Trouble & Treasure by Dave Moyer (robert munsch read aloud .txt) 📕

could look at him worriedly, “A perfectly legal and dignified client. Possibly the army.”

I shrugged. “Seems fair. What about you? Aren’t you still a treasure hunter?”

“Don't worry about me, Amanda, Mark wouldn't keep it all from me anyway. He’s an alright soldier, but he is a terrible treasure hunter. The army will call on me, and thankfully this time they won't send Maratova along for the fun.”

I grimaced as he mentioned that horrible man's name. “But you won't get to keep the treasure yourself.”

“It's never about keeping the treasure for yourself, it's about finding it,” he said, a curious tone to his voice. “Plus.” he drew something out from the deep pocket inside his jacket.

It was my great-uncle's journal. I’d forgotten about it. What with one thing and another, I hadn't bothered to remember that within those yellowed and dried pages were the potential locations of the remaining three globes.

He leaned back on the stoop, handed me the journal, and stared out at the beautiful morning beyond. “You know, Amanda, you are pretty good at treasure hunting. You're better at running away from trouble, but sometimes those two things go hand-in-hand.” He turned to me, a particularly inviting smile on his lips, “If you are ever interested in finding more treasure...” he shrugged and trailed off.

My instant reaction was to laugh at him. Considering the amount of 'trouble' I’d run away from last week, there was no way I was ever going to put myself in a situation like that again. Then I let my eyes drift down to the journal in my hands, and a small but familiar kick of exhilaration crept through my gut. Though it had been horrible, at times it had been exciting.

As a girl I had sat on my great-uncle's lap and listened with perfect attention as he’d told me stories of adventure, danger, and treasure. I had imagined, way back then, that I would grow up to have similar adventures of my own.

Sebastian kept looking at me, and the offer was clear, and with the distinct curl to his lips it almost seemed as if there was something else on offer too.

Could I, mild-mannered Amanda Stanton, become a treasure hunter?

“It would be dangerous,” Sebastian added with a shrug, “Very dangerous.”

“I've dealt with dangerous,” I said softly.

“There would be a lot of trouble; there’s always trouble,” he added with a sniff.

“I have dealt with trouble too.” I didn't take my eyes off him. “I am sure I would still need a good lawyer to help me through it, though.”

Sebastian cracked into a grin and I mirrored it all the way.

“I'm a great lawyer,” he said, “Among other things,” he added with a pretend formal nod.

“Apparently I'm a pretty good treasure hunter.” I sucked in my lips and gave a cheeky grin.

“I think we might make a damn good team, then, Amanda Stanton,” Sebastian said.

It was crazy, it was insane, it was, mad – but I agreed with him.

I picked up my great-uncle's journal and opened it on my lap.

Two Stargazers down, three to go. Imprint

Text: Dave Moyer
Publication Date: 05-31-2016

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