Rosie and the Treasure of the Three Nuns: A Historical Fiction for Youth

By D. Boyd-Vodvarka

Rosie is a feisty redheaded thirteen-year-old who isn't afraid to speak her mind. When her police officer grandma hooks her into going on a treasure hunt in the mountains of California to find the treasure of the three nuns, she isn't thrilled. She would much rather spend her summer at home, indoors, with the company of her trusty canine companion, Mutt. Grams's friend Pete and his sons Dan and Mike joined her and Rosie on their adventure. Rosie soon finds herself enjoying the new company and looking forward to each new day of treasure hunting. When Rosie learns that an escaped convict from the Arizona state prison is in their area, she imagines him lurking behind every rock, just waiting to capture a feisty redhead. Grams and her new friends assure her they have nothing to fear, but Rosie isn't convinced. Will Rosie's fears prove to be all for naught? Will Rosie and company find the treasure of the three nuns? Join Rosie on her exciting treasure hunt to find out!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644581735

Book preview

Chapter 1

A month? A whole month? Ah, Grams, I don’t want to go, I whined.

Oh, my little Rosie, you are such a funny girl. Stop complaining.

I’m not going, I declared, being my sassy self.

Oh yes, you are. Whether you like it or not, you are going on this treasure hunt with me. It will be such an adventure. Grams sounded like she couldn’t be budged, but I still pleaded.

Can’t I just stay home by myself? I asked, continuing my whining.

No way. I have spent way too much of my spare time and money on research to have to worry about you while I search for the Treasure of the Spanish Trail. Besides, you’ll have a lot of fun, she said.

Staying in a motor home out in the middle of nowhere with no friends and no fast-food place in a hundred miles for a whole month is not my idea of a good time, I replied.

You’ll see; you will change your mind. We’ll be on horses and campout. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

I didn’t bother to answer—orders, orders, orders. I was getting too old for this sort of thing. Grandma thought very seriously about her job as a cop, and she gave orders all the time when it concerned me. I was thirteen years old, and I deserved a little more respect.

Get packing, Rosie. We leave early tomorrow. Don’t forget your camera and maybe something to journal in.

This is going to be totally boring.

Don’t worry about packing for Mutt. I put a month’s supply of dog food in the RV with his bowl and water.

Any tips on what I should bring?

Clothing for hot and cold weather. The desert gets cold at night after the sun goes down, even in the summertime. Underwear, soap, sunscreen to protect your fair skin—stuff that will fit in your largest backpack should be plenty. Oh, yes, bring your good hiking boots. I’ve taken care of the sleeping-bag situation.

Grams?

Yes, darling?

What is it exactly we’re going to do? While she was thinking about it, I thought about how I came to my gram’s house. If it hadn’t been for my parents dying in a terrible accident, I would not be living here. I didn’t know that I was entering into the best time and adventure that not too many girls like me could ever imagine. I was thirteen and at a stage in my life Grams calls woman-child. Not really sure what that means, but guess I will find out some day.

Grams was firm and we were to leave tomorrow early. I guessed I’d have to keep a diary and take my digital camera along just to have something to do in case of downtime. I expected to be thoroughly bored, if you know what I mean. I was going downstairs with my dog to make sure there were lots and lots of snacks. No need suffering from starvation while looking for treasure without some sustenance.

Rosie, the motor home has been packed. All we need to do is load our personal things.

Grams?

Yes, darling.

What is it exactly we’re going to do?

You know how I like adventure and how I have been doing a lot of research? Well, I found some information about the Old Spanish Trail. It was also known as the Lawless Trail, and I found out it was located partly in the small community of Desert Center here in California on the way to the Arizona border. Not only was it used by the early Spaniards but by Indians, bandits, horse thieves, slavers, and traders as well.

This sounds interesting, but I don’t remember studying this in school. There does seem to be a lot to this, doesn’t it?

"Legend has it that there’s a very old mission built by the local Indians under the direction and guidance from three nuns in a hidden valley. The nuns wanted a safe haven to teach the Indians about God, so a mission is supposed to be located