An Imperfect Faith

He stared down at a blank sheet of paper, rubbing his furrowed forehead, trying to conjure up words like a genie from a magic lamp. He wasn't known for being a man of many words. Well he had put if off long enough, Time to get it done. You'd think for a dollar help wanted ad, it would actually include someone to help write it. He had to admit to himself, Serita was probably right. writing this thing was her idea. She usually took care of writing letters for him or for that matter anything that required more than a quick note. Most he would do is add his signature as needed. Serita made sure he read everything first. Then after all the corrections he'd take the finished correspondence and mail them at the postmaster's office in Nightshade. Not that there were many letters to send. Over the years he relied on Serita to organize everything from legal papers to property and livestock documents. She insisted that he do his own writing for this situation though. Yep, Serita had saved him a lot of headache when it came to paperwork. But Sam was alone now. Left to the goings on of his own life. His housekeeper, Serita Dalton, had left the ranch going on a month now. When her husband Tom died of consumption over a year ago, Serita had stayed to continue on as Sam's housekeeper. At this moment she was surely already settled following a two day train trip out of Nightshade to Kansas City. Serita's sister had sent for her when she learned of Tom's death. Her sister, a widow herself, as having a hard time of it, so Serita packed up and made her way back to Kansas, back to her own family. she had been Sam's housekeeper for over 15 years. She was being called on to help out with her own family now. Sam depended on her and Tom to help him keep the ranch organized. And what a cook. Serita was the best cook in the county. Tom used to tell her that if she cooked dirt he would ask for seconds. Sam vouched for it. The ranch house was always clean and neat, just as Sam preferred it. It was a comfort to Sam. His home. Serita and Tom were responsible for making it his home.