No Secrets in Creedence, page 1
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
NO SECRETS IN CREEDENCE
First edition. March 24, 2020.
Copyright © 2020 Sarah Hall.
Written by Sarah Hall.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
PREVIEW
CHAPTER ONE
Colorado
1888
The day after she buried her parents, Moira Dashwood said goodbye to everything else she loved. She tried to memorize the musky scent of her horse, Maestro, and the silkiness of his hair. She took a small pair of scissors from her pocket and cut a small lock of his mane, then wrapped it in her handkerchief. He nuzzled into her side, letting her drink in their last moments together.
“Goodbye, Maestro.”
His soft neigh tore at her heart as she trudged away from the pasture. A strong wind blew through the hills, whipping the grass of the prairie around her. She looked around in every direction, taking in the sight of her home for the last time. For all nineteen years of her life, Norland Ranch was her Eden and now she was forced into exile.
Next she visited the black upright piano she’d received for her tenth birthday, remembering how her father loved to hear her play. She ran her fingers along the black and white keys and played a minor chord. The beauty of it made her chest swell. She shut the cover and opened the bench, taking several pages of sheet music — Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky. Her favorites.
She plodded into her bedroom to find Ellie, her older sister by two years, carefully folding Moira’s clothes. Ellie had packed already. She did everything early and efficiently, never one to keep anyone waiting. Moira was in hurry to leave home and had left everything to last minute.
“You can’t take that.” Ellie reached for the sheet music, but Moira held it away.
“Dash won’t miss it. He doesn’t even play. I doubt he’ll even go near that piano. I’m sure he only wants it for the status it brings him.” She hated nothing more than people who had a piano simply for looks. Instruments were for making music, not impressing visitors.
“I wish we could take it with us.”
“He could send it. It’s not as if he couldn’t afford it.”
“Well, it’s his now.”
“Everything in this house is his now. I’m surprised he’s even letting us take our clothes.” Moira’s blood boiled. “As much as I love it here, I’d rather leave than see him run it into the ground. I hate him.” She said the last thing under her breath, but Ellie still heard her. Ellie knew her better than anyone and, at twenty-two, was wiser than anyone her age ought to be.
“You don’t hate him. You resent him. He’s not evil, just... hurt.”
“It’s not our fault his mother died.”
“And it’s not his fault that ours did.”
“Unless he set that fire.”
“Moira.”
She’d gone too far. Dash may have hated his stepmother, but he loved their father and would never try to hurt him. She bowed her head, praying for strength to get through today. Just this day and after that, she could take everything the world threw at her. Yesterday, she buried her parents. Today, she left her ranch. Now, a new life lay before her. She must meet it with confidence.
She placed her finest dresses into the trunk, using them to cover the sheet music in case Dash checked.
“Why are you taking those?” Ellie asked. “We won’t need them where we’re going.”
“I’m not leaving anything for Dash that I don’t have to.”
Ellie helped her finish. Soon, they were ready to leave.
Two young servant boys brought the trunks out to the small buckboard wagon. Dash insisted he couldn’t spare the fine carriage they were used to riding in. The other servants lined up outside the front door to say goodbye. Ellie shook hands with everyone. Moira avoided their eyes, focusing on the ground in front of her.
Finally, the sisters climbed into the wagon to sit beside the driver. But before they could leave, there was a clamor of hoof beats. Moira steeled herself and looked up to see Dash on horseback, blocking their path.
Most women found Dash handsome. He had Ellie’s dark, curly hair, while Moira was blond like her mother. But there was a coldness in his eyes that gave Moira chills. He may be popular with ladies, but she pitied the woman that married him. They were bound for disappointment.
“Well, this is goodbye.” Dash didn’t even dismount, just inclined his head in farewell. “Safe journey.”
Moira scowled. “You wouldn’t care if we drove off a bridge except you’d lose your horse.”
He shrugged. “A ranch man’s horses are precious. More precious than anything.”
“You have no business being in charge. I know more about running this ranch than you do. You’ve barely been here a handful of times in the past eight years.”
“If Father hadn’t sent me away, I would’ve been around more,” he sneered.
“If you hadn’t been so cruel to our mother, he wouldn’t have sent you away.”
“He should never have married her,” he spat. “But it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s obvious I’m the one he trusted with this place.”
“The only reason you own this ranch is because Father didn’t expect to die so young. He always meant to leave me the ranch. He taught me everything.”
“So you keep telling me. Well, let’s hope your aunt will be more grateful for your unsolicited advice. And you know, if it doesn’t work out with her, I bet a nice saloon will take you on.”
Moira leaped to her feet, ready to rip his face right off. Ellie yanked on her elbow, tugging her back to her seat.
“Father wouldn’t want this and you know it.” Ellie glared at Dash. “He wanted you to watch over us, not send us away.”
“Father isn’t here, so it doesn’t matter.” Dash’s horse danced around nervously beneath him. “I was more than kind in paying for your train tickets. I’m sure your new home will be more than adequate. A ranch is a ranch.”
“That shows what you know,” Moira grumbled. “Norland is not just any ranch.”
“True. It’s my ranch.”
Before she could respond, he turned his horse and jammed his heels into its sides much harder than necessary. Moira winced, seeing her father’s horse mistreated.
She didn’t say it. But she thought it. John “Dash” Dashwood was evil. And she did hate him. What a start to her new life.
ELLIE ADJUSTED ON THE hard wooden bench for the hundredth time since boarding the train. Even for a woman who practically grew up in a saddle, this was not a comfortable ride. Moira was asleep next to her, but Moira could sleep anywhere. She didn’t worry as Ellie did. She didn’t have to. Ellie was always there to plan for the worst, so her sister slept, safe and peaceful, her head flopping around in complete abandon.
She pulled their aunt’s telegram from her pocket. When Ellie first contacted their aunt, Anne Middleton, she’d directed the message to Middleton Ranch. But Anne wrote back offering a room in her boarding house in exchange for their work. Neither of them told Dash about the change of plans, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.
The second telegram, in response to their expected arrival time, only said “Ned will meet you.” Who was Ned? And what had happened to their grandfather’s ranch? Mother had talked of it often and hoped to return someday with the girls. She’d told them all about the rolling hills with nothing else for miles, and the view of the great snow-capped peak. But that wasn’t where they were headed. Instead, they would have to settle for a boarding house, where they and the other occupants would be piled on top of each other like so many sacks of grain.
“Next stop Silverton!”
She jumped at the conductor’s voice, startled from her thoughts. Moira didn’t even stir. Ellie reached over and tapped her little sister — softly at first then with increasing force until finally Moira’s eyes popped opened.
“Our stop’s coming up.”
Moira shook herself out of her stupor to gather their things.
Ellie turned back to the window. Here goes nothing. She stared down into the valley that had been their home. Her stomach rolled as they ascended farther into the mountains, leaving the world they had known behind.
SILVERTON WAS JUST as dirty and smelly as Moira had feared. She hated towns. Right now, she hated anywhere that wasn’t Norland. She was certain she’d never be happy again. At least Creedence would be smaller. They alighted from the train and Ellie oversaw the unloading of their trunks while Moira searched the crowd for this “Ned.” A daunting task when she didn’t know what how old he was or what he looked like. For her sake, she hoped he was handsome. It’d be a welcome distraction. Yes, a rugged ranch man would improve her spirits. One who knew horses and women. That was a man.
But she was sorely disappointed. It wasn’t that Ned was ugly. He was handsome in a squeaky-clean, city-boy type of way, but that held no appeal for Moira. His hands were too soft, his nails too clean, for her to find him remotely attractive. Ell
“Are you Ellie and Laura Dashwood?” he asked, shuffling forward. Moira wished he had moved with more purpose. He was probably a couple of years older than her, but he moved like a boy, not a man.
“Moy-ruh,” Moira corrected. “Are you Ned?”
“Yes, Ned Phillips.” He gave a shy smile, barely turning his face from Ellie. “My family has a ranch near Creedence, so I’m driving right through there, anyway. Anne asked me to take you the rest of the way.”
“Is it very far?”
“Two hours. Easy journey on such a lovely day.”
Ned loaded their trunks and helped them into the wagon. But when he jerked the reins to start up the horses, they didn’t respond. He clicked his tongue, then tried standing and bouncing the reins around in his hand, to no avail.
“Didn’t you say you were a ranch man?” Moira tried to conceal the judgment behind her voice and half succeeded.
“I did. Never said I was a good one.” He smiled good-naturedly, a mark in his favor.
“Here. I’ll drive.” Moira held out her hands for the reins and he gladly handed them over.
He pointed out the turns for her, but other than that he and Ellie spent the next two hours talking about Moira’s least favorite subject – plants, of all things. They seemed to enjoy discussing things like the medicinal properties of aloe. To Moira, there was nothing more boring, but at least her sister had someone else to talk to about it.
AS THEY APPROACHED the town, Moira handed the reins back over to Ned. He (barely) guided the horses over a creaky, narrow bridge, under the sign identifying the place as “Creedence,” and into the town itself. They passed a small, white-painted church with a well-kept cemetery and entered the town proper.
Moira glanced around furtively, curious about the place, and saw people staring back with unabashed interest. Ned waved and exchanged greetings with a few of the folks. Several young men gaped at them as they drove by. A man he called Abel tipped his hat at the girls but his eyes didn’t linger like the other men. What a pity. He was rather handsome, though too dressed up to suit her.
Ned pointed out the landmarks of the two-street town. They had reached the crux of the two dusty roads. Here he stopped and pointed straight ahead. “Down there’s the saloon and the miners’ tents. I doubt you’ll have much cause to head that way. The miners keep to themselves. They don’t mix with the town too much.”
Moira shuddered. Saloons were popular near Norland. Dash frequented them. Once, Moira’s father looked for him there and came back shaken by the debauchery he witnessed. She made a mental note to stay away from that corner of town.
“Down this way is Dr. James’ office.” He motioned to their left. “There’s the smith and the livery, run by a couple of old cowpokes. Here’s the hall.” He gestured to the large building at the corner. “We use it for dances and town meetings and school.”
After some false starts, he turned the horses to the right. “And here is the general store, the land office, and the sheriff’s office. There’s the bank. That’s where Abel works. We met him on the way in. Down at the end you’ll find the butcher and laundry – that’s run by Catherine Bates. She works at the boarding house, too, so you’ll meet her tonight.”
“I thought it’d be bigger.” Ellie sounded relieved. “This isn’t much different from the town near Norland.”
Moira looked at her, eyebrows raised. “I was thinking the opposite. Far too big and crowded for me.”
“And here’s the boarding house.” Ned stopped the wagon in front of a two-story structure, a bit ramshackle but homey-looking. And it was a popular place, judging by the people relaxing on the porch rockers and the noise streaming out from the open front door. She hadn’t seen a restaurant, so the boarding house must be the only option for a good meal in this town for the miners and any single men who didn’t want (or know how) to cook for themselves.
As Ned unloaded their trunks, a woman in a patched calico dress and a pristine apron came bustling out of the front of the building and down the front steps.
“Well! You’re the spitting images of your mother!” She gazed into each of their faces in turn, her eyes glassy with suppressed emotion. “You have her hair,” she said to Moira, “and you have her smile” to Ellie.
While Ellie answered their aunt’s questions about the trip, Moira took the chance to inspect Anne more closely. She was much younger than expected for being someone’s “spinster aunt.” But then, their mother had told them her sister was ten years younger. And a half-sister, which explained the lack of resemblance. Anne shared their mother’s dark hair, but hers was straight as a stick, no unruly curls like Moira. Their mother had been rounder, both in the face and waist. Anne’s face had a drawn look suggesting years of hard work. And her clothes seemed to hang off her.
Anne looked down at their dresses. “I hope you brought something less fine for working.”
The girls exchanged self-conscious frowns.
“I brought my split skirt for riding,” Moira offered.
Anne laughed. “I think wearing those around the dining room might spark some unwanted attention. Better save them for your day off when you can ride.”
“Do you have horses?”
“None of my own anymore.” Anne looked wistful. “I rent them at the livery when I get the chance. I miss riding. I’ve never been used to staying indoors. Running this place has been quite a change. When I took over here, I didn’t have any ‘work clothes’ either.” She grimaced at the memory. “Your fine things will become work things soon enough. But we don’t need to stand out here any longer. Come on inside and get settled in. I’ll show you your room and get one of the boys to bring up your trunks.”
“Are we in time to help with supper?” asked Ellie.
Moira sagged at the thought.
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Anne assured her. “You can relax tonight and start work tomorrow.”
They turned to say goodbye to Ned, who was already back in the wagon and attempting an about turn. The horses were not cooperating.
“Aren’t you staying for supper, Ned?” Anne asked.
“No, thank you. I’m expected at home.”
He’d better get a move on if he wants to make it by nightfall, thought Moira. It was unkind, even inwardly laughing at the man’s shortcomings, but really. She had no patience with a man who lived on a ranch but couldn’t handle a horse.
Anne showed them inside. Moira’s stomach growled at the delicious smells wafting out of the dining room, but they quickly bypassed the crowded public rooms and ascended a steep, narrow staircase to the second floor.
“Your room faces the back,” Anne told them over her shoulder. “Less street noise.”
That was something to be grateful for. Moira and Ellie had never shared a bedroom, even as children, but now they’d share one double bed. At least they had the quilts Mother made them. A small piece of home.
When they reached the second floor, Moira looked around and almost bumped into a man exiting one of the rooms. He moved gracefully for such a tall, broad man. He had a soldier’s bearing, but he was dressed in a three-piece suit and carried a small leather bag.
“Doctor James. How did you find Father?”
“No better or worse than expected. He’s sleeping now.”
“That’s good news. Girls, you’ll meet him tomorrow.”
Moira’s skin prickled from the doctor’s eyes on her. But when she turned to look at him, he avoided her gaze, fiddling with the handles of his medical bag. He had a kind face and sad eyes. He wasn’t exactly handsome, but she found that she had a hard time looking away. Until he met her gaze and she quickly averted her eyes.
“Girls, this is Dr. Brandon James. Doctor, these are my nieces, Moira and Ellie Dashwood.”
“Your nieces!” he said with surprise. “When you told me they were coming, I expected them to be much younger... Little girls...”
“My sister, God rest her soul, was quite a bit older than I.”
“I’m so sorry for your losses, but it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He addressed them both but his eyes flitted only briefly to Ellie before coming back to rest on Moira.
