| It was disloyal to her motherShe stayed
too long-being with them was so much fun-she'd have to visit the
Fontaines tomorrowIt was nearly dark when she got back to Tara
She
could hear Suellen's youngest wailing for something even before she
got
the door openIt was definitely time to go back to AtlantaBut
there was news that changed her mind at onceSuellen scooped up
the
squalling child and shushed it just as Scarlett walked through the
doorIn spite of her bedraggled hair and misshapen body Suellen
looked prettier than she ever had as a girl"Oh, Scarlett," she
exclaimed"There's such excitement, you'll never guess Hush,
now,
honey, you'll have a nice piece of bone with your supper and you can
chew that mean old tooth right omega seamaster orange through so it won't hurt any more If
a new tooth is the exciting news, I don't want to even try and guess,
Scarlett felt like sayingBut Suellen didn't give her a chance
"Tony's home!"
Suellen said"Sally Fontaine rode over to tell us; you just missed
herTony's back! Safe and soundWe're going over to the Fontaine
place for supper tomorrow night, just as soon as Will finishes with the
cowsOh, isn't it wonderful, Scarlett?" Suellen's smile was
radiant
"The County's filling back up again Scarlett felt like hugging her
sister, an impulse she'd never had beforeIt was
wonderful to have Tony backShe'd been afraid that no one would
ever
see him againNow that awful memory of the last sight of him could
be
forgotten foreverHe'd been so fake prada worn and worried-soaked to the skin,
too, and shiveringWho wouldn't be cold and scared? The Yankees
were
right behind him and he was running for his life after he killed the
black man who was mauling Sally and then the scallywag who'd egged
the
black fool on to go after a white womanTony back home! She could
hardly wait for the next afternoonThe County was returning to
life
plantation was named Mimosa, for the grove of trees that surrounded
the
faded ? yellow stucco houseThe trees' feathery pink flowers had
fallen at summer's end, but the fern-like leaves were still vivid green
on the boughsThey swayed like dancers in the light wind, making
shifting patterns of shadow on the mottled walls of the butter-colored
houseIt looked black chanel handbags warm and welcoming in the low, slanting sunlight?
Oh, I hope Tony hasn't changed too much, Scarlett thought nervously
Seven years is such a long timeHer feet dragged when Will lifted her
down from the buggySuppose Tony looked old and ? tired
and-well-defeated, like AshleyIt would be more than she could
bear
She lagged behind Will and Suellen on the path to the doorThen the
door swung open with a bang and all her apprehension vanished
"Who's
that strolling up like they were going to church? Don't you know
enough to rush in and welcome a hero ? when he comes home?"
Tony's
voice was full of laughter, just the ? way it had always been, his share
and eyes as black as ever, his wide grin as bright and mischievous
"Tony!" Scarlett watch cartier replica cried
"You look just the same
"Is that you, Scarlett? Come and give me a kiss
You weren't generous with kisses like Scarlett in the old days, but
Will must have taught you a few things after you marriedI intend to
kiss every female over six years old in the whole state of Georgia now
that I'm back Suellen giggled nervously and looked at WillA
slight smile on his placid thin face granted her permission, but Tony
hadn't bothered to wait for itHe grabbed her around her thickened
waist and planted a smacking kiss on her lipsShe was pink with
confusion and pleasure when he released herThe dashing Fontaine
brothers had paid Suellen little attention in the preWar years of
beaux and belIes
Will put a warm, steadying arm around her tiffany heart tag toggle necklace shoulder |