Born of Treasure (Treasure Chronicles Book 2) by Jordan Elizabeth Page A

hair and blue eyes.”
    They had to have done something really bad to get Senator Horan after them. Could they be spies? The deputy grinned. He’d always wanted to catch spies. “What were their names?”
    The clerk checked his ledger. “Clark and Amethyst Grisham. Got a telegraph directed to them, but with Treasure as the last name. Mrs. Grisham said it was her dad playing a prank.”
    The deputy scribbled that information on the back of the poster. “They say where they’re going?”
    “I heard Mr. Grisham say they’d take the first steamboat south. They dangerous criminals?”
    “The worst.” The deputy tipped his top hat. “Thanks for your help. I’ll see about that steamboat.”

    The deputy held the wanted poster fast as the wind off the river whipped at it. The steamboat captain scratched his bald head.
    “Have you seen these two?”
    “Look, Deputy Terrence, I’ve got nothing against helping you, but I don’t sell my own tickets. I’ve got men to do that, to see customers to their rooms, to load the luggage.” The captain peered over the railing at the water, high above its normal banks from the rainstorms. “You’re keeping us and we’ll be behind schedule. If you want to check the records, and see each passenger, come on aboard. We’re stopping six miles down at Klampert. You can get off there and hire a ride back to Yahnke.”
    The sheriff would throw a tantrum if the deputy didn’t follow through with the lead. “I’ll do that, thanks.”
    “Don’t scare my customers,” the captain added. “You can have my cabin to do questioning. I don’t want nobody arrested right off or my boat will have a bad name.”
    “I’ll question quietly,” Deputy Terrence said. “I’ll start now.” The sheriff knew the names the clerk had provided. He would notify Senator Horan to see if they meant anything. If Terrence did find the inn customers and got them back to Yahnke, Senator Horan might be able to prove their innocence and they’d be free. No harm, a good laugh for all.
    Or, Deputy Terrence would’ve caught some spies.



methyst folded her arms as she leaned against the brass railing of the steamboat. It chugged along with a steady purr, steam puffing from the metal smoke stacks and the propeller working away at the back. Other passengers milled along the deck, where the crew had set up lounge chairs.
    “This is so relaxing.” She leaned against Clark at her side, resting her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes. “A western paradise. I’ve been on sailboats and rowboats. They have cute ones in the city park. They’re never this tranquil.”
    Smaller boats passed by, and the fishermen waved at the passengers. Farmyards and countryside covered the shore, spotted with random villages and houses.
    Clark massaged the back of her neck. “I’ll take you on a showboat sometime. They’re like floating inns. They have plays, comedy routines, singers, and dancers. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
    “Like a club?”
    “Some are. I worked a comedy showboat for a month. I cleaned up the ballroom after the act each night.”
    “Mr. and Mrs. Grisham?” a man asked from behind them.
    Amethyst glanced over her shoulder. “Yes?” Being called that still sent a tingle of excitement over her skin. Clark had claimed her, she’d claimed him. Her lover followed the direction of her gaze.
    The man wore denim slacks with the cuffs tucked into black knee boots, covered with silver buckles. A leather vest covered his white shirt; he lifted the front flap to reveal a brass cog pinned to the cotton interior.
    Clark stiffened. He needed to relax around company more; not everyone was evil.
    “That’s a pretty broach,” she said. “You should wear it on the outside where people can enjoy it.”
    The man coughed, his tanned cheeks flushing. “It’s my deputy’s badge, ma’am. I’m required to wear it on the inside.”
    “What can we help you with?” Clark asked.
    “I’m questioning everyone