Happy Sunday all - hope you enjoy what's left of your weekend.

Chapter 36

Standing outside, Scarlett was torn between running down to the train station or going back to Tara. She felt a tap on her shoulder that was both as light as a feather and deliberate. She instantly pirouetted around hoping it was Rhett, but she found herself standing face to face with Steven. She glanced momentarily into his warm brown eyes and was drawn to his sweet expression, which was a breath of fresh air compared to Rhett's moodiness.

He studied Scarlett for a moment before he spoke to see if he could detect what she was feeling. He had always been attracted to her, but he didn't want to make the wrong move even though his opportunity to do so was very ripe. Although he would have loved the chance to be with Scarlett, he thought perhaps he should suggest the idea that she try and reconcile with Rhett so she could decide for herself if it was worthy of pursing.

"Scarlett, I don't mean to bother you, but I saw you were upset and I wanted to check on you to see if there was anything I could do to help you."

Scarlett wiped away a tear before she responded. "Thank you, Steven. I appreciate your concern. I suppose India must be very proud of herself. She's always been jealous of my marriage to Rhett and now she's succeeded in tearing it apart for good. I suppose I'll be heading back to Tara soon. I don't care if I ever set foot in Atlanta again and I know the store will be in good hands with you and Ashley here managing things."

"Scarlett, I hope you're not offended that I happened to overhear what happened to go on between you and Rhett. Where do you suppose he went off to?"

"I'm sure he's down at the train station. He's probably going to be heading back to Asheville. He seems to think it's some sort of Shangri-La he can escape to where all his problems will melt away."

"Well…it's not for me to meddle and take sides in a marital dispute, but perhaps you should speak with him before he leaves just to see if there is anyway you two can resolve this before either one of you has any long lasting regrets."

Scarlett stood there for a few moments absorbing his advice. Her pride and self respect had been worn paper thin by now and she was tiring of walking on egg shells around Rhett, always worrying about what would set him off next. "I suppose it couldn't hurt, but I am NOT going to beg him to stay. Would you mind taking me there, Steven?"

"It would be my pleasure, Scarlett. Driver!" he yelled out to an approaching Hansom cab. The driver stopped immediately and they were on their way to the station.

When they arrived at the station, Steven told Scarlett he would wait for her in the carriage while she looked for Rhett. He also told her that if she came outside with Rhett, he would just tell the driver to leave so Rhett wouldn't be upset about Scarlett being escorted to the station by another man.

She nodded in agreement with this suggestion while the driver helped her out of the carriage and then headed towards the depot.