Charlotte ran to the window. “Today’s the day!” she shouted. The sun was up, bright and shining. It danced across the waves, scattering shadows along the shore.
She grabbed her binoculars and looked out at the ocean. In the distance was a ribbon of sandy beach. Cliffs rose, dark and mysterious, in the background. Pirate Island. Charlotte felt a shiver of excitement. She could hardly wait to get there. “Heave ho and away we go, treasure hunting, treasure hunting,” she sang as she scrambled into her clothes. “Heave ho and away we go to look for pirate treasure.”
She grabbed her pirate hat from the bedpost and clamped it over her blond curls. She raced up the hall and banged on her brother’s door. “Jacob, get up! Today’s Pirate Island!”
Grandpa looked up from the stove as Charlotte came into the kitchen. “Good morning, matey,” he said. “I thought you were going to sleep all day.”
Charlotte shook her head. “Not today, Grandpa. You didn’t forget, did you?”
“Was I supposed to remember something?” asked Grandpa.
“We’re going treasure hunting today,” said Charlotte. “To Pirate Island.”
Grandpa looked out the window. “I think it’s going to rain.”
Charlotte saw the twinkle in Grandpa’s eyes. “You’re teasing,” she said. “The weather’s perfect. Sunshine, white puffy clouds and no high waves.” She took some dishes from the cupboard and began to set the table.
Jacob came into the kitchen. “I smell blueberry pancakes,” he said.
Grandpa piled the pancakes onto a plate. “We can’t go treasure hunting on an empty stomach. Dig in, mateys. Then we’re off to Pirate Island.”
“All right,” Jacob cheered.
“Heave ho and away we go, treasure hunting, treasure hunting,” Charlotte sang. “Heave ho and away we go to look for pirate treasure.”