Part 1
Jack Sparrow had been destined to live his life at sea. It was in his blood born the son of a pirate…a pirate who’d sailed with the notorious Edward Teach, better known as ‘Blackbeard’. At the tender age of eight, when his mother died, Jack set out to find his father and to live the life he so yearned for, a life at sea.
Gaining a position as a cabin boy on the HMS Challenger, Jack quickly displayed his innate ability as a sailor. The only thing that matched his ability as a sailor was his skill with a sword. He moved up in the ranks of Her Majesty’s Navy but one thing held him back…his father’s reputation. He wanted to be more but at every turn, his father was there to stop him.
Now, at the age of fifteen, Jack was about to discover that someone could possess his heart just as the sea did. The minute his eyes beheld her beauty he knew he was gone. It felt like she’d reached into his chest and pulled his heart out. She was so incredibly beautiful; long, golden hair and eyes that were an emerald green.
The HMS Challenger was being readied for the long voyage to Barbados …their cargo, the new governor and his family…and Jack had been assigned the task of stowing the governor’s belongings. As the last trunk was secured in the hold, he turned to return to his other duties when he found himself face to face with the woman who had stolen his heart.
“I’m sorry, missy…passengers aren’t allowed down here.”
Jack was barely able to breathe so he was surprised he could even speak.
“I’m sorry. I just need one of the trunks.”
“There’s not enough room in the cabins for another trunk.”
“Please, I don’t really need the whole trunk…just something in it.”
It was the first time in many times to come that Jack found himself unable to deny her request. Despite knowing he had to return to his duties, he said, “Do ye know which trunk?”
Looking through the pile of trunks, she spotted the one she needed. Pointing a slender finger, “That one.”
Jack looked to where she was pointing only to see that it was in the middle and on the bottom but somehow, because she was asking, he didn’t mind. Slipping off his jacket, he set about the task of moving the trunks to reach the one this vision of heaven needed.
Standing off to the side, the young girl watched quietly, taking in his every move. He was lean and tan, his muscles rippling under the white shirt as he moved the heavy trunks. Occasionally, he would have to stop and brush back his long black locks as they fell in his face but what held her attention were the chocolate orbs.
“Miss,” called Jack.
Startled out of her daydream, she looked up to find him watching her. Blushing, she answered, “Yes.”
“I’ve reached your trunk. Do you have the key?”
“Key?” Reaching out, she handed it to him and as her fingers touched his, she felt the warmth.
“Let me help you over the trunks,” he offered not letting go of her hand.
The young lady gathered her skirts in her other hand before nimbly climbing over the obstacles. As she was about to step down, her foot slipped and she tumbled into his arms.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he continued to hold her.
“I think so.” Looking up into chocolate eyes, she felt her heart skip a beat. “Thank you, sir.”
“My name is Jack….Jack Sparrow.”
“Katrina Norrington.”
The two stood staring into each other’s eyes wondering who was going to make the next move.
“Katrina!” a voice from above called and she pulled away from Jack quickly.
“That’s my father.”
“You should answer him,” instructed Jack without taking his eyes off her.
“Down here, Father.”
A face appeared above them. “What in heaven’s name are you doing?”
“James told them the wrong trunk to put in my cabin. I need my hair brushes. Mr. Sparrow has been kind enough to help me.”
“Don’t be long. The captain is ready to sail.”
“Yes, Father.”
As soon as her father disappeared, Jack asked, “James?”
“My brother,” smiled Katrina. “He’s accompanying us to Barbados before he continues to his post.”
“His post?”
“He’s a Lieutenant in the royal navy and he’s been assigned to the fort at Port Royal. He’s going to help them rid the Caribbean of the pirates.”
“A daunting task. Let’s get your brushes.”
Together, Jack and Katrina found her brushes and then put the trunks back.
As they were headed back above deck, Jack boldly stopped her, taking her hand in his. “Miss Norrington, we’ll be seeing each other a great deal on the voyage. I’d really like to spend time with you.”
“I hope so too….Jack.”
It was his signal to call her by her first name as well. “I have some free time after we are under way but it will probably be dark, Katrina. How about a walk on deck after dinner?”
“I look forward to that.”
