Ch. 8- Scarlett

Scarlett grinned as a familiar figure stepped off the train. She ran to him, laughing as he opened his arms for her. "Colum! I'm so glad you came!"

Colum had been her strongest supporter since meeting her father's kin. Although the plain clothes he wore now didn't outwardly proclaim it, the collar he always wore peeked out from beneath his jacket, a symbol of his priesthood and something he took seriously. She was grateful his current appointment allowed him to travel, mostly freely. Cat loved her cousin as much as Scarlett did; having someone from Ireland with her again was nice. She didn't expect to feel as homesick as she was.

"Scarlett, you look well. Of course I came. I'm here to stay as long as you need me, and then I'll escort you and Cat back home. Where is she? Didn't you bring her to collect me?"

Scarlett smiled. "She'll be thrilled to see you. I thought it best to leave them at home. When I left, it looked like it might rain, although you couldn't tell by looking now." Scarlett peered up at the sky as she spoke.

"Them?" Colum questioned.

"Oh. Yes. I have a lot to catch you up on."

"Oh?"

"It seems, temporarily at least, I have another baby."

Colum listened in surprise as they walked around Atlanta, Scarlett regaling him of the train collision and how she'd left the accident with a baby. "Will you keep him?"

"I don't know. I've tried not to think about it too much. Part of me already hopes his family doesn't come forward, but that's a horrible thing to wish, isn't it?"

"Not horrible, no, as long as should they come forward, you gave him to them."

"I wouldn't keep a child from his family, Colum. You know me better than that."

Colum studied her but didn't reply.

Scarlett stopped mid-stride and turned to face him, realizing where his thoughts were going. "Cat is different."

"Doesn't being back here make you consider letting him know?"

"No. Why should it? He has a happy new family now. We would only ruin it."

"Is it really ruining his family that concerns you or the fact that he might choose not to be involved?"

"Stop using your priestly counsel on me; I'm immune to it. Once he knew, Rhett would never choose to be involved with Cat. The problem is that there is no world where he would let me continue with her in Ireland and only visit her occasionally. Rhett would want constant access to her. He might take her from me. He never thought much of my mothering."

"You're a wonderful mother to her, Scarlett. Everyone can see it."

"You'd be surprised what people here would believe, Colum. I've been at the receiving end of their ire before. Please remember that as long as we're here. No one can know she's mine. Or his."

Colum smiled at Scarlett, never able to begrudge her. "I'll take your secret to my grave, Scarlett, you know that. At least think about the possibility of it while we're here?"

Scarlett nodded. She'd think about it for his sake but had no doubt she'd come to the same conclusion. Scarlett wasn't unaware that it was a primarily selfish decision. She didn't think she could survive if he took Cat away from her, too. The knowledge that they were married had sent her into labor, and to know he had a child and was living out the future they should have- pained her.

"I need to stop in at the post office, Colum, and then I'll tell you about Careen's dilemma."

"We can stop wherever you'd like. I'm enjoying the walk after the long train ride."

The trips into Atlanta had been uncomfortable, at best. As she encountered people from her past, she was greeted with a wide ray of response. Some people chose to ignore her completely, others offered sympathy- how unfortunate to be divorced by your husband-and others came to speak to her, claiming their support, but clearly only hoping to be let on the newest gossip of her life. She was courteous but short and didn't linger in conversation, begging off for important business.

Colum also caused a commotion with his presence. Those who noticed his collar were confused about why he seemed so attached to Scarlett, and those who didn't see instead wondered if he was a new suitor.
Scarlett didn't bother correcting them or filling in the answers they wanted. She knew enough of the town to know they'd always have their own opinion, even if it wasn't right.

When Scarlett was done her errands, Colum and she got into her buggy to begin the trip back to Tara. She handed him the reigns. "They're not as fast as the ones at Balyhara, so don't try." She grinned at him, knowing his love for racing.

"Slow and steady it is, then. Now, tell me about Careen."