Natalie adored her new studio. She spent hours there working at the computer on her latest photographs. Most were of the Maine coastline … crashing ocean waves, tall trees, boats on the water. But a few were personal; Chelsea with strained carrots smeared all over her face, Catherine in her bath, and her favorite … Jack sleeping in the hammock on their deck, a baby daughter curled up in each arm. She smiled as she remembered that afternoon, coming home from a hair appointment to find her little family snoozing the day away. It was darling.

Yes, they had settled into their new house, making it a home. The girls seemed to thrive there with so much room to crawl and play. And Jack loved his observatory, taking private time with his telescope to look at the stars, or more likely, the ships coming into Portland’s harbor. And Natalie relished in the peacefulness of it all … her first real home in a very long time.

***

Joanna sat at the dinner table watching her mother eat. The older woman was hunched over, nibbling at one small bite after another. It reminded Joanna of a rat and she snorted in disgust.

Her mother looked up alarmed. “Don’t you like it? I can make you another dinner. Here, let me take this,” she murmured as she reached for Joanna’s plate.

“Don’t.” Joanna’s hand flew, just stopping short of back-handing the cowering woman. She glared, then softened her features. “Never mind. Yes, take it. I’m done.”

As the older woman cleared the table, Joanna sipping her coffee, watching. Several times during the past few weeks, she wondered just how she could be this mousy woman’s daughter. How could this woman, who never stood up for herself, have given birth to her? At least her abusive, alcoholic father had a backbone. Backbone enough to leave and never look back. And now, her mother talking in that high-pitched annoying voice, talking stupidly about nothing … there was no way in hell she was wasting any more time here.

She went upstairs and packed a small duffle. Her mother followed.

“I’m going, Mom,” she stated as her mother hesitated at the door.

“Going? Where? When will you be back?”

“I’m not.” Joanna stated without emotion. “I’m not coming back.”

“But, Joanna, you can’t leave me here. I need you,” she whined.

Joanna’s hand swung around and caught the woman square on the cheek. She spun with the force of the slap and crumbled to the floor, sobbing.

“But, Mother, I don’t need you.” Joanna’s voice was cold, hard. She left just like her father and never again thought about the sad, woman again.

Driving to Portland, she thought about the weeks since she’d come home. They’d been hell on earth; thrown off the ship in disgrace with nothing to show for her summer and nothing to look forward to. At first she was angry at Jack for sending her away. Then she began to miss him; the sun on his bright hair, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. And after analyzing what happened, she came to the conclusion that Jack did love her after all. He did what he had to do in order to protect her. It was that bitch first mate. If she hadn’t followed Jack into the cabin that night; hadn’t seen Joanna there, Jack would never have thrown her off the ship. He would have made love to her, held her in his arms, made her his own. But once that bitch saw her, well, Joanna just knew that she’d use that knowledge to destroy Jack and take the ship from him.

She arrived in Portland and checked into a small motel. It was shabby and dingy but she wouldn’t stay here long. As soon as she found Jack, all would be well. But first she had to find him. He wasn’t listed in the phone book so she tried information and the operator gave her his number. A woman answered when she called and Joanna held her breath. Could this be the wife?

“Hello?  Hello?” The voice on the other end sounded aggravated.

“Um, yes, I’m with Fed-Ex. Is this the Aubrey residence? Who am I speaking with?” she tried to keep her voice calm, even.

“I’m the housekeeper. The Aubreys are not home at the moment. May I take a message?”

“I have a delivery for Mr. Aubrey but can’t read the address. Can you tell me what it is?”

“Certainly.” And Joanna scribbled Jack’s address as the maid rattled it off. Opening up her laptop, she Googled for directions. “I found you! And it was much easier that I expected.” She smiled at the thought that Jack arranged it on purpose. He was like that, she told herself, he just knew things.

The place was a few miles outside Portland and up a long, narrow road. She pulled off and parked in the trees. Peeking through the fence, she saw the house. It was beautiful! A large, two-story structure with a sprawling lawn and gardens. She could smell the ocean nearby. The perfect place for Jack and she imagined them living out their lives there. As she was daydreaming, Jack came around the corner of the house pushing a wheelbarrow, his bright blonde hair unmistakable even in the gloomy light of the overcast day. Her heart beat faster and she watched him pace and drive stakes into the ground, obviously planning some sort of garden. She was almost ready to leave her hiding place to surprise him when the wife came around the same corner.

“Jack!”

“Yes, m’dear?” He looked up.

“Can you come in for a minute? I need your help moving some furniture.”

Jack sighed and followed his wife out of Joanna’s sight. She worked hard to control her temper. So, the wife is here and still has him under her thumb. She walked slowly back to her car. Since Jack protected me on the ship, then I’ll just have to protect him from this harpy. And she smiled as she began to make her plans.

***

Natalie strolled along, window shopping with the girls in their stroller. It was a warm day, well, as warm as Maine can be in mid-October. The three were enjoying their afternoon out, away from the house and routine. Passersby smiled when they saw the girls, their hair up in tiny ponytails, held with bright, plastic baby barrettes. They cooed and gurgled, jabbered and laughed, charming everyone who stopped to pay them attention. Natalie was admiring a bright blue coat hanging in a storefront window when a young blonde woman stopped and smiled at the girls.

“Well, hello you two! What lovely dresses. They are just darling. How old?”

“Oh, they’re almost ten months.” Natalie beamed with pride.

“Ten months! How adorable. And, I see they have little teeth coming in. That must be tough to live with, two teething babies.”

Natalie nodded. “Yeah, it is. But, we do what we can to sooth them. I’m Natalie Aubrey, by the way.” She held out her hand. “My husband and I just moved here.”

The young woman took it and shook warmly. “Joanna Bennett. I’m just visiting myself. But someday, I plan on living here. It’s a beautiful town.”

Natalie agreed. “Yes, it is. Quite lovely.” Chelsea let out with her patented wail. “Well, I can hear that I need to get these two home. Maybe we’ll run into each other again?”

“Maybe,” Joanna smiled. “You never know.”

It was a beautiful, crisp autumn night in Maine. The girls were down for the night and Jack cuddled Natalie in the family room, a movie played on the television and a fire crackled in the hearth. They sighed and casually talked about their day; Jack’s appointments at the school and his arrangements for the next summer’s sail on the Surprise II. Natalie smiled and told of her pleasant afternoon out.

“Oh, Jack, the town is lovely,” she enthused. “Lots of old shops; bookstores, boutiques. There’s even a tea house. Maybe we can go some afternoon soon?”

Jack looked doubtful. He hadn’t found any shop this side of the Atlantic that made tea properly. “Tea? Hmmm. Perhaps someday.”

“And, Jack, the people are really friendly. They just loved the girls. There was one young woman who stopped to talk a bit, but she said she was just visiting. Joanna Bennett was her name. Too bad she’s leaving … she seemed nice. It would have been good to get to know her.”

“Joanna Bennett?” Jack sat up. Joanna. It’s a common enough name. Might not be her. He controlled the panic in his expression and turned to Natalie. “What did she look like?”

The description left no doubt in his mind. The poor misguided creature had followed him. He stood and pounded a pace, Nat’s head following him like a tennis match. “Natalie, that is the girl from the ship, the very one who attempted to seduce me in my own cabin!”

“But, why would she be here? Didn’t she get the message when you sent her packing?”

“I don’t know why she’s here. But please, if you see her again do not speak with her. I do not trust her.”

Natalie shrugged. “Well, you know best. If you think she’s trouble, I’ll stay away.”

Jack sighed and knelt at her side, reached out and pulled her close to his heart. There was a sensation of danger he’d only felt at sea during the war days and in his mind, he resolved to call Terry. Terry would know how to handle such danger on land.

***

Joanna lay in the lumpy bed, the worn covers pulled up over her. The little girls were very cute, looked a lot like their daddy. I wonder what it will be like when I’m their mom. Oh, I know I’ll be their step-mom, but that doesn’t matter. They’ll love me all the same. She rolled on her side. But that woman poor Jack is married to. He’ll thank me when she’s gone. She smiled to herself. Yes, he’ll definitely thank me for setting him free.

***

Over the next few days Natalie saw Joanna often. When she went to the grocery store, she was on the other side of the produce section, staring. When she went to the gas station, the blonde was across the street, staring. When she ran to the post office, she was at the far counter, staring, a hard ugly stare that seemed full of hate. But, she never approached or spoke to her again. She just stared from a distance and Natalie was definitely spooked. She told Jack about it and he immediately called Terry.

“Sorry to bother, but I believe I have a problem, Terry.”

“What kinda problem? Too much happiness?” Terry teased, trying to soothe the instinctive concern growing in his gut. The sound of Jack’s voice rattled his nerves. Never once had Jack called for help or advice. It had to be serious. “What’s up, mate?”

Jack calmly, carefully explained everything he knew about young Joanna Bennett, how he had tutored the girl and encouraged her to join the summer sailing class. About her unacceptable performance onboard and the unfortunate, embarrassing event that resulted in her removal from the ship.

Terry remained silent, offering an occasional sigh or grunt. Then Jack described Natalie’s sightings, how the girl seemed to be everywhere.

“That’s it, mate. Your story has crossed the line. Jack, call the police immediately.”

“You believe this woman to be dangerous?”

“Jack, I believe she has the potential to be dangerous and that’s enough to warrant legal action. Call the police and keep me abreast of everything.

Jack dialed the Portland Police immediately and reached Sergeant Cobb who suggested he come down to the station to fill out some forms. Upon reaching the station, Jack found the sergeant to be a short fireplug of a man with a red face, bald head and gruff manner. After hearing Jack’s explanation of the situation, the man thought for a moment, scratched his temple then spoke.

“It’s like this, Mr. Aubrey. We really can’t do anything right now. This girl hasn’t made any threats or done any physical harm. But, I can arrange for a restraining order. Once that’s in place, if she comes near you or your wife again, we’ll have legal grounds to arrest her.

“Fine, sir, fine. What do I need to do for this order?” Jack bobbed his head.

The sergeant pulled out several forms. “Fill these out and sign them. I’ll take them to a judge who will issue the restraining order.”

“Thankee, sir.” Jack said as he took a pen in hand. “Thankee kindly.”

***

Joanna watched from the bushes as Jack and Natalie loaded the girls into the car and drove away. She was careful not to be seen. Just the day before, a police officer stopped her while she was driving up and handed her some paperwork. He said there was a restraining order and she couldn’t go to the house. Couldn’t see Jack! The cop made her turn around and go back to the shabby motel.

She waited a day then came back, watching for any sign of the police. As Jack and his wife strapped the babies in, she overheard their conversation; that they were taking the babies to a doctor’s appointment and would be gone for a while.

As their car drove down the narrow road and out of sight, Joanna boldly stepped from her hiding place and explored closer to the house. Peeking into windows, she realized the place was empty … no maid, no nanny. Nobody home at all. She found a low window and smashed the pane. Carefully reaching in, she opened the sash and climbed in.

It was warm inside and she wandered through the house. Her rubber soled shoes squeaked on the polished wood floors. In the living room, she spied a grand piano in a corner. Perfect! She wished she could play and decided that when they were older, she’d make sure she and the girls would have lessons. The view from the large living room window was breathtaking. The ocean seemed never so blue as it was that day. The puffy, cotton-candy clouds overhead made her smile.

She found the kitchen and spied a key rack hanging next to the door. Each key was tagged in Jack’s precise handwriting; she pocketed the one labeled “garage door.”

Climbing the stairs, she admired the woodwork; exquisitely carved handrails and polished steps. The girls nursery was beautiful, their playroom large and bright and on the other side … the adjoining master bedroom. She opened a closet door and found Jack’s clothes. She stroked them, stuck her head close and sniffed. Jack’s smell! Taking a jacket off a hanger, she put it on. It was far too big, but she wrapped it close, relishing in its warmth and the smell of Jack. She turned and saw the large four-post bed. This is where Jack and I will sleep! She smoothed her hand over the bedspread. We’ll make love here; we’ll make babies in this bed! And she lay down on the luxurious mattress, imaging Jack with her, touching her, holding her.

She sighed and opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was a photograph on the dresser, a photograph of Jack and the harpy on what must have been their wedding day. She quickly moved to the dresser and grabbed the photo. Jack and the wife, standing on the deck of the Surprise II. Jack, happy and glowing, the wife with a look of triumph in her eyes. What an evil bitch, Joanna thought as she fingered the photo. She doesn’t deserve him! She shouldn’t have him! In a rage, Joanna threw the frame against the wall, breaking it apart as it smashed and landed on the floor. She walked over to the pieces and stomped. She can’t have him. She doesn’t deserve him. He’s MINE! She stopped to catch her breath when she saw the glare of sunlight flare from a car windshield. Running to a window, she saw the car coming up the road. They’re home!

She ran downstairs and out the side door, just before the family entered through the garage.

***

“Jack, look at this.” Natalie pointed to the phone sitting on the kitchen counter. “The phone. I didn’t leave it here.” She and Jack began looking through the house and pointed out several things that had been moved while they were gone; the broken window in the dining room, the mis-positioning of the brass candleholders on the mantel. Jack was just coming upstairs when he heard Natalie cry out from their bedroom.

“Jack, oh my God, Jack! Come here!”

He found her on her knees, picking up shards of glass and wood splinters. “Jack, our picture. It’s been smashed.” She picked up the photograph, scratched, punctured, torn, with several dirty footprints covering their faces. “Oh, Jack, who could have done this?”

Jack answered grimly. “I think I know.”

He immediately called the police. A patrol car arrived within minutes and two officers began their investigation. Again they advised him they could do nothing as they had no evidence; no fingerprints, no witnesses.

“What do you propose we do, man!” Jack shouted. “Wait until we are slain in our beds before you do something?”

“Sir,” the officer replied calmly, “this is all we can do, unless we find her in violation of the restraining order.” He walked to the door, “I promise you, Mr. Aubrey, we’ll do all we can. The Sergeant will increase the watch on your house. If the girl turns up, we’ll nab her.”

Jack fumed, felt impotent to protect his family and let down by the legal system. What good was a restraining order if it could not be enforced?

It was late by the time the police finished their investigation. The girls were asleep and Natalie hovered as Jack saw the last of the officers out the door. “What are we gonna do, Jack?” Her brows were creased with worry.

“I’ll call Terry, dear. He can advise us.”

It took fewer than ten words and Terry interrupted.

“Get out of there, mate. Leave as soon as possible. I can have a private security guard for you by morning, just let me know where you are. I’ll be waiting for your call.”