The sail into harbor at Ft. Lauderdale was difficult at best; the wind howling, rain pouring down. But, they docked safely and the storm slowly passed. The hurricane, while threatening to head north and make landfall in Florida, instead turned west and headed toward Texas. But, another storm was brewing out in the Atlantic and Jack didn’t want to take any chances with his ship or his crew. He paced the quarterdeck, deep in thought.

Joanna watched him intently, watched the way he moved, almost glided back and forth across the deck. Her heart went out to him, knowing he was troubled; so much weight on his shoulders.

Jack continued to pace, head bowed. Much to consider; the weather, the students, the ship. He was so lost in thought that Joanna startled him when he turned and she suddenly appeared. “Miss Bennett,” he nodded.

“Captain,” she took a step closer. “Something’s bothering you. Is there anything I can do?”

Jack smiled. She was such a lovely creature, so willing to help. “No, my dear. Nothing you can do.”

“Ah, well. If there is anything …” she offered placidly.

“I will let you know,” Jack added with a smile.

She sighed and looked out over the railing. “You know Captain, I was really looking forward to going to the Bahamas. Have you ever been there?

“Yes, Miss Bennett. But, it was many years ago. Have you been?”

“No, Captain. I’ve been to Key West and some of the other smaller Caribbean islands, but not the Bahamas. I love tropical islands, don’t you?” She turned to him and smiled broadly. “They’re so exotic, intoxicating. I think the southern Pacific islands are the best, although I really liked the Azores.”

“The Azores?” Jack remembered them fondly. “Yes, they are pleasant.”

“Ah, well, I should be getting back to my post. Wouldn’t want the Captain to be angry with me,” she giggled.

Hmmm, he thought, the Azores. Lovely islands.

That afternoon, he retired to his cabin and worked long into the evening, studying charts, calculating the miles and making educated guesses at the weather. Mulling over all his options, he found the perfect solution. … but a solution that might meet some opposition from his officers. He called them together in the morning after breakfast.

“Gentlemen … and ladies,” he began, “as you know, the weather gods have not been as kind to us this year as last. A second storm is gaining strength and heading toward the southern Caribbean islands, and a third is forming and quite possible heading this way. The way I see it, we have few options.” He paused and strolled around the table. “We could follow our planned course, sailing into and around the Caribbean and taking our chances with the coming storms. We could stay here, batten down the hatches and sail north when time and weather allows. Or,” he pointed to a chart spread out on the table. “we can follow a different plan. I propose changing course, gentlemen. Here lies the Azores and I suggest we sail there.”

“But, Captain,” interrupted the first mate, a capable woman named Wiley, “wouldn’t that require us to be at sea longer than intended?” There was murmuring among the other officers present.

“Yes,” Jack agreed. “It would. But the benefits of a slightly longer cruise outweigh the detriments. It would allow our students a longer time at sea, more experience sailing and more opportunities for instruction. It is our best option.”

Jack paused and studied each officer’s face. All were good men and women, capable, able-bodied seamen. But each had family and commitments back home, as did he. He wondered if they would, if they could, consider his proposal.

“If you agree,” he continued, “that this is our best course of action, then I propose this plan. We re-provision the Surprise here, sail to Bermuda. There, we will stop for the night and allow some shore leave. Then we sail to Maine where we will drop off those who cannot continue on and must leave the ship. From Maine, we cross the Atlantic to the Azores where we will take a few days leave then return home. We will be at sea an estimated additional fifteen days.”

“But, the additional provisions,” asked the Quartermaster, “the university doesn’t have the extra funding for that.”

“That is not a problem, my good man,” Jack countered. “I will personally re-provision the ship. As Captain, it is my responsibility.”

“I think it’s a good idea, Captain,” Bosun Bracht added. “I’m in. Just need to call my wife, though.”

The others nodded their assent and the new plan was set. At his first opportunity, Jack called Natalie, sure of her support.

She answered his call so happily, nattering on about the new house and how wonderful it was. But her happiness vanished when Jack told her of the extended voyage. The added distance would mean he could not be in Maine for their move. She grew angry as he tried to explain and suggested delaying the move.

“We’ve been here too long already …” she argued.

“It will only be a delay of a few weeks,” Jack reasoned. “I have a responsibility to my crew.”

But, she was not listening to reason and cut the argument short, abruptly stating that Kevin was there and she had to attend to him. Jack sighed, wishing it had gone better but there was nothing for it and he had an engagement that evening. He was to dine on shore with several of the officers, crew and students.

At the Spanish restaurant with the other students and crew members, Joanna sat across from Jack. She would have preferred to be at his side, naturally, but she understood. Until he left his wife, they couldn’t make their love affair public.

Love affair, quite a tawdry sounding phrase. But, she thought, it was the only way to describe their relationship, at least for the time being. Something secret, private, scintillating, intoxicating, exhilarating. Her chest felt like it would burst, she was so in love with Jack.

There he was, laughing with the people sitting around him. She watched how he spoke, the way his hands moved, giving emphasis to his words. She studied the way he ate, how his jaw moved when he chewed. The way his hand lifted with wine glass to his lips. She sighed and wished it were her soft lips that met his instead of the hard glass. Several times, their eyes met and she caught his secret smile, given only to her. It was so hard to keep to her seat and not run to him.

When dessert had been served, Jack stood, weaving a bit and slurring his words. “Here, here. A toast!”

Everyone quieted. “Here’s to the women who love me terribly …” He winked at Joanna. “May they soon improve!”

There was a silent pause then the room burst out in laughter, Jack included. He raised a hand. “Seriously, seriously. I do have an announcement. We are changing course and will be leaving here tomorrow. We sail to the Azores!”