This chapter is unedited, my beta is very busy right now. Sorry for the mistakes in the text

MissTricey, come back to me as soon as possible.

Thank you so much for the feedback, it's really important to me.

I started a new story about Clark Gable, maybe it will be interesting to someone. It was published on another fanfiction site, because, unfortunately, I can't publish stories about real people here.

Scarlett wanted to give Rhett something. He had done a lot for her and her family, and the least she could do was give him a Christmas present. She spent several days thinking about what it could be. What could be given to a man who had everything? And then an idea came to her.

She entered Mr. Jones's dimly lit bookstore. The owner greeted her with a smile. Scarlett walked through several shelves to the shelf she needed. She was a fairly frequent visitor to this store and already knew what was where. This time she was looking for a specific book. She scanned the shelf with her eyes until the right book caught her eye.

Scarlett picked up the gift edition of Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece. She smiled triumphantly.

"Miss O'Hara, what a meeting!" She heard a familiar voice. She turned around and saw Mr. Clark, who was smiling at her, standing at the beginning of the aisle.

"Mr. Clark, it's nice to see you. Are you looking for something specific? She asked curiously.

"No, I just decided to look at new items, maybe something will appeal. How did you spend Christmas?"

"Thank you, it was good. We celebrated with friends. And you?"

"Unfortunately, I was working at Christmas." He smiled sadly.

"What about Mrs. Clark?"

"I'm not married."

"Oh, I'm sure everything is still ahead. I'm sorry..." she smiled and went to the counter.

Scarlett handed the book to Mr. Jones.

"Have you chosen a book for a gift?"

Scarlett nodded.

"Mr. Jones, wrap the book in a package and perhaps you have a pen and paper?"

"Of course Miss O'Hara"

Scarlett decided to write a note to Rhett. And I heard Clark's voice again.

"Miss O'Hara, may I walk you out?"

"Mr. Clark..."

"Gregory, please. May I call you Scarlett?" he looked at her hopefully.

Scarlett liked his attention and decided to encourage him a little.

"You can," she smiled. "I mean, you can call me Scarlett. And no, you can't bring me. I have a lot to do, I'm sorry."

"Then maybe I can come in for tea?"

She thought for a long time but then decided to say yes.

"Why not, Gregory? I'm sorry now"

"Of course, Scarlett, I look forward to our next meeting."

He took her hand and raised it to his lips.

"Goodbye"

Scarlett thought about the fact that Gregory Clark began to pay a lot of attention to her. Was he claiming to be her date? Hmm... well, it might be interesting. Not that she had any designs on him, but when did Scarlett O'Hara refuse the cavaliers?

Scarlett focused on the note.

"Dear Rhett,

I want to share one of my favorite books with you. I hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas.

Scarlett"

She laughed, took the book, and went to the National, where she knew Rhett lived. She left a gift at the front desk. Scarlett wanted to hope he would like her little gift. Moreover, for some reason it was very important to her that he liked it.

Scarlett returned home. She was surprised to find Aunt Pitty there. She was having tea with Gregory Clark. And she spent the next hour in his company.

On Tuesday morning, Scarlett went to the mill. She was looking forward to Rhett's appearance. He promised to meet her today.

Halfway to the mill, Scarlett heard the sound of hooves and turned around to stop the buggy. She saw him on horseback, approaching her quickly.

Her heart started beating faster, she was glad to see him.

"Scarlett, good afternoon," he beamed as he took off his hat.

"Rhett, you're here."

She shifted in her seat, making room for him and handing him the reins.

"You look great today." He studied her, his gaze sliding over her figure, making her blush.

"Thanks, Rhett," she lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

"How are you doing?" she wondered how he reacted to her gift, whether he liked it. But she was afraid to ask directly.

"I'm fine, Scarlett. I had a very good Christmas. By the way, I really liked your gift. Thank you very much. I was touched." he was smiling sincerely. Scarlett noticed that he was in a great mood.

"I'm glad you liked it, Rhett," and it was true.

"Why did you decide to give me a gift?" he was watching her curiously.

"I wanted to please you. You've done so much for me, it's the least I could do for you." She looked into his eyes.

He stopped the buggy and reached into his inside pocket, pulling out a black flat box.

"I didn't want to give it in front of everyone. When I saw it, I thought you might like it."

Rhett handed her the box and she opened it, peering inside curiously.

"Oh..." Scarlett was speechless for a second.

Inside was a bracelet consisting of two rows of amethysts in a gold frame. The stones shimmered in the sun, revealing a deep purple color. Scarlett is mesmerized, turning the box from side to side.

She was delighted, it was so beautiful and so elegant. And obviously very expensive, as well as everything that Rhett gave.

She must have been silent for too long because Rhett eagerly called out to her.

"Do you like it, Scarlett?"

Scarlett tore her gaze away from the bracelet and looked at him.

"Oh Rhett, it's great, it's so beautiful. Thank you very much"

There was complete satisfaction on his face. He pulled on the reins and the buggy pulled away.

"I think Christmas dinner was very pleasant, don't you think, Scarlett?"

She put the box away and went back to talking to him.

"Yes, everything was fine, except Suellen's constant chatter about her precious Frank." She rolled her eyes and heard Rhett laugh.

"Your sister loves her husband very much and is obviously proud of him." Now it was Scarlett's turn to laugh.

"Does Suellen love Frank? She would have married anyone who offered, rather than remain an old maid. So I have big doubts about big love."

"Don't you believe in love, Scarlett? Or love at first sight?"

Scarlett noticed again that strange look he often gave her.

"I believe in love. But certainly not in love at first sight. I believe in sympathy at first sight, in infatuation at first sight, in passion at first sight, but not in love. It's something more..."

"An interesting point of view. Do you think love can come in marriage, Scarlett?"

Scarlett shrugged her shoulders.

"I think it's possible."

"Have you thought about getting married, dear? Scarlett tensed, this conversation was taking a strange turn.

"Married Rhett? I don't think I want that." She laughed.

She studied Rhett's face, which had lost all emotion.

"I think you're meant to be married."

"I doubt it…What about you, Rhett? Have you changed your mind yet? Don't you want to come home to your beloved wife for dinner every day at five o'clock in the evening?" she decided to hurt him a little.

He was silent for a while.

"I'm thinking about this" Scarlett tensed up.

"Really? What has changed? Have you finally met a woman you are ready to marry?"

For some reason, the thought that Rhett might have a lover alarmed Scarlett. She considered Rhett her beau, even though he said he wouldn't marry her. And now, some woman was trying to take it away. This angered Scarlett. He belonged only to her! Where did this thought come from in her head? It doesn't matter! Yes, Rhett was her cavalier, and no one else could take him away from her.

Scarlet frowned and heard Rhett laugh.

"Scarlett, are you jealous?"

"What! How could you think that? I don't care about that at all!" she turned away.

"Of course, I thought so," he continued to laugh.

"Oh, Scarlett, iron the feathers, dear. You have nothing to worry about. I am only yours, forever." She turned and saw his cheerful face.

He was playing with her, but there was something in the depths of his eyes that she couldn't explain. It was as if he was testing her with such statements. She thought for a second that she wished it were true. Scarlett decided to play along with him, she didn't want Rhett to keep making fun of her.

"Rhett?" she tried to look as interested as possible. "I hope so..." She looked him straight in the eye with one eyebrow raised, trying to read him, but it was useless. His face hadn't changed at all, and there was still a smile on it.

He laughed even louder, without commenting on her words in any way. They rode in silence for a while. Her mill appeared in the distance. Rhett stopped the horse and turned to her.

"Scarlett, I want to talk to you." His face no longer expressed amusement, he was absolutely serious. "I want to ask you to hire an escort who will travel with you to the mills. While I'm in town, I'll go with you, but I can't always be around."

"Rhett, I don't understand why I should do this, I can quite drive myself." He was too annoying with his instructive tone.

"The woods are full of tramps, I don't want you to put yourself in danger," he insisted.

"I have a gun…" she just shrugged her shoulders.

He clenched his fists in anger.

"For God's sake, Scarlett, I don't want you to be raped! Don't you understand the gravity of the situation?!" he started screaming.

She was shocked by his tone and display of emotion, he always kept himself in check no matter what happened.

"Is that why you're coming with me?" she never thought about the reason for his actions. It seemed like a matter of course for her to spend time with him.

"Are you surprised Scarlett? he became more calm, "Yes, dear, I care about you. It's too dangerous here. I wish you wouldn't visit these mills at all. But, if you can't give it up, then at least I want to keep you safe."

Her heart skipped a beat. He really cared about her. Why she didn't know. But it was nice to know that there was someone who was worried about her. She reached for his hand and squeezed it.

"Thank you, Rhett..." They looked into each other's eyes for a few moments, he smiled at her tenderly, but then he became serious again.

"Scarlett, you have to be more careful. I know that ladies are not privy to this, but you must have heard about the Ku Klux Klan. The Yankees are ready now, I'm afraid that searches and arrests will begin soon."

"Rhett, do you know anyone who is a member of it? You're not involved in this, are you?"

He laughed, focusing on the road again, and the buggies began to move towards the sawmill.

No, dear. You forgot that I am a scallywag. I talk with Yankees and carpetbaggers. No, I'm not a clan member. I don't know the names. But, the Yankees know. It could be one of your friends."

Scarlett calmed down a little after hearing this.

"Thank God, Rhett, that you were smart enough not to do that. I don't want them to hang you," she rolled her eyes irritably.

"Are you worried about me, Scarlett?" he turned to look at her, he looked very interested.

Scarlett kicked herself inwardly. She shouldn't have said that she was really worried, but he shouldn't have known that. The problem was that Rhett would cling to it anyway and it was useless to deny it.

"Yes, Rhett, why shouldn't I, you're my friend. Naturally, I worry about you." he did not elaborate on this topic.

"Okay, let's go back to my previous question. Will you hire someone to guard or should I do it for you?"

She decided she wouldn't argue with him and just nodded.

"All right, Rhett. I'll do it. I can take Uncle Peter with me."

He snorted.

"I am very glad that you decided to listen to me the first time, which of course surprises me. But Uncle Peter is not that kind of company. I have someone in mind if you'll let me help."

She nodded again, and Rhett looked at her in surprise.

"Where did this meekness come from, Scarlett, it's not like you at all"

Scarlett looked down, she didn't want to argue with him. Maybe he was right and she shouldn't have taken such a risk.

"I think you're right, Rhett, and I wouldn't want to upset you."

He burst out laughing.

"God, who is this woman next to me? Scarlett, you must have a fever if you agreed to everything so quickly." She got angry.

"What's wrong this time? I agree, isn't that enough? Can't you just accept it, Rhett?"

At that moment, the buggy stopped and she jumped to the ground. She heard Rhett laughing behind her.

"Don't get mad at Scarlett, I'm just pleasantly surprised. I'll be waiting for you here."

She shouted without turning around.

"You can leave, I don't need you..."

"It doesn`t work like this, Scarlett..."

She didn't even listen to him anymore and entered the sawmill building.