Hope you all are having a wonderful week! Praying that I'll get more time to write soon.

CHAPTER 77

Gradually, the shadowy clouds that Scarlett noticed earlier filled the sky enough to conceal the harsh saffron glow from the afternoon sun and a more pleasant, muted light illuminated the atmosphere. As Rhett held the door open for Scarlett to enter the tavern, a gusty breeze tossed her blue velvet bonnet off her head. As Rhett caught it in mid air, he could hear Fiona giggling as she approached them and announced, "Well, well look what the wind just blew in!"

"Very droll Fi, I see you still have your sense of humor," he responded with a beaming smile. "I'm in a marvelous mood today and it just got better with that hilarious remark you just made."

"'Tis lovely to receive this visit from you when you're in such jolly good spirits. Please have a seat at any table you fancy and I will go fetch Paddy so you can fill us in on the secret to your enormous happiness. Perhaps you could spread some of it around and help Paddy become a little cheerier as he has become a bit of a grouch mouse lately."

Rhett drew a sigh as he heard the news. "Maybe we should come back another day then if Paddy's mind is preoccupied with something troubling."

"Oh, please don't! He'll perk up when he sees you all have come."

"We'll stay, but only under once condition, Fi" Rhett replied reluctantly.

"I'm not sure if I can abide by your condition unless you tell me what it is," Fiona replied honestly.

"That you let us know why he has been such a sourpuss lately. I haven't known Paddy long, but he's always been quite good-humored in our presence."

"He's not happy because I've me family coming from Ireland to help out around here right before the baby comes."

"That doesn't sound like something that should upset him," Scarlett interjected.

"No, but I guess I can feel for him. These are my brother Roland and his wife Sarah. I would have hoped others would have come instead, but these are the only two who would come from either side of the family. It just so happens they gave Paddy quite a headache about him taking me away from Ireland and put so many bad thoughts into my head about it, I nearly left him over it. Plus they have quite a bit more money than us and me brother has a way of reminding Paddy every time he sees him."

"Oh, if there was some other way," Scarlett remarked sympathetically. "Maybe Suellen and Careen could step into help."

"That's a nice thought, Scarlett but they're newlyweds and I don't think they'd want to be away from their grooms so early on in their marriage. Unfortunately, this kind of help can only be imposed on family whether we like them or not."

Just then, a middle aged gentleman from South Carolina, who was staying at the inn, approached their table and apologized for listening in on their conversation and offered Fiona a proposition. He had a son who'd recently wed and was looking to become established in Atlanta and wondered if they could come and help out in exchange for room and board.

Fiona responded with interest, but she explained that both she and Paddy would need to discuss this matter with him privately. He responded he understood and agreed to meet with them together in the morning.

After the gentleman departed, Paddy appeared from the kitchen looking miserable until he spied Rhett and Scarlett seated at the table by the window.

"Saints be praised!" he cried out enthusiastically. "You two are a sight for me sore eyes! I'm sure me missus has been telling you our woes!"

"Our woes may be over, Mr. O'Hara. I just talked to a gentleman who would like to talk to us in the morning about his son and daughter-in-law coming to help us take care of the inn."

"Oh good heavens, that's the best news to fall on me ears in a while. I doubt we'll be too fussy about whoever they'll be. Almost wished we didn't have to wait until the morning to hear about them."

"Well, we do and in the meantime we have guests who were kind enough to drop by and pay us a visit. As you can see, they're in splendid spirits so I'm dying to find out why," Fiona commented with great curiosity.

"Rhett is taking me up to the mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. We leave in just a few days!" Scarlett responded enthusiastically.

"Oh you lucky, lucky lass! What I wouldn't give to get out of this heat, but even if I could, t'wouldn't be possible to go because I'm too far along with child. Rhett, you are a saint to be taking Scarlett up there while she can still travel, " Fiona said admiringly.

"That he is!" Paddy agreed.

"Well, now that you've come towards supper time and this is Tuesday, I insist you both stay and have some shepherd's pie with us and tell us all about your plans for your mountain trip," Fiona offered.

"You don't have to twist my arm, Fiona. I've never had a better shepherd pie than yours and we'd be delighted to talk about our impending travel plans, " Rhett responded enthusiastically.

"Well, then what are we waiting for? I'll depart for the kitchen and promptly return with the shepherd's pie and then for dessert I'll serve me famous apple cake!

The O'Haras and the Butlers were having such an enjoyable evening together before they all knew it the hours had melted away, making them all wish they had more time together. Scarlett suggested that Fiona and Paddy join them for breakfast on the day they'd be leaving for Franklin. They both eagerly accepted her invitation and bid each other a good night.