The Winner's Game by Kevin Alan Milne Read Free Book Online Page B

because the squeak of old-woman slippers coming down the stairs just woke me up.
    When I open my eyes, Aunt Bev is tiptoeing across the floor in bright-green pajamas and pink leather moccasins. She freezes when she sees that I’m awake. “Sorry,” she whispers.
    â€œFer wakin’ me up? Or fer takin’ me bed?”
    â€œOh my,” she laughs, “I didn’t realize there was a pirate in the family. And a feisty one at that.” Bev wags a bony finger at me. “But I be pretty feisty too, young sir, so be ye warned.” She laughs again, then asks, “You hungry? Ah, heck, you’re a growing boy. You’re always hungry.”
    In the kitchen she goes through the entire pantry looking for the perfect meal. After opening all the drawers and cupboards she chooses dry corn flakes drizzled with chocolate syrup.
    â€œNo milk?” I ask. Weird.
    Aunt Bev gives a disappointed look. “Is that how a pirate would ask? Surely you can do better.”
    I think for a second and then snarl, “Alas, where be the milk fer yer crunchy grub?”
    She claps her aged hands excitedly. “You are too cute for your own good. I bet it’ll be good for my sister to have you around. She gets lonely in that facility.” Aunt Bev folds her arms and stares at me. “You’ll look out for her, won’t you, Cade?”
    â€œI guess so.”
    â€œWell, if you promise to, I’ll tell you a secret.”
    â€œWhat kind of secret?”
    â€œThe kind any pirate like you would want to know. A treasure secret.”
    Sneaky old woman knows just how to reel me in! “Fine. I’ll look out for Great-grandma. Now what’s the secret?”
    â€œYou promise not to tell anyone I told you?”
    â€œI promise.”
    â€œVery well.” Aunt Bev bends down close, looking over her shoulder to make sure we’re still alone. “In the attic,” she whispers, “if you’re brave enough to venture up there, you’ll find a metal detector—one of the very best money can buy.”
    â€œWhat’s it for?” I whisper back.
    She looks like she wants to laugh. “Uh…to find metal.”
    A metal detector sounds cool. But…“Why do I need to find metal?”
    â€œ Treasure, Cade! The metal detector will find buried treasure! I know you kids never knew your great-grandfather, but he believed there was treasure buried out behind the house. That’s why he bought the metal detector. He’d spend hours and hours out there, combing the beach, just waiting to find riches buried beneath the sand. And according to my sister, he and she found treasure all the time.”
    As she’s speaking, my heart is pounding faster and faster. “You think there’s still buried treasure out there?”
    â€œOnly one way to find out. But if I had to wager, I’d say your chances of finding something valuable are quite high. Quite high indeed.”
    â€œSweet!” I shout. “I’m gonna be rich!” I’ve always wanted to be rich…and now I will be!
    Right then, Aunt Bev and I both hear something. A second later Bree stumbles into the kitchen. “Oh good. I thought maybe you’d already left.”
    â€œSoon,” Aunt Bev replies. “But I need some help first.”
    â€œWith what?” I ask.
    She checks her watch. “With waking your dad up. He said he’d take me to the airport in thirty minutes.”
    â€œI’ll do it,” says Bree. “I have to go back upstairs anyway. I forgot to take out my retainer.”
    â€œI wish you the best of luck, Cap’n Cade,” Aunt Bev says once Bree is gone. “A good pirate doesn’t give up until his treasure is found.”
    â€œArrgg,” I growl. “If there be treasure to find, I’ll find it.” I pause. “Now, where’s the Cap’n Crunch? I’m hungry.”
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    On Monday morning,