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~*~*~ Scarcliffe Hill~*~*~ The Town Halloween Forgot *KyBluebird* |
~*~*~ Scarcliffe Hill~*~*~
The Town Halloween Forgot
Part I
Sherri Dalton bought the rustic two-story house on The Old abandoned Scarcliffe Hill farm. Boxes and packages had arrived earlier in the week. It had been almost a year since she had been back. Finalizing the necessary paper work, paying taxes, locating the deed, making certain an unknown heir would not be making
a claim on the property with the realtors in Kentucky. Sherri had left her childhood home in Amarillo, Texas on that early Autumn morning with her three year old Collie German shepherd mix; ShyAnne sitting comfortably in the backseat of her car.
She and her lifetime friend; Anne Marlowe had vacationed with a couple girlfriends they had met while attending the university last Summer. After graduation, they had decided to visit Anne‘s cousin who lived in Kentucky.
Lisa Donovan; Anne’s cousin had taken them on a tour of Brookshire and several small towns scattered along the Appalachian foothills, when they turned down the lane, driving upon a hill. Sherri’s first impression of the beautiful old place, it looked like something from out of a storybook, came to life. She had noticed apple orchards growing in the grove next to the barns and an assortment of buildings on the property.,
When seeing the house for the first time; it looked like it had once been a plantation home then remodeled to a two-story Spanish villa, she immediately falling in love with it. Deciding she needed a change in her life after breaking her three-year engagement with Bruce Adams.
It wasn’t as though she didn’t love Bruce., it was just their lives were going in opposite directions, they had different goals and a mutual compromise could not be reached.. Sometimes it happens that way, it isn’t any one’s fault. Although she knew Bruce thought otherwise, blaming her. Maybe someday he would thank her, and realize she had been right in ending the engagement, both would have been miserable.
Sherri wanted, no she needed a change, starting over fresh and Kentucky was a beautiful state, a change of scenery, it was time that she moved on, deciding to leave her home in Amarillo. Besides, Anne would be moving as well and her parents would visit as often as possible as well as her three brothers. Her older brother; Kevin, an engineer would be working on a five-year construction project and had already been transferred to Kentucky. It wasn’t as though she would not know any one or be totally alone.
She had arrived in the small town of Brookshire the following evening. Driving pass an assortment of dress shops, hardware supply stores, spotting a gas station; she stopped, driving her car in front of the pumps. After filling her car, she walked inside the station, discovering it was also a market and deli. Walking up to the counter, paying for the gas and purchased a few groceries she would need at her new home.
A painting crew had re-painted and sealed the old villa and a construction crew, were doing necessary repairs, a man from the power company had called leaving her a message on her cell phone, informing her that he had been out at the farm, making any electrical repairs and turning on the electricity. The house was ready for her to move in he had said.
An attractive older lady at the check-out counter had observed her closely when she entered the store.. The young woman wearing tan trousers and a Coral short-sleeve sweater. Barbara noticed the Gucci purse had not been purchased in Brookshire, New Havens would be her guess, she was possibly traveling through. A bunch of college kids had came into the store a couple days ago, she was more then likely from the university… those shoes she was wearing were definitely Amoretti, by an Italian designer. Smiling when Sherri looked at her.
“You must be new, here.” The lady said. Sherri smiled. “Yes, I am, I’m Sherri Dalton, I just bought the old farm on Scarcliffe Hill at 801.” The woman’s face showed a look of surprise “You bought the Old McGuffey place?” There’s not been any one living there on that hill for nearly twenty years, since Nicholas Travers, disappeared.” The store clerk said.
Sherri would keep the information in mind. “Who was or is this Nicholas Travers?…did he or his family originally own the place?” Sherri inquired. When Tom Meadows assured her, he had completed a thorough title search and had researched the original deed to the house and property, there had not been a mention of a Travers.
“He was the grandson of the Former owner; Andrew McGuffey., the old place dates back generations, his family; a Great, great great, grandfather, Shaun McGuffey and his wife MaryAnne O’Rourke came here from Ireland, settling here in the town, they bought the 200 acre farm and apple orchards for $500.00 that was a lot of money by standards back then….oh, I’m Barbara Evans.” Thinking the young woman would believe she to be rude., Barbara introduced herself. Smiling. Sherri deciding she liked the woman.
‘Every one here will make you feel welcome and at home, there’s going to be a barn dance this weekend, and next weekend; we’ll be having dinner on the ground after services and the following weekend, a Halloween contest, for Best costume, there’s a dance and there will be food and refreshments served. Around here, people are noted for their Bluegrass and country music and if it
is information You need about the old place or The McGuffey’s or Nicholas Travers, Rachel Coffey can tell You all You need to know, she is The Secretary for the Preservation and Historical Society here in Brookshire.” Barbara finished. “I appreciate that.” Sherri smiled. “I may be visiting Ms. Coffey later in the week.” Sherri stated. “That’s good enough, oh and the library is located on 3rd street, you can’t miss it.” Barbara smiled.
‘You’ve been very helpful, Mrs. Evans“. Sherri said. Taking note of the friendly woman’s wedding rings. “Your welcome and if there’s any thing I can help You with, just let me know, Sam and I own and operate the store, so we’re here most all the time except on Sundays, of course.” She finished. “Thank You, have a nice evening.” Sherri smiled. “Thank You, You.” Barbara waved goodbye.
“ The young lady seemed nice enough.” Sam said from the back of the store.” Barbara looked behind her. “Oh, so You were eavesdropping were you.” Barbara teased her husband of forty-years. ‘No, I took some feed stacking it up on the racks, outside and saw her drive up in that Toyota, noticed the Texas license plate and I could hear You women talking from outside.” Sam finished. Laughing.
‘Oh You could, could You?” She asked. Smiling to herself, while she put away the inventory sheets for the store’s supplies. “Yep, I sure could….that little gal is in for a rude awakening though I’m afraid.” “That old farm has been run down for nearly twenty years since old man McGuffey passed on and his grandson didn’t seem to take much interest in the place, why McGuffey would turn over in his grave if he knew a stranger bought the place.” Sam said.
Barbara followed her husband outside, while he smoked his pipe. She swept off the steps, enjoying the warm sunlight, there wouldn’t be too many warm days left, before Winter. They normally didn’t have too many customers at this time of day, the store served as a gasoline station, diesel stop and a deli, since they had begun serving breakfast , they had been doing well after taking over the store a few months ago when Barbara‘s father had became ill and retired.
She hadn’t sat down for a much needed break since the morning and afternoon rush. “So You think she’s in for a surprise, eh?” Barbara asked him. “I’ll say, besides…he paused looking at his wife. They say that old place is haunted and has been for years, I don’t know why that woman wanted the place.” Sam said. ‘Well those are only rumors, tales besides I doubt someone like her would believe in that nonsense of local legends and folklore and from the way she was dressed, I’m sure she won’t have any problems about having the place cleaned up and repaired.” Barbara said.
“ That is what I mean., Why would someone like her, want with an old farm with a run down Spanish house out in the middle of nowhere?” He asked. “Most people who make a move like that, are looking for change in their lives.” Barbara commented. “Change, ha!….she’ll get change alright…and more then she bargained for.” Sam said in a disgruntled voice. “Well, we don’t know her situation, Sam….and come to think of it, she said her last name is Dalton….I knew I had heard the name before….Dalton Enterprises are the people building the dam in Cullman county…
I bet they are family.” Barbara stated. “Could be.” Sam said. “But all the same, a young woman hasn’t any business alone some place she doesn’t know.” Sam stated. Barbara smiled. ‘Well, Our Troy is grown and has a family of his own, maybe we could take her under our wing.” She smiled. He put out his pipe, patting his wife. “You are always mothering everyone.” He said affectionately, then walked back into the store. Sherri arrived at the house, stopping in the drive. She could see the changes the construction crew were making, it was looking so much better.
When she saw the apartment building on the property last year, a few hundred feet in the back, away from the main house, she mentioned to the crew to work on any repairs it may need as well, she would decide whether to lease it, later. She opened the back door of her car allowing ShyAnne to get out for a much needed stretch. ‘We’re here, girl.” She said, bending down petting her dog’s head. The old house sat stately a mile away from the main road, upon the hill. Beautiful Oak trees surrounding it.
Sherri could envision horses running, playing in the back fields…she could smell the fresh air here when she caught the fragrance from the apple orchards. She would enjoy her new home. The cable company had came just as she was carrying boxes into the back door and up the staircase. The rosewood tile in the downstairs foyer, and kitchen had been replaced with new, but they could not locate the original design; a similar pattern had been installed. Sherri had decided to have the kitchen, dining and foyers done in stone and half the formal living room, installing hardwood floors, she could see the floors and oak staircase had been buffed and resealed.
Having decided on a metal roof, she enjoyed hearing the rain, matching the original sandstone color gables on the house. One of her favorite spots of the house was the upstairs balcony, from her bedroom, it overlooked the stone patio below. There had been a flower garden on the other side of the patio, Sherri could imagine it had once resembled a stately courtyard, although the attorney she had hired to assist in the legal aspects of the purchase, the original blueprints, could not be located, her father and his partner visited the old farm months before she and the real estate agency finalized the purchase.
She had contacted a Kentucky landscaping business and exterior and interior designers when she made the decision to buy the farm. They had flown to Amarillo, meeting with Sherri and her father; Cliff. She having made the decision to restore the old Spanish villa once having been a Plantation house as close to its original rustic charm and beauty with the expertise and advice from the designers of Ashton, Crawford and Lawrence. Paying the technician for the cable installation charges, there was a knock on the back door. One of the men from the construction crew. It was Hernando, his English, broken.
“Miss Dalton, Mr. Davis say, You need to come to front of house.” He stated shyly. Sherri thanked the technician for installing extra outlets in the master bedroom and another in the kitchen and family room, since she wouldn’t be using the outlet for the formal living room. “Tell, Mr. Davis I will be a minute.” She explained. Hernando opened the door and walked outside. Shyanne ran through the open door. “Hey girl, where have you been?” Bending forward, playfully patting the big dog‘s ears. “That’s a nice looking dog You have there.” The technician commented.
“Thank You, I raised her from a pup, she’s a lot of company and a good watchdog, too.” Sherri replied. “I bet.” He said. Noticing the dog watching him intently. He handed her a bill and left.She walked around to the front of the house with ShyAnne walking along beside her. Shading her eyes from the sun, she looked up on the roof. “Is there a problem, Mr. Davis?” She asked. Tony Davis looked over the side of the house. “There seems to be some structure damage to the roof, ma’am we’re doing the repairs now.” He stated.
Sherri had nearly spent more then half of her entire inheritance on the place, she hoped there weren’t too many more repairs or structure damage. She was trying to remain as positive as possible before buyer’s remorse set in. “Thank You.” She replied. The courtyard was coming along nicely…..She walked over to the stone wall, seeing the spigot, fresh water would be nice for watering the flower beds. She turned the handle, but nothing came out.
She would see if Tony would take a look at it later. An arbor had been rebuilt in place of the old one and flowers seemed to be planted every where in the courtyard, the landscapers having done such a nice job. Her cell phone rang. It was Anne. “Are you coming down?” She asked. “Oh, Great, I’ll see You tonight then.” Everything was on schedule as she had hoped it would be. Storm clouds had gathered throughout the valley. Sherri had been listening to the radio while preparing a simple but nice dinner for her best friend’s arrival that evening.
ShyAnne lay on the floor beside Sheri’s feet, watching her prepare dinner. She had set the table instead of using the island bar in the center of the kitchen. The old kitchen had been completely remodeled, everything had been demolished , the workers removed all the old and replaced every thing right down to the island with its rose and sandstone countertops new appliances, installed. Tony Davis had said he had seen the house before its remodeling and it looked like a completely different place.
He said Mr. McGuffey would have liked what she had done to the old place, bringing it back to life. He would see her tomorrow, Were his words before he had left that evening. Sherri smiled to herself, while putting the last finishing touches on the bowl of salad when the front doorbell rang. ShyAnne made an ear- splitting bark. “ShyAnne, it’s alright, Anne is here.” She reassured her dog. Anne sat at the island’s bar talking while Sherri finishing the dishes, putting them away, they made their way into the family room.
“I cannot get over how so different this place looks now, elegant yet in a rustic way… The fireplace is gorgeous…I love it, Sherri, it’s a charming old place.” “Thank You Anne, I believe I am going to be satisfied here.” She replied. “It is amazing, what You had envisioned for this old place, most would have been horrified, never believing it possible.. Anne laughed. “If the girls could see it now, they wouldn’t believe what a change, they thought You had lost your mind, when I told them You were thinking of buying the old place.” Anne smiled at her friend. Sherri laughed. “They thought I had lost my mind…..we’ll all have to get together, sometime soon.” She said. “I adore it and the courtyard was a grand idea, too.” Anne commented.
“The courtyard, had been attached to the house, from what we could tell without knowing who the original architect had been neither obtaining a copy of the original blueprints, instead the landscapers, came up with a few original ideas of their own.” She said. “Well, I adore it and I know You will be happy here.” Anne replied trying to stifle a yawn. She laughed. “I know You must be tired.” I think we should get ready for bed…, the bathroom is off to the left of Your room and there is one on the other side of the utility room here as well.”
Sherri gave her friend a short tour of the downstairs and together they walked up the stair case. “Thank You dear, I think I will call it a night and shall see you in the morning.” Anne stated. Sometime around 2:30am Sherri awoke to thunder booming. Lightning flashing through the windows. The curtains were blowing, she had forgotten to close the windows. She raised up in bed and saw ShyAnne laying on the floor beside the bed. She got up, closing the window she had left open earlier facing the courtyard, below. The other window faced the front of the house.
She thought she had caught a glimpse of movement, probably shadows from the trees. ShyAnne was alert, walking over to the window to stand beside her. Sherri reached down scratching her ear. “It’s alright, girl just a little storm coming in.” Sherri said. There was a knock on her door. She had left her door to the bedroom half open, in case Anne needed any thing during the night. “Are you alright, Anne?” Sherri asked her. There was a frightened look on her friend’s face. “Sherri, I know I heard someone walking up the stairs a few moments ago, at first I thought it was the storm, but I know I heard footsteps.” Anne said.
“That is strange, because when I walked over to close the window I thought I saw movement in the courtyard.” Sherri walked to the night stand beside her bed and reached in between the clothing she had folded earlier and brought out a pistol. “It’s alright Anne, stay here and I’ll go check.” Sherri reassured her. “I’d rather go with you.” She said. Sherri smiled. “Alright, let’s go.” She flipped on the light she had installed in the hallway leading to the staircase. The floor was cool to her bare feet as she walked down the steps into the foyer. ShyAnne ran ahead of her, to investigate the noises they could hear coming from the courtyard. Anne lay her hand on Sherri’s shoulder.
“What in the world is that!? Anne whispered. “I don’t know but we’ll soon find out. There were loud voices coming from the courtyard. It sounded like two people were having a heated discussion…they were arguing. Who would be here at 3:00am in the morning, arguing at her home? Sherri thought. She turned on the light beside the door, flooding the courtyard….Opening the door, she looked outside. There was no one there, that she could see, and whoever it was, had stopped talking. She had, had a security light installed as well and its light illuminated the entire property around the house and her car. Later, she planned to have another security light installed by the barns
She walked through the house, Anne following close behind her, they went in to the living room facing the main driveway at the front of the house, turning on the lights there, she had enough lighting installed to light up a city. Anne remarked. Once again, either one of them, could see any thing amiss….no one. There wasn’t any cars in her driveway. ‘I don’t see, any one Anne….Maybe with the wind, it sounded as though we had heard someone…I don’t know.” She stated. “I don’t either, but the wind wasn’t in the house and I know I heard someone walking on the staircase……I know I did,” Anne said.
“I know I heard shouts as well, but who knows.” Sherri stated. They walked into the kitchen, Sherri turning on a light. “Would You like something to eat, a snack maybe?” She asked Anne. “Sure, that sounds good.” She replied. “Maybe the lights scared whoever it was, away“……she looked around. “Now, where did ShyAnne go?” She asked. “She slipped out the door when You opened it.” Anne stated. Sherri was a little irritated. “I don’t want her out roaming at night in an unfamiliar place, neither she having puppies.” Sherri said. Anne sat at the island’ counter. “I can understand that, I walk Mickey in the morning and then keep her inside at night and most of the day, until I return home to take her out again for her evening exercise.” Anne stated.
Sherri added pasta and croutons to their salads, setting their plates on the countertop. She opened the refrigerator door and brought out a couple cans of soda. When there was scratching at the back door. “Must be ShyAnne.” Getting up, Sherri looked out, then opened the door. ShyAnne came bounding in, her breathing labored. Locking the door, She sat back down beside Anne, discussing what they were going to do later in the day, while eating when again they heard loud voices. ShyAnne growled and barked toward the back door. Anne and Sherri looked at one another….The noises grew louder. “I think You should call the police or get someone up here to check out what is going on…..no one has the right to come on your property at any time without your permission day or night much less come here and start arguing.”…. Anne stated.
Sherri opened her cell phone, dialing the sheriff’s department. Russ James answered. “Can I help You?” “I don’t think your location is the sheriff’s jurisdiction, ma’am but he or one of the deputies will be out, shortly.” The dispatcher stated. Shortly, in reality took thirty minutes for someone to arrive. There was a knock at the front door, with bright lights shining on the front gate. Sherri opened the main door. “Miss Dalton?” “Yes?” Sherri answered. “Ma’am I’m Tim Lowery; a Deputy for the Sheriff’s department….. “Come in please.“ Sherri asked him.
He paused, taking off his hat. “M’am, I’ve searched around Your property and haven’t seen any thing unusual…there aren’t any other vehicles here except yours and your friend’s.” Tim stated. As he looked around the house, then seeing Anne. ‘We heard loud voices, Mr. Lowery, both Sherri and I, even the dog barked, growled when we heard arguing coming from the other side of the courtyard.” Anne said. Tim’s face flushed red. “I’m not saying you didn’t ma’am all I am saying is, whoever it was, they aren’t there now…probably scared them off, I drove over nearly the entire place, I didn’t see any one.” He stated.
“Thank You, Mr. Lowery….Sherri paused. “Would You like a cup of coffee?” She asked him. “I appreciate it, m’am if it’s not any trouble.” Tim said. “No trouble in the least, I’ve made a fresh pot, already.” Sherri smiled. Noticing the way the deputy was watching her friend, either Anne was blind or still upset. All three sat at the island talking.
“You’ve done wonders for this old place, Miss Dalton…it looks like a picture on the cover of those home magazines.” Tim stated. “Thank You.” Sherri stated. “I just hope, that someone doesn’t resent the fact that Sherri bought this place.” Anne interjected. Tim had heard all of his life from locals that the old place was rumored to be haunted, but he didn’t want to be the one to tell the lady….she didn’t look the type to believe in all that folklore or psychic phenomena mumbo jumbo anyway.
But an incident when he was a fifteen year old kid made a believer out of him when he and Randy Anderson were hunting up here one weekend and both thought they saw the ghost of Old man McGuffey… Neither had ever came back….until tonight, and most who had inquired about the place, were traveling through and the locals would tell them the old farm was haunted…they would go on their way and not come back to Scarcliffe Hill. He wondered how this young woman found out about the place, when both she and her friend were originally from Amarillo Texas. She must have bought it for a low price considering its history.
“How did you find this old place, Miss Dalton, if You don’t mind my asking?” The Deputy asked. Sherri and Anne both laughed. “I have a cousin; Lisa Donovan who lives about ten miles from here, my family and I would vacation here during the Summer, and Lisa told me about the place, when Sherri and I and two other friends, visited Lisa last Summer, she brought us all up here and Sherri fell in love with the place.” Anne finished. Tim laughed. ‘Well, I hope that You enjoy being here, Miss Dalton.” He looked at Anne. ‘Do You live here in Brookshire, too m’am?” He asked Anne. Anne laughed. “Yes, I moved here a couple months before Sherri came. I work with adolescents at the Broward Detention center and bought a house at Kirby Court.” Anne said.
“We are having a barn dance at Elam’s Farm this weekend, John Elam is my Uncle, I hope to see You ladies there.” Tim said. “Mrs. Evans at the store in town was telling me yesterday, that there was going to be a dance as well as telling me the town’s itinerary for the rest of the month.” Sherri said smiling. Tim laughed. “Yes, Mrs. Evans is a good woman and knows all the events and happenings around this small town.” Tim replied. Sherri nodded. “I like her, she is a nice lady.’ She said. “Yes she is.” He replied, then getting up.
“Well, ladies, you both need to try to get a few hours rest, I don’t think whoever it was will be back and I need to go, I’ll drive around the property one more time on my way out, thank you for the coffee and good conversation, hope to see you both at the dance this Friday.” Tim said goodbye and left. The Sheriff’s deputy had ideas of his own regarding the old farm. Sherri was thoughtful after the deputy left. Tim Lowery wasn’t telling them everything. Sherri and Anne decided to lay back down for a couple hours. Nothing else happened the rest of the week…. Until that night at the barn dance……….
To Be Continued……… in Part II |
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| Alias | Date | Reply |
| Hagatha |
10/30/2005 2:31:00 PM |
Cool! Well, scary cool. I love the dog's name and the mixture --(wish I could have one Sis.) Anyway, Hope to read the next part before the dark comes. :) |
| Rawhide |
10/30/2005 2:47:00 PM |
Good start can't wait for part2... |
| ky_bluebird |
10/30/2005 2:48:00 PM |
Hi Penny Sis...I am glad You like this part...I miss my Germna shepherds, too....Just get ready to hold on to Your Seat for the next Supernatural., weird wacky wild twists and turns.......Wes Craven hasn't got nothing on The things that happened at Scarcliffe Hill!!.....*lol* ~winks~....~Love and Hugs~....T/C |
| ky_bluebird |
10/30/2005 2:49:00 PM |
Thanks Rawhide I am glad You liked this part....Hope you enjoy part II Moreso....T/C |
| Bad Co |
10/30/2005 3:39:00 PM |
Kentucky Bluebird :) Great writing, lady. Love the dialogue and I absolutely adore the name "ShyAnne." Thanks for the fine read and Write on..... |
| ky_bluebird |
10/30/2005 4:22:00 PM |
Thank You Kronk My Brother I have sure missed You here at USM., Along with everyone else I am sure...and it's So Great to see You Back!....I Once had a female German Shepherd, I had named, "ShyAnne".. She was "shy" when she was a puppy, but meaner then a junk yard dog after she grew up *lol* and she was from parents whom their owner owned a junk yard and he had gave her to me...*lol*....Glad You enjoyed this part....~Hugs~....Take/ Care |
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