false leads. There's more as to why we're staying than some girl."

He had no idea why he said that because that wasn't exactly true. It was all a spur of the moment and he couldn't leave when he just found her.

They all headed to bed while James stayed out on deck trying to clear his head. His first and only love was the sea. To grow up finding treasure and drama between other pirates to steal other's loot. It was all a game of wit and cunning and his family was great at it all. He had to follow in their footsteps but then this all happened. How can someone love something else that in the end, one side would have to lose?