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Boss was always after SOMETHING for nothing!

In Happy Birthday General Lee Cooter said he had a nice REDDISH-Orange paint for the General lee.

As Jesse tossed crushed corn to the chickens he looked up and noticed Daisy hopping in her Jeep. "Where are you going at this early hour?" "Work, of course!", she quickly responded. "It's the day of the big race and Boss has all kinds of things that need done at the Boar's Nest to get ready." Jesse looked a little upset and Daisy could tell. "What's wrong Uncle Jesse? Did you have other plans?" "Nah, that's fine. You go on honey. I just have to make a call and see how much bail money Garrett needs. I'd sure hate to see him in the pokey on the day of the big race." Daisy looked down, knowing money was tight around the farm, especially since they had just had to shell out $800 for tractor parts. "Uncle Jesse, maybe Bill and Ernie can bail him out. Or maybe he broke out. Or, I wouldn't put it past Garrett to talk his way out. He's a smoother talker than 'ol Hughie Hogg himself. Don't you go worrying about him. I'll look into it." Jesse conceded. "All right then, but I'll need to know before I head into town for the race. Bo, Luke, Bill and Ernie are pretty busy so might not be able to take care of it." He paused. "Garrett is a Duke and us Dukes stick together." Another pause. "Even though he does have a tendency to go astray on occasion." Daisy walked over and hugged her uncle and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You just make sure you stay by the CB and I'll let you know how Garrett's doing." In seconds she was putting Dixie in gear.

Still not better than Emma Tisdale or Lacey Chabert.

Friday promised to be a beautiful day but another scorcher, with no rain in sight, tonight was to be the biggest thing Hazzard had seen since the 4th of July celebration. Luke Duke had got himself a wife a week ago come Sunday. Everybody from both families was coming from far and near for the reception, Daisy was giving them tonight at the Boar’s Nest. BALLADEER: Friends this shindig is most likely to be a real barn burner Elbert Duke, Jesse’s brother, Elbert’s wife Bessie and their boys 14 year old Jeremiah and 13 year old Jedidiah (Jed) pulled up at the Duke farm in a blue pickup, much like Jesse’s white one. Jesse threw down the pitchfork he was using and hurried over giving Bessie and Elbert hugs. “Elbert, Bessie it's good to see ya. It’s been too long,” Jesse said. “It’s good to be back Jesse, this old place sure brings back alot of memories,”Elbert replied. “Where’s the happy couple?” Bessie asked. “Well they are staying in town, Dixie’s cousin has loaned them her house until they have more permanent living arrangements. If they took today off they’ll likely be out later. If they work a half day, they might come this afternoon, Could be tonight at the reception if they work all day,” Jesse said. Luke and Dixie had talked leading up to Friday and talked with their bosses. All agreed that even with chances good that neither would get stuck at work, the chance was there. Both agreed it would be better to take the day off. They hadn't made that final decision known to anyone but work so they could spend a morning alone. Luke knew a couple of things. One every Duke in two hundred miles would make an appearance in Hazzard this weekend. Two, the farmhouse was small with one bathroom. Three the barn would be used for the house over flow and the shower in the barn hadn't been used in 20 years. He planned to be at the farm by noon to get the barn's shower and bathroom in order for family. He knew this weekend was going to be full of chaos because of him, so he needed to be there before Duke Nation invaded Hazzard. Luke smiled at the thought. He hoped Rosco was up to it. Dixie planned to go with Luke to the farm, then leave in time to get ready at the house. She was going to take her Thunderbird, but after Luke told her how the farm would be this evening she was sure Daisy and BL may want to get ready in town. Noon found the newlyweds arriving at the Duke Farm in a flurry of activity in anticipation of family arriving from far and near. Jesse’s brother Elbert and his family had arrived about 9 am, but Coy and Vance hadn’t been with the family, instead they were bringing their own car, the Duke and Davenport cousins all planned to make a weekend out of it, except Jed and Jeremiah were still a mite too young to participate in the shenanigans that might land one or more of the young adults in jail, if Rosco had anything to do with it anyway. Coy and Vance arrived in their yellow car about an hour after Elbert. Jeb Stuart and Jesse’s brother John and sister in-law Pauline had a shorter drive than Elbert and wasn’t expected before 2 pm. BL was planning to close the post office early today so she could take a shower and get ready for tonight. Daisy and Bessie had started supper early. Jesse and Elbert were on the porch catching up while Bo, Coy and Vance made the barn ready for all the male cousins to sleep. Vance stopped and caught sight of Jed and Jeremiah thinking that they were exempt from chores, "Boys, come on. Ya'll will be camping out here with us so you can come on and help." Jesse and Elbert smiled at the older cousins making the younger ones feel right at home. Bessie had brought out tea and heard Vance's comment about the boys sleeping in the barn, "Elbert, is that such a good idea? They are so young to be sleeping outside of the house." "Bessie, dear, Jesse and I both have slept in that there barn at half their age without a half a dozen older cousins with us. They will be fine." Bessie wrung her hands and fretted a bit, but Elbert would know best. By 3 O’clock the Duke farm was beginning to buzz as Jeb, Coy and Vance got ready so they could meet Leroy, their old band’s drummer at the Boar’s Nest to set up and get in a little practice before everybody started arriving. At the house Dixie was just coming out of the bathroom as Daisy was coming up the stairs, she’d been helping put the final touches on the decorations. “Bathroom’s all yours,” Dixie said. “Ok,thanks,” Daisy replied, taking her dress to the spare bedroom. They heard BL pull in the driveway a second later. “Getting to be like Grand Central Station around here,” Gloria Kravitz fussed to her husband Abner, who was paying her no mind as usual. BALLADEER: She thinks this is bad, she oughta be out at the Duke farm, it’s busier than a one armed paper hanger. While BL was waiting for Daisy to get out of the shower, she fed Sadie and packed a bag with a couple pairs of jeans,boots and a sleeveless button up shirt, so she could get comfy later and a night at the farm was a possibility with all the cousins visiting. “There ya go girl, I likely won’t be back till late,” BL said. "You might want Uncle Jesse to stop by and get her on his way home tonight. Unless I miss my guess, with all the cousins in, we'll be staying at the farm tonight." Dixie said as she set her bag down, which contained her boots and jeans that went with the top she was wearing with the long full white cotton skirt that she had been talked into wearing. When BL and Daisy went to the Roadrunner, Dixie took a seat on the front porch to wait on Luke. He should be there anytime, but Daisy had wanted to make sure everything was ready before she and Luke arrived. “Right, I’ll see ya at the Boars Nest,” BL said, getting in the roadrunner, tossing her bag in the backseat. Daisy and BL pulled up at the Boars Nest, to find a few cars in the parking lot even though it was still a little while till the reception started. Heading inside, they heard the band warming up, inside it didn’t even look like a roadhouse. There was streamers, bells, netting and twinkling lights and all the other extra decorations Daisy had bought, the tables had white linen table cloths and a flower vase of tulips on them. “Wow Miss Lulu, this looks great,” Daisy said. “Hardly looks like a bar, it’s beautiful,” BL agreed. “Thank you girls, your sweet, we didn’t do much,” Lulu replied, waving a hand toward her fellow ladies aid members who were adding final touches, before going home to get ready for the reception. Others that had volunteered to bring refreshments were now arriving. Clara Coltrane brought in banana pudding, Mable Wooster came with a punch bowl and set to making punch for those who didn’t drink and the children who would be there. Luke pulled up a few minutes early. On the porch, he took Dixie's bag and her hand, "Are you ready to do this?" "Luke, you know I've waited since I was fifteen to do this." Dixie said. Luke took her in his arms for a very passionate kiss. Gloria Kravitz as usual was at the right place to see the goings on at the neighbors, “Those hoodlums are going to be the death of me,” Gloria despaired. At the Boar’s Nest, BB Davenport arrived a few minutes early to keep out the riff raff, namely Ernie Ledbetter. Luke helped Dixie into his truck and they headed off to the Boar's Nest. When the parking lot came into view, Luke said, "Wow. It looks like the mill payday and Christmas all at once with that crowd." "I don't think I've ever seen it that crowded before." Dixie said as she handed Luke her ID out of habit for him to put in his wallet so she could leave her wallet in the truck. "Remember, when I set a glass down with alcohol in it, just slide me your empty and take mine." "I can do that." Luke said, grinning widely, "Just remember that request later, dear." "Luke." Dixie gave him a look to which he just flashed her an evil grin. Inside BB,LB and Cooter were sitting together at a table near the door so they could watch for trouble. The Duke cousins were only a few tables away, near the stage where they had pulled a couple tables together. BL sat beside Bo. Jed and Jeremiah were sitting between Coy and Vance, much to Bessie’s displeasure but Elbert told her they’d be fine, she could still see them, there was no harm in turning them loose a little. Luther and Clyde shared a table near the end of the bar, close to the back room. Jesse was a couple tables away from the ‘kids’ table but he could still see the band. Luke and Dixie walked in holding hands, stopping in their tracks to look at all the decorations. “Wow, this all looks amazing, I hardly recognize the place,” Luke said. Dixie agreed, "Are we in the right place?" She hugged Daisy. Lulu stood up from her place at Boss Hogg's table, Congratulations! Now, as mine and Jefferson's gift to you all, ... the beer’s on the house tonight." Boss Hogg nearly choked on his cigar. This was the biggest crowd he'd had in the place in years. The Dukes and Davenports alike had a good laugh at JD's reaction. Miss Lulu wasn't done yet, "And, as far as ya'll are concerned, Rosco, Enos and Cletus have the night off." Luke and Dixie thanked Lulu and Boss, who was about to eat his cigar. Jesse declared, "Well, thank you both. Shouldn't we get this party started? It's way too quiet in here." Jeb, Coy and Vance all took the hint as they sat their beers away from their two younger cousins and headed toward the mic. The band began to play as Daisy and a couple other Boar’s Nest waitresses started getting drinks for everybody. With each glass of free beer that Boss saw, his mood got lower and lower. “One for the bride, one for the groom,” Daisy said, sitting a beer in front of Luke and Dixie. “Thanks Daisy,” both said. Dixie touched the mug of beer to her lips, appearing to take a sip. Just then, she spotted her friend Debbie from work step into the bar, looking around for her. Dixie sat her mug down and crossed to meet her friend. Just as Dixie had introduced Debbie, Luke's smokerjumper crew and the girls from payroll showed up. Again introductions were made and drinks ordered. Just then, Dixie spotted her mother step in the door. BL looked up and saw her Aunt Katherine, even though BL hadn’t seen her in a very long time, BL knew who the lady was, she was the only woman there wearing heels and pearls. Telling Bo she’d be right back, BL went to say hello, it was the distraction she’d been looking for, so noone noticed she wasn’t drinking her beer, “Aunt Katherine glad you could make it,” BL said, hugging her aunt’s neck briefly. “Brandy Lou, is that you?” Katherine asked rhetorically, because she knew BL was the only other girl in the Davenport family “My goodness you look just like your mother.” “Thank you,” BL said as the band played the first notes of Mama He’s Crazy by the Judds, "that's my cue, see ya later Aunt Katherine,” BL said, hurrying over to the stage to sing with Daisy. Katherine then spotted her oldest with his cousins at a table near the door. "Cooter, aren't you even gonna greet your own Mother?" "Yes, ma'am. I was just telling LB and BB that very thing, but I didn't want to interrupt yours and BL’s talk." Cooter said, hugging his mother. "My, my, my how you boys have all grown up on me. Now son, can you find your sister and my new son-in-law in all this?" Cooter smiled, "Yes, ma'am, I sure can. Hold the fort down, fellas." Cooter weaved his way over to where the Duke cousins' tables were near the stage, sitting at the end, Luke held Dixie’s hand across the table. Dixie and Luke stood up, Dixie giving Katherine a hug, “mom, this is Luke Duke my husband,” Dixie said. “I remember Luke, from when he was just a little boy. Hello Luke, my you certainly have grown into a handsome young man,” Katherine replied. “Hello Mrs. Davenport. Thank you ma’am,” Luke said. “Dixie, we’ll get together for a long talk later, I’m staying at the hotel,” Katherine said. the last bit, hoping to see more of her son as well,while in town. Excusing herself, so the newlyweds could enjoy their party, Katherine went over to Jesse Duke’s table “hello Jesse, may I sit with you?” Katherine greeted Jesse, a mutual friend of hers and Luther. “Well I’ll be….Katherine Davenport, of course you can sit with me,” Jesse said, getting up and pulling out a chair. Dixie caught Daisy on her way to take drink orders to the bar, "Remember, I'm only giving ya’ll 2 hours in this dress. “I remember just let me get these drinks and I’ll get things rolling,” Daisy said. Going over to the bar she put in the order, taking the tray of drinks, Daisy left 3 with Cooter, LB and BB. Taking the rest back to the Duke cousins table. Going up on stage when the band finished playing she spoke into the mic “it’s time for the father/daughter dance.” As Luther met Dixie on the dance floor, Luke went up on stage, the band began to play and Luke sang Stealing Cinderella by Chuck Wicks. The music began to play, Dixie knew the song immediately but had missed Luke heading to the small stage and taking the mic until she heard his voice begin to sing. Just as the song lyrics indicated, Dixie looked up at her father as they began to dance. It was obvious that her father had heard the song or was listening intently to its words as Luke sang the words about viewing the pictures of his bride as a child. Luther knew he had very similar pictures in his own living room. When Luke sang the words about being prince charming in Dixie's eyes, he knew truer words had never been spoken as well as being just some fella trying to steal Cinderella, in her dad's eyes. When Luke got to the part that says, he gives me a hard time, but I can't blame the fella and him being the one who was stealing Cinderella there wasn't a dry eye in the room when Luther Davenport turned to Luke and motioned him to the floor, officially turning his daughter over to him on the dance floor. Over the past couple of days, Luther had been having a hard time about Dixie's elopement but had talked to Cooter, Jesse, and also Bill Mccormick, who had gone a long way in changing his anger to acceptance. Daisy went back up on stage after the song ended and Luther and Dixie went back to their tables. “Now Luke and Mrs. Davenport will have a dance, then Dixie and Uncle Jesse.” Luke went over to where Katherine sat with his Uncle Jesse, holding out his hand like he was about to escort a queen or someone equally important onto the dance floor “Mrs. Davenport.” Katherine accepted Luke’s hand, the two of them returning to the dance floor. The band played a slow song,when the song ended Luke escorted Katherine back to the table, thanking her for the dance. After the two were seated, the band began to play another song, Jesse came over meeting Dixie at the edge of the dance floor. Dixie slipped her hand through Jesse’s offered elbow leading her to the center of the dance floor, where he took her hand in his and began to move them around the floor, ‘old school’ style. At the end, Daisy again went to the mic, “Now it’s time for the bride and groom’s first dance.” The band began to play Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis. Luke took Dixie in his arms and sang along for only her as he looked lovingly into her eyes. The next song was Rumor by Clay Walker. Luke held Dixie in his arms, several other couples joined them on the Dance floor, including Bo and BL, after the song finished the band began playing, Me and My Gang by Rascal Flatts. Cooter stood saying “hold down the fort fellas, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Going over to the Duke cousins table where Daisy and Jeremiah and Jeb sat “hey Daisy want to dance?” Cooter asked. “I’d love to Cooter,” Daisy replied. They left the two youngest alone. The boys had been eyeballing the Carver girls all evening but hadn't gotten the courage up to ask them to dance. After a few songs, Daisy let Jeb know that the food was ready. Dixie and Luke were first through the line, followed by family, friends, and others that were at the Boars Nest. Daisy and BL also fixed plates for LB, BB, and Cooter, who were stationed at the door for any uninvited trouble. There was chicken salad, egg salad, and potted meat sandwiches cut into four pieces, chips, dip, fruit with fruit dip, two punch bowls of ginger ale and sherbet punch. Dixie raved about the punch, "Oh, Lord. Who made the punch? I haven't had this since 4-H meetings at Mrs. Hightowers." Lulu beamed, "That's who made this." "I've got to get over to thank her for coming out." Dixie said. "She is over with Miz Tisdale." Lulu said. Dixie made plans to go see the lady before she left as she filled a cup of the punch before anyone got any ideas about spiking it. Dixie found BL and handed her a cup of punch “taste this, what does it remind you of?” Taking a sip BL’s eyes closed and a smile crossed her lips “Mrs, Hightower’s 4-H meetings,” “That’s who made it, Miss Lulu said,” Dixie replied. “I didn’t even know she was here, I’ll go say hi in a bit before she leaves” BL said. After Luke and Dixie had finished eating, Daisy sat two chairs beside the booth up front that had gifts stacked in both seats and on the table. “Dixie, Luke ya’ll come up here, it's time to open gifts,” Daisy said. In the meantime BL had been making room at the bar to put the cake. The gift opening was underway as expected. The couple had opened 3 irons, 4 toasters, 6 coffeemakers and many cards. Then they got to the gifts from closer friends and relatives. Dixie opened a box with a very sheer trimmed in lace teddy. Jed and Jeremiah's mother jumped up, trying to cover both teens' eyes at the same time. Pauline nearly got the vapors! Next, Luke was about to open a gift from Dobro Doolin, Brodie, and Cooter. Dobro had even moved up to an empty chair near the couple for the moment. Luke had no idea who the gift was from but was addressed to him. With the paper off, he cautiously opened the box. Inside there was a RIP card on top of several familiar boxes with a note that said 'For all Lucky Night's on top of several girly books with a note that said 'For ALL the Unlucky Nights'. Luke was quick to only take out the card and close the box but not before Some folks sitting close by had seen at least part of the gift. Dobro, Brodie and Cooter all were about to bust a gut at Luke’s reaction. LB and BB couldn’t see what was in the box, just Luke’s reaction. “What was it?” LB asked. “Must have been rattlesnakes, the way Luke was acting,” BB said. Still chuckling Cooter told them what the contents were, setting both his cousins to snickering. The people sitting close were either amused (on the part of the men anyway) or shocked at the vulgar (at least in their opinion)gift. Jed and Jeremiah had seen books with girls on them and small boxes that were not familiar to them. Bessy saw and recognized the boxes of various condoms. She quickly looked away. Pauline also saw and recognized the boxes and gasped. Jed asked, "What was it?" Bessie tried to hush the teen. Jeremiah said, "I didn't see either. That's not fair. They showed the toasters.” “Hush you two,” Bessie scolded. Elbert tried not to sigh out loud, he wished his wife would see the boys were growing up and it was time to loosen the apron strings a little. It was no wonder she got along with Pauline so well, Jeb would have been still attached to his Mama’s apron strings, if the boy hadn’t spent his summers with Jesse and got to do things during those teen years. Again Daisy took the stage. “Now we’ll cut the cake and have the wedding toasts,” Daisy announced. Luke and Dixie took their place behind the bar. Jesse poured each a glass of ‘shine in crystal champagne glass (Katherine’s glass wasn’t as full as the others, she didn’t approve of moonshine). He then poured a glass for anyone else who wanted one. “Friends and neighbors if you would raise your glasses in a toast to the newlyweds,” Jesse said a few words, concluding his toast with, "welcome to the family Dixie”. Dixie touched her lips to the glass then sat it back on the bar. After the toasts, Dixie picked up the cake knife, Luke put his hand on hers and together they cut the cake, Dixie then put a slice of the devil’s food cake on a plate, Dixie and Luke each took the traditional smaller piece to feed to the other. For only Luke to hear, Dixie said, "Do it and die!" Luke replied, "Challenge accepted." Each eased the piece of cake toward the other. Both would trust their lives to the other, yet right now neither fully trusted the other not to totally smear the cake in the others face. The gathered crowd of friends and loved ones each egged them on.... As Dixie eased the cake closer to Luke's mouth, she whispered, "Luke." Luke grinned widely as he also eased the cake toward his bride. Both ended up easing the cake into each other's mouth while managing to each smear the slightest bit of the icing on the other's nose. Daisy went back up on stage announcing “now we’ll have the bouquet toss then the garter toss. All you unmarried ladies gather round.” The women all gathered near the stage, the bachelors all moved aside. The ladies hurried toward the small stage where Dixie had a small bouquet made just for this purpose. Miz Tisdale had made sure that she had a place right up front. Daisy slipped down into the crowd of single girls. Dixie managed a quick glance, turned around and tossed the bouquet. Even if she had planned it, she couldn't have thrown the bouquet truer. It landed right in BL's open hands. BL stared at the bouquet a moment, then called out teasing “You planned that, didn't you?” Dixie shrugged her shoulders and grinned “maybe I did, maybe I didn’t,” Dixie said. Daisy went back up on stage “alright fellas your turn,” Daisy said. Most of the bachelors were slow moving toward Daisy and Luke. "Come on over here, fellas." Daisy called again. She looked at Uncle Jesse for help. Jesse said, "Now, boys, get on up there. It's all in good fun." LB, BB, and Cooter claimed to be busy. "Yall can be unbusy for two minutes." Luke said. The group had assembled when Miz Tisdale nudged Jesse, "Wait a minute. Jesse, get on up there." Jesse started to protest when all his boys turned on him saying, "Yeah, Uncle Jesse. It's all in good fun. Come on up." Seeing he had lost the battle, he made his way up front, "This is for you young people." He huffed. Jesse saw Clyde Davenport still sitting in back with Rosco. "Alright, now, Clyde. You, Rosco and Enos come on up here too." Jed and Jeremiah had also managed to get up front when Bessie saw them, "Hold it. you two get out of there." Everyone was assuring Bessie the boys were fine. Daisy said, "OK, now ya’ll get ready to catch." Dixie put her foot in the chair somebody had put on the stage. Luke pulled up Dixie’s long skirt, to just above her knee then went ‘fishing’, after a few minutes, the blue and white lace garter appeared, then down her leg. Dixie had placed her hand on the thin skirt to keep it from going any further and had the good graces to blush just a mite at Luke’s fishing for the garter she had put for him just above her knee. Luke took a quick glance at the single men, turned around and said, "Alright guys, one, two, three..." He tossed the garter behind him into the rather large crowd of family and friends. Bo had turned his attention to the younger boys trying to decide whether they should move or stay when he was thumped right upside his head. Reaction was to grab whatever just hit him. Then he saw it was the garter..... Bo looked down at the garter in his hand and then thought about BL catching the bouquet, was it just a coincidence or was he being given a message. Daisy got on stage for one last announcement “I have one last thing to say, then I’ll turn it back over to the band. Ladies when you leave, feel free to take a centerpiece with you. Thank you all for coming and a big thank you to Miss Lulu Hogg and the ladies aid for decorating everything so pretty and making the delicious food. Thank you Becky Lynn, the cake was beautiful and yummy. Miss Agnes all the flowers are beautiful. Now I’ll hush,” Daisy said. As Daisy walked by, Dixie stopped her, "So can I put my jeans on now?" Daisy enjoyed wearing dresses at times and had to roll her eyes and laugh. "If you must." Luke was already standing. "I'll get your bag. Hey, Bo, give me a hand and we'll put everything in the truck." Bo joined Luke getting all the presents and keepsakes safely to the truck so that a couple of tables could be freed up for customers. Dixie got her bag and headed for the restroom to change. BL went over to Jesse before he left, which no doubt would be soon. Bessie was already chomping at the bit to get Jeremiah and Jed out of there before it was just another Friday night at the bar. “Uncle Jesse, will you stop by my house on your way home and pick up Sadie? She’s home alone,” BL asked, she didn’t want to say anything that her Aunt might make a disapproving face about. Jesse replied, "Well, sure I will, and the boys here can keep her company." "Thank you, Uncle Jesse." BL said. Jesse was just about to tell her that he wasn't her uncle until she gave him a hug and a peck on his cheek. “Hey Bo, will you get my bag out of Daisy’s car please?” BL asked Bo on his and Luke’s way out, each with an armload of gifts. BL didn’t mind wearing dresses as much as Dixie but was more comfortable climbing in and out General Lee’s window in jeans or shorts. “Sure darlin,” Bo answered. When Bo and Luke came back in, Bo handed BL her bag. BL followed Dixie to the restroom. Dixie had slid her jeans on and skirt off almost in the same motion. "That feels so much better." She said as she tucked her blouse in her jeans, then gave her hair a quick brush through. BL grinned and shook head, having just come through the restroom door, in time to hear Dixie’s words.Changing into jeans, button up shirt and her boots, BL felt better herself, she had managed to keep her white blouse clean but wasn’t going to try all night. Her feet felt better now, she didn’t know how Daisy wore heels to work, a couple of hours and her feet were killing her “much better.” BL ran her fingers through her hair. Katherine saw Dixie come out of the restroom in jeans and was completely appalled, the least Dixie could do was stay dressed for the occasion until the reception was over and everyone had gone. "Thank you, Darlin'," Dixie said as she sat her bag down on the table and hugged Luke as he stood to let her back in her seat and prepared to take the bag back out. As Dixie and Luke passed each other, Luke returned her hug by wrapping his arms around her waist, "Feel better?" "Yep, I feel like me now. Dresses. Yuck. Pooh!" Dixie said much like she had at age three. In Luke's mind he heard her protests about 'not being three' that she had made so many times long about the age of fifteen. He could not help but nearly die laughing right there. BL came back shortly after Dixie. Bo got up to let her back in her seat across from Dixie, taking her bag “We’ll go put these bags back in the vehicles,” Bo said. “Thanks,” BL said, giving Bo a peck on the lips. “I think I’ll go back to my room at the hotel, it was a long drive in,” Katherine said. “Let me walk you to your car, I’m fixin’ to head home, my brothers and sisters in-law will be wondering where I am,” Jesse said. Unknown by any of them, trouble was coming in one door as they were going out the other. “Look what the cat just dragged in,” LB said to his cousin. Cooter and BB looked over at the door, seeing Ernie Ledbetter, all three Davenports headed his way, “You need to leave Ledbetter, this is a private party and you wasn’t invited,” LB said. “Gazette said whole county was invited and I ain’t leaving,” Earnie replied menacingly. “Then I guess we’ll have to escort you out,” BB said. With BB holding onto one arm and Cooter the other, they did just that, right back out the same door he’d come in. Elbert, Bessie and the boys were in the vehicle but had not pulled out of the Boars Nest lot when a commotion was heard near the front door of the bar. Wearing wide grins, Cooter, LB and BB none to gently escorted Ernie outside and dared him to buck them. Jed was the mouthpiece, "Wow! Dad, what is going on?” “Looks like those guys have a problem and come outside to settle it,” Elbert answered his son, pulling out of the parking lot before said settlement got underway. “Listen Ledbetter, we don’t want no trouble but you gotta leave,” BB said. “You gonna make me?” Ernie sneered. “I will if I have to,” BB replied,cracking his knuckles. On Ernie’s other side, Cooter growled like a feral dog. BALLADEER: Normally, Ernie would have built his ego up with alcohol before starting trouble. Facing the three Davenport men this early in the night, he had not been drinking yet. It was not missed that he was outnumbered three to one. Outside Ernie was still weighing the odds and they just weren’t in his favor, “fine, this ain’t the only place to get a drink,” Ernie grumbled and stalked back to his car, throwing rocks as he spun out. The Davenport men went back inside, just as Jeb was announcing the last dance. Going over to sit with the rest. All that was left now was the two waitresses that were working, the usual Friday night patrons and the Duke and Davenport cousins, Debbie and the smokejumpers. The band began playing All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight by Hank Williams Jr. Luke and Dixie bid the others goodbye, promising to see the others at the Duke Farm. Jeb, Coy, Vance and the others packed up their equipment in record time. Dixie's friend, Debbie and Luke’s team of Smokejumpers were all heading back to the farm with the other cousins. Once in the truck, Luke headed the truck up toward Hounddog lake away from the planned destination. "Where are we going?" Dixie asked after riding several minutes. "Up by the lake." Luke said innocently. Dixie nodded, "OK, but why?" Luke put his arm around her, "Two reasons, our cousins want to get there before we do." "And the other reason?" Dixie asked with a grin. Luke replied, "I thought maybe we could balance the checkbook or something." Bo handed BL his keys, shocking her because it was usually like pulling teeth to get Bo to let someone besides Luke drive the General “you better drive, I wouldn’t put it past Rosco to think now the reception’s over we’re all fair game again and he knows I drank more than a couple watered down beers,” Bo said. “You’re right,” BL said, getting behind the wheel. At the Duke farm Daisy had Cooter, Coy, Vance, Jeb, LB and BB putting up some extra decorations she had, while she, BL and Dixie’s friend Debbie set up a table with leftover goodies, punch and shine. “If ya’ll are ok here, I’m gonna fix up the loft for Luke and Dixie, to sorta have their own bedroom,” Daisy said to BL and Debbie. “We got this, right BL?” Debbie said. “Yep,” BL answered. While the barn hummed busily, Jed and Jeremiah were still ‘watching’ Sadie, a job they didn’t seem to mind. Sadie was keeping the boys busy under the lights between the house and the barn. Bessie had seen all the young people's rides pull in by the barn but not the newlyweds. "Jesse, didn't I hear Luke tell the others that he and his bride would be here tonight." Jesse calmly said, "That's what I heard." "The others have been here awhile now." Bessie remarked. The boys had come to the porch for a drink. Elbert said much of what Jesse was thinking, "Bessie, they are newlyweds." Bessie turned about ten shades of red. Jed asked, "Dad, what does being a newlywed mean?" Jeremiah replied, "That they are newly married, dummy." "That wasn't nice." Elbert said. "I know that," Jed said, "But, what does that have to do with Luke not being here already?" Jesse was giving Elbert a grin, waiting to see just how he handled the youngins. Elbert thought to himself ‘one day he was going to have a long talk with his boys without their mother present.’ Giving Jed a stern look he said, “don’t backtalk.” Jesse nearly laughed but caught himself, he remembered these days. The younger boys asking questions and the older thinking they were dumb for not figuring it out or just plain knowing. Out in the barn, Daisy called down from the loft, to the other women “Ya’ll ladies come up and see.” Daisy had used the leftover decorations and a couple sleeping bags to make a romantic hideaway in the loft. “This looks great, they will love it,” BL said. A few clothes wrinkled later, Luke and Dixie pulled up to the barn. They both waved to the adults on the porch as they headed into the barn. Seeing Sadie heading to the barn, Jed asked, "Can we go out now?" Bessie and Pauline both said together, "Go get cleaned up and put your pajamas on." Elbert's look to John and Jesse was nearly pleading for help. Jesse spoke soft but firm. "Run on out there boys. We'll be along to check on ya directly." Elbert added, "You heard Uncle Jesse. Run along." They did. Bessie said, "I'll never get them in the house for a bath and pajamas now." Jesse said, "They can shower before breakfast." Luke and Dixie had barely stepped inside the barn when Sadie and the boys entered on their heels." "Wow! I've never seen this place look so good." Dixie said. Before Luke could say anything, Bo had put a pint Mason jar of clear liquid in his hand. BL leaned down picking up Sadie before she could accidentally destroy something in her excitement leftover from playing with the boys. “Oh no, you're not getting a chance to mess up all this hard work,” BL said to the squirming dog. “You should see the loft,” BL said to the couple. Bo said, "She's fine. It's a barn. She can't hurt anything." He petted Sadie's head. “If you say so,” BL replied, sitting a calmer dog down. Sadie was still eager to meet all the new people in the barn and went from person to person sniffing shoes. Daisy said, "We got all the leftovers for snacks tonight. There was even punch left over. We fixed ya’ll a place up in the loft." Luke took a long drink of the shine. "I was waiting to get back here before I had more than a taste of this." Jed asked, "Why would you wait to get back here to drink water?" Luke gave the teen a grin, "Son, it's far from being water." Bo added, "Yeah, that there moonshine is likely older than you both." “So," Jed shrugged. “One whiff of this stuff, once knocked a lady revenuer flat on her fanny,” Luke replied. BL was quite sure had Bo and Luke’s Aunts and Uncles not been on the porch still, this would end in the youngest Duke’s being given a taste. Jeremiah asked the question, "Can we try?" Luke replied, "It's way too early for all that, but maybe if you can keep a secret and stay awake." Vance replied, "Them stay awake, they can do it." Jeb added, "Well boys, if you ever want to have any dealings with moonshine, you have to be able to keep a secret. That is rule one." "Through ten," added Coy. Luke took another long drink, "Ya know Bo, these three may have finally learned." Debbie innocently asked Dixie, "Is that really moonshine?" Dixie assured her that it really was. The moonshine helped the censoring (or lack of it) in the stories that were being shared, some of which were giving the teens ideas. “Hey BL, Dixie, Daisy, Jeb remember when Mrs. Simpson thought the tardy bell was the end of study hall and dismissed everybody? Or when we went joy riding in the driver’s ed car Bo said. The others nodded, Jeb adding “we got a week’s unscheduled ‘vacation’ for that caper.” BALLADEER: That was the year Jeb lived in Hazzard, because he and Pauline kept butting heads. Bo added, "Yeah, but remember Uncle Jesse put us to work that week since we didn't have to get up early for school." Jeb took a healthy drink of shine, "I'd still rather carry bags of sugar and corn up a mountain for an all night cook than sit in a classroom." Jed was catching on a bit, "Wait, ya’ll got to stay out all night because you got suspended? Vance answered, "Yes, but those nights were hard work." Jeremiah asked, "How old were ya'll when you got to go help?" Luke replied, "About the time we could follow Uncle Jesse up a mountain." “I didn’t enjoy my week, I would have rather been at school,” Daisy said. “Why???” Jeremiah asked, he couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to go to school. “Because I had to scrub every inch of the house,” Daisy replied. and then added, "By myself, while the guys got to do all the outside stuff." BL added, "The cabinet shop got a good cleaning that week.There wasn’t one speck of sawdust on the shop floor at night, I had to sweep after everybody went home after work," Dixie also remembered the week. Jed asked, "What did you have to do?" Dixie shrugged, "I had to go to the garage with my Dad." Luke gave her a look, "And ended up riding with me on parts runs to keep you out of trouble." Dixie replied, "Something like that." “How come me and Daisy were the only ones that didn’t get to have any fun that week?” BL asked. “Honey lugging those big bags of corn and such up a mountain is hard work, even if it’s in the fresh air,” Coy replied. “Remember when we got caught making a run?” Jeb asked, looking at Bo and Luke. Luke nodded ‘yes’, he remembered like it was yesterday. “What happened?” Jed and Jeremiah both asked. "Tonight? Really?" Luke asked. Bo groaned a little at the question, too. BALLADEER: You see friends them boys were a team, so when they got caught, each blamed themselves. Jeb knew he had owned the blame for years. Cooter said, "Yeah, tonight. I never did get the whole story." Dixie was sitting in Luke's arms against hay bales. She whispered, "Me either." Luke looked at his near empty jar of shine and said, "It's gonna take more than this." He finished it in one swallow. None of the Davenport cousins had gotten the whole story and they wanted to know as bad as the boys. LB refilled Luke’s jar with the gallon jug they had opened. “Everything was going fine at first, Jeb was running blocker, he ran up on a road block, set up by the feds and they had Rosco helping them. He knew Jeb was a Duke so, Jeb was shook down but the car was clean,” Luke said then took a long drink of shine. "Agents Buchannon and Andy Roach didn't know Jeb, but they knew Tilley. And knew if Tilley was out, there was a Duke run that night. They got out of there quick and hit the other roads. Bo was in this old Ford of mine heading down route 7-11. When Agent Roach got in behind him, Bo swung off the road into the creek up through the rocks. By that time he yelled at me that he was getting a flat, I turned back to run interference. When I got to him, the tire was completely flat...." Luke and Bo looked at each other before Luke continued, "I tried to get Bo to trade me vehicles and get out of there.... before we knew it, Agent Roach was in front of us and Buchannon behind us." Jed asked, "So, how did Jeb get caught?" All three looked at each other, Luke let Jeb answer that. "We started the run together. We finished it together." Jeb said. Jeremiah asked, "So, Bo would have been the only one caught?" "Wait, ya'll. Who had the shine?" Cooter asked. Bo replied, "I did, that was the first time they let me run it." Bo and Jeb had refilled their jars at some point in the story but Bo had finished his in one swallow, remembering being trapped between agents Roach and Bucannon. Jeb polished his own shine off, after his explanation of how he got caught too. Coy looked at the teens with a serious expression, rules of shine making or running, 11-20 DON’T get caught!” ”Cute,” Bo, Luke and Jeb said together. About that time the older adults walked In the barn, “We’s about to turn in but thought we’d check to see if ya’ll needed anything first,” Jesse said. “Jed, Jeremiah are you sure you don’t want to sleep in the house?” Bessie said she was still not thrilled with the idea of the teens staying in the barn. “Now Bessie, let them be. You heard Jesse they’ll be fine,” Elbert reasoned with his wife. Sighing Bessie said no more about it. Bidding the young folk goodnight, the elder Dukes left the barn. After a few minutes went by, BL got off the hay bale she was sitting on. “I’m going to take Sadie for a quick walk,” BL said. “Ya’ll want some company?” Bo asked, they hadn’t had a chance to be alone much tonight, except the drive from the Boar’s Nest. BL had just planned to see if the elder Dukes were in bed yet, while Sadie did her business but a moonlit stroll sounded peaceful. “Yeah,” BL answered Bo. The two left the others behind, some with questions about the two. Jed and Jeremiah were complaining to Vance and Coy about Bessie wanting them to change into pajamas to sleep in the barn. The older cousins were trying to explain to the younger ones that Bessie wasn't used to them camping in the barn. The younger ones felt far too old to be in pajamas in front of the ladies. It took Jeb to tell them that if his mother had her way, that he'd be in footed pajamas alongside them. Everyone pictured that in their minds and had a good laugh. BL and Bo walked in the clearing behind the barn while Sadie darted here and there, never going too far,(she was afraid of the dark, if a dog can be; even though it was a full moon.) “BL can I ask you something?” Bo said. “Sure Bo,” BL replied. “Have you thought about settling down? I mean even if there’s no baby,” Bo asked then continued before BL could say anything. “I see how happy Luke is and I’m kinda envious.” “I know what you mean, I've been watching Dixie and Luke too, for that matter and I ain’t seen neither this happy in a long time,” BL replied. “I guess we better get back to the barn, before they all begin to wonder where we are,” BL said, not really answering Bo’s question. So they headed back, Bo let go of BL’s hand going toward the house, checking to make sure Aunt Bessie was in bed, before the older cousins introduced Jed and Jeremiah to moonshine. “C’mon Sadie,” BL called, patting the side of her leg. Heading back to the barn, they met back up with Bo as he was nearly back to the barn, giving Luke and Vance a nod of all clear, since they had been the ones to give the two youngest the ok, to sample the moonshine. A look was exchanged between Bo, Luke and Vance with Luke holding his right pointer finger and thumb close together. Vance returned the jester with his fingers a bit further apart. Debbie asked Dixie, "What are they up to?" "No good." Dixie replied. "That much, I got." Debbie replied. Vance had two jelly jar glasses with a small amount of shine in each. He walked over to the younger boys and extended the glasses. "Easy, it's not water". The boys took the glasses and not wanting to look like a baby, Jed took a healthy drink and promptly had a coughing fit. Vance gave his young cousin a few thumps on the back. “I told you to take it easy, this stuff ain’t water,” Vance gave Jed a smug look. “You, Coy and the other boy cousins drink it like it is. Shoot even Daisy drinks it” Jed said. “We’re used to it, we all had that same reaction as you, first time we drank it,” Vance replied. Jeremiah had seen his brother’s actions and reactions and was taking Vance’s warning to heart a bit more, taking only normal sized swallows. “Hey, how about some pickin',” LB said. “Our guitars are in the house,” Luke replied. “No they ain’t, Daisy told me to get ‘em before you and Dixie got here,” Bo pointed at the guitar cases. Getting their guitars Bo and Luke played and sang, Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys, by Waylon Jennings. After a couple more songs Bo asked Jeb and Vance did ”ya’ll bring your fiddles?” Reaching behind the hay bales they were sitting on, they picked up the cases, “what’s your pleasure?” Vance asked. Bo answered with just what he expected, he’d played it many times with Jeb, Devil went down to Georgia, by Hank Willams Jr. was soon ringing through the old barn. Jeb decided now was perfect for the song he’d wanted to do all night, Two Pink Lines by Eric Church. Luke nearly spit out the shine in his mouth but managed to swallow only to wind up having a coughing fit. Bo got up to get a refill, trying to act normal. Jeremiah and Jed went over to Bo, Jed held out his jelly glass “Can we have a little more, that wasn’t bad.” Bo looked to where Luke was still trying to recover “I guess a little won’t hurt,” he gave them each what they’d had before. BL looked over in time to see the youngest Dukes walk away with their ‘prize’, she muttered under her breath, seeing this it would likely be the start of something bad. A couple more songs and Bo said “BL, you ready to sing that song for the happy couple?” Everybody thought they were about to hear a love song, that is until BL started to sing the first words of Rockin Years by Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton. When Bo started singing, Dixie and Luke began enjoying the song, right up until BL kicked in on the chorus, getting to the line, "Rockin' chairs, rockin' babies, rock-a-bye, rock of ages..." Dixie looked at Luke and for more than once wished she had her own jar of shine instead of just taking Luke's jar from time to time, touching it to her lips as if she were sipping it. Luke was giving Bo a look for his choice of songs. Dixie whispered in Luke's ear, "I'm gonna kill them." After they finished the song, Bo suggested, "Why don't ya'll sing us something?" Luke felt that may just be safer. "Alright, what do you want us to sing?" Jeb unthinking about the whole story of the song, suggested, "How about that one ya’ll used to sing that used to annoy Dixie's dad?" As he began to play Jacob's Ladder. All was good until Dixie remembered the verse she was already into, "It'll be five years September Since her daddy found a ladder and a note on her windowsill He swore he'd never forgive them But nothin' melts a heart like a grandchild will Now she climbs up on his knee Says, "Grandpa, tell a story, the one about me" He thinks back and his eyes shine Says, "Listen Child, once upon a time" BALLADEER: They had even been tricked into singing songs themselves with baby and children references! Leaving Louisiana in the broad daylight by the Oak Ridge Boys was the next song the older Duke boys played, by now Jed and Jeremiah felt like they had as much chance with the ladies as the older guys (after convincing Bo. Coy and Jeb to all give them a refill). Jed walked up to BL “wanna dance?” Jed asked. “I’d love to,” BL replied, smiling at the boy. Halfway through the song BL felt Jed’s hand slide off her lower back onto her behind, removing the hand BL scolded, “Jed Duke, shame on you. What would your Mama say! Jed slurred his words a might, "My Mama ain't here, baby." “Your older cousins are though,” BL said. “So,”Jed replied cockily. “So, you ever seen one of them do what you just did?” BL said. She had seen the guys get wandering hands, even been on the receiving end of Bo’s many times but she wasn’t about to tell Jed that. Jed huffed, "Nah, Mama thinks we are too little to hang out with them. But, I ain't little Darlin', that I can prove." Jeremiah piped up, "Yeah, he is, but I sure ain't." Jeremiah had been gazing at Luke’s woman team member, Lisa, from afar, all evening but after sampling some of Jesse’s shine he was feeling pretty confident as he swaggered over to Lisa “hey beautiful, where have you been hiding?” Jeremiah said with a wink. “Making a living, “ Lisa said, trying not to hurt Luke’s little cousin’s feelings. Jeremiah wasn’t taking Lisa’s subtle hint and replied “call me sometime” Lisa saw that she was going to have to be a little less subtle “Jeremiah I’m too old for you.” BL saw Jeremiah was hitting on Luke’s co-worker "oh Lord,” BL made a beeline to where Bo, Coy, Jeb, BB, LB and Cooter were all ganged up, talking cars and motocross no doubt. “I don’t mean to interrupt you fellas but you three, better rein in the boys, their feeling their cheerio’s after Jesse’s shine,” BL said, pointing at the three Duke men, then at Jeremiah still trying to hit on Lisa. "Surely that little sip Vance gave them wouldn't do anything." Jeb said. Bo replied, "Yeah, that's why I gave them just another taste." Coy replied, "You did? I did, too." Jeb looked over at Jed, still trying for Debbie's attention, "Ut-oh." He said, knowing he had also refilled them. He frowned. He had intentions of talking to Dixie's friend himself. Bo asked, trying to figure out how much shine the kids had drunk, "You didn't too?" Jeb frowned, "Ya'll never told me no." “Your Aunt Bessie’s gonna skin all 5 of you alive and Uncle Jesse will help and possibly Pauline too,” BL said. “Thanks BL, we needed that” Bo said. Bo did what Bo had done since he was two and had any problem. He looked over where Luke was at. Luke had a drink in one hand, and Dixie curled to him in the other. 'Dang!' Bo thought. He needed Luke, but he wasn't about to disturb him. “C’mon lets reign ‘em in,” Bo said unenthusiastically, rounding up the youngest of the cousins was not how he’d planned to spend the night. So Bo, Coy and Jeb went in the direction of the boys, who were still hitting on the ladies who were atleast 15 years older. Jeb went up to where Jed and Debbie were standing as Coy went over to Lisa and Jeremiah. Bo stayed at the ready to help either side if necessary. The boys were feeling froggy and weren't about to give up on their ‘missions’, giving their older cousins the ‘prize’. After Vance had given the boys their first drinks, he had made his way over to Casey in classic Duke style. He had taken her a jar of shine and planned to introduce her to it and himself. Cooter spotted trouble but didn't want Luke or Dixie to have to deal with it. He walked over to LB and BB, then nodded toward the young men and the older cousins. BB and LB were moving toward the bunch. Cooter moved to Luke, "Yall need to take a stroll”. Things were going quite nicely as they sipped their shine while getting to know each other. Vance and Casey were chatting and were just about to take a walk, when Vance saw Luke and Dixie leave. Vance was halfway tempted to take Casey out to get a little air anyway but felt he should watch the boys, even though there were plenty of eyes, with the other older cousins around. LB and BB went to where Jed, Jeremiah, Coy and Jeb had moved over to a corner, having a heated discussion by the look of the younger boys red faces. “Let us see if we can talk to them,” LB said for Coy and Jeb only. Coy was feeling a little cocky too, but backed off, "Sure, he's not listening to me." Outside, Dixie melted in Luke's arms as she let out a long sigh. Luke asked, "That bad?" "Just been tense all day. Worried about Daddy. About everyone being here and being under a microscope." Dixie tried to explain. "We can still go home." Luke said. Dixie shook her head 'no', "Not on your life. You guys haven't all been together in forever. You enjoy them. Besides, I hope they think I'm a bit tipsy by now." Luke pulled her closer, "Well, I'm tipsy enough for the, .." He lowered his voice, "three of us." LB and BB sat the teens on a haybale “what’s the problem fellas?” LB asked patiently. “Those sidewinders was trying to steal those girls and make us look like babies!” Jeremiah fumed. “Yeah!” Jed said. “Nah, they was just being neighborly,” BB said. After the boys simmered down, the alcohol started making them drift toward sleep. By the time Luke and Dixie came back to the barn, the young teens were asleep. Jeb and Debbie, Vance and Casey, Bo and BL and Coy and Lisa had paired off having nice talks, while LB, BB, Cooter and the rest of Luke's team were drinking and telling one tale or another about Luke or Dixie, mostly Luke. Daisy was with Ryan, one of Luke’s younger team members. Soon everyone started heading to find a place to bed down for the night, what was left of it anyway. Luke and Dixie went up to their little love nest, which Daisy had fixed for them. The smokejumpers grabbed their gear and set up near the back of the barn, Cooter, LB,BB,Coy,Vance and Jeb stationed themselves close to the teen boys incase they woke up and still felt their cheerios. Daisy and Debbie found a couple empty spots, leaving just Bo and BL. “Over here darlin,” Bo led BL to a corner away from the rest for some privacy.

We obviously love her...she's a doll....!! but WHERE HAS SHE BEEN??? She hasn't showed up in a million years!