A/N: So here we are, another chapter. Thanks to TruckeeGal for the reminder. I hope you like this.
Over the next few days, the family slept intermittently. They woke long enough to eat and wash and perhaps enjoy a smidgeon of fresh air but otherwise, they were a slumberous quintet. Rhett took the time to make the journey back to the original settlement, to find the man the boys called, 'Uncle Hunter.'
He began at the most popular venue the settlement had to offer, the Saloon. One of the men directed him through a series of doors, expecting that the weary traveller was after some comfort. Rhett did nothing to dissuade the illusion. That sort of reputation served well in back waters such as these and it would only hinder his survival if he gave his true reasons away.
The barman stopped to knock at the door before him and it opened inwards. He stepped aside to allow Rhett entrance. He found himself in a large room, with a make shift bar and several girls in varying states of weariness. There were the old-hands and naïve youngsters.
The madam, waited for him to make his choice.
"They're all broken in, if that's what you're wondering. I won't bother with virgins. They're too much hassle."
Rhett nodded, seemingly in agreement.
He stepped closer to the bar and asked for a whiskey. The woman eyed him strangely. "You're not one of them queers are you? We don't want your sort here."
Rhett stilled the urge to laugh, doubting the appropriateness.
"I can assure you I'm not. But I'm not here for a woman, I'm after some information. Can you tell me if there's a man by the name of Hunter in these parts?"
The woman shook her head. "Here's your drink, pay up and get out. Katie, show this man the door."
The woman called Katie had only finished with her last client and had ushered him out the door, hoping to catch a drink before she was back on duty. She found herself looking at a man of undeniable quality, whose suit, though dusty and worn could not hide the richness of material. She found herself being assessed much like He had and braced herself for action.
"This way sir."
Rhett found that they weren't going back the way they came.
"I've sent someone for your waggon."
He followed the girl that reminded him uncomfortably of Scarlett through a door and out the back, where a man stood with his horse and waggon. The men stared at each other and Rhett was reminded of the Barbeque at the Wilkes' plantation, where a young girl drew him irrecoverably into her life.
This particular man had wanted to shoot him for daring to talk against the Confederacy and predicting its downfall. "You must be Hunter."
Hunter recalled the stranger as the smooth Charlestonian who disrupted the BBQ with his treacherous talk of the Confederates. "You're Captain Butler."
"You have five minutes."
Both had forgotten the girl standing in the doorway. They watched her re-enter the building.
Rhett caught Hunter's eye. "I thought you'd like to know that I've found Scarlett. The train had broken down but I've secured lodgings for her and the boys."
Hunter nodded. "Then what?"
He had a suspicion that the man wasn't talking about the future plans. "I'll bring them back to South. Atlanta or Savannah, whatever she wants."
"That's a lot of effort you're going to." Hunter paused as his famous temper battled against its restraints. "And what are you getting out of it?"
"Nothing. I'm helping out someone in need."
"You needn't think you'll get anything out of her. Scarlett may be brash but she's a lady at heart and if you're thinking you'll get her in your bed for gratitude then you're mistaken."
Rhett's fists clenched and his mouth drew a line. "I would be very careful what you say. If it weren't for the fact that you were also of help to the lady, I'd shoot you right where you're standing." He paused for effect. "I have no intentions of disrespecting her, not that it's any of your business."
They stared each other down, neither willing to give way.
Hunter scowled. "Scarlett's been through enough, so you know. You'd better not bring her more trouble."
Rhett grunted in agreement and their tempers were soothed for the moment.
Aware that time was short, Rhett chose to probe into the marriage.
"How bad was it?"
"It wasn't easy for her. The man is a cold fish with more high morals than a Catholic priest."
"What do you mean?"
"He wouldn't lift a finger with the boys. He didn't need to, he said. Not until they were old enough to be of use to him."
"Was he violent?"
"Not physically, no."
In some ways that was worse. Having experienced the coolness of parental disinterest, Rhett could understand how difficult the boys had had it. Clayton was too young to comprehend but William and Richard weren't. He had grown very fond of the boys. They were easy to love as they gave their affection quite carelessly.
He chose his next words carefully, aiming to reassure Hunter. "I'm helping Scarlett because I love her. I have for years." He hadn't meant to say that, though the relief he felt at his words being in the open was immense.
Hunter eyed him sceptically. Rhett took a breath. "I'm not going to force myself on her, or into her life. I'll be there for her in any way she lets me. If she lets me. I don't give a damn if you believe me or not. Now, what about you? Is there no way for you to go back home?"
It took a few seconds for Hunter to wrap his head around the notion that this Scallywag was in love with Scarlett O'Hara for him to realise what he said. "I'm a wanted man, Butler. I can't go home and have my family lose me all over again." He nodded to the building. "I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. I'll do alright."
"What if you were to head to Texas. A man can easily make a living there if he has the smarts."
Hunter gave a grin of self-deprecation. "I never was one for books."
"I'm talking life-smarts."
"I've got plenty of them."
Rhett reached into his wallet and took out a stash of bills. He offered it to the man before him. "Take it. From what the boys tell me, you didn't have it easy at their place."
Hunter snorted.
"Take the money and let me have the chance to tell Scarlett that you made it out of here."
Hunter sighed and took the money, knowing there was no other choice. He bid his benefactor farewell and wished Scarlett all the luck in the world.
XxX
Scarlett was already awake when Rhett made it back. After a quick wash and change of clothing, he went over to her room.
Scarlett eyed him, noting the exhaustion that seeped out of his pores. The boys were finishing their breakfast and they called for Rhett to join them. He took advantage of the leftovers, ensuring Scarlett also had a plate and it was only after the food was finished that he could properly look at her.
"You're looking better."
She gave a small smile. Rhett had planned to take the boys out, so that Scarlett could rest, but found himself fading out and falling asleep.
He woke much later to find himself still in the chair.
A soft voice reached his ears. "We tried to wake you." Scarlett stood beside him.
"I must have dozed off."
She took a seat beside him. His words to Hunter weighed heavy in his mind. Her hand rested on the arm of his chair and he itched to hold it in his own.
Neither said anything, unsure of what to say. Both were articulate creatures but at this very moment, silence was the only solution.
XxX
The next morning after breakfast, he offered to take the older boys out. He found the boys some suitable clothes and made them promise not to tell their mother the price. The boys had not had anything new in a long time. Money had been tight and there were other necessities that came first. Rhett also ordered a new dress for Scarlett. He resented the fact that society demanded the colour be black but felt it would be better not to make a fuss about it. He left the parcels with Mammy, who was also the recipient of new clothing.
Their routine continued for another week or so, before he was advised that repairs on the train would take longer than anticipated. The best thing for them all to do was take a cart to the next town, one hundred miles away, where they could be connected. During this time, Rhett had escorted Scarlett out, after admitting she wanted to see the outside world.
"You're not missing much, my dear."
She shrugged. "I don't care. I'm tired of staying in all the time."
He noted her pallor had become rosier and her eyes sparkled a little.
"That's my brave girl. Come on, I'll show you the town and you can see for yourself how small it is."
Scarlett made no complaints of any nature and if it weren't for the mourning garb, she would have found the excursion quite pleasant. Rhett was a good companion to have and the boys loved showing her the 'sights.'
When the time came to depart, Scarlett did her best to booster the boys and arrangements were made, with Rhett acting as their driver. He saw to it that they had enough provisions and that they were as comfortable as they could be in the waggon.
By night, Rhett set up a camp by the fireside and left Scarlett and the family have the waggon. Sometimes the boys wanted to join the man as they were growing used to his company.
By day, he drove the horses as far as they would go and politely refused Scarlett's offer to take a turn.
"Even I can drive a horse."
"I'm sure you can, my dear, but as I'm here, why don't you leave me to do the work."
Mammy grumbled that the sun was bleaching her lamb's skin to ruin. There were often short quarrels, where Scarlett refused to see that those things mattered any more.
The boys were used to the quarrels and paid no mind. Rhett found the scenes enlightening.
By the time they reached the town, Rhett had a full-grown beard. There was trouble when he went to acquire lodging. There was only one room available. He resigned himself to taking the waggon and leaving the room to Scarlett. When he enquired about the train, they found that it would be another few days before another arrived heading South.
Over the next few days, Rhett took his turn in the lodging, to bathe. He decided to forgo shaving when William declared it made him look like a pirate. He kept the boys entertained with tales of his past. He found it fascinating to see Scarlett with her baby. He understood that their lifestyle had not been easy but the boys hadn't suffered for it. The youngest son was rarely out of his mother's arms. She'd called him Hunter, after their 'Uncle'.
That evening, he told Scarlett that he had met with Hunter and hoped he had been able to get away.
"I'm glad. He deserves better than he's got."
"He said the same about you."
She eyed him warily. Clearly ill at ease for the debt of kindness, she was reticent. Of course, someone else would say she was worn out, but it was more than that. The fire he loved about her had been taken from her eyes and there was little of the spark left.
She was verbally grateful for the things he provided, though he could tell she was mentally preparing herself for the time he called in the debt.
