By the time Scarlett and Rhett came back to the house, Suellen was furious. How dare he? She fumed as she thought of the Major's refusal to flirt with her. Why, he made a fool of me, letting me go on like that…It's all Scarlett's fault. She encouraged him to come around…she and that Scalawag husband of hers…

As they entered the yard, Wade called out to Rhett, wanting him to explain to the girls why he couldn't play dress up. "They won't understand, Uncle Rhett," he whined, "men don't do those things…"

Rhett laughed and joined the children and within minutes, he was wearing a cast off bonnet that Suellen's oldest placed gingerly on his head. Ella added a scarf and Scarlett laughed as she entered the kitchen to get a drink of water.

Suellen fumed as she watched her sister, obviously happy with her life while Sue was stuck at Tara with half a man and a new baby every other year. "I suppose you are going to build this store and expect Will to take care of it too when you and that husband of yours leave." She snarled at Scarlett.

"We'll find someone trustworthy to run it," Scarlett said carefully, reading her sister's mood. "Will has enough and so do you. Hopefully the added income will allow Will to hire more help."

"More help to put in more fields. You won't be satisfied until it is like it was before the war, will you? But you won't stay around to help."

"My money helps plenty around here," snapped Scarlett. "How else do you think you could afford to keep Pork and Dilcey and the others? And don't you want it like it was? Why I'd think you'd like to have your girls living in a nice home with enough money…they'll have their pick of beaus."

"Beaus…just other poor men from around the county, shadows of their former selves. Heaven knows, their Aunt Scarlett won't help them, won't introduce them to Atlanta society where they might actually meet men worthy of them."

Scarlett studied her sister, trying to understand what she was stewing about this time. "When the time comes, if you want to let them come to Atlanta, I'll introduce them. Although, folks there are no better off…"

"It's not fair…if you hadn't stolen Frank…"

Scarlett was surprised by Suellen bringing up Frank. "That's long in the past Sue. You have a husband and Will's a good man. He certainly has stood by you…"

"He's a cracker," she yelled. "Would you have settled for a cracker?"

"Don't be silly, Sue. Will's not a cracker…why crackers are trash. Will may not be educated and he came from poor stock, but he's not trash. He works hard and he loves you and the children. He's as good to you as he can possibly be."

Suellen crossed the room before Scarlett knew what was happening. With all the fury that boiled inside of her, Suellen lifted her arm and swung, slapping Scarlett on her jaw and sending her backwards into the table, where she fell into a heap on the floor. Turning, Suellen stormed out of the room, leaving Scarlett on the floor.

"Mama, Mama, come see Uncle Rhett," Ella called as she ran into the kitchen. Horror gripped her young heart when she saw her mother on the floor and she screamed, "MAMA!"

Outside, Rhett heard Ella's scream and ran to the house, freeing himself of the dress up garments as he ran. He was on the floor next to Scarlett almost instantly, gently lifting her teary face. "Oh god, Scarlett," he cried out. Then looking up he called for Wade, who ran inside. "Get your Uncle Will. Tell him to get the doctor; your mother is hurt."

Wade ran as fast his legs could carry him to the fields where he relayed the message between breaths. Sam saddled his horse while Will ran inside to see about Scarlett.

"Whut happened?" he asked as he crossed the threshold.

"I don't know," Rhett answered. "Ella found her like this…she's…she's with child, Will. You understand? She had that miscarriage before and now…"

Will nodded. "I'll be back as soon as I ken find the Doc. She'll be all right, Rhett…you jes' hold tight to her." He disappeared through the door and Rhett was relieved to hear hoof beats as he hastened the horse down the drive.

"Rhett," Scarlett moaned, awake but dazed. "Shh…my pet, be still. You've fallen. Will went for the doctor."

"I think…I hit my head," she whispered. "Sue …was here and…I…fell…something…hit…."

"Suellen was here? When you fell?"

"I…don't know…head hurts…"

"All right, my love. Try not to think about it; just try to relax. I'll get you to the bed…" Gently he lifted her and carried her up the stairs to their room. He carefully put her on the bed and heard the rustling of Mammy behind him. "What happun?" she cried out.

"She fell, Mammy. She says she hit her head."

"Oh lawd, I'll git a bowl of fresh water and some rags. She be better, you'll see." Her heavy footsteps could be heard as she made her way down the hall.

Rhett held Scarlett's hand, watching her intently. This can't be happening. She fell? I don't believe it. Something happened with Suellen. If she is responsible for this, I swear…

Scarlett moaned, and opened her eyes again. "Rhett…my head hurts, hit it on table…"

"I know, my love…the doctor will be here soon. Just try to relax…"

"The baby, Rhett…"

"It's all right, Scarlett."

"Want to…a son…your son…"

A tender smile broke across his face. "As I've told you before, my pet, I don't care if it is a boy or girl…"

"No, must be a boy…your eyes. And…swagger."

"You want him to be like me? But I was nothing but trouble as a boy…girls are much easier…"

"He'll have a better father…"

Rhett lost his composure. She thinks I'll be a good father…I want to be…A bolt of understanding shot through him suddenly. I do want this baby…

Mammy came in carrying the water bowl and rags. Rhett backed away form the bed and made room for Mammy to tend to Scarlett. His mind was dark, full of fear and anger. How could this have happened? Fear threatened to overwhelm him as his mind took him back to that horrible day at the bottom of the steps. What if it happened again? This was different he tried to tell himself. She had fallen to the floor in the kitchen, not down a long flight of steps. It will be different this time…

Minute after endless minute ticked by on the clock and Rhett paced the room fretfully. Scarlett complained that her head hurt but held her stomach with both hands and as Rhett looked into her eyes, he saw her fear that matched his. Mammy was keeping a close watch on her but moved away to let Rhett have access. Carefully he sat on the bed and held her hand, speaking softly to her in soothing tones, telling her everything would be all right.

Finally the doctor arrived. After a brief greeting, he went straight to Scarlett. His calm, gentle nature gave him a perfect bedside manner, Rhett reflected as he watched the doctor examine her head. Then slowly he turned and quietly ordered Rhett out of the room. There was gnawing in the pit of his stomach as he nodded and turned to leave. Scarlett called out, "Rhett, oh Rhett…please don't leave me…" It was all that Rhett needed; he turned and stood near the door. "I'm here, my love…"

Doctor Gilbert looked from one to the other and finally nodded his agreement before turning his attention back to his patient. After a few minutes, the doctor leaned back and sighed. "Mrs. Butler, how did you fall?"

Scarlett turned her green eyes to the doctor, "I…really don't remember…I…was next to the table and…Suellen was there…and she was angry. We argued but…I don't remember about what and then…well, I just don't remember until Rhett was holding me."

Tilting his head, Dr. Gilbert scrutinized her face. Rhett was amused to think that the man might be trying to discern if she was lying. She's such a terrible liar… But Rhett knew. Years of practice, watching her weave her lies made her transparent to him. And she most definitely was lying about something.

"Mrs. Butler, could your sister have…slapped you, perhaps?"

Rhett's face flushed with fury as he watched Scarlett's eyes widen, caught. She looked away from the doctor to Rhett, fear even stronger in her countenance. "You have your answer, Doctor," Rhett told him before storming out of the room.

Scarlett gasped, "Oh Dr. Gilbert…you must stop him…he'll hurt her, I know he will."

"Is your husband normally a violent man?" The doctor looked shocked.

"Well…no, but…if thinks she's done anything to hurt the baby…or me…"

"All right, then. I'll go find him. You just rest. I think everything is fine with the baby. I'll come back to talk to you further before I leave." Scarlett was relieved to see the doctor follow Rhett out of the door.

Rhett had made it downstairs and stamped through the kitchen looking for his sister-in-law. He searched through the house and then went into the yard. The happy sounds of children playing were lost on his ears as he scanned the area, looking for a sign of his prey. Heading for the barn, he picked up a buggy whip as he entered. Then moving back into the yard, he headed down the path to the orchard. Seeing Will in a field nearby, Rhett cut across and there he found Suellen, sitting at the edge of the field on a tree stump.

Red faced with fury pouring through him, Rhett walked straight up to Suellen. "Did you hit Scarlett?" he yelled.

Fear covered her as she stood to face him. Will heard Rhett and quickly headed over to the pair.

"I said, did you hit Scarlett?" Rhett bellowed again. The doctor edged up to the little gathering just as Rhett raised the whip. Dr, Gilbert grabbed his arm while Will jumped in front of his wife. "Let go of me," Rhett barked. "She hurt Scarlett…could've …the baby, it could have been hurt…"

Dr. Gilbert's quiet voice startled him. "Your wife and baby will be fine, Mr. Butler. She needs to rest and needs peace and quiet. This will not help her…please, Mr. Butler…leave Mrs. Benteen be…"

Will glanced between the two men. He saw that the doctor's words were sinking in and watched as Rhett's arm began to relax a little. "Rhett," he said, carefully reaching for the whip. "Suellen's my wife; it's my place to handle this…Let me have the whip…"

Rhett stared at Will as if he were a stranger. Then he looked back at Suellen. "You are a very lucky woman, Suellen. If not for these two gentlemen, you'd be dead now from the beating I would give you. And so help me, if you ever lay a hand on my wife again, I'll skin you while you're still alive… Then throwing the whip to the ground, he strode away.

GWTWGWTWGWTWGWTW

Meant to have this out yesterday but RL got in the way.

I am amazed when I read some of your reviews and you all see things that I wasn't even aware I was putting in the story. Then I go back and reread it and yep, there it is. I do appreciate each and every one of your unique insights into this little tale; you keep me excited about writing it.