@@@@@ "Is that you, Scarlett? Come and give me a
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"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 shoulders"Scarlett,
honey," Tony shouted, his arms held wideScarlett stepped into his
embrace, hugged him tight around the neck"You got a lot taller in
Texas," she exclaimedTony was laughing as he kissed her offered
lipsThen he lifted his trouser leg to show them all the high-heeled
boots he was wearingEveryone got taller in Texas, he said; he
wouldn't be surprised if it was a law thereAlex Fontaine smiled over
Tony's shoulder"You'll hear more about Texas than anybody rightly
needs to know," he drawled, "that is, if Tony lets you come in the
houseHe's forgotten about things like thatIn Texas they all live
around campfires under the stars instead of having walls and a roof
Alex was glowing with happinessHe looks like he'd like to hug and
kiss Tony himself, thought Scarlett, and why not? They were close as
two fingers on a hand the whole time they were growing upAlex
must
have missed him something awful
Sudden tears pricked her eyesTony's exuberant return home was the
first joyful event in the County since Sherman's troops had devastated
the land and the lives of its peopleShe hardly knew how to respond
to such a rush of happin