The Promise.
As Adam Cartwright stood and looked out over the lake he felt a pang of regret, not for him self or the man for whom he had just returned from his funeral but for the poor mans family, which now some how some way had to keep on going, without him, and Adam knew what he had to do, he had to keep a promise made to a dying man.
Tom Anderson came to this part of the county from the deep south but he never would reveal just where he had come from, he had worked for the Cartwright's for about 3 years when he met Kimberly, the daughter of a local small rancher over near Carson city, and as Tom had said its been heaven from the word get-go over the next 5 years Kim had giving birth to 3 kids ,Elizabeth, Tom Jr,and little Arron,who was born with a short leg which made Tom work all the harder to save up money for a good Dr , in San Francisco.
Adam would you like some more coffee or cake? No thanks Kim I am stuffed and if I don't eat supper Hop Sing will have my head, Kim when things calm down I need to speak with you about some things, Tom wanted me to make sure you and the kids were taken care of, so he made some provisions for you and the kids, and there is a question about the ranch hands and the cattle which I will run in with mine and I will bring you the money from the sell of the cattle, when the round up is over, as far as the ranch hands are concerned they will answer to me, I'll see they get paid and are taken care of, Tom also made arrangements for school for Beth back east, she is smart, much too smart for the teachers here, so when you get ready to talk just send for me and I will come.
Adam do me a favor ok,Kim looked down at the gold band on her hand and turned it slowly, I am thinking about going to Boston, I would like for you to find a buyer for the ranch, or even some one to rent it on a yearly basis, say 1.000 dollars, but why Kim I don't understand, everyone you know is here, you know you and the kids will be cared for, I just don't understand, Adam I miss Jim every time I look around I see him, and I need some down time, time to heal, he was sick for 2 long years, toward the end he had gotten mean and resentful and took everything out on me, please Adam please understand, say you will help me, Adam reached out and pulled Kim to him and kissed her very tenderly, I understand, this place will be here no matter how long it takes and so will I.
I made arrangements to go back east in 2 months that will give you time to find a renter, Kim I am your renter I will deposit 2 years worth of rent in your account on Monday ok. Adam Cartwright you are an amazing man, I know I'm told that all the time, well I got to go or Hop Sing will have me for dinner, He turned and walked to the door and walked over to his old friend, put one foot in the stirrup and stepped up, turned and tipped his hat to the lady he had sworn to protect, and said to himself I'm Trying Jim, I trying to keep the promise.
