She sighed.Perhaps ’twas true of late, but Omphile’s words still rang in her mindandher heart.You jist believed ’cause your parents did.But you never had dat relationship wit’ Him yourself.
Looking back on her life, as one did when approaching certain death, all Gabrielle saw was a young girl who’d idolized her parents, who believed whatever they told her, who followed all the rules, and obeyed God’s commands, the perfect daughter, the perfect Christian.But why?Had she done it for them or for God?Or perhaps she’d done it to stroke her own ego, feed her own insecurities, make herself out to be a saint that others could admire.’Twas no wonder then, that when things didn’t go her way, she blamed God.Didn’t He owe her a good life after all her sacrifices?
Perspiration slid down her back, and huffing, she eased a finger over Matthew’s cheek, relishing the softness.In truth, now that she pondered it, she’d never really known God, never had a relationship with Him at all.
Lord, I’m so sorry.I thought I was doing everything right.I thought I was pleasing You, pleasing my parents, but I did it for all the wrong reasons.Not out of a love for You, but out of an obligation, out of pride.
Matthew grinned up at her and brushed his hand over her chin.She wouldn’t want Matthew to grow up, do everything she asked of him, but never speak to her, never spend time with her, never get to know her.Neverloveher.She’d much rather have a close relationship with him than have him be perfect.
Understanding blossomed within her like a rose long since closed for a long winter.Omphile had been right.Gabrielle had never taken the time to know Jesus, to spend time with Him, to love Him.And if He loved her half as much as she loved Matthew, then she was in good hands, mighty, loving hands!
Lord, forgive me.She closed her eyes.I’ve been so foolish.I want to know You.I want to grow to love You.I’ve spent my life trying to be perfect, but all you ever wanted was me, my love.Help me now, Lord.
Precious daughter.
The words brought tears to her eyes.Daughter?Was she really God’s daughter?A breeze fluttered leaves and swept over her, cooling her skin and drying her tears.Love like she’d never experienced filled her heart to near bursting.She let out a giggle that caused Matthew to grin and kick his feet excitedly.“Thank you, Jesus!”she whispered.
So this was what her parents had been talking about, the incredible presence of God, the love, joy, and peace that filled her heart, her soul, her very being!She never knew it could be like this.
And it was only the beginning.
“Get up, wench!”Smity’s churlish command blared over her, slicing through her newfound joy.
Tucking away the cloth, she drew Matthew close and struggled to her feet.Alas, perhaps ’twas only the beginning of the end.Yet not the end.She knew that now.Life here on Earth was only the beginning.
Twigs snapped, drawing her gaze to her pirate guard standing on the other side of the small creek, smiling at her.And at that moment, that precious moment, she knew without knowing that he was no pirate assigned by Cadan to guard her.
He must surely be an angel sent by God Almighty to keep her safe.
???
At the top of the rocky ledge, Cadan glanced down and smiled.Beneath him, just like the clue had described, a cliff formed a half-circle around a foamy pool of water coming in from the sea.At the center of the circle, a small dark opening sat just above water level.
“There.”He pointed to the cave entrance.“A man can only get inside during low tide.”
“Guess where yer goin’, then.”Smity chuckled and shoved him onward.Sharp rocks bit his feet.Pain carved up his legs as he navigated across the ledge to what looked like the easiest way to climb down.At the bottom, he jumped into the pool of water.Waves sloshed to his knees, and he glanced up at Gabrielle above him on the top of the cliff.One pirate remained with her while the others headed down with shovels and pickaxes.Matthew wailed, and she attempted to comfort him.Oddly, he longed to hold the babe in his arms again.Just one more time.
Keep her safe, Lord.Please.
“Best get in afore the tide rises.”Smity pointed with his pistol toward the opening, and Cadan did the only thing he could do.He took one last glance at a sun he might never see again and dove inside the dark opening.
Darkness stole his sight.Water soaked his breeches.Blinking, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the few rays of sunlight filtering in through slits in the rock ceiling.He slowly rose as lantern light followed behind him, along with two of his crew,hiscrew.He wouldn’t give them the dignity of speaking to them.Or to Smity, who crawled in after them.Instead, he splashed through the few inches of water at the bottom of the cave toward the back where the clue said the skull of a man marked the spot where the treasure chest lay.
And indeed, there it was, perched atop a pile of rocks, the large empty eyes and grinning teeth smirking at Cadan for his foolhardy quest.To whom had it belonged?Cadan had no idea, but no doubt the man had attempted to steal Dempster’s treasure and met his just reward.
“There.”He gestured to the skull.“Beneath those rocks.”
Shouting with glee, the pirates tossed their implements aside, along with the poor man’s skull and began digging like ravenous dogs for a bone.
“There she be!”one of them screeched.“Look Cap’n, I mean Hayes.Jist like ye said.”
Cadan crossed arms over his chest.“Too bad you turned on me.You think Ole Smity’s going to share with you?”
Something hard slammed across his skull.Pain scorched a trail from his head to his toes as his vision blurred and he stumbled.
“Enough out o’ ye!”Smity stood over him, the handle-end of his pistol tight in his grip.
The pirates grabbed hold of the chest handles, and with much groaning and heaving, brought it out of the hole at the bottom of the cave.
