Chapter 13
A month passed and Scarlett did not hear from Rhett again. She assured Katie that he did not know who she was and that thankfully she was fairly sure he had gone back to Charleston. Scarlett never let Katie know how Rhett had broken her heart once again. What Scarlett didn't realize was that it was apparent to Katie that she still loved Rhett very much. And it hurt Katie to know that her father could still hurt Scarlett that deeply.
Shortly after the opening of Duncan's shop, Scarlett and Katie went back to Tara. But after only a few weeks there Scarlett found herself missing the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. The quiet stillness of Tara gave her too much time to think.
So one afternoon she asked Katie as they were taking a walk "Katie, how would you feel about moving back to Atlanta?"
Katie gave her an odd expression then said "You mean now?"
Scarlett nodded "Yes now and me finding house for us, well at least until you get married next year. I miss city life. And I want to be close to you when you and Duncan marry. If that would not bother you any?"
Katie hugged Scarlett "Why would it bother me? Oh, Mother yes I'd love to move back. I know it's only six months until Duncan and I are married, but I miss him so. And well I didn't know how I was going to make it without you being near by once we were married."
Scarlett pulled back from Katie "Of course, I really should discuss it with Wade and Ella. I don't want them to think I'm abandoning them.again" she said the last word so quietly that Katie almost didn't hear it.
Katie took her Mother's hand "I'm sure they will understand. Anyway we're only be a short train ride away."
And so over the next few days Scarlett did discuss it with Wade and Ella. They both understood. Wade had seen how lonely his mother had seen. And Katie had confided in Wade about their Mother and her father seeing each other in Atlanta. Wade knew how deeply Rhett had hurt his Mother. Of course he knew it had partly been her fault too. But still he hated to see her so down so maybe city life would be just what she needed.
Wade discussed his thoughts with Ella and she agreed. So when Scarlett approached them about her idea, they both wholeheartedly agreed. With one condition though, which was that she and Katie return to Tara for Christmas.
So with just a little over a month to find a house, get settled and then return to Tara, Scarlett and Katie stepped on the ten a.m. train bound for Atlanta.
The next month flew by. Scarlett found a two story house just two blocks over from Ashley and Harriet's house. She and Katie had decided that they did not need the grand style home they were use too. Of course Scarlett could have purchased any home in Atlanta or had any style built, but what she wanted was a home for Katie and herself. A warm friendly place for Wade and Ella and their families to visit. And that's just what she had found.
Scarlett was quite pleased with her accomplishments as they headed back to Tara for Christmas. 'Christmas at Tara' Scarlett thought as the miles past between the Atlanta and the Jonesboro stations. It had been so many years since she had spent Christmas with her family.
She knew that Katie was extremely excited about her first Christmas with her family. Especially since Duncan would be joining them at Tara in a couple of days.
Katie had every right to be excited, for that year Christmas at Tara as grand event as the old plantation had ever seen.
Will and Wade had found an eight foot tree and brought it into the parlor. That night everyone, including Duncan who had arrived the day before, helped decorate the enormous tree.
Then after singing Christmas Carols to Suellen's piano accompaniment they gathered around the tree to pass out gifts.
Scarlett had racked her brain trying to think of gifts for all her family. She wanted this Christmas to be so special.
After everyone had opened their gifts, Wade came over to the foot stool his Mother was sitting on. She stood up and looked at her eldest child "Wade did you like all your presents, dear?"
"Yes Mother I did. I received many nice things. But Ella and I have decided that having you back and having Katie as a sister is the best gift we could have ever asked for".
Scarlett stood there fighting desperately not to shed the tears she felt welling up in her eyes. "Oh Wade" she said as she hugged her son. "I'm so glad to be home to." Pulling away and looking up at him "You and Ella have to promise me that you will come to Atlanta often to see me."
"We will Mother" she heard Ella answer. Ella then walked up and took her Mother's hand "But you have to promise us that you'll remember that our doors are always open to a visit from you too."
Scarlett smiled a genuine heart felt smile "My dear Ella that is a promise I know I can keep".
New Year's Eve found Duncan, Katie and Scarlett back in Atlanta sharing it with Ashley, Harriet, Beau and his wife, Abagail and Billy and his wife, Elizabeth.
Scarlett had insisted that it would be a perfect housing warming party for her new house.
'Everyone's having such good time' Scarlett thought as she brought the champagne from the cellar. 'Now if only I didn't have to face midnight alone.'
But she did. As everyone else kissed their significant other at the stroke of twelve, Scarlett was left to think of how much she missed having a special someone. Then she corrected herself. Not just A significant someone, for no one could take the place of Rhett. But knowing how he had acted the last time they say each other and that he had a family, Scarlett resigned herself to being alone for the rest of her life.
Katie walking up to her brought her out of her thoughts "Happy New Year's, Mother" Katie said as she kissed her Mother on the cheek.
"Happy New Year to you, my darling Katie" Scarlett said as she hugged her daughter tight.
They both turned as they heard someone 'clinking' a champagne glass. It was Ashley "Everyone get your glass. I want to make a toast to the lady of the evening, Mrs. Scarlett O'Hara, for giving us such a wonderful party and for being such a wonderful, Mother, Aunt and friend".
Everyone shouted 'here, here' as Scarlett just shook her head. Ashley then made his way over to her and Katie. "Katie do you mind, I'd like to speak to your Mother alone for a moment?"
"Of course not, Uncle Ashley. Happy New Year" Katie said as she kissed Ashley's cheek then made her way across the room to Duncan's side.
Ashley turned to look at her "Scarlett, you did a wonderful job raising her."
"Thank you Ashley. I tried. I tried to make up for..well Rhett not being there."
Ashley noted the sadness in Scarlett's voice. He hated that Rhett could still hurt her after all these years. Hoping to brighten her spirits he spoke again "Seeing that it's a new year, well I have a new business proposition for you."
Scarlett raised an eyebrow "And what would that be Ashley Wilkes?"
"Well I've been thinking about this ever since you came back. I've been trying to run one mill and oversee both since Hans left last year and frankly it's just not working. Don't get me wrong, Billy is a fine manager but I'm making all the decisions for both mills and seeing to the day to day running of mine. It's just too much for me."
"Ashley, just what are you trying to ask me?"
"What I'm asking is I'd like you to work at the mills again. To do the ordering, to take care of the books. That way Billy and I can concentrate on the everyday things. You've always been better with the numbers and I just don't enjoy that part." Ashley gave Scarlett a small smile then added "So, what do you say, Scarlett?"
Scarlett should there just looking at Ashley.
"Scarlett? What do you think of my idea?"
"You want me to work for you?"
"Yes, do you have a problem with that?"
"Well no. Of course I'd only be doing it as a favor. I don't want to be paid." Scarlett stated that in a tone that told Ashley there would be no discussion of the matter. But, Ashley didn't listen.
"Now that won't do. You have to be paid. At least something" Scarlett could see that Ashley wasn't going to give up easily either.
"Alright, what does Billy make a year?"
Ashley whispered to her, then Scarlett replied "That will be fine. And so Ashley I accept your offer. When do I start?"
A month passed and Scarlett did not hear from Rhett again. She assured Katie that he did not know who she was and that thankfully she was fairly sure he had gone back to Charleston. Scarlett never let Katie know how Rhett had broken her heart once again. What Scarlett didn't realize was that it was apparent to Katie that she still loved Rhett very much. And it hurt Katie to know that her father could still hurt Scarlett that deeply.
Shortly after the opening of Duncan's shop, Scarlett and Katie went back to Tara. But after only a few weeks there Scarlett found herself missing the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. The quiet stillness of Tara gave her too much time to think.
So one afternoon she asked Katie as they were taking a walk "Katie, how would you feel about moving back to Atlanta?"
Katie gave her an odd expression then said "You mean now?"
Scarlett nodded "Yes now and me finding house for us, well at least until you get married next year. I miss city life. And I want to be close to you when you and Duncan marry. If that would not bother you any?"
Katie hugged Scarlett "Why would it bother me? Oh, Mother yes I'd love to move back. I know it's only six months until Duncan and I are married, but I miss him so. And well I didn't know how I was going to make it without you being near by once we were married."
Scarlett pulled back from Katie "Of course, I really should discuss it with Wade and Ella. I don't want them to think I'm abandoning them.again" she said the last word so quietly that Katie almost didn't hear it.
Katie took her Mother's hand "I'm sure they will understand. Anyway we're only be a short train ride away."
And so over the next few days Scarlett did discuss it with Wade and Ella. They both understood. Wade had seen how lonely his mother had seen. And Katie had confided in Wade about their Mother and her father seeing each other in Atlanta. Wade knew how deeply Rhett had hurt his Mother. Of course he knew it had partly been her fault too. But still he hated to see her so down so maybe city life would be just what she needed.
Wade discussed his thoughts with Ella and she agreed. So when Scarlett approached them about her idea, they both wholeheartedly agreed. With one condition though, which was that she and Katie return to Tara for Christmas.
So with just a little over a month to find a house, get settled and then return to Tara, Scarlett and Katie stepped on the ten a.m. train bound for Atlanta.
The next month flew by. Scarlett found a two story house just two blocks over from Ashley and Harriet's house. She and Katie had decided that they did not need the grand style home they were use too. Of course Scarlett could have purchased any home in Atlanta or had any style built, but what she wanted was a home for Katie and herself. A warm friendly place for Wade and Ella and their families to visit. And that's just what she had found.
Scarlett was quite pleased with her accomplishments as they headed back to Tara for Christmas. 'Christmas at Tara' Scarlett thought as the miles past between the Atlanta and the Jonesboro stations. It had been so many years since she had spent Christmas with her family.
She knew that Katie was extremely excited about her first Christmas with her family. Especially since Duncan would be joining them at Tara in a couple of days.
Katie had every right to be excited, for that year Christmas at Tara as grand event as the old plantation had ever seen.
Will and Wade had found an eight foot tree and brought it into the parlor. That night everyone, including Duncan who had arrived the day before, helped decorate the enormous tree.
Then after singing Christmas Carols to Suellen's piano accompaniment they gathered around the tree to pass out gifts.
Scarlett had racked her brain trying to think of gifts for all her family. She wanted this Christmas to be so special.
After everyone had opened their gifts, Wade came over to the foot stool his Mother was sitting on. She stood up and looked at her eldest child "Wade did you like all your presents, dear?"
"Yes Mother I did. I received many nice things. But Ella and I have decided that having you back and having Katie as a sister is the best gift we could have ever asked for".
Scarlett stood there fighting desperately not to shed the tears she felt welling up in her eyes. "Oh Wade" she said as she hugged her son. "I'm so glad to be home to." Pulling away and looking up at him "You and Ella have to promise me that you will come to Atlanta often to see me."
"We will Mother" she heard Ella answer. Ella then walked up and took her Mother's hand "But you have to promise us that you'll remember that our doors are always open to a visit from you too."
Scarlett smiled a genuine heart felt smile "My dear Ella that is a promise I know I can keep".
New Year's Eve found Duncan, Katie and Scarlett back in Atlanta sharing it with Ashley, Harriet, Beau and his wife, Abagail and Billy and his wife, Elizabeth.
Scarlett had insisted that it would be a perfect housing warming party for her new house.
'Everyone's having such good time' Scarlett thought as she brought the champagne from the cellar. 'Now if only I didn't have to face midnight alone.'
But she did. As everyone else kissed their significant other at the stroke of twelve, Scarlett was left to think of how much she missed having a special someone. Then she corrected herself. Not just A significant someone, for no one could take the place of Rhett. But knowing how he had acted the last time they say each other and that he had a family, Scarlett resigned herself to being alone for the rest of her life.
Katie walking up to her brought her out of her thoughts "Happy New Year's, Mother" Katie said as she kissed her Mother on the cheek.
"Happy New Year to you, my darling Katie" Scarlett said as she hugged her daughter tight.
They both turned as they heard someone 'clinking' a champagne glass. It was Ashley "Everyone get your glass. I want to make a toast to the lady of the evening, Mrs. Scarlett O'Hara, for giving us such a wonderful party and for being such a wonderful, Mother, Aunt and friend".
Everyone shouted 'here, here' as Scarlett just shook her head. Ashley then made his way over to her and Katie. "Katie do you mind, I'd like to speak to your Mother alone for a moment?"
"Of course not, Uncle Ashley. Happy New Year" Katie said as she kissed Ashley's cheek then made her way across the room to Duncan's side.
Ashley turned to look at her "Scarlett, you did a wonderful job raising her."
"Thank you Ashley. I tried. I tried to make up for..well Rhett not being there."
Ashley noted the sadness in Scarlett's voice. He hated that Rhett could still hurt her after all these years. Hoping to brighten her spirits he spoke again "Seeing that it's a new year, well I have a new business proposition for you."
Scarlett raised an eyebrow "And what would that be Ashley Wilkes?"
"Well I've been thinking about this ever since you came back. I've been trying to run one mill and oversee both since Hans left last year and frankly it's just not working. Don't get me wrong, Billy is a fine manager but I'm making all the decisions for both mills and seeing to the day to day running of mine. It's just too much for me."
"Ashley, just what are you trying to ask me?"
"What I'm asking is I'd like you to work at the mills again. To do the ordering, to take care of the books. That way Billy and I can concentrate on the everyday things. You've always been better with the numbers and I just don't enjoy that part." Ashley gave Scarlett a small smile then added "So, what do you say, Scarlett?"
Scarlett should there just looking at Ashley.
"Scarlett? What do you think of my idea?"
"You want me to work for you?"
"Yes, do you have a problem with that?"
"Well no. Of course I'd only be doing it as a favor. I don't want to be paid." Scarlett stated that in a tone that told Ashley there would be no discussion of the matter. But, Ashley didn't listen.
"Now that won't do. You have to be paid. At least something" Scarlett could see that Ashley wasn't going to give up easily either.
"Alright, what does Billy make a year?"
Ashley whispered to her, then Scarlett replied "That will be fine. And so Ashley I accept your offer. When do I start?"
