A Spirited Gift

“Steer a bit to port,” Rafe said, sitting next to me in the boat. “There’s a big rock you could end up on top of in this little craft.”

I did as he said. If he could see rocks in the water, he was doing better than I was. “Thank you for saving my life. I thought Marissa was going to push me out the window.”

“Don’t be daft! You’re a fair, strapping girl. You were just afraid to do what ye needed to.”

“What was that?”

“Why, punch her in the mouth. Slap her silly. Kick her in the knee. Nothing more satisfying than hearing a knee crunch. Hard starboard now.”

I turned the rudder. “Maybe you’re right. I really didn’t think about hitting her—but I did think about getting to those cleaning supplies on the bed.”

He laughed. “That’s my girl! You’d have made a fine pirate.”

“Thanks. But I’m afraid I have too much O’Donnell in me to be a great pirate.”

“You may be right. O’Donnell was one of the worst pirates I’ve ever known. Stop here. Let the current take you into shore. The water runs past the rocks now. That little noisy contraption will only put you in harm’s way.”

I cut the engine, wondering what Gramps would think— hoping he wouldn’t call the Coast Guard just yet. “So what happens to you now?”

“Blast if I know. There aren’t any rule books for this. One minute you’re dead and the next you don’t know where you are.”

“What about relatives? After I found out you were innocent, did you go someplace nice and have lunch with Mary?”

“You’re a dreamer, girl. If my Mary is out there, I’ve not seen her. I feel certain I will roam the seas for eternity. A man makes his choices. After that, he must abide with them.”

It sounded depressing to me. I’d always hoped I’d see my mother again, either here or in that other place. But if Rafe and Mary weren’t together, I had my doubts.

The boat bumped up against the shore. I jumped out quickly and secured a line to a large tree root sticking out of the sand. The flashlight was only so much help in this kind of darkness. Rafe floated before me with a kind of glowing light that helped me know where to put my feet. I grabbed the collapsible shovel from the dinghy and quickly followed him.

“All the kids in the area have been here at one time or another,” I told him. “It’s hard to believe anything could be buried here that the government or teenagers didn’t find.”

“Trust me. It’s here. You’re standing on it right now.”

I looked at the sand under my feet. It didn’t look like anything special. There were even some blackened leftovers from beach parties held here recently. I took off my extra poncho and unfolded my shovel.

Lucky for me, the sand was soft and easy to dig. There were some rocks and tree roots that slowed my progress. I wished I’d brought an ax or something stronger than the shovel I had. But Rafe was insistent that we find the treasure right away.

My pirate ancestor hovered over the tip of a rock about five feet from where I was digging. Oddly enough, it was shaped like a duck head. I was surprised by how accurate my dreams about him had been.

“What will you do with the treasure once you find it?” he asked as I dug. “I always imagined buying me a big house in Barbados with it. I’d have a hundred servants and a gold sword to carry. Maybe even a ship with a crew to take me wherever I wanted to go—without pillaging to get there, you know?”

“Why didn’t you come and get the treasure so you could spend it after you and Mary were together?”

“Too many cursed eyes watching me,” he snarled. “I couldn’t risk showing them the way.”

It seemed to me he hadn’t gained anything from the treasure—if he never had the opportunity to spend it, what was the difference if someone else got to it? But I guessed the treasure meant more to him than just the gold, and possibly jewels, it contained.

“I suppose you’ll be decking yourself out in some fine doodads,” he suggested. “You could take a trip around the world. Or you could help yer old dad.”

“I’m not making any plans yet.” As I said the words, the shovel hit something hard and solid. I couldn’t tell what it was. The horizon was getting light, but not enough yet for me to see by. I could barely make out the shape of the Eleanore where she rode anchor off the island.

“That must be it,” Rafe said. “I think that means it’s time for me to leave. It’s been grand meeting you, girl. I’m proud to be your relation.”

“You could at least wait until I bring the treasure up.”

“I could—but that sunrise can’t wait. Good luck to you.” He looked up toward the pale sky showing at the horizon. He smiled and held out his arms. “Well, look here. It seems you were right. I see my beautiful Mary coming for me. After all these years of being alone.”

I followed his gaze but couldn’t see anything. When I turned back toward the duck-shaped rock again, he was gone. I sighed, hoping it was as he thought—Mary was coming for him and they would be together again. Then I dug some more until I saw the outline of the old wood chest Rafe had buried here three centuries ago.