Tara's Forgotten Son

  Chapter 7

  Wade did not protest in the slightest when his mother announced that she would be leaving, but rather kissed her goodbye, and nodded politely as she waved. He reveled in the respite of her absence, having more time to work with Will and play with Tony. Finally, his life had taken a positive turn, and he was truly enjoying himself. Planting was done, so it was time to turn to upkeep on the house and the cattle. Wade helped Will mend fences, feed the cattle, and fix small things around the house. The days were filled with duties, and Wade had never felt so useful or alive. He was needed. He had lists of chores to carry out every day, and he completed each one with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

  When chores were done and the day was through, he ate a hearty meal and joined the members of the house in the evening devotions. After only a few recitals, he remembered every response of the catholic prayers, and he recited them with force and conviction. Somehow, he had regained God’s favor, and although he did not understand, he would never question it. Of course, after the rituals were completed and he was alone, he would spend long hours talking with God, thanking him for his many blessings, praying for rain and a good harvest, and asking Him to keep His protective hand on Emily, though she may never be his friend again.

  Wade spent every weekend with Tony. They didn’t have time during the week because Tony was working just as hard as Wade on his own plantation, but the weekend was designated as time for relaxation, which is exactly what they did. Tony taught him how to twirl his six shooters, letting him practice with the set with the beautiful ivory handles. He learned how to ride a horse like a Texan, flying fast as the wind through the countryside. Tony even taught him all the secrets he had learned as a Texas Ranger about how to walk, track, and live like the Native Americans. Soon, he was sneaking through the country, never being seen.

  After some early morning chores one Saturday, Wade skipped to the Fontaine plantation, expecting to practice his quick draw. He strolled the last few yards, taking in the scent of the crisp, fall air. Soon it would be time to harvest so he was determined to enjoy the relaxation of the day before the long hard days of cotton picking would begin. Knocking on the door, he fully expected to see Tony fling it open and race outside, glad to be away from the never ending work. However, when the door opened slowly, he came face to face with Emily, dressed in one of Sally’s old dresses that hung to the floor. Wade stood there, astonished at the surprise of seeing Emily in the Fontaine house and the way she had grown seemingly overnight. She looked more like a lady than a small girl.

  “Good morning, Mr. Hamilton.” Emily smiled tight-lipped, not expecting to see him at the door, unsure of how to respond to his call.

  Wade jumped slightly, remembering the manners his mother had taught him. “Good morning Miss Emily. I am here to see Mr. Fontaine. Can you tell him I am here, please?”

  Tony came sauntering to the door, gathering his gun belt and six shooters. He was wearing his high-heeled boots that Wade eyed with envy, wondering how he could talk his mother into getting him a pair. They said goodbye to Emily, and walked to the south side of the house where Tony had already set up targets for their quick draw practice.

  “All right, boy, you ready to practice? I swear, last time I thought you was trying to outrun molasses. You were so slow that I think a turtle could outdraw you.” Tony’s eyes sparkled with laughter. He didn’t mean any harm, and Wade took no offense at the friendly ribbing that he had grown accustomed to since spending time with Tony.

  Wade was still thinking about Emily, and there was no way he could concentrate on shooting. He was pretty sure that Emily had not mentioned him so he thought he would broach the subject vaguely. “So, who is that girl that answered the door?”

  Tony ran to check the targets, “That’s Emily. Her family is working a plot of land that we leined to them. They help us work in the fields, and in return they get a place to live and a few acres to grow their garden. Then when the cotton sells, they get a couple of dollars to buy supplies.”

  Wade knew all this, but he was trying to find a way to get more information out of him. “Does the girl always work in the big house? Is that part of the deal?”

  Tony aimed his pistol at the target, checking the sights. “No, she just started coming up to the big house and working with Sally. She is convinced that Sally is a lady, so she has become her protégé’, although I don’t think that the poor girl knows that since the end of the war, the belle of the county has been eradicated. Are we gonna shoot guns or shoot the bull?”

  Wade walked to Tony’s side, hardly listening to his instructions, trying to make sense of things. “About what time did she start coming up here?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I think it was about the same time as your mother got here.”

  Tony slid his pistols into his holsters, and drew them quickly, shooting at the target. Bull’s eye! Tony kicked up his feet, running up to check his work, two holes, straight through his paper targets. “All right. It’s your turn, boy. Get on up here.”

  Wade took the holster and hooked it around his hips, grabbed the ivory handles and waited for Tony’s signal. Dropping his hands, he looked at Tony questionably and asked, “Why doesn’t her mother or sisters teach her all that woman stuff?”

  “She ain’t got none,” Tony replied. “Her mother died right after the war. She lives down there with just her Pa and her brothers. Come on now, get it in gear.” Tony gave the signal for Wade to draw.

  Wade drew the pistols as fast as he could grab them, pulled the trigger on each one, and closed his eyes, hoping to hit the target. He heard a crash, and Tony make a sound. When he opened his eyes, Tony looked as if he had seen a ghost with large eyes and a pounding heart. Turning toward the targets, he realized that he hadn’t hit either of them, and his heart sank with disappointment, then fear as he wondered where the bullets had strayed.

  “Boy, what are you doing? You may have sped up your draw, but if you don’t hit the target, you’d still be dead! If you’re in a gunfight, you either shoot him or he’ll shoot you, and with an aim like that, you’d be good as gone, and people would be laughing at your grave.” Tony chuckled just a little and chucked Wade on the arm, but he was sincerely scared. The bullet had ricocheted off a tree, and had returned pretty close to him and Wade. It would be even more embarrassing to have to explain to the girls why one of them got shot in the leg when they were practicing.

  “I guess I am just not in the right frame of mind to be shooting right now. Can we try it again later?” Wade looked at him hopefully.

  “Well, you know we’re gonna start harvesting tomorrow. I’ll bet Will is already planning the harvest on Tara, too. Then as soon as that is done, you gotta start school. But don’t worry, we’ll sneak around and find some time.” Tony smiled broadly, tipping his ten gallon hat.

  Wade walked back home slowly, running through his mind the things that Tony had said. Everything that Emily had told him from the first day they met had been a lie. She lied about her family and the stories she told, everything. She was just like everyone else he knew, and his chest ripped open as if he was hearing all their deceit for the first time again. Aunt Melly had lied about his father even as she was telling him not to fib to his mother, Scarlett had lied repeatedly, and he was even convinced that Rhett had lied when he called Wade his little boy. They were all dirty, rotten hypocrites.

  Now Emily was among the mix, with her funny stories about her brother playing tricks on her mother. It was so amusing, she was probably laughing every time he left, knowing she had tricked him again. The thought made his temples throb with anger, and he wondered how many other things she had conveniently omitted. Now, she thought she was too ladylike to sit with him at the creek and talk, and she had to go consort with girls who probably knew nothing about fishing for crawdads or gathering berries. Who did she think she could fool with her fancy dresses, shoes, and neatly plaited hair?

  That was fine. He was done. He was done with all the
deceptions and the impostors. He wanted nothing more to do with anyone who deceived and tricked him, and he would never be pulled into that trap again. Mammy had warned him against hatred, and he had no plan for revenge, but he would certainly remain on his guard. What was that Rhett said? He told him to avoid women like his mother, and Emily had just proven that she easily cast aside virtue. As he rounded the corner, blocking the view of Mimosa, he blocked all thought of Emily, focusing on his future and Tara as it came into view.

  The fields were white, billowing with fluffs of cotton waiting to be harvested. Within a few days, his back ached from bending over, gathering the balls of downy livelihood. His fingers bled from pulling the cotton from its stingy fingers and stuffing it into his bag, thrown over his shoulder which was becoming blistered and sore from the weight. With each row, he felt the pang of childbirth as he reaped the tender growth he had sown in the land and his heart. The reward of hard months of plowing, hoeing, and watering grew obvious as the cash crop began to fill the former slave quarters, awaiting its sale for a higher price than it had seen in years.

  However, farmers across the land found that prices had not risen to pre-war times, nor would it ever again. Cotton, which had once been the mainstay in central Georgia, had now become almost worthless, as could be seen in the current market. Never again would the cotton king arise. People across the south cried for their loss of value, wondering how they would recover without funding needed to recuperate their losses or the help they needed in order to regain the land which had been severely overwrought with unwanted growth, desertion, and undernourishment. As ten people tried desperately to do the work of a hundred men, frustration and discouragement settled over them, and many left a land that had turned against them.

  Wade found that Tony had joined them. Frustrated with work that he did not understand or love, Tony decided to return to Texas and rejoin the Texas Rangers. Harvest was done, and although he was needed, he felt as if his presence was a hindrance. He would never get used to this new way of life, the rough life of hard work, long days, uncomely clothes, and calloused hands. His heart ached for the old days of gallantry, gentlemen, ladies, and talk of honor and chivalry, where the most beguiling thought consisted of dance partners and menus, and the responsibilities of men were few.

  Wade had never known that life, nor did he want to. He loved the land, working with his hands in the fields, hearing the crunch of leaves under his feet as he walked, and feeling the chill of fall settle in the air. School would start in a few days, and although he was in no hurry to leave his life of serenity, he did look forward to resuming his studies, reading new books, and meeting the other students in the county. He would be attending the county school at the Tarleton residence, where Miss Tarleton would attempt to teach the basic academics to a handful of students.

  Scarlett had sent plenty of money to clothe the children, and Suellen had gone to Jonesboro to find new clothing for Wade and Ella because they had long outgrown their Atlanta attire. His sister, Ella, would be attending school this year, as well, and she was terribly nervous, questioning Wade until he was irritated, but he assured her that he would walk with her every day, and she would be with him the entire time. As they walked to school the first morning, Wade nodded distractedly as Ella rattled on endlessly. He considered asking Suellen to keep Ella home, for she would certainly hinder his studies, but Ella was so excited, he could hardly keep her from attending. It was a long walk, and he began to feel uneasy, but he stood tall, holding Ella’s hand to give her strength, and walked straight to the school house door.

  When the door opened, Miss Tarleton opened the door widely, welcoming them with a smile and warm words, “So these are Scarlett’s children. I am so happy to have you here.” They returned her smile and walked in to take their seats.

  Ella suddenly felt Wade’s hand let go of hers, and she turned to see him bite his lip. She knew he could not be nervous, he had gone to school before, and he already knew how to read. Looking harder, though, she could not tell what he saw that would make him so pale. She had seen that look before, but not since Mother had left. That was the look that washed across his face whenever she scolded him. He looked scared and timid, breathless, and unmoving. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the first available seat, then followed his eyes to the girl beside him.

  She had never seen her before, but she was very beautiful. She had such dark blue eyes that seemed to bubble with happiness, reflecting the beauty around her. Small blonde curls struggled to free themselves from the tight roll on the back of her neck. As soon as Wade sat down beside her, a faint blush ran through her cheeks, and she looked angelically lovely. Ella knew from that moment that she would love to have this pretty young girl as her friend, and she immediately introduced herself, causing Wade to blush as well. Ella was not sure what was wrong with the two of them, but she hoped it did not happen to all students, and she returned her concentration on the teacher in the front of the room.

  Wade sat through endless lectures, eagerly waiting the moment he could jump and run from the room, escaping the heart-ripping pressure that weighed on him. There was no way he could endure her presence throughout the school year, and he could only concentrate on the burning on the back of his neck when she lowered her eyes demurely and turned her head toward him, hoping to catch his eyes in her own. It would not happen, though, he would not allow her to make eye contact, pulling him back, ensnaring him in her web to be consumed and destroyed. The moment the students were dismissed, he ran from the room, leaving Ella behind, and ran down the road without looking back. He heard his name being called, but he refused to acknowledge the plea.

  When he reached the house, he began his campaign with Aunt Suellen to quit school. He begged and pleaded to be allowed to stay home, he didn’t need education; he would farm. In spite of his daily appeals, she insisted that his mother wanted him to have an education and to uphold the legacy of his father. So she sent him on the long trek toward another place of burden, where he would sit in torture, as far away from Emily as he could manage in the small, claustrophobic schoolroom. He could feel the walls closing in on him, and he gasped for breath when he caught her eye, staring at him, imploring his attention. Slowly, distressingly, the walls began to crumble, and could no longer feel his anger and unwelcome emotions of want and sorrow began to pry into his hardened heart, making him ache.

  As the Christmas Season approached, the county became brighter, not with ornate, expensive decorations as in the past, but with handmade ornamentation and glowing faces. The exuberance of the season made Wade’s heart ache more inconsolably. He knew that missed opportunities had ruined the lives of so many, and he decided to give Emily the chance to explain her deception, hoping that misunderstanding had been at the core of their problem. He longed to spend time with her, again, and the delight in the faces around him only intensified his need for companionship.

  When Miss Tarleton asked for volunteers to help decorate the schoolhouse with gathered mistletoe and garland that the children had made, and Emily volunteered, he volunteered as well. He sent Ella on her way home with a message that he would be along shortly, and he gathered his courage to be alone with Emily and ask her the questions that he gravely needed answered. Miss Tarleton kept them busy climbing ladders, hanging decorations, and making them laugh with hilarious stories of the pre-war days, filled with jovial cheer. He wished he had spent as much time with his own grandfather as Miss Tarleton had because she made him sound so lively, cheerful, and entertaining, not despondent and wretchedly insane, as he remembered him when he was a young child. When they finally finished, they surveyed their work with satisfaction. The school room would be a cheerful place to spend their last few weeks before the Christmas Holiday. Bright greenery hung from rafters, and children’s works of art covered every wall. A small Christmas tree stood in the corner, covered with strings of garland making it dance childishly.

  After Miss Tarleton thanked them, Emily slid her shawl ar
ound her shoulders and prepared to walk the long distance home. Wade walked up beside her, and they didn’t speak for a few minutes as he considered how to approach the subject delicately. Finally, he stopped her in the road, and turned her towards him. She lowered her eyes, and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

  “Thank you for walking with me, Mr. Hamilton, I declare it is certainly chilly out here, and I would hate to catch my death of cold. Is there something you needed, or are you just toying with me, you handsome thing?” Emily continued to eye him demurely, flirting with him shamelessly.

  Wade felt his stomach lurch and his temples began to throb. “Please drop the coquetry, it doesn’t appeal to me, nor does it flatter you. If you cannot level with me, then I do not wish to speak with you,” he said, throwing his cards on the table, and demanding her sincerity.

  Emily’s mouth opened and closed, unable to respond. The months of training by Sally Fontaine had never prepared her for this turn in the conversation, and she had never seen a man speak to a woman in this manner. As usual, she had once again forgotten that they were not adults, but adolescents who had experienced too much to act as children, but not enough to compel them to act as adults. His rash speech threw her back into a childish rage, frustrated that her attempt at seduction had not succeeded.

  She responded slowly so as not to lose her temper, “What would you like to speak with me about? You haven’t spoken in so long, that I almost forgot the sound of your voice. It almost seems rude, now that you grace me with your conversation, you address me so severely.”

  Now it was his turn to stare at her incredulously. “You lied to me! You told me hundreds if not thousands of lies.” He suddenly felt his hurt and anger flood over him as he demanded answers to the questions that had tormented him for so long.

  “Yes, I did. I’m sorry that I lied, I meant no harm.”

  “What do you mean, you meant no harm? Who were you trying to help? Were you laughing at me everyday when I left, knowing you had tricked me again? Have you conspired with my mother to deceive me and persecute me with you female wiles?”

  She almost laughed aloud at his ridiculous accusations and the look on his face as he began to tremble, but she realized his anguish, and distressed that she had been the cause of that look of pain on his face. “Wade, I did not mean to hurt you. I was only thinking of myself. When I was with you, I could pretend that my mother was still alive, and make up stories that would make me feel better. When I was with you, I did not have to face reality, but I could pretend that my life was the way I wanted it to be, and I could feel free for just a while.” She turned toward the road and began to walk. She had already told him more than she wanted to tell him, and she had to change the subject before she relinquished any more. Wade would not drop the subject until he was satisfied, though, and she knew it. She had to find some way to avoid direct questions, spinning circles to protect herself and him.

  Wade turned after her and lengthened his stride to catch up, digesting this bit of information. “Why did you run from me that day at the creek, and then pretend you didn’t know me when I visited Tony?”

  “I cannot explain for an explanation would expose my faults, and I prefer that you did not see my open wounds in the light of day. Allow me to keep some dignity.”

  “How can you expect me to accept that answer?”

  “If you cannot accept that answer, I can no longer continue the conversation.” Staring straight ahead, she continued walking, not allowing him to see her expression.

  Wade caught her arm and pulled her back to him, forcing her to look into his eyes. The agony that she saw there frightened her, and she stood very still. “Tell me, what do you want from me? You talk, then run, then avoid, then flirt. Whether or not it has been purposeful, you have been toying with me, and I cannot endure it any longer. Tell me what you want.” He still held her arm tightly, as if his firm grip would some how persuade her to open up, but it was not his squeeze on her arm that made her respond, but the look of suffering in his eyes.

  “The only thing I have ever wanted from you is you. I want your eyes to see me as I long to be seen, your ears to hear the truth in my voice, your heart to synchronize with mine. I want you to accept me without judgment, and I want you to accept the same from me.” Emily pulled her arm away from him sharply and stamped her foot. “Laugh if you want, I have bared my soul, and if you do not respond, it will never happen again.” She stared at him intensely, waiting for an answer, some affirmation that she had not made a complete fool of herself.

  Before he realized what he was doing, he tenderly reached up to her face, and stroked it gently. Meeting her eyes, he pulled her towards him, closed his eyes and touched her lips with his own, sending vibrations throughout his body, warming his cold hands, and shattering the coldness that had grown around his heart. He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in the lovely fragrance of her hair and whispered gently, “I love you, too.” Then reaching for her hand, he continued to walk with her, smiling contentedly. He had no idea that he had won her heart forever, and she breathed a long sigh of relief. When they finally reached the turnoff where they would part, they lingered for a moment, reluctantly saying good-bye and planning to meet on the morrow.

  Knowing that she was his, gave him feeling of completion that shown on his face and even Will and Suellen recognized the change in him. Suellen was excited to see his brilliant smile return, and they celebrated the holidays with joy. They attended gatherings throughout the county and hosted one at their own house. Wade felt the house fill with laughter and happiness that he had not experienced in a long time, and he hoped that his mother was doing well for she had not written or visited, but had sent presents for all the children, and small gifts for Suellen and Will. Wade received a pair of six shooters from Scarlett, and he spent every free moment during his holiday practicing his shooting and drawing. He was only sorry that Tony had already gone back to Texas and he could not see him draw his pistol so quickly and hit he target every time.

  Whenever it was possible, Wade would sneak down to the creek to see Emily, and if she was there, they would huddle on the frozen ground, talking gaily of the parties and presents. From time to time, he wondered if she was embellishing her stories, but remembering what she had said about needing to be free, he didn’t ask or judge. He was willing to accept her and hoped he was everything she needed. When they finally got to return to school after the holidays, they walked to school everyday, and then walked home as Ella danced around them, excited with the knowledge she had attained during the day.

  The days were growing longer and warmer, and Wade had completely forgotten his birthday pass for he had not gotten any notes or visit from his mother. He almost felt relieved at the thought that she had forgotten his existence. In the past, every time things had finally been repaired, his mother would step in, just in time to mess things up again, and he truly wanted to hold on to the bliss that filled his days and his dreams at night.

  On their last day of school for the year, they walked home chattering uncontrollably, planning all of the activities that would fill their summer. Wade would soon be working in the fields again, for it was almost time to plant, so they filled every waking moment with plans of walking in the woods, gathering berries, and maybe a secret trip to Jonesboro. They had several months to work and play, and they had to make the most of it. As they were talking, suddenly a rider appeared behind them, billowing dust around him. Wade looked up, expecting to see a stranger asking for directions, but instead, he saw the form and face of Rhett Butler, sitting astride a handsome stallion, holding the reins of another horse. Wade stood back as Ella ran to him with her arms extended, giggling excitedly.

  Rhett dismounted and took Ella in his arms, holding her as she babbled on about school and other things. He laughed gently, then set her on the ground, approaching Wade and Emily as they stood in the middle of the dirt road uncomfortably.

  “Hello, Wade,” Rhett extended his hand.

&nb
sp; Wade shook his hand and nodded, puzzled by Rhett’s surprise visit. He had not heard from him since his hasty departure after Mammy’s death, and he was undecided as to the appropriate response. He decided to treat Rhett as a gentlemen friend, once again employing the manners that his Mammy had taken such pains to teach him.

  “It’s good to see you, sir. What brings you to this part of the country?”

  Rhett grasped the reins of his horses and accompanied them on the road home. “I came to visit the two of you. Who is your friend?”

  Wade introduced Emily, who smiled broadly and lifted her hand to Rhett, as he bowed above it, “It is a pleasure, Miss Emily.” Emily knew Rhett the moment she saw him, for Wade had spoken of him often, and he had not slighted him in his description of his appearance or demeanor. She was interested by this handsome man with such charming charisma. When turned back to Wade, she saw his stony face, and she rejoined his side, seizing his hand until they had walked to the end of the lane where they would depart.

  After saying their good-byes, Rhett continued his discussion with Wade. “So has occupied your time over the last few months, son?”

  Wade was surprised and confused at the term of endearment, but he ignored it for the moment, hoping to avoid confrontation. “We have been going to school. Soon, we will begin planting the cotton. Are you going to stay for supper? Ella, go tell Aunt Suellen that Uncle Rhett is here, and he intends to stay for supper.”

  They sat on the chairs on the long, open porch after Rhett had tied the reins on the banister and removed the bags that had been tied on the horses. “So what do you think of your horse?” Rhett stretched his legs, and lit a cigar.

  Wade looked at him questioningly. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “I heard that you learned to shoot with your new six-shooters, and that Tony Fontaine had taught you how to ride, and I remembered how much you loved to ride while you were in Atlanta, so I brought you a mustang. He is still pretty young. You see that dappled grey color? As he gets older, it will turn completely grey and eventually white. That is how you can tell the age of the horse.”

  Wade continued to stare at Rhett, astonished at his presence and even more at his horse. He walked down the steps and stretched out his hand to stroke his back and run his fingers through his mane. “Does he have a name?”

  “His name is Silver. Quite fitting don’t you think?”

  Wade smiled. He loved the name Silver. He put his foot up in the stirrups and mounted him, then walked him slowly around the yard a few paces.

  “Now, in order to complete the look, I have a pair of boots and a hat in my bags. After I give the other kids their gifts, I will get them for you.” Rhett tipped his black hat and strode into the house, announcing that he had gifts for everyone. Ella and Susie squealed with delight when Rhett handed them beautiful dolls that were almost as big as they were, with small painted faces and brightly colored dresses. To Suellen he handed long rolls of magnificent fabric to make dresses for herself and the girls, and after dinner, he handed Will a box of cigars. They strolled out onto the porch. Will handed a cigar to Rhett and they began talking about the planting.

  Long after bedtime, Wade lie in his bed wondering what had made Rhett come. He was resting in the living room, so Wade decided to sneak down and see if he was still awake. When he reached the living room, he could see the light burning, and Rhett was sitting up, thinking silently. Wade knocked gently on the door, and entered on Rhett’s request. He fumbled for a moment trying to find the words to say.

  Finally, he spoke, “Why did you come here?”

  Rhett knew that the question had to be asked, and had anticipated his response, “Do you remember the afternoon when Bonnie was born and I said you were my little boy? You are no longer my little boy. You have grown like a weed, but you are like my son, just the same.”

  “Are you living with Mother in Atlanta?”

  “No,” Rhett saw the boy flinch, “She and I will not live together again, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t come see you sometimes, does it?”

  Wade considered Rhett’s words, memories of his last visit burning in his mind, “Why did you not find me last time you were here?”

  “I did not know you witnessed that horrific scene. I wish you had not.” Rhett’s voice never quavered, and his words rolled from his tongue as if they had been memorized and perfected. He always had a way of soothing the wildest beast, and he knew he could soothe the hurt feelings of this young man, but he also knew the boy’s gift of intuition, the ability to see through to the heart of any matter, calling a bluff as quickly as it was thrown. “It was something I had to do for Mammy, and for your mother. I didn’t want you to be part of the play that had to be performed, and I don’t want you to be either hurt or worried by those actions. What remains will remain, and what is done is done. Now, how about a game of cards? You don’t have school in the morning do you?”

  “Today was our last day,” Wade beamed with pride, telling Rhett about his marks and all about Emily. They talked all night long about their respective lives, and when the morning sun rose, all was forgiven and forgotten. Wade had rediscovered his old hero, and had become a hero in Rhett’s eyes as well. After breakfast, Rhett said his goodbyes, promising to return soon, as the family stood on the porch to bid him farewell, waving until he had ridden out of sight.

  Wade stretched tiredly, knowing that he would be very tired by the end of the day, after staying up all night, but today was the first day of planting, and there was nothing that could keep him from work today. He had been looking forward to planting day since the last day of harvest. He and Will walked to the barn, and he showed Will his mustang. He was certainly a beautiful beast, a mottled grey with a mane that seemed to glisten with silver, and dark grey stockings. He was just the right size for Wade to ride comfortably, and he would grow with him to become a magnificent animal, perfect for riding, jumping, and racing through the countryside. Will agreed that Rhett had good sense when it came to choosing a horse.