Rockie Stoneshaker and the Haunted Castle

By Lugenia L. Lightle

Soon-to-be fourteen year-old Rockie Stoneshaker, who has been offered a summer job with the local newspaper, learns that she must travel to England with her parents, who have just inherited a family castle. Rockie is worried at first, but the editor promises to hold her job if she writes a good story about the castle. Spending the summer in the castle turns out to be quite an experience. While exploring the castle, Rockie discovers that a couple people who claim to be relatives have been forging antiques in the castle cellar. She also meets a ghost with unfinished business and a boy who helps her investigate the phony relatives. Her explorations eventually help bring the crooked relatives to justice and reunite the ghosts with the spirits of family members long since deceased. Rockie gets her story, and much more!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483524252

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Chapter 1 – The Family Inheritance

Rosalyn Vivian Stoneshaker was named after her two grandmothers, but everyone knew her as Rockie. She would soon turn fourteen and was rather tall and slender for her age. She had brown eyes, braces and long brown hair she always wore in a ponytail. She hardly ever wore dresses except when forced to, but she didn’t consider herself a tomboy. Self-confident is how her parents and teachers described her.

She lived with her father and mother, Peter and Drewcilla Stoneshaker, and her little sister, Charmaine, age seven, in a town called Port Arthur. She had just completed eighth grade and was looking forward to starting high school. Her dad taught English at a local college and her mom ran a real estate business.

It was the first day of summer vacation and Rockie was at home with Charmaine waiting for their parents to return from the lawyer’s office. Rockie’s Great Aunt Gertrude Stoneshaker, who lived in England, had recently passed away and had left something for Rockie’s father in her will, which Rockie thought peculiar since her father hardly knew Aunt Gertrude.

Rockie was pacing back and forth in front of the bay window in the living room, cracking her knuckles and biting her fingernails while Charmaine sat quietly on the sofa, which was uncharacteristic of her. She was usually a bundle of energy which often annoyed Rockie. But right now it was Charmaine’s calmness that annoyed her. How could Charmaine just sit there like a bump on a log at a time like this? Rockie wanted to say something to her but changed her mind. It might be even more annoying if they were both pacing the floor.

Charmaine was the girlie girl of the family. She had shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes, and was very pretty; but she wasn’t overly vain about it. She had a sweet personality and was very affectionate. She was also very fashion conscious, and unlike Rockie, liked to wear skirts and dresses.

Rockie was also expecting an important phone call from Miss Grubb, an editor for the local newspaper. Every summer the newspaper chose one student as an intern for the summer. This year, Rockie’s teacher had nominated her. More than anything, Rockie wanted to be a reporter. This was her big chance, she thought, and if her parents didn’t get home before Miss Grubb called, they wouldn’t be there to give her permission to take the job. Then Miss Grubb might give the job to someone else.

Chill, Rockie, said Charmaine. You’re making me nervous.

Shut up, squirt! said Rockie. She was going to say something else when she heard the car pull up in the driveway. She looked out the bay window. They’re here! She ran to the door to let her mom and dad in.

Peter entered first, loosening his tie and flopping down in the overstuffed chair next to the bay window. Peter was in his mid-forties and had an athletic build. He was tall like Rockie with brown hair, hazel eyes and a prominent chin. Drewcilla closed the door behind them and went over and sat on the arm of Peter’s chair. Drewcilla looked more like Charmaine with a slim build and blonde hair, except Drewcilla’s hair was cut in a bob and parted on one side while Charmaine’s hung over her shoulders.

So, did Aunt Gertrude leave you a million rusty dollars? asked Rockie.

Rockie, that’s not very nice, said Peter. You and Charmaine had better sit down. We need to talk.

Rockie didn’t like the sound of this as she sat on the sofa next to Charmaine who started bouncing up and down. Would you please quit? snapped Rockie.

I’m not doing anything, replied Charmaine, pouting. I can’t have any fun.

Girls, your father has something important to say so I’d appreciate it if you would sit still and listen, said Drewcilla.

Peter cleared his throat. The lawyer, Mr. Boerger, read the will and evidently Aunt Gertrude named me sole heir to all her earthly possessions. She would have left it to her son, Beauregard, but he passed away a few years ago and had no family of his own. So she picked me, even though I only met her once when I was a kid. I guess she really liked me even though all I did was send a few Christmas cards and brag about you guys.

So what does all that mean? asked Rockie.

It means we are now the proud owners of an English castle, replied Peter, smiling.

Isn’t that wonderful! said Drewcilla.

Charmaine jumped off the sofa. Cool! Does Sleeping Beauty live there?

No dumb-dumb. Sleeping Beauty isn’t real, said Rockie, trying to understand how this was going to affect her.

Don’t call me dumb-dumb! screamed Charmaine.

Girls, please don’t argue, said Drewcilla.

She started it! yelled Charmaine.

I did not. Baby! said Rockie, sticking out her tongue.

Did too! said Charmaine, sticking out her tongue as well.

Girls, that’ll be enough! scolded Peter.

So what are you going to do with a dumb castle? asked Rockie.

Peter looked at Drewcilla for help.

Well, girls, we’re flying to England tomorrow to take a look at it, said Drewcilla. I’m glad we already have our passports. I guess this will be our family vacation.

Tomorrow! said Rockie.

Yes, we have to get there right away to take ownership, said Peter, adding, I’m not teaching any classes this summer and your mom said she can clear her schedule. So we can spend the summer there if we like.

I can’t spend all summer in some stupid old castle way across the Atlantic Ocean! said Rockie. I have plans!

Don’t worry, sweetheart, said Peter. We’ll be back home before school starts.

Drewcilla tried to help. Rockie, don’t you think it would fun to tell all your friends your dad owns a castle?

Um…let me think…No! said Rockie.

I do, said Charmaine.

Shut up, nobody asked you, runt! snapped Rockie. Charmaine ran to Drewcilla, her feelings hurt.

You don’t have to take it out on your sister, said Drewcilla, hugging Charmaine.

Well, I’m not going, said Rockie, jumping off the sofa and running up the stairs to her room, slamming her bedroom door.

The phone rang and Drewcilla answered it. It was Ms. Grubb. She told Drewcilla that Rockie had been selected to work as an intern for the newspaper for the summer. With your permission, of course, added Ms. Grubb.

Well, of course, said Drewcilla, understanding now why Rockie was so upset. She explained the situation to Ms. Grubb and together they worked out a solution.

I’ll go get Rockie so you can tell her, said Drewcilla. She shouted upstairs, Rockie, Ms. Grubb is on the phone.

Rockie ran down the stairs, practically twisting an ankle. Drewcilla handed her the phone. Rockie spoke softly in her most polite voice. Hi, Ms. Grubb. My mom said you wanted to speak to me.

Yes. Your mother told me about your situation. I have a proposition for you.

You do?

Yes. I could use a story about a castle.

Really! said Rockie.

Bring back the best story you can and I’ll make sure it gets printed in the paper. If you do a good job, we’ll work out something for a part-time job after school hours.

I don’t know what to say, replied Rockie.

How about yes, said Ms. Grubb.

Okay, I’ll do it! said Rockie.

Charmaine, as usual, was listening in on Rockie’s conversation but this time Rockie didn’t mind. After she had worked out the details with Ms. Grubb and hung up the phone, she did a waltz around Charmaine then leaned over and planted a big kiss on her cheek. This is going to be the best summer ever!

Are you possessed? asked Charmaine, wrinkling up her nose and wiping her cheek.

Nope. Just happy.

Well, kiss me again and you you’ll get a knuckle sandwich, said Charmaine.

Drama Queen, teased Rockie.

Mom! said Charmaine, Make Rockie stop. She always calls me that name and I hate it!

Girls, scolded Drewcilla. We don’t have time for arguing. We have to get packed right away.

And I gotta pack Ellie, and my toys, said Charmaine, heading for the stairs.

Hold on a minute, said Drewcilla. You get to take one favorite toy and the rest clothes. We can only take the essentials.

What’s ee-sent-chals? asked Charmaine.

Things that we really need, replied Drewcilla.

Yea, that’s what I mean, said Charmaine, running up the stairs. My toys and outfits are ee-sent-chals.

Drewcilla shook her head and followed. I’d better help you pack.

Chapter 2 – The Relatives

The next morning everybody was hurrying around getting ready for their overseas flight. Drewcilla made sure she had everybody’s passports and that nobody had forgotten anything important while Peter made sure all of the appliances were turned off.

They took a cab to the airport but got stuck in traffic because of road construction. After about half an hour, Peter asked the cab driver, How much longer do you think it’ll be?

I don’t know, but I could take a detour, said the driver.

Go ahead. I’ll make it your worthwhile, said Peter.

The cab driver turned up an alley, cut over to another street, then