Rhett sat on the back verandah smoking. Smoking and thinking. He was thinking about his marriage, about Scarlett. She seemed different since he had come back with Bonnie. Was she happy? He wasn't sure. Sometimes she seemed quite content, but at other times she looked so sad that he longed to gather her into his arms and comfort her. She still snapped at him but she didn't scowl at him all the time like she used to. Did she regret marrying him? He had tried to make her happy. Well, he corrected, to start with he had tried to make her happy. But she had been so indifferent to his feelings that he had found it harder and harder to keep offering her his love. He had not been very kind to her since Bonnie was born, he admitted to himself. But it was hard to be kind to a wife who shut one out. Ah yes, how that had hurt. Still hurt. Did she have any idea how much she had hurt him? Did she even care if she had hurt him? Or did she still think only of Ashley Wilkes? Ashley! How he would like to rid the world of Ashley Wilkes. He could do it to. Easily. But it wouldn't make Scarlett love him. She would only hate him more. Did she hate him? Before he had taken Bonnie away he had thought she must hate him, but now he wasn't sure. Sometimes she was quite . . . tender towards him. Perhaps he should try to woo her again? But was she over Ashley Wilkes? He ground his cigar into the ash tray and stood to his feet. Thinking about Ashley Wilkes always raised his hackles. And thinking about Scarlett frustrated him. He decided he would visit the nursery. The children were always pleased to see him, and there was nothing confusing or difficult about them. He found their company calming, and soothing to his vanity.

As soon as he entered the nursery he felt some of his tension ease. Three young faces lit up at the sight of him. 'Daddy!' Bonnie exclaimed, as she ran into his arms. 'Look Uncle Rhett,' said Ella, 'I drew a flower.' She held up a childish drawing for him to admire. Wade had been reading, but he stood to his feet at Rhett's entrance. 'Hello sir,' he said respectfully. 'Hello Wade,' Rhett answered affectionately. 'How's the book?' 'It's about the railway,' answered Wade. 'Ah,' said Rhett. 'That sounds interesting'. 'Yes, it is', answered Wade, smiling shyly. 'But I'd rather ride on a train than read about it.' Rhett gave him an answering smile. 'Indeed, Wade, there is no substitute for experience,' he responded.

He then proceeded to admire several of Ella's drawings, before being drawn into a pretend tea party with Bonnie and her dolls. Bonnie 'poured tea' into three of the cups, then paused. 'Would Mother like some tea too?' she asked, looking to Rhett for an answer. Rhett smothered his surprise at her question and answered smoothly, 'Mother's not home Bonnie. She's at the store. But maybe she would like tea another time.' Somehow he couldn't imagine Scarlett playing tea parties with Bonnie.

Ella's voice cut across his thoughts. 'Why does Mother go to the store all the time Uncle Rhett? Why can't she stay home with us like Aunt Melly stays with Beau?'

Rhett turned towards Ella and regarded her seriously. 'That's a good question Ella, and it's not simple to answer,' he said thoughtfully. 'But I can tell you that your mother works at the store because she is clever and she likes to use her brain. I can also tell you that she is doing it for you.' 'For me?' asked Ella in surprise. 'Yes,' answered Rhett. 'The store was your father's, you know, and one day it will be yours, so your mother is looking after it for you until you are old enough to have it.'

'A store, for me?' asked Ella, wide eyed. 'Yes, indeed,' smiled Rhett. 'Has your mother never told you this? But surely you have visited Kennedy's Emporium?' Ella looked confused. 'That's the name of the store,' Rhett explained. 'Your name, and your father's name too, see?' Ella stood there looking at him, with her mouth wide open, frowning.

'Shut your mouth Ella, or you will catch a fly', said Rhett, not unkindly. Ella obediently shut her mouth. Rhett leaned back thoughtfully. 'Have you children never visited the store?' he asked again.

'No, Uncle Rhett', 'No, Daddy', they said in unison.

'Hmmm,' said Rhett thoughtfully. 'How would you like to go visit there with me today?' 'Oh yes please,' answered Ella and Bonnie enthusiastically. Wade's eyes lit up hopefully. He didn't need to say anything.

'Very well then,' said Rhett. 'I will take you for a walk'. He smiled to himself as he thought what a surprise Scarlett would get to see them. Then he had a small pang of anxiety as he wondered how Scarlett would receive them.

It was a lovely day and he enjoyed walking with the children. Their affection was a balm to his troubled soul. He had missed Wade and Ella, he realised as he walked along. There was something so very uncomplicated about children. It was refreshing. The children were excited. He kept a firm grip of Bonnie's and Ella's hands so they wouldn't dash out onto the road and get mucky or injured. Wade held onto Ella's other hand. When Bonnie started to lag behind, he picked her up and carried her. Finally they arrived outside the store. He placed Bonnie back on her feet. Ella could hardly contain herself. 'Look Uncle Rhett, it's got my name on it!' she squealed, pointing excitedly to the large lettering which read 'Kennedy's Emporium'. Rhett smiled at her warmly. Then he gave them a short lecture about how they must be on their best behaviour so their mother would be proud of them. They entered the store then in a quiet, orderly manner. But Rhett could see Ella's eyes bulging as she looked around her in wonder. Willie hurried to serve them. 'Good morning Captain Butler, sir,' he said. 'How can I help you this morning?'

'Well,' said Rhett thoughtfully, 'I would like to buy...' He turned to the children. 'Hmm,' he said, 'I seem to have forgotten what I would like to buy. What would we like to buy, children? You may choose one thing each.' They stood looking at him uncertainly. 'Go on,' he encouraged, 'look around. But remember not to touch.'

The children wandered around the store, eyes wide as saucers at the vast array of goods on display. Eventually Bonnie chose a fine porcelain cup and saucer, and Ella chose some hair ribbons. 'What about you, Wade? What would you like?' asked Rhett. Wade looked up at him with big brown eyes. 'Where is Mother?' he asked.

'Ah,' said Rhett, uncomfortably. 'She will be out the back, doing the books. There is a lot of work required to keep a store ticking over.'

'Can we go and see her?' asked Wade.

Rhett looked at Willie. His fear of facing Scarlett's displeasure surged to the surface and he suddenly regretted bringing the children here. But it was too late now. 'Is Mrs Butler in?' he asked Willie blandly.

'Yes, sir,' answered Willie. 'If you will excuse me one moment I will let her know you are here.' With that, Willie disappeared out the back. A few moments later, Scarlett appeared. She looked at Rhett questioningly, but Rhett's face was carefully blank. Finding no answer there, she turned towards the children.

'Hello Wade, Ella, Bonnie,' she smiled. 'What a lovely surprise!' She crouched down and gathered them into her arms. 'But what are you all doing here?' she asked.

'Uncle Rhett brought us to see the store,' explained Ella. 'He said…' she glanced up at Rhett then back at her mother 'he said that you are looking after the store for me. Is that true, Mother?'

Scarlett smiled at her. 'Yes, Ella,' she confirmed. 'You are your father's only child, so one day the store will be yours. Do you like it?'

'Oh yes!' exclaimed Ella. 'Especially all the pretty ribbons. Come and look Mother,' she said, tugging at Scarlett's hand. Scarlett smiled again and allowed herself to be led away. Bonnie followed after them, leaving Wade standing rather forlornly alone. Rhett wordlessly moved to stand behind him, placing his hand on Wade's shoulder. 'Would you like to see what your mother does out the back?' he asked quietly. Wade nodded, not quite trusting his voice. They waited there until Scarlett returned with Bonnie and Ella and a big handful of ribbons. 'Allow me,' said Rhett, stepping in to take the ribbons from her. 'Scarlett, would you show Wade the books? He would love to see what your work here involves.' Scarlett looked at him in surprise, and then down at Wade's eager face. 'Of course,' she said uncertainly. 'Come along Wade.'

As Scarlett led Wade out the back, Rhett turned back towards Willie. 'Could you wrap up the ribbons, and the cup and saucer, and have them delivered to our home please Willie?' he said. Then he turned back towards Ella and Bonnie, as if he had just realised something. 'Girls,' he said, 'Wade forgot to choose something for himself. What do you think he would like?' So they spent a few more happy minutes choosing something for Wade. They all agreed that he would like the toy soldiers best. When Willie had wrapped them up, Rhett stroked his chin thoughtfully. Just then Scarlett and Wade reappeared. Wade was grinning happily. Rhett smiled back at him fondly.

'Well,' he said. 'We won't keep you from your work any longer. Say goodbye to your mother children.'

'Goodbye Mother,' they responded dutifully. 'Goodbye Scarlett,' said Rhett, with a small smile. And he bowed over her hand formally, brushing it lightly with his moustache.