“I will tell you a story then, about a pirate boy and his princess.”
Delighted, she smiles “Brilliant! Go on then. I can’t wait!”
“Once a pond a sky, there was a pirate who wanted a treasure more than everything in the world. He searched and searched and could not find it. Do you know why?”
“No, tell me?” She asks eagerly.
Victor listens from outside the door and smiles at the obvious affection they have for each other.
“Because the princess hid the map in a secret place in her castle library,” he says with mock horror.
“That is very clever of her,” Summer says, sitting back and arranging her blankets carefully. “Did he ever discover the map?” She wonders with a grin.
“Not yet, do you think she hid it in the globe? Or inside a special book?” He asked, desperate to know where she hid the treasure.
“I suppose he might find it, if he can solve this riddle. I have two hands upon my face, you check my time to keep your pace. What am I?”
His face scrunches up and he whispers it over, and, over, until he jumps up and says, “I know it! It’s a clock!”
“Very good, Jonah. You are so smart. Go and fetch it, and tomorrow you can start your scavenger hunt for the treasure.”
He throws his arms around her neck, “I love you, Summer!” She squeezes him and fights back tears at his affection.
“I love you too, now off to bed as soon as you fetch it,” she whispers. He runs from the room yelling, “I promise!”
Victor follows his son quietly and watches as he mutters while stomping around the library. “Need some help?” He asks.
“Oh, yes! I need a clock, Daddy. Where’s a clock?”
“Follow me.” He leads him to the second level and over to a corner where a large grandfather clock stands. “Will this do, son?”
“Yes!” He gazes at it concentrating hard and chewing on his bottom lip.
“What are we seeking, son?” He asks squatting down to eye level.
“Swear the pirate oaf that you won’t tell!” Jonah demands.
“I swear, cross my heart, I cannot lie, stick a needle in my eye.” He swears and struggles not to laugh at the serious look on Jonah’s face.
“Okay, it’s a treasure map! Princess Summer hid it here and I have to bring it to her to decider it.”
“You mean decipher?”
“That’s what I said, Dad. But I don’t see the map,” he replies, gazing at the big clock.
“If you were hiding the map, where would you hide it?”
He looks up at the clock and begins walking around it, “Well, she is kind of short, so it wouldn’t be on top. Maybe underneath.” He leaps down to search under, and behind the clock. To his disappointment, no map.
“Maybe you should think about the riddle again. Tell me how it went again.” Victor asks.
“I have two hands upon my face, you check my time to keep your pace.” He repeats it twice. It dawns on Jonah to look up.
Victor picks him up to peer inside.
“There it is! Inside, Daddy. But how do I get it out?” Victor shows him the way the clock works and opens the back then reaches up inside a plucks the prize free.
A medium piece of paper tied with a ribbon and sealed with wax. Jonah squirms forcing Victor to put him down. He hurries to the desk and breaks the seal unrolling the paper, then groans in frustration.
“I can’t read this, it’s all messed up, Dad!” He yells in frustration.
“Let me have a look.” Victor laughs out loud. “It’s not messed up son, it’s written in French. I guess you have to learn French if you want to find Princess Summer’s treasure.”
“French!” Exasperation fills his voice, “Pirates don’t speak French, Daddy!”
Victor laughs and tosses him in the air, “Well, it is time to learn. Let’s try that tomorrow, not tonight.”
Chapter 14
After tucking Jonah in with his treasure map and reading him a book, he returns to the kitchen to retrieve a tray of food for the patient. The doctor said to keep it light, so he has the cook prepare some broth and tea with biscuits.
“Should I take it up for you, Mr. Yates?”
“No, you are free to go. I am following the doctor’s orders. Thank you again. I will see you in the morning.” He turns ignoring the curious look from the cook and moves up the stairs to Summer’s room. After his wife died, the war started, and he joined the Navy. When he returned a year ago, he kept the staff light, eager to form a strong bond with his son. The staff arrives each morning and leave each night.
Using his shoulder, he pushes the door open and softly walks inside the darkened room. He sees her sleeping form on the bed, and he feels bad about waking her. Victor sets the tray down on an end table near the bed and gently shakes her.
“Come on sleeping beauty, rise and shine,” Victor calls out quietly.
“Go away so I can sleep.” Summer rolls away and grabs the pillow next to her. He chuckles and the vibration causes her to smile in her sleep.
“Sorry, doctors’ orders.” He gently shakes her, and she grumbles and smacks at his arm. Victor sighs and looks at her, “Okay, time to get tough.” He sits on the bed with her and pulls her to a sitting position. Summer groans as the blanket falls from her shoulders. Using her hands, she presses on her head to stop the
