Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Chapter Three

Scarlett telegraphed Rhett which train she was on the next morning so he could meet her at the station. Rhett was there and he looked happy to see her. She was very happy to see him. She had physically been missing him. They went back to the hotel and engaged in relations. The next week they had a lot of fun. They went dancing, dining, a play, a musical show and a lot of other things. They continued to drive around the city looking for a house style they liked. Rhett felt like Scarlett was stalling for some reason. She said she like this one or that one but not enough to live in.

He missed her when she was gone both physically and emotionally. One day when they were in the sitting room Rhett asked, "Why are you spending so much time at Tara?"

Scarlett said, "I've missed it. I like living in Atlanta but I like living at Tara. I discovered that I don't have to be in Atlanta for my business to run correctly. I actually think they run better with less supervision. I know the store does. If Hugh continues to take on more responsibility, I may only have to visit the store once a month. I discovered this when we got back from our honeymoon. You can come to Tara with me."

Rhett said, "I don't think I would like it."

Scarlett took Rhett and led him into the bedroom. She said, "I know something you do like."

Rhett said, "Yes. I do."

Much later Rhett asked, "Who watches the children while you are in Atlanta?"

Scarlett said, "Mammy. Those two are not much trouble."

Rhett said, "When our child is born you will have to take a much more active role. I don't want you leaving our child to be raised by Mammy only."

Scarlett smiled and said, "Of course, but I'm not even pregnant."

Rhett smiled wickedly and said, "Maybe you are and you don't know it yet."

Scarlett said, "Maybe I am."

Rhett said, "I think we should try again."

Scarlett just smiled.

Scarlett had been in Atlanta for ten days when she asked to go back to Tara. He didn't look happy. He still couldn't deny her anything she wanted. He said, "Go on. I'll telegraph you when I'm ready for you to come back."

Scarlett had been back to Tara for a couple of days when Mrs. Tarleton came to visit. Scarlett had been outside playing with the children when she saw Mrs. Tarleton. She thought that's the kind of mother I'm going to be. Mrs. Tarleton walked up to her and said, "Can we talk business?"

Scarlett was stunned but she said, "Okay"

Beatrice Tarleton said, "I loved my horses maybe more than my boys but they are both gone so I don't suppose it matters now. I would like to get back into the business of breeding horses. You appreciate that I know what I am doing. We could make some money if you would invest in my horse breeding business."

Scarlett said, "How much money do you need? How much can we make? And what labor would be required of me?"

Beatrice said, "I need five hundred to get started. The first couple of years will be slow but within five years you will have your investment back. And no labor would be required of you. You could look over the books every time you visit Tara."

Scarlett said, "Let me talk to Rhett."

Scarlett was excited about investing in a horse breeding farm. The next morning, she took the train back to Atlanta. She sent a telegram telling Rhett when she was arriving. He met her at the train station and said, "Does this fast return mean you missed me?"

Scarlett said, "I always miss you."

Rhett said, "Let's go to the hotel."

Scarlett said, "Yes."

After as they were lying in the bed.

Rhett said, "So why did you come back so quickly?"

Scarlett said, "I've been asked to invest in a horse breeding farm. And I want your advice."

They talked about all the pros and cons. Eventually Rhett said, "You are willing to invest the money because of your faith in Beatrice, right?"

Scarlett nodded her head.

Rhett smiled and said, "I did that once with a pretty brunette or was I trying to get her in my bed," he gave Scarlett a kiss, "I don't see why you shouldn't invest in the farm."

Scarlett said, "So you will give me the money?"

Rhett said, "No, my dear, if you want to invest in the farm you will have to come up with your own money. I don't know this Beatrice so I would pass on the deal."

Scarlett thought of a plan to get what she wanted without ever admitting anything about her foolish crush on Ashley. She said, "But to have enough money I would have to sell my half of the mills."

Scarlett almost laughed at the way Rhett perked up at that statement. He was so jealous. Rhett said, "Then that's what you have to do."

Scarlett whined, "But I don't want to sell my mills."

Rhett said, "I know you have an emotional attachment to the mills and Mr. Wilkes but I think you can make as much money with the farm with a lot less work on your part. Beside the lumber boom is almost over."

Scarlett frowned and said, "Okay. I will ask Ashley if he wants to sell his half later today when I go out to the mills."

Scarlett almost giggled at Rhett's blank expression. She had begun to notice that the times he schooled his features were when he thought she would read his emotions and he would give something away. Therefore, the blank expression was a tell in itself. He must care a lot more than he wants me to know no matter what he says.

Instead she said, "I'm hungry. Let's go get dinner?"

After dinner which they had in the dining room Scarlett went out to the mills. When she saw Ashley, she wanted to punch him in the nose for stringing her along and using her all this time but instead she smiled at him and asked him for the ledgers. Then she said, "I'm going to sell my half of the mills. Do you want to sell your half?"

Ashley looked at her and said, "Yes. I do."

Scarlett said, "Great. I will ask Rhett to find us a buyer. He is so good at that sort of thing. Toodles."

Over supper she said, "Ashley wanted to sell his half also. Could you find us a buyer and negotiate the deal?

Rhett said, "I would have thought you would want to do that."

Scarlett said, "No. You are so good at that sort of thing."

Rhett looked at her speculatively said, "Alright."

After they had finished eating Rhett said, "Scarlett, why don't you want to build your house?"

Scarlett smile innocently and said, "I do. We just haven't decided on a style yet. Besides you told me you like living in a well-run hotel better than living in a house so there should be no hurry."

Rhett knew she was lying he just didn't know why. Rhett said, "Don't you want a house?"

Scarlett said, "Of course I do."

Again, Rhett knew she was lying. He grabbed her hand and held it tightly and felt her tense up. "What is the matter?" Rhett snarled.

Scarlett smiled brightly and said, "God's nightgown, Rhett. Nothing is the matter."

Rhett looked at her and thought 'She is scared of me. Why?' He let go of her hand and said, "Okay. Let's go upstairs." Scarlett visibly relaxed and smiled at him.

Scarlett said, "I'm ready whenever you are." Rhett stood up and helped Scarlett up. When they were walking up the stairs Rhett kept his arm around her waist. She didn't appear scared now but in the dining room she was definitely scared of him. After they got to their suite they sat in the sitting area. He read a book and she worked on her ledgers. She said, "I will be glad to not have to do this anymore." After a while she said, "I'm going to bed." He got up with her and went into their bedroom. He helped her undress and put on her nightgown.

They had relations and after while he was smoking his cigar, he told her stories of his past. He could feel when she went to sleep. She just became part of him. Why was she scared of him? He had never physically hurt her. He had never even raised his hand to her. But in the dining room she had definitely been scared of him. What were they doing before he noticed she was scared? They were talking about the house and he was trying to get her to tell him why she didn't want to build the house. It was when he grabbed her hand. Surely, she doesn't think he would ever strike her. If she did, he could understand why she would be scared he was twice as big as she was. He could hit her one time and knock her into next week. If she was scared of that wouldn't she be scared all the time. He was going to drive himself crazy trying to figure this out. Rhett finally went to sleep.

The next morning Scarlett was still snuggled up next to him. If she was scared of him wouldn't she have moved away. He finally told himself to stop thinking about it. He woke his wife up instead in a very pleasant manner.

While Rhett was out during the morning, he found a buyer for the mills. He had known of some men wanting to spend their money. He got a very good price. He told the men he would contact them when the paperwork was ready for them to sign. He told his lawyer to set up the paperwork. He went home and shared the news with Scarlett. She threw herself in his arms and thanked him so sweetly. She said, "We can tell Ashley and Melanie tonight at their supper party."

Rhett said, "What supper party?"

Scarlett said, "The one Melly arrange when she found out I was in town."

Rhett said, "What time does it start?"

Scarlett said, "6 PM"

They attended the supper party but it was rather dull. She had the most fun talking to Melanie. When did she become such an interesting person? It was not lost on Rhett that Scarlett paid little to no attention to Ashley Wilkes. In fact he noticed that she seemed to be avoiding Ashley. It made Rhett happy but he wondered why she hadn't said anything to him about no longer having feelings for Ashley. It wasn't lost on Ashley either that Scarlett had was avoiding him. Had she gotten over her infatuation with him? It didn't make Ashley happy and he blamed Rhett for Scarlett no longer adoring him. As they were getting ready to leave Scarlett told Ashley about Rhett finding them a buyer and how much they were getting. As soon as the paperwork was ready, they would be free of the mills. Ashley said, "I guess I better find another job."

Henry said, "You can work for me. I need a clerk."

Ashley said, "That sounded great to him."

As the Butlers left Ashley was thinking, 'I'm going to find a way to hurt Butler." It was obvious to Ashley that he was in love with Scarlett. Yes, he would hurt Butler through Scarlett.

Ashley working for Henry Hamilton sounded horrible to Rhett. Was he ever going to be able to keep Scarlett and Ashley separated? Maybe he could convince Scarlett to move her accounts. Probably not. She liked Uncle Henry. As they got in the buggy Rhett said, "I would like you to move your account to my lawyer. I think it would be better if we had our accounts with the same lawyer.

Scarlett was thrilled she didn't want Ashley anywhere near her account or Uncle Henry. She was mad at him for not telling her she would lose everything by marrying Rhett. It may not be something he would need to tell every widow but with Rhett's reputation he should have said something. She said, "If you think it is best. Will you take care of that tomorrow?"

Rhett said, "I'll be delighted."

Scarlett snuggled into Rhett. Last night he had scared her because of the abrupt way he had grabbed her hand and the intensity in his eyes. The scary man wasn't there but she was scared he was going to show up. Most of the time Rhett didn't scare her but there were those flashes of intensity.

Scarlett said, "I telegraphed Beatrice earlier today and told her the good news. She sent a telegraph back that said one word, Yes.

Scarlett and Rhett were very happy and content at that moment for different reasons.