Chapter 14

Over the next few months, Scarlett fell into the routine of going to the mills several times a week to do the ordering, to pay the employees and just keep an eye on the bottom line.

She enjoyed it greatly and she had been right. It did help her keep her mind off Rhett.

Late one stormy April afternoon as Scarlett sat looking over the ledger, Billy was finishing up for the day. He walked over the windows and looked up at the angry sky. "Scarlett would you like me to stay until you're finished and lead your buggy home? It's awfully nasty looking out there."

Scarlett looked up and smiled at Billy. "No Billy, I'll be fine. A little rain isn't going to bother me. I should be finished here in a little while anyway. You go along, I know you and Elizabeth are expected at your Mother's and Ashley's tonight. But do stop by and let Katie know I'll be home shortly."

"I can do that. But do be careful out there."

"I will and you do the same."

Billy had been gone about a half an hour when Scarlett finished up. She closed the book, climbed down off her stool and grabbed her shawl and bag and made her way to the door.

As she stepped outside she could see that it was raining even harder than it had been. "Wonderful" she mumbled as she climbed up onto her buggy.

Making her way down the road, she noticed how skittish her new pony was. "Oh I wish I still had Moses" she said to the falling rain, speaking of her old horse that had been retired to a nice green pasture at Tara.

As Scarlett finished speaking lightening struck near her and spooked her horse even more. 'I'm going to have a long ride home if this continues' she thought as she tried to calm the horse.

Just then another bolt of lightening struck even closer. The horse reared, causing Scarlett to lose her grips on the reins. As the horse hooves hit the ground, another bolt of lightening struck near by causing him bolt. Scarlett had completely lost control of reins and the horse started to speed down the wet, narrow road.

Scarlett fought desperately to catch the reins again, but to no avail. She was bouncing so violently she had to hold onto the seat with one hand while trying to grab the loose reins with the other.

As she struggled to hold on she heard a loud pop. Then she felt the sensation of tumbling through the air. Then the world went black.

Katie looked at the clock again. It was five minutes later than it had been when she looked the last time. Where was her Mother? It had been over an hour and a half since Billy stopped by to say her Mother would be along shortly.

It wasn't like Scarlett to be this late. Katie walked to the window and looked out again. It had not let up any. So grabbing her shawl she headed out the door and made her way to Ashley's and Harriet's.

Ashley opened the door "Katie, what in the world are you doing out in this? You soaking wet. Come in, dear and dry off"

As Katie walked in she turned to Ashley "Mother is not home yet and I'm worried."

Just then Billy came into the room "Katie? Did you say your Mother was not home yet?"

"No she's not"

Ashley looked at Billy with worry in his eyes. Something was wrong. When he looked back to Katie however, they were softer "Let's get you back to your house. I'm sure she's fine. But we'll go out and check just in case."

By now Harriet, Elizabeth, Beau and Abigail had joined them in the front hallway. Ashley looked at Harriet and said "Darling, will you and the girls please take Katie back home. That way when Scarlett comes home she won't be worried about her."

Grabbing his hat from the hook on the wall he added "The boys and I will ride out toward Billy's mill. I'm sure we'll back soon."

Harriet just nodded. She could tell Ashley thought something was wrong. As did she. It did not sound like Scarlett to not do what she said she would.

As Ashley and the boys made their way out the narrow country rode they tried to watch the side of the road as best as possible. When they made it to the mill and Scarlett's buggy was gone, Ashley's heart sank. He knew something was definitely wrong now.

As they made their way back down the road, Beau thought he saw something. He had to yell twice to get Ashley's and Billy's attention. They could not hear him over the pouring rain.

Beau dismounted, walked to the edge of the road and held his lantern high. There was a horse in a partial harness standing under some trees. He made his way to the horse. It was definitely his Aunt Scarlett's, but there was not sign of her wagon anywhere.

When he made his way back up to the road he told Ashley and Billy that it was indeed Scarlett's horse.

"Then we've missed the buggy somewhere between here and the mill. We need to go back." Ashley screamed over the rain.

Making their way back toward the mill, Ashley prayed that somehow Scarlett would be alright. He knew that things didn't look good but...

Just then he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He immediately reined in his horse and dismounted. He practically fell down the embankment trying to get to it.

As he reached it, he could see that it was a buggy lying on it's side. Ashley slowly made his way around it. As he came to the front of it, he gasped. There lying in the mud and wet grass, half covered by the buggy was Scarlett. Ashley frantically started waiving his lantern. It only took Billy and Beau a moment to dismount and be there. They immediately started to work on raising the buggy so that Ashley could pull Scarlett out.

After they had freed her Ashley cradled her head in his lap "Scarlett, Scarlett darling please wake up. You have to wake dear. Please."

But there was no reply. Ashley looked up at Billy "Help me get her to my horse. Beau you ride like hell to Dr. Thompson's. Bring him to Scarlett's house. Now hurry!"

Beau had never heard his father curse once in his life. Knowing that Scarlett was bad off, he ran as fast as he could, mounted his horse then took off for the doctor's with everything he and his horse had.

Billy helped Ashley carry Scarlett to the road. That in itself was no easy task. The ground was slippery and they kept sinking in the mud. Finally they made it to their horses. Ashley climbed onto his and Billy helped him put Scarlett on the saddle in front of him. He held her tightly by the waist with one arm and grabbed his reins from Billy with the other. It would not be an easy ride but they had to get her back.

As Ashley made his way back with Scarlett, he cursed himself. If he hadn't offered her the job, well this wouldn't have happened. But he knew he had done it for a good reason. He had hoped that it would help take Scarlett's mind off Rhett, which he was pretty sure it had done. But still he felt that her accident was at least partly his fault.

Katie was pacing the floor wondering what was taking so long. Finally the women heard footsteps on the porch. When Katie opened the door it was Beau and Dr. Thompson. Katie's eyes welled up with tears "Beau what's wrong?"

Beau came to her "Katie, Scarlett's been in an accident. Father and Billy are bringing her here. I went for Dr. Thompson."

"Oh" was all Katie could say and her tears fell down her cheeks.

Harriet walked up and hugged her shoulders "Katie we all know what a strong woman your Mother is. I'm sure with Dr. Thompson's help she'll be fine." What Katie could not see was the look Beau gave Harriett. One of trying to convey just how bad the situation really was.

Fifteen minutes later the front door flew open and Ashley came rushing in holding Scarlett's limp form in his arms. He looked at Katie and simply said "Her room?" Katie ran up the steps to show him the way. Dr Thompson followed close behind.

Ashley laid Scarlett gently on her bed. Katie stood fixed in the doorway. Finally Dr. Thompson looked at Ashley "Mr. Wilkes please take Miss O'Hara downstairs. I'll let you know as soon as I'm finished."

"Of course doctor." Ashley walked over to Katie and putting his arm around her said softly "Come on, Katie the doctor needs us to leave"

Katie let Ashley guide her down the steps.

It seemed like an eternity waiting on the doctor. Finally he descended the stairs. Katie was the first one to him "Doctor how is my Mother? Is she going to be alright?"

By then Ashley had walked up and again put his arm around Katie.

"Miss O"Hara, I won't lie to you. You're Mother has had a very serious accident. She has a concussion, a broken arm, several broken ribs, a quite high fever which could possibly indicate pneumonia and may have internal bleeding. I've done what I could for now. Although I saw no signs of bleeding, there is still a forty-eight hour window in which the signs can show."

"So what do we need to do doctor?" Ashley asked.

"She's still unconscious and probably will be for awhile. Right now the only thing to do is bath her with cool rags to bring down her fever. I'll be back tomorrow to check on her again. I'm sorry I wish I could give you definite news but all we can do right now it wait."

"We understand doctor. Thank you. I'll see you to the door" Harriet said as she walked up to Katie and Ashley.

As Harriet let the doctor out, Katie turned to Ashley "Oh Uncle Ashley, she has to be okay. She just has too." With that she collapsed crying into his arms.

"Ssshhh, Katie darling. It will be alright. Just like Harriet said earlier your Mother is a very strong woman. She'll come through this, you'll see." As Ashley spoke he prayed that he was right. Seeing Scarlett lying there in the muck, her skin so colorless, her face and neck covered with bruises, had been one of the worse things he had even witnessed.

Beau spoke up, "Katie would you like me to ride to the telegraph office and wire Duncan? I know he's in Savannah. I'm sure you'd like him here with you right now."

Katie stepped back from Ashley "Oh, Beau yes. Please. I do need him here."