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“I think it’s beautiful,” Robin tells her genuinely , already catching on to the pain in Meno’s voice. I’m grateful. I think these two would be great friends, and that might be exactly what they both need right now. Plus, I want Meno to stay in Candy Cane Key, and Robin can help me on that mission.
“You’re really nice. And you look great for a beached whale,” Meno says, surprising me, but of course, Robin bursts into laughter. Somehow, my girl is winning over my sister instantly.
“Oh my gosh, thank you for your honesty,” Robin says, laughing. “Come sit and have lunch with me. Tell me all about yourself. What brought you to a Christmas-themed Island?”
Meno and I grab the table next to her lounger and pull it closer, letting her relax. As Meno gets settled in, I excuse myself to run inside the restaurant, where I order a bunch of food for us all to share. When I come back out, I’m stunned, legs lock in place as I stare at Meno with her hand on my sister’s baby belly. Robin’s due in late September, and I’ve been preparing an arsenal of baby things, since I got over the initial shock. I’ve been pumping myself up for uncle duty, never thinking about having any children of my own…until right this second.
“Oh my gosh, I felt it kick. Do you know what your having yet?”
“Um, no. I’m waiting to be surprised.”
I think there have been enough surprises, but I don’t say that. Instead, I finally shake out of my stupor and start moving.
“I hope you ladies are hungry,” I say, laying out a few baskets of goodies.“We got sliders, fries, nachos, fish tacos, and a few sweet things are coming for dessert when your ready.”
“Best brother ever award,” Robin says, before biting the end of a French fry.
“Oh yum, fish tacos.” Meno dives in after.
For a few quiet moments, we eat. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I go back for thirds. Meals devoured, we sit around, chatting. Hours later, we’re still picking at the last few bites of a lava cake we all shared.
“So do you think we can trust her?” Meno asks, turning to me to wag her eyebrows. Clearly, she already trusts my sister and wants to tell her about the treasure.
“No way,” I joke, which gets me a weird sound of protest from sister. Almost like a sneeze.
“Hey! Not fair. I’m very trustworthy,” Robin argues.
“Yeah, I guess.” I shrug and get her knuckles rapped against my shoulder. Which doesn’t hurt at all, but I rub it for good show. She looks smug as Meno hands her the message from the bottle.
“This washed up when we were cleaning the beach outside Grand Rapids. Milo thought Lovers’ Cove sounded like it fit the first clue, and when we looked we found this.”
Robin’s eyes light up at the gold key in Meno’s hand.
“Then it says first of three, so he’s like we have to keep going. We parked here at Angel Beach, and I remembered the security guy, who welcomed me, telling me about the trails that lead to the Christmas tree.”
“And what happens to be the topper on this statue’s tree?”
“Why it’s an angel, Milo,” Meno answers in a chipper voice, her excitement coming back with the retelling. “And with a little help, I climbed up to it.”
Robin is so invested her fingers grip the edge of her seat.
“On the side of her right hand, I saw a button. I pushed it, then boom! The porcelain hands opened, and in the center was…” She digs around in her backpack for a moment before pulling out the ruby.
“This,” she whispers.
“Oh my gosh,” Robin says, blinking frantically. “I can’t believe you guys found real treasure. I bet this has something to do with the lost treasure of Sir Rudolf Grant.”
“Rudolf? Like the red-nosed reindeer?” I ask skeptical.
“No, dummy.” Robin rolls her eyes at me. “The pirate from that tale the town retells every year during the Christmas in July parade.”
“That’s too convenient. Do you think this is a joke?” As soon the question leaves my lips, I’m clenching my fists in anger.
“No way this is fake. I mean, I’m no expert, but this is solid. These are Spanish marking on the key, which would line up with the lost treasure,” Robin tells us. “I’m a junkie for all things treasure, but I have no real expertise.”
“Any chance you know an expert in Rudolf’s treasure?” Meno asks.
My sister thinks about it for a couple minutes before pulling out her phone and typing in a few things.
