Bonanza: "Broken Promises."

Chapter Two

A few days later, Alice comes riding up to the Ponderosa in a buggy with little Sara Marie in the seat next to her. She pulls the reins on the horse to stop when Ben Cartwright walks out the door and sees Alice. He smiles as he says. "Oh, Alice." "Hello Ben." She says as she smiles back at him. She starts to get up as Ben goes around to help her. Alice speaks up and tells him. "It's alright, Ben, I can manage." He places his hands on his hips as he responds. "Well, that may be so, but that also happens to be my grandchild you are carrying in there, so I want to make sure you're not overdoing it." She gives him an annoyed smirk and then remarks. "Now I know where Joe gets it from." He gives a soft chuckle as he holds his hands out to her and she places her hands on his shoulders as he lifts her up out of the buggy and sets her back down again on the ground. "There you are, my dear." Ben then reaches over and picks little Sara up as he says. "My, my, my.." He takes her in his arms as he then says. "You just keep getting bigger and bigger every time I see you. Has she learned to say grandpa yet?" "Not yet." She replies with a smile. "Oh, well, she will, give it time." He then asks. "So what brings you by here this beautiful morning, huh?" "Well, I was wondering if Clara could watch Sara while I make a run into town." Alice tells him. "Oh, well, I'm actually going into town myself with Jamie, you're welcome to tag along with us." Ben says. She smiles as she responds. "I'd like that." "Good." He hands Sara back over to her as he then tells her. "Why don't we head on inside and tell Clara, I'm sure she won't mind looking after her while we're gone." "Okay." Alice replies as Ben places his hand on her back and they head inside the house.

A little while later, Ben, Alice, and Jamie ride into Virginia City. Ben pulls the buggy to a stop as Jamie stops his horse. Ben then turns to Alice seated next to him and tells her. "I have some business I need to take care of while we're here, but I shouldn't be too long." He then steps down off of the buggy as Alice responds. "Oh, that's alright. I have a few things I need to pick up at the Mercantile anyway." "That's fine, we'll meet back here in an hour." He then helps Alice down off of the buggy as he says to Jamie. "Jamie, why don't you go along with Alice and keep her company while I head over to the livery." "But, Pa, I wanted to take a look at that new rifle that Mr. Hopkins got in." Jamie tells him in a disappointed tone. "Well, that can wait, that rifle will still be there when you get back." Ben tells him with a small smirk. "Oh, alright." Jamie says. Ben then places his hand over Alice's shoulder and smiles as he tells her. "I'll see you both back here in an hour." She nods and Ben heads over to the livery while Alice heads over to the Mercantile with Jamie.

Alice and Jamie come up to the Mercantile and Alice starts to head inside when she notices that Jamie has stopped. She turns around to him and says. "Jamie?" He looks up at her as she then asks him. "Aren't you coming inside?" "No, I'll just wait out here." He replies. "Are you sure?" She asks. "Yeah, you go ahead." He tells her. She smirks and then comes up to him as she says to him. "Jamie. If that rifle means that much to you then go." Jamie perks up as he says. "Really? Ar..are you sure?" "Yes, it's fine, you can go." She says. Jamie smiles big as he tells her. "Thanks!" He turns around and starts to go but then stops and turns back around to her and says with a bit of guilt in his voice. "Yeah, but..well, are you sure you'll be alright, I feel kinda bad about leaving you here alone and all." She smiles as she tells him. "Yeah, I'll be fine." She rubs his shoulder. "Go." Jamie smiles as he replies. "Thanks, Alice. I won't be long, I promise, I'll come right back." "Okay." Alice says and Jamie turns around but then stops again and asks her. "You won't tell Pa, will ya?" "No, I'm the one letting you go, remember? Your secret is safe with me." Alice tells him. He smiles as he replies. "Right. Well, thanks." He then turns and walks off and Alice grins and shakes her head as she watches him go and then heads into the Mercantile.

Meanwhile, Rusty and Gunner along with Tom are in the back alley of the Virginia City Bank. Rusty says to them. "Now, you remember the plan. We wait until noon and then we go in, get the money and split." Tom then speaks up and says. "You promise no one gets hurt?" Rusty rotates the cylinder of his revolver and replies. "Sure. Just as long as no one causes any trouble." He then nods the gun towards Tom as he says. "That goes for you too." He then points the gun towards the alleyway as he says. "Now why don't you go keep watch while Gun and me get ready, huh?" Tom doesn't respond as he walks off to the front of the bank. Rusty then turns to Gunner and asks him. "You got the dynamite?" Gunner grins as he shows him the crate. "Right here." Rusty chuckles and then remarks. "Ole Tommy boy's in for a big surprise..big surprise." Gunner gives a soft chuckle.