While I was at it, I thought I'd dust this one off as well and see what I could come up with. So far, I'm enjoying this change of pace. Hope you enjoy it...

Love Comes Softly

Chapter Two

July 1858

The hot sun bore down from the azure blue sky, settling on ones skin like a thick paste that just wouldn't go away. No matter where you were or what you were doing, the heat clung stubbornly.

The only respite that could be found was the cool, sparkling pond not far from Twelve Oaks where a long dock had been built and carried out over the water. Three girls sat lazily on that dock, their pretty dresses pulled back to their knees letting their feet sway and splash the water beneath them.

India and Honey Wilkes were used to the summers on the plantation and in spite of their Mammy's warning before they set out that day, they did not have their bonnets on their heads but had instead discarded them to the let the sun settle on their smooth cheeks.

Melanie Hamilton, of course had her bonnet on just as Mammy Bess had told her to do. "Missy don' need to be lookin' lak no field hand all brown and burnt," she had told her. "You is a young lady and you gwine look lak one."

"Yes, Mammy Bess," Melanie answered, for it never occurred to her to go against her wishes. Mammy Bess took care of her better than anyone and she listened to her wise advice and was never far from her watchful eye.

"I'm so tired of the heat," Honey said with a disgruntled sigh. "I wish I could strip naked and jump in the water like the boys do."

Melanie's face suddenly bloomed into a bright pink that had nothing to do with the sun. She turned her head away so that neither girl could see.

"That would be lovely and so naughty," India agreed with a snicker. At fifteen, a year older than Honey, she was all gangly and unfortunately not an attractive girl. "What do you think Melly?"

Melanie was unsure how to answer so she didn't.

"Leave her alone, India," Honey scolded.

"I was only asking," India replied petulantly. "She's fourteen, not four for goodness sake. She has to think about boys. Isn't that right, Melly?"

Melanie wanted to run away right at that moment, but she dared not let India see her embarrassment. If they only knew the truth. If they only knew who she thought about most of the time.

"India, I said leave her alone or I will throw you in the pond," Honey threatened and unfortunately India knew she meant it. She was protective of Melanie and had always been since they were very little. Something in Melanie's eyes always made Honey feel as if she were lonely and in need of someone to care for her.

Melanie was so grateful to Honey she almost cried. She liked India well enough but her direct nature and forthrightness went against everything that Melanie was made of.

"Might I remind you that you brought up boys and being naked at the same time," India directed at her sister. "Besides, how do you know the boys swim naked? Have you seen them?"

"That's for me to know and for you to never find out," Honey answered smoothly but her knowing smile confirmed what she refused to say out loud.

"You did! When was it?"

"Never you mind, Sister. That's none of your business."

"That's not fair!" India proclaimed loudly, but as hard as she tried she could not get Honey to speak of it.

Finally, between the heat and tired of trying to cajole her sister in confessing, India pulled her legs from the water. "I suppose we should be getting back. Remember Father told us the O'Hara girls were coming visiting this afternoon and would be staying the night for the 4th of July celebration tomorrow. I wish they weren't staying with us. I don't like that Scarlett one bit. She's a fast piece of baggage," she proclaimed waspily.

"India! You would do well to hold your tongue. Do not let Father hear you talking of Scarlett that way. Mr. O'Hara is one of his closest friends as well as one of his most trusted business partners."

"That doesn't mean I have to like Scarlett! The only thing she ever does is make doe eyes at Ashley and every other boy around."

"Nevertheless, she's our guest and you will behave yourself. You must make Father proud of your position, and you must do it for Mother."

India did hold her tongue about Scarlett for the remainder of the walk back to Twelve Oaks for even though Honey was a year younger, she was taller and more than capable of handling India when it suited her. Besides, she knew Honey was right in what she had said. Since their mother had passed away, the duty of hostess had fallen on her young shoulders. She had to show her father he could depend on her.

When they arrived, there was the usual amount of flurry and activity that surrounded an event of that nature. Melanie was relieved when she finally was able to get away to herself for a moment. Her cousins went to look for their father while she went inside. Her intent was to go to the room she shared with Honey and India during her stay but it was when she spotted Ashley coming from the library that she stopped and found herself staring at him.

How handsome he had grown since she had seen him last. He had come home from the University only a few weeks before and she was taken aback at how much he had changed. He was eighteen now and strikingly attractive. His blonde hair gleamed like spun gold against the warm glow of his skin and his features were as noble and defined as a statue in a museum. But, it was his eyes that drew Melanie in the most. Blue as the sky and just as beautiful and open. They seemed know to the answers to a thousand questions that Melanie wished she could ask, but she was much too shy and awkward to even contemplate such a thing.

Ashley looked toward her at that moment and smiled brightly. "Hello my little Melly. How lovely you look today. Is that a new frock you have on?"

Melanie smiled and nodded. "Yes, thank you for noticing."

"How could I not notice? I'll have to watch over you tomorrow. I can't have all the beaux's fighting to sit with you."

Unable to answer, Melanie only smiled.

"Well, I must be off, there's still much to attend to before tomorrow," he bowed slightly and moved away from her. She watched him until he disappeared through the doorway down from the library. Smiling softly, she continued to the rounded staircase and made her way to her room.

Later that afternoon the O'Hara girls with their mother and mammy in tow arrived at Twelve Oaks. India, Honey and she were there to welcome them as they descended the carriage. The three of them with Mrs. O'Hara, Scarlett, Suellen and little Careen chatted happily as they made their way into the great foyer while the servants began unloading their trunks.

"India, you're as lovely as ever and Honey, aren't you growing into an attractive young woman," Ellen O'Hara smiled warmly. "And Melanie, how lovely to see you. Is your Aunt Pittypat with you?"

"Yes ma'am," Melanie nodded. "She's upstairs taking a nap."

"I see," she nodded in understanding. "You remember my daughters, Scarlett, Suellen and Careen," she said with a mother's pride.

"I do,' she nodded.

"Let me show you to your rooms, Mrs. O'Hara," India stepped forward and motioned for the servants to follow them. "I've given you and Mr. O'Hara the one with the little balcony overlooking the gardens."

"Thank you, India, the gardens at Twelve Oaks are so beautiful."

"Honey, show the O'Hara girls and their mammy where they'll be sleeping," India directed as the two women continued chatting between themselves as they ascended the staircase leaving the others below.

"If you'll follow me," Honey lifted her skirts and headed for the staircase as well leaving Scarlett and her sisters to trail after her.

As shy as Melanie was around most people, there was something about Scarlett O'Hara that just drew Melanie to her. Although Scarlett was thirteen she sensed that this girl was far more in tune and wiser to some things that were still a mystery to her. It made her wonder if perhaps there was something in Scarlett that she wished to have in herself. Whatever it was, she was taken by her vivacious character, her quick wit and dimpled smile.

Once the girls were settled, they all went outside to the verandah to wait for supper to be served. The heat that had seemed thick earlier in the day now felt like molasses in the late afternoon lull. Three young negro girls stood around them sweeping huge bamboo fans to try and stir the air.

"Jumping Jehosephat, it's hotter than Hades!" Scarlett exclaimed fanning herself lightly.

"Scarlett!" Suellen scowled as both India and Honey frowned in disapproval. "You shouldn't say such things."

Scarlett stuck her tongue out at her sister before she realized what she had done. Melanie tried not to smile, but didn't hide it very well. India noticed and then both she and Suellen were scowling at her. Melanie immediately shrunk within herself as she didn't like anyone to be cross with her. She lowered her head and folded her hands in her lap.

"I find it very unladylike for a young woman to use foul language," India commented to no one in particular. "It's most unbecoming and vulgar."

"Oh really," Scarlett smiled sweetly. "Is that right India Wilkes? Then I suppose it's no use to bring up what Hardy Fanning told me he once heard you say since it's so unladylike."

India's face bloomed red and her eyes widened at Scarlett's accusation. "I've never spoke more than two words to Hardy Fanning! You're lying, Scarlett O'Hara!"

"He didn't say you said it to him," Scarlett continued to fan herself as she smirked at India.

"Scarlett, I would remind you that you are our guest," Honey stood stiffly. "I think you should apologize to my sister."

"I will not," Scarlett slapped the fan in the palm of her hand. "I have nothing to apologize for."

Melanie felt very uncomfortable and didn't know what to do. She didn't like fighting of any kind. Why she, Charles, Aunt Pitty and Uncle Henry barely even raised their voices to one another. Thankfully, the gentlemen came out at the moment and the atmosphere took on a lighter, less tense feeling, something of which Melanie was grateful for. Upon entering the verandah her cousin, John was accompanied by Mr. O'Hara, Ashley and Charles.

"My, my, what lovely ladies you have presented us with Gerald," John bowed to them sending them into quiet giggles.

"No lovelier than your own daughters, John," Gerald O'Hara boomed in his thick Irish brogue. "Why, I imagine you have all the beaux's in the county already asking for their hands in marriage."

"Well, there have been one or two," John smiled.

"I don't have a son, save the three that went to the grave, but I couldn't have been any prouder of a son than I am of my own beautiful lasses. A proud father I am," he boasted.

"And have every right to be," John agreed. "Well, now that we've established that we have the most beautiful daughters in all of Clayton County, shall we go into supper?"

As the two older men walked ahead, the rest followed them in unison. Charles came to walk beside Melanie and offered her his arm.

"Did you have a nice afternoon, Sissy?"

"Oh yes, we went to the lake and had lemonade when we returned," Melanie answered him, but when she looked up at him, his eyes were on Scarlett. She didn't know why she was surprised. Scarlett was so pretty and spirited she just naturally drew people to her. She actually warmed to the thought of Charles courting her one day because that would mean they could become sisters.

Oh, what a wonderful thought that was! She always wanted a sister and she could think of no one better than Scarlett. She smiled brightly and tightened her arm around his causing him to stare back at her. He blushed when he realized she knew where his attention had been.

"Don't worry Charlie, I'll keep it our secret," she whispered.