The Haunted Mountain: The Mountain Valley Series

By Jean Robinson Westcott

Twelve year-old Rad Sergeant and his little brother Tyler live with their dad on his horse ranch. They are living every boy's fantasy until a rumor of a ghost living in the mountain behind their ranch is reported. Rad intends to find out if the ghost is real and enlists the help of his two best friends, Max Frost and Peter Logan, to help investigate. Before the story ends, the boys survive a tornado, Rad falls into a pit that nearly takes his life and they come face to face with the ghost.

The characters of Mountain Valley are real kids dealing with every day problems who need fantasy occasionally. These kids know the simpler way of life, the enjoyment of church, helping friends and neighbors, and keeping their body's drug-free. Mountain Valley kids are dynamic characters that demonstrate real living, not the kind that carries one away on a broomstick.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 11, 2003
• ISBN: 9781469724188

Jean Robinson Westcott

Jean Robinson Westcott was born and raised in rural Arkansas, but moved to Tulsa, OK when she married her husband, Waymon Westcott. She became a cosmetologist and worked in that capacity until her three children were grown. It was then that she began to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an author.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Hey! Are you ever gonna finish arranging those supplies in your locker? someone asked from across the school corridor.

The corridor was buzzing with kids greeting friends that they had not seen all summer, and twelve-year-old Rad Sergeant was nervous about being in a new school. He spun around right into the face of the boy with the short Afro hair that tripped him in the pizza restaurant.

I’ve watched you for awhile now, he said. Is there a problem with your locker?

What if there is a problem? Rad asked. It’s none of your business!

Oops, someone got up on the wrong side of the bed or is angry because of a situation that sent him to a new school.

You don’t know anything about me! Rad said.

I’ll learn because we’re in the same class. My name’s Peter Logan. What’s yours?

Rad Sergeant, Rad said, and turned back to his locker, remembering the ugly incident at the restaurant. It was the day Dad took him and Tyler shopping for school clothes after Mom had dropped them on Dad’s front porch. For the seven years since Mom and Dad’s divorce, Rad and his younger brother, Tyler lived in the city with their mom. Then this year, the week before school started, with no explanation, she moved them back to live with Dad on his horse ranch.

Boys, Dad said, I’ve never bought school clothes before. I think we should be at the mall early to get a head start on the shoppers.

Rad, Tyler, and their dad were at the mall when it opened, and by 4:00 p.m., they had visited every store in it. They bought everything on Dad’s list, plus a few extras, and then collapsed in a booth at the mall’s pizza restaurant for dinner.

They were resting and having fun until Tyler pointed out a large redheaded boy sitting beside a window in the bright sun. The sun’s rays turned the boy’s hair into an orange glow and without meaning to, Rad stared. The

boy caught Rad looking and was so angry, he raised off his seat and yelled.

Stop gawking at me or you’ll be sorry!

Rad was humiliated and even though the server had just delivered the pizza, he could not eat. Dad had the pizza boxed and as they were leaving the restaurant, this smirking skinny boy standing in Rad’s face, stuck out his foot, tripped Rad, and sent him stumbling.

Hey! Peter said. Get your head out of the locker!

Stay away! Rad said. I’m beginning a new school and you’re the last thing I need!

Okay, okay, cowpoke, Peter said and raised both hands over his head.

You got something against cowboys? Rad asked.

Nope. Hey, I hear you live on that humongous ranch that backs up against The Haunted Mountain. Is that true?

Rad shrugged and stepped inside the classroom. The room was the color of the early morning sun and was newly painted. Rad could tell the paint was fresh because it reeked of paint odors, and there was not a smudge anywhere.

Peter followed closely at Rad’s heels. Why do you always have so many different kinds of horses on your ranch? Whadaya do with all of ’em?

My dad boards horses. And the mountain is not haunted, Rad said.

The mountain is haunted, Peter said. Anyway, you’re a lucky kid to live on a place like that. If I had known we were in the same sixth grade class, I never would’ve stuck my foot out and pretended to trip you in the pizza restaurant.

Rad blinked. Excuse me! You call it pretend when I stumbled into an old couple’s table and knocked their water glasses over?

Peter snickered. I didn’t know a couple that old and wrinkled up could move so fast. It was pretty funny, didn’t you think?

No! I did not think it was funny and neither did they! Their clothes got wet, Rad said, and made his way down the aisle until he found a desk in full view of the doorway and sat down.

Then the redheaded boy from the pizza restaurant strolled into the classroom. His long red-orange ponytail bounced up and down like a pride-stepping mare’s tail.

Compared to Rad, who is average height for his age, this boy was a giant! His shoes were hiking boots and his clothes were too large making him seem larger than he was. As the boy walked, he developed a slow movement to his stride.

Peter smiled. That’s Flaming Max the Fats. His hair and size got him that name. He is one mean crackerjack and the class bully.

Why would you call him such a cruel name? Rad asked. What’s his real name?

Peter smirked. His name is Maxwell Frost, but hey, you must’ve thought he looked peculiar in the restaurant the way you stared at him.

I shouldn’t have embarrassed him, Rad said. If I get a chance today I’m going to apologize.

Since we’re acquainted, I’ll tell you my secret, Peter said.

Buzz off! I don’t wanna know your secret!

Who are you so angry at?

You! Rad said. First, you trip me in the restaurant for no reason and now that we’re in the same class, you pretend it never happened! You have some nerve! You know that?

My dad’s a white truck driver and my mom’s his black wife, Peter said. Now you know my secret. Do you know what that makes me?

A mulatto, that’s why your skin is the color of olives, Rad said. You think I’m stupid, don’t you?

At least my face is not shaped like a valentine and I don’t have baby blue eyes and hair the color of a mouse like you, squirt. Peter mocked. Take my advice cowpoke, and loose that chip you’re carrying around on your shoulder or somebody will knock it off.

I don’t have a chip on my shoulder and I don’t care whether you like my looks or not! Now go away! Rad said.

Hey, you wanna be best friends with me this year? Peter asked and then smiled so wide, even his back teeth showed.

Rad was flabbergasted. He had never met anyone like Peter Logan. You have to be kidding! Rad said.

Before Peter could answer Rad’s question, the teacher, Ms. Mills walked through the doorway.

Good morning, class, she said smiling.

The chattering quieted and students hustled to their seats.

Welcome, the short plump teacher said. I have known most of you all your lives. Now that you have finally gotten old enough to be in my class, I am honored to be your teacher for this coming school year.

She’s called Ms. Sourpuss, Peter said, taking his seat directly across the aisle from Rad. Ms. Sourpuss is one hard teacher.

Rad frowned at Peter, lowered his eyes, and stared at the scratched drawing of a tiny fish on his desktop. He did not need a friend with an attitude, and Peter had a hefty one. He decided to stay away from Peter Logan.

As Rad stared at the fish drawing on his desktop, Ms. Mills’ voice faded into the distance. He thought about the day of Mom’s big announcement when she said Rad and Tyler were moving back to live with their dad, Dave Sergeant, on his horse ranch. Rad did not understand then, and he does not understand now. Nothing made sense. Mom fought Dad tooth and nail for custody.

Oh sure, Mom’s reason sounded great. Rad has dreamed of becoming a cowboy all his life, she said. Mom knew that before she moved them away. Why now? Does she not love him and Tyler anymore?

Nevertheless, Rad was elated about living back on the ranch. His dad was a great person and the ranch was