Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the orignial Cartwright characters. Only thing I can lay claim to is the story line and the 'extra characters'
I also want to thank my online friend for all the help she's given me when it comes to Australia.
To Dance Again
Chapter Seven (Promises)
Scene Thirteen
Children's laughter could heard through out every of inch ground surrounding the church yard. Adam sat with Carolyn, her father and Justin as the rest of the family mingled and visited the other people living in Broken Arrow. The fact that Jessica and Blake had traveled from Sydney to Broken Arrow-and brought the other two Kelly children with them made the day great-announcing they were to have a child of their own made it better still.
"So, you two realize that it's all over Australia you are courting, right?" Justin teased Adam and his sister.
While Carolyn shot him an annoyed look Adam only chuckled, "Somehow I don't think all of Australia is really talking about us...that much." he added the last two words just to get Carolyn's reaction. He got it.
"The two of you are impossible!" Carolyn 'scolded' the two.
"They may be exaggerating a wee bit but," Mr. Kelly too was laughing, "but, according to Mrs. Brown they are close." he winked at his daughter.
Mrs. Jones was an elderly woman who made everyone's life miserable if she could; mostly by saying anything or everything that came out of her mouth. Half of it was lies and the other half you couldn't believe. The woman turned Carolyn's stomach, "Somehow, I doubt I'm going to worry much about what good old Mrs. Brown has to say."
Mr. Kelly stood up and smiled, "Somehow, I figured that. I'm going to walk around for a bit."
After the man had left Adam shot Justin a look that shouted 'Don't you have something to do?' Justin wasn't blind. He stood up and, making up an excuse, walked away.
"I thought they'd never leave. Let's walk," Adam stood up and offered Carolyn his hand. When she hesitated he only shook his head, "What's the matter? Don't you trust me?" Besides, there was always someone who 'happened' to be around. He was sure that part was Mr. Kelly's doings. He had learned that, while Mr. Lee may have faults, misjudging Carolyn's father was not one of them. The man was downright protective of all his children.
'It's not you I'm afraid of' Carolyn thought but only took his hand and stood up. Slowly they walked hand in hand around the church yard. No one even attempted to approach them. If anything, more than one tongue was wagging behind their backs. They didn't care though.
"Father says you're moving out to one of the shacks near the mine," Carolyn had felt her heart drop when Mr. Kelly had told her the news, "Why can't you keep staying where you are at? No one is bothering you—unless you happen to leave your door open." She started laughing softly.
Adam jokingly shook his finger at her, "Was it you or Justin who let that frog in my room yesterday?"
Her only response was to shrug her shoulders, "Not going to say; besides, you haven't answered my question."
Adam stepped behind a couple of trees and pulled Carolyn to him, he tilted her head up a bit and lowered his voice, "I once promised you I'd behave like a gentleman so; that being the case? If you can't figure that one out young lady you're not as smart as I had you being." He then took a chance and gave her small kiss.
Carolyn laid her head against his chest and sighed, "Why did you have to break down my walls?"
Adam grinned but his only answer was to wrap his arm around her shoulders and lead her back toward the church social.
Scene Fourteen
Justin watched as Carolyn stood by the fence watching Adam ride away. He walked up beside her. He could tell she was having an extremely hard time with the move. Somehow, deep inside, he knew the two needed to wind up married.
"It's not like he's leaving Australia, sis," Justin let his arms hang over the fence, "even if he did? It's like father and Jim says-'that man is not going far without her'. We both know that to be true. He has it bad for you. You have him bad for him too."
Carolyn closed her eyes as other memories raced across her mind. Slowly she opened them, "I'm afraid Justin. What if something happens to him like it did to Mitchell? I don't think I could take it."
She had tried to push the fear out of her mind but it kept creeping forward and pressing itself upon her mind.
Justin turned his head and looked at the scenery before him, 'Sis, there's a reason for everything. You just got to believe that. I pray like mad nothing happens to Adam. The two of you belong together. I want you to promise me something. In fact, for father's sake and Jim's? Make it to them to."
Carolyn raised her eyebrows, "And just what promise are the three of you wanting me to make so badly?"
Justin smiled, "No matter what happens in life; marry Adam if he asks you to? Look I know you're scared to death of what the future might bring but that is no way to live. Unless the man dies then for goodness sake! Don't let him get away! No matter what!"
Looking upon her now sixteen year old brother, Carolyn didn't like the feeling she was getting. It was as if he, Jim and their father knew something she didn't. That was one thing that would drive her up a wall any day...the feeling someone knew something and was hiding it. Only, none of them ever hid anything that important from her; at least she couldn't see them doing such a thing.
"If he actually asks me to marry him how can the three of you doubt what my answer would be?" Carolyn gently chastised her brother.
"We can't give you any reason for our request, sis; still, please, just promise us you won't let things in life stop you from marrying him." Justin hated it only the truth was when 'trouble' was coming he always seem to get 'a feeling' beforehand. He'd never confessed that to anyone; still, he got them. He was getting that feeling now and that meant trouble was coming their way. When he'd talked to his brother and father he hadn't told them the last part-just of his fear she might run due to fear.
The fact that her brother was sincere in his request was clearer to her than the noon day sun. She thought on Adam and how she really-deep down inside really-felt about the man. "All right, Justin. Go tell father and Jim the three of you don't have anything to worry about only," she pointed her finger at him, "HE has to be the one asking WILLINGLY..NOT with any extra help."
Justin started laughing, "Hey, I'm into pulling pranks...nothing else."
