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The General Lee has American Racing VECTOR wheels.

Boss Hogg kept Mama Hogg's ashes in an URN on the mantle.

Saturday morning the rooster crowed, nearly scaring the smokejumpers and Dixie’s friend and coworker Debbie to death. Debbie sat straight up at the sound of Rodney telling everyone that he ruled the roost. Daisy opened ?” Debbie asked. "What was what?" Daisy was oblivious to the normal sounds of the farm. As Rodney crowed again, Debbie said, "That!" "What?" Daisy said again, listening extra hard. Rodney cut loose again. "That!" Debbie was nearly in hysterics. Daisy smiled, "It's alright, that's just Rodney. Do you want to meet him?" “Sure I guess,” Debbie answered. “Come on, we’ll gather the eggs,”Daisy replied. The rooster’s crow hadn’t just woke Debbie and the smokejumpers, the farm ‘kids’ were all beginning to stir. Jed and Jeremiah were moving the fastest though as they dashed out of the barn, hands covering their mouths. Coy looked to Vance as the kids ran out of the barn, "Come on Cuz. I think it's our turn to be the older cousins." Vance replied as he stood up, "Yeah, I think you are right." Bo, not really a morning person usually, drug himself up from the sleeping bags, he and BL had spread out to make a bed big enough for both of them. “Guess we better get the chores done, C’mon Jeb, let’s get at it,” Bo said, giving Jeb a nudge. “We’ll help ya’ll, so Luke can stay with his misses a bit longer,” Cooter said. Bo replied, "I'm sure your sister will appreciate that." Luke's voice filtered down from above, "Get Randy. Tell him what you need, and he'll motivate the rest of the crew." "How did he hear us?" Cooter asked. Bo waved his hand, "Don't ask. Randy, hey Randy, Luke said you could get the rest of the crew to pitch in with chores." Randy was awake and had also grown up on a farm. "I can. What do you need from us?" In the loft, Luke was snuggling with Dixie as the others came to life below. Dixie was very attentive to Luke's touches. Luke smiled at his wife's reactions to his touches as he entered her most personal spaces.Dixie was surprised and over the edge in seconds. One second, one movement from her and Luke was done. Trying to keep what was going on between them their secret, both struggled to be silent when they both wanted to scream in ecstasy. Bo told Randy what needed doing and Randy then told the rest of the crew where they were needed. Casey had been set the task of milking Nadine the goat. How hard could it be? She thought, getting a pail, Casey got Nadine up on the little stand where Jesse usually milked, sat the pail in place and then tried what she’d seen on TV, but nothing happened. “Ok, Nadine I’m new at this, give me your milk please,” Casey said. BL came back from feeding Sadie to find Casey still having problems. “Something wrong Casey?" BL asked. "Randy asked me to milk the goat but it’s not working like it does on television. I think she’s broken” Casey replied. “I’ll do this, why don’t you ask Randy or one of Luke’s cousins if something else needs doing.” BL said. Casey went looking for one of the others and BL got busy milking. Clyde had goats, so BL knew what she was doing . Jesse had put two pots of coffee on and figured to follow with at least two more. The eggs were in, the cows' milk was in, so he had breakfast underway as Pauline and Bessie came in the kitchen to help. ”Mornin Bessie, mornin Pauline,” Jesse said when his sisters-in-law came into the kitchen. ”Good morning Jesse,” Pauline answered, getting ready to make biscuits. “Good morning Jesse, have you seen the kids yet?” Bessie asked although she said kids as if including all the young people, she really meant her sons. Jesse went over to get something from the refrigerator and just happened to glance out the window in time to see Vance and Coy come from the side of the barn with Jeremiah and Jeb. Jesse made an about face, getting his red cap “Think I’ll go see how the chores are going, ain’t none of Luke’s friends or that girl that works with Dixie lives on a farm,” Jesse said headed for the barn. BL was just about to bring in the goat’s milk “here's the goat’s milk Uncle Jesse, where do you want me to put it?” “Set it on the table BL,” Jesse replied. Seeing where Jesse was heading and knowing what he’d find BL mumbled to herself, "uoh”. Jed and Jeremiah were taking turns being sick. Each time the one threw up, it caused the other to throw up again. Vance had to say it, "I told you that drinking that ‘water’ wasn't a good idea." Jed replied, "How would you know?" “Well I could tell you it’s wisdom that’s come with age but the truth is I’ve been right where you are,” Vance said, figuring being straight was better than sugar coating it. Jesse came in the barn, saw that he’d been right in his assumption of the situation from the sight he’d seen from the kitchen window Looking around and not seeing any of the other young folk, except 4 of his nephews, 2 of which were hungover, he asked “where’s Luke?” Coy and Vance both froze at the gruff tone their Uncle used. They both were smart enough to know that they were in hot water. Vance spoke up first, "We haven't seen him this morning. “Right here Uncle Jesse,” Luke said, coming down the hayloft ladder. Once on the ground, he finished buttoning and tucking in his shirt. “Where’s Bo and Jeb? I have a feeling they’re right in the middle of this,” Jesse said in the same gruff tone, it was no wonder his hair had turned white, he had earned gray hair. Luke had no real idea where anyone other than Dixie was. He looked at the others for answers. Vance spoke up, "Jeb is getting the chores started and, ... um Bo, ... is.... Coy was doing his best not to bring anymore attention to himself than there already was so, he was keeping quiet. Noone had to find Bo, as he picked that moment to walk in, whistling a tune. He might not have got the same amount of action he was sure Luke had but BL had been just as attentive last night. One look at the other guys and the tune died on his lips “what’s going on?” Bo asked, even though he had a pretty good idea. “Get Jeb,”Luke said. Bo left the barn to find his cousin, a few minutes later the 2 blondes returned. Jesse studied his nephews before speaking “Jeremiah, Jed why don’t you two go get cleaned up before your mama sees you,” Jesse said to his youngest nephews. ”Yes sir Uncle Jesse,” the boys replied at the same time and headed to do just that. Luke jumped in, " Boys, the shower out here is fixed, use it, we'll have someone get ya’ll a change of clothes." Jesse added, "That will be fine. Now, we's got us a bunch of company. But, don't ya'll be taking off anywhere, even you, Luke." There was a chorus of 'Yes, Sirs.' “There’s coffee made already, I’ll get you a pot. Hope we got enough cups to go around,” Jesse said more to himself than his nephews but they were still listening. He hadn't dismissed them and none of them would be disrespectful and just walk away. “Me and the other smokejumpers can use the cups in our gear,” Luke said. For the first time in a long time, Jesse wished he had borrowed the fifty cup pot from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). He would make it work. On his way out of the barn, Jesse spotted BL, "Come get this first pot of coffee." BL followed along with Daisy who heard the worry about enough cups. In the house, Daisy broke out a sleeve of large foam cups for coffee and foam plates for breakfast. Luke found Randy and the two came up with three more coffee pots and sent them in the house. BL came back with a coffee pot in one hand and a stack of foam cups in the other, “coffee”. Luke poured two cups, going back up to Dixie, he thought she would have come down by now. “Brought you some coffee,” Luke said. Vance was still feeling like he’d not kept a good enough watch on his younger cousins and thus partly blamed himself for their hangovers. “Here, drink this, you'll feel better,” Vance said, handing each boy a foam cup of black coffee. Everybody poured themselves a cup of coffee to ease their headaches, a combination of the late night and drinking. “Anybody want sugar, milk, or cream,” BL asked. Most drank their coffee plain, but a few accepted the condiments. Dixie accepted the coffee as she picked the hay from her hair, brushed it and pulled it back into a ponytail. "Thanks, Luke. I needed that extra ten minutes. I hope they all think I got a bit too tipsy last night." Luke had often handed her his glass or jar throughout the night. He also hoped no one found anything amiss this morning. "Ready?" "As I'll ever be." Dixie replied. Luke took her hand and pulled her gently back from the ladder, "Atttt, me first." He started over the top of the ladder, then down a couple rungs and stopped waiting for Dixie. Dixie stepped on the ladder like she had since she was about three, but this time Luke had his arms on either side of the ladder and was behind her so that she couldn't fall. Once on the ground… “About time you got up lazy bones, we all done put in half day’s work,” Cooter teased his sister. Dixie saw that everybody was sitting around with their own cups of coffee. The chores were finished now they were all waiting for breakfast to be ready. "I might not have been down here, but I was awake." Dixie fired back at her older brother. In the house Jesse left the breakfast preparations to his sisters in law and took Elbert to the front porch, to tell him about Jeremiah and Jed’s experimenting last night out of Bessie’s earshot. He knew Elbert would understand, being a Duke boy himself once. Elbert replied, "Jesse, this may do them boys more good than harm." Jesse was glad to hear his brother's observation of the situation. Dixie made her way to the house to help with breakfast, not because it was expected or that she was needed but because it was the right thing to do. "Morning, ya'll." She said chipperly as she entered the kitchen. Smells of frying bacon, sausage and eggs hit her nose, "What do you need me to do?" Before anyone could answer, Dixie's eyes went wide, then she bolted for the back door, much faster than she had come in it. Pauline and Bessie watched Dixie bolt out the door she’d just come in then they looked at each other. “Wonder what’s wrong with her,?” Pauline said out loud. “If I hadn’t seen her drinking at the reception, I’d say she was in the family way,” Bessie said. Pauline replied, "Couldn't be that, they haven't been married a week yet." Then, she heard what she said and looked at Bessie, "No, .... Surely not. Bessie just gave Pauline a look. The two sister-in-laws had been friends and family long enough to know each other very well. Bessie added, "Now, don’t go jumping the gun Pauline. Maybe the girl just had a bit too much to drink last night. Every time I saw her, she had a glass in her hand." Daisy was heading for the barn as BL came out with the coffee pot, it hadn’t taken long to empty with so many drinking out of it. Shaking the coffee pot she told Daisy and Dixie who looked a little peaked “barn crew, needs a refill. Daisy, will you get it, please?” “Sure, be right back,” Daisy said, taking the coffee pot inside to swap. While Daisy was inside “what’s wrong, you look peaked,” BL said to Dixie. “I feel a little nauseous,” Dixie replied. “You think it’s morning sickness?” BL asked. “Oh Lord, I hope not,” Dixie groand. Dixie was trying to downplay what she actually felt, trying not to draw too much attention to herself. If she was lucky, everyone would assume that she had drank too much too late last night. BL asked, "Well, if you are feeling better, are you ready to go help with breakfast?" Dixie had hoped the fresh air would make the nausea go away, but at BL's mention of food, Dixie's mouth began to water. She gritted her teeth determined not to throw up, she swallowed, then retched all the way to her toes. She swallowed several more times, knowing if she'd just give in that she'd likely feel better but tried desperately not to give in. Dixie lost the battle and threw up basically nothing but couldn’t stop dry heaving and retching. “Great,” BL said under her breath. Daisy came back with the fresh pot of hot brew “Here ya go BL,” Daisy said. “Thanks,would you take it out to the barm?” BL asked, continuing, “I gotta help Dixie.” “Sure, no problem,” Daisy replied as she headed for the barn. Both BL and Dixie let out the breath they were holding. BL had made sure she had blocked Daisy’s view of Dixie. Dixie finally got herself a bit composed and told BL, "I don't know what that was, but I don't want to do it again. If I go back in there... " Just the thought of the smell of the cooking bacon and sausage almost made her start to retch again as her stomach did a flip flop. ."I can't go back in there." “You don’t have to, I’ll bring out tablecloths for the picnic tables. That way you’re still helping,” BL said. BL went in the back door and asked, “Daisy, where’s the extra tablecloths?” ”That drawer on the end by the door,” Daisy replied. BL got out the tablecloths and took them to Dixie. “The aunts are going to set everything out buffet style, just get Luke to get you something, so you can stay out here. BL said. Dixie replied, "That should work." After helping with the tablecloths and putting out what was needed on the tables, Dixie went to get the others starting toward the tables. Seeing the cooler in Luke's truck, she took her chances. She hoped somewhere in there was something fairly cold and carbonated. She was in luck, there were a few drinks left. She grabbed a 7UP hoping that it would settle her stomach down. Everyone started filing into the house where they saw bowls of eggs, grits and gravy and a platter with bacon,sausage and ham along with a platter of biscuits and one of pancakes. “Mmm, Ms. Bessie, Ms. Pauline, smells great!” Cooter said, filling his plate as he went down the buffet style line. “Luke, can we talk for a second?” BL pulled Luke out of earshot of the others, without waiting for an answer. She told him how Dixie ran out of the kitchen and that she’d gotten sick. “Did my aunts see this?” Luke asked, worried they might guess what was wrong with Dixie. BL nodded a little and with a prayer that Bessie and Pauline thought Dixie had drank too much, the two went back to the others waiting for their turn to fix a plate. Luke took two plates and began to put food on each. He made one especially light. Pauline looked at Luke with question, "Where's your bride?" Luke replied, "She's making sure that the guys have coffee, milk and such, so I'm getting her breakfast. Jeb, understanding how his youngest cousins felt about being treated like little kids by their mother, recruited LB and BB to help the youngest Dukes get ‘lost’ in the breakfast crowd and avoid too much scrutiny from aunt Bessie. It was BL’s misfortune to be noticed by Bessie as she put sausage and pancakes on her plate. “BL dear, have you seen Jed and Jeremiah? I haven’t seen them come through to get breakfast,” Bessie looked ready to fix plates for them, then hunt them down and make sure they ate. “Yes ma’am I saw them and they had a plate,” BL replied. She just didn’t say there wasn’t much on those plates because even though the boys felt better, they were still a little green around the gills. The boys weren't the only ones green. Dixie tried to avoid sitting down to eat, but when she no longer could, she sat, took a bite of toast, and slid her bacon onto Luke's plate. A couple bites of egg later, she slid over the sausage. She turned down offers for coffee but drank an extra glass of milk. She willed the food to stay down as she repeated her claim to not be a breakfast or morning person. A fact many of the others would back her up on. Dixie tried her best to will away her nausea so she didn’t throw up and ruin breakfast for everybody. “Are you feeling better now? Luke asked only so Dixie heard. “A little,” Dixie replied. By now Bo had noticed Dixie didn’t look well and she was acting kind of funny. Bo, like several of the group of young people, knew Dixie wasn’t really a breakfast person or even a morning person for that matter. “Is Dixie alright?” Bo leaned closer, whispering to BL. “Feeling a little nauseous,” BL replied. She knew Bo really didn’t know much about pregnancy and she didn’t want to have a conversation explaining morning sickness so kept it simple. BALLADEER: Jed and Jeremiah had taken cool showers in the barn. Then it was strongly suggested that they drink strong black coffee. They made it to the table, looking almost presentable to everyone but their mother had she been outside. The boys put food on their plates. Jeremiah wisely listened to what the older men had told them. He chose toast and eggs. He slowly ate. Jed knew it all and put sausage, bacon and biscuits and gravy on his plate. He dug into his food like normal. About half way through his plate, he urgently asked to be excused. Before anyone could say anything, Jed bolted from the table. He made it just to the big oak in the yard when everything that went in came out. The sounds that made it to the table was enough to send Jeremiah to join him. Dixie tried a sip of soda, clenched her teeth. She felt herself get very hot just before she too left the table in a trot. As Luke stood to follow her,Vance asked, "Did she drink that much?" Luke looked to where Dixie had gone, then said “I better go check on her.” He hadn’t denied Dixie being hungover, same as the boys but Dukes don’t lie and tell the whole truth, that Dixie’s pregnant,not an option. “Are you alright?” Luke asked when he reached Dixie. The others continued with their breakfast, almost everyone anyway. After giving the boys a few minutes to pull themselves together, Vance and Coy went to check on them. Dixie replied, "I'll be fine." 'Eventually,' she silently added. "This is not, gonna be, FUN." She motioned to both families. "Just pull yourself together and let them think you drank way too much last night. No one knows what went on upstairs." Luke said with a bit of a wicked grin. Bessie HAD to see that her babies were alright, she hadn’t seen them this morning. Excusing herself she pretended to go to the bathroom but went out on the front porch quietly instead. Coy, Vance, Jed and Jeremiah were heading back to the others at the same time. “Good morning boys,” Bessie called. “Good morning Aunt Bessie,” Coy and Vance replied. Jed and Jeremiah mumbled a good morning to their mother, both were still not feeling upto par. “Jed, Jeremiah don’t you feel well?” Bessie asked, making her way off the porch and over to them. Seeing the familiar pale face and bloodshot eyes of a hangover, Bessie gasped, turning a pair of flaming eyes on her nephews who found their boots suddenly fascinating. BALLADEER: Bessie ain’t no stranger to hungover Duke men, she used to give ol’ Elbert that same look from time to time, back when they was young and first got married. When neither her boys nor her nephews would look at her, Bessie knew she was right. "Elbert! Jesse!" In the kitchen, both men let out a slight groan. Pauline knew if Bessie was calling the men that something was wrong with the 'kids'. She was moving toward the door. John winced at the sight of his wife heading outside. “Vance, HOW did this happen? I was counting on you and Luke to keep the boys from this sort of thing!” Bessie propped her hands on her hips. The rest of the elder Dukes came out as Bessie scolded her nephew. “We didn't exactly LET this happen. We did give them a taste, just like we was given a taste about their age, if we hadn’t we knew they was just gonna sneak it,” Vance defended himself and Luke. Pauline opened her mouth to say something but John stopped her, “Stay out of it Pauline,” John said quietly. “It ain’t all Vance and Luke’s fault Aunt Bessie,I gave them a little more after they had drunk all Vance give them,” Coy spoke up. “Coy Duke…” Bessie said, exasperated. Each Duke also admitted to giving the boys the slightest drink of shine, which added up to quite a big drink once it was put together. Jesse, Elbert and John saw what had happened. Jesse said, "Ladies, we'll take care of this. Ya'll can go back in the house." ”You ought to switch the lot, giving alcohol to children and getting them drunk,” Bessie fussed. “Bessie go on in the house now,” Elbert said. The older Duke ‘boys’ didn’t look too worried about their aunt’s suggestion, it had been years since Jesse had taken a switch to them. The two youngsters though were a mite more concerned about what their father would do to them, judging by his expression, somebody was in for it. “Dad it ain’t none of their faults we are hungover, we snookered them into giving us all that shine,” Jeremiah said, until now neither teen had said much. “Are you gonna whup us?” Jed asked,embarrassed that his older cousins would know about it. “No son I’m not, you’re too big for a whuppin’. Ya’ll want to be treated like your older cousins, so be it. You will abide by whatever punishment your Uncle Jesse hands out,” Elbert replied. Jesse said gruffly, "That can wait a spell, Elbert. We still have a bunch of company. You boys go help get the dishes in the house for now. “Yes sir,” Jeremiah and Jed both said. Since the men wouldn’t let them take part in the goings on with the boys outside, Bessie and Pauline had gone to the kitchen to clean up. Daisy and BL came in the back door and saw them about to get started. “Aunt Bessie, Aunt Pauline we’ll clean up, ya’ll cooked,” Daisy said. “Why don’t you take a cup of coffee and go sit on the porch and relax.” BL said. So the two older women did just that, grateful not to have to clean up, it’d been hard work cooking all that food without having to clean up too. The boys came in and got a couple big trash bags, “Uncle Jesse said for us to help,” Jeremiah said on their way back out with the trash bags. After making sure that Dixie was alright, Luke had managed to recruit the Davenport geniuses with wiring new lights for his pickup along with Randy's new siren box. Bo had been talking to Ryan and Bugs about some driving techniques which he planned to show them in the fields. Dixie eased in the back door of the kitchen hoping the food smells were gone so she could at least help out some. The smells of food were gone, it had been hot and stuffy, so Daisy and BL had opened the kitchen windows. “What do you want me to do?” Dixie asked. “You wash, I’ll dry and Daisy can put stuff where it goes so she can find it later,” BL replied. In no time the three young ladies had the dishes washed and the kitchen back in order. By the time the girls had the kitchen put back together and got back out to the barn, Luke, Cooter, LB and BB had the entire dash and headliner out of his pickup. Anyone who knew Luke, knew that this truck, next to General Lee of course, was his pride and joy. Dixie looked from Daisy to BL, "I know that bunch is great with the older cars, but I sure hope they know what they are doing.” Meanwhile Bo was on a mission of his own, he was calling on Mr.Partridge, who let him and Luke test new parts on General Lee or just get in some practice for a race. He was getting permission for him and Jeb to practice for the races both car and motocross, at the Hatchapee fair that was coming up. Plus he wanted to show the smokejumpers. “Thanks Mr. Partridge,” Bo says, putting Mr. Partridge's written permission in his shirt pocket. At the Duke farm Jeb was checking out his bike to make sure it was ready to race. Jeb asked Debbie, "Would you like to go for a ride?" Debbie wasn't really sure of herself and had never been near a dirt bike, let alone a racing one. "I don't know. I've never been around bikes." "I'll go real easy and you can hang on real tight." Jeb said, giving her a reassuring Duke smile. Debbie swung her leg over the bike behind Jeb, from out of nowhere it seemed to the others, he handed her a spare helmet, “hang on tight now,” Jeb said. As soon as Debbie wrapped her arms around his middle he took off. Bo was on the way to tell everyone they had permission to use Mr. Partridge’s land, when he met Jeb and Debbie. Slowing just a bit, Bo held his arm out the window giving Jeb a thumbs up and a blast of ‘DIXIE’ from General Lee. At the farm Bo gave everyone the news. Jeremiah and Jeb wanted to go too but weren't sure their parents would let them, especially Bessie. Not only did Elbert let his boys go, but much to Bessie and Pauline's displeasure, he, John, and Jesse also went. They even broke out Tilley to play with. Jed asked, "You mean you really ran shine in this old thing?" Jeremiah said, "They were doing it when the car wasn't that old." Jesse replied, "Well, you are right there, but even now Tilley and General Lee there can still show up these newer vehicles." "No way." Said Jed. The older men were having as much fun as the ‘kids’ doing donuts, spin outs, tail fishing, 180’s and Jesse did the most daring by hitting sand bags with two wheels, turning Tilley up on her side, riding the opposite two wheels a ways before coming back down on all four. They had traded places each taking a turn behind Tilley’s steering wheel. After a while Jesse asked the two youngsters in the car, “you boys want a turn?” The boys looked at their father with pleading eyes,” can we Dad,please?” Smiling Elbert said “I don’t see why not, we were driving in the fields as soon as we could see and reach the pedals at the same time, just don’t tell your mother.” Jeremiah was in the front seat with Jesse so he drove first, at first he was satisfied to go fast on the straight aways but once he had time to get a feel for the car, Jesse started giving him instructions on driving like a moonshiner. After letting the youngest Dukes have a little fun behind the wheel, the older men pulled up a tailgate with the young'uns to watch the festivities. Bo, with some help from the Smokejumpers, had set up a ramp that Jeb or the General could both use. Debbie asked, "What are they going to do with the ramp?" Dixie was in her usual place, sitting right on the hood of the wrecker. BALLADEER: Her father used to sit her there as a kid to keep her out of the way. Dixie replied, "Just watch. You'll love it." Jeb set up and took the first jump. "Oh Lord." Was all Debbie said as she saw the bike heading toward the ramp and not slowing down. Once Jeb was on the ground, Debbie asked, "Does he do that often?" Dixie and Daisy both replied, nodding their heads 'yes'. "And, you let me ride with him?" Debbie asked. Dixie grinned, "He promised to take it easy AND he let you hang on real tight." BL chimed in from her place beside Dixie on the wrecker’s hood, because it was the best place to watch from, “if there’s one thing a Duke boy can do, it’s drive anything on wheels.” Looking across the field, the girls watched as Luke slammed General Lee's hood. He put on his helmet and got into the passenger seat to hook up his safety harness. Bo was racing the General's powerful engine. Jed asked, "So, now what's so special about that car?" Before anyone could reply, Bo let out on the clutch, and General Lee raced through the field, hit the ramp, and flew through the air. Once on the ground, all the Dukes (except Jed and Jeremiah) and Davenports were overjoyed. Cooter said, "That looks like they might have just did it!" Dixie hopped off the hood, "I'll get the tape measure!" Now, most every onlooker was making their way to the ramp and the generals' landing spot. Cooter stretched the tape measure out, "Whewwee mother dog!" Bo asked, "Well?" "Eighty two feet!!!" Cooter said. Bo and Luke were out of the car in a flash. Sure enough it was an eight two foot jump! Luke exclaimed, "That's at least 2 foot over the last record jump we made!" Everything was going right along until Rosco happened to drive by on patrol, there was a big ditch on both sides of the narrow road and he couldn’t turn around without first going down the road a piece. BL heard the siren come on way before the patrol car came back into view. Rosco leaned out the window with his bullhorn. “Everybody FREEZE! You can’t be racing, it’s against the law in Hazzard county.” “On the road, racing is against the law but this here’s private land,” Dixie replied. By now the older Dukes and Cooter, LB and BB were gathering and listening, Cooter and Vance perched in the windows of Vance and Coy’s car they had been racing General Lee that Bo and Luke were now also perched in the windows. Jeb and Coy had been racing each other. Coy had borrowed his friend Jack Simmons' bike. “We ain’t on the road. Besides we got permission, Mr. Partridge said we could race all day if we wanted, gave it to me in writing,” Bo said, taking the folded paper out of his pocket. “I don’t believe that cos you Dukes just lie all the time.” Rosco laughed his trademark giggle. “Dukes don’t lie!” Jeremiah and Jed hollered even though they’d been taught better respect for their elders, especially the law. “Naughty, naughty you ought not talk to the law like that,” Rosco chided the youngest Dukes. “They’re telling the truth and you know it Rosco,” BL said. “Tell it like it is,” Cooter added. Rosco hadn't seen the oldest three Duke boys ease over. Jesse spoke calmly, "Now, Rosco, you know if my boys and their friends is together , theys gonna be racing. Now, I'm not wanting to have to call in Lulu's favor of you leaving them be, so they got written permission to be out here from Hank. Now, they are doing what theys supposed to do, so you just leave them be." John and Elbert were standing on either side of Jesse, making it clear, if Rosco bothered the kids, he'd have all three of them to deal with. “If you move any of these vehicles onto a thoroughfare, I’ll cite you 6 ways til sunday,” Rosco threatened, “I’ll do it,” he added but seeing the looks he was still getting from the oldest three Duke boys, he decided it was a good time to go and he did. With Rosco out of the way, Jesse said “Elbert, John why don’t we head home let the younguns enjoy their playtime without 3 old codgers around,” Jesse said. “Jed, Jeremiah come on boys lets go,” Elbert said to the youngest Duke boys, he figured the older ‘kids’ should get some time with their friends without keeping an eye on his boys. Coy fired up the bike he was on, and as he released the clutch, it died. He tried a couple more times but the bike failed to run. Jeb had made his way over and was now checking fuel lines, spark plugs, and anything else he could think of to make the older bike run. Nothing. He looked at Cooter and Luke who were largely the mechanics of the bunch, "Any ideas?" Cooter gave the bike a once over. "Carburetor, looks like the seals have had it." Coy replied, "Great. I can't take Jack's bike back not running. Cooter said, "Well, you are in luck cause you sure don’t live right, I just happen to have a rebuild kit for this very bike in my garage." Luke gave him a look. "That means going to town." Coy replied, "It means getting Jack his bike back, running." Luke sighed. Dixie said, reminding Luke of Rosco's warning, "Luke." He put his hand up "I'll go with him we'll take the wrecker. It will be fine." BALLADEER: If ya’ll believe that I have some ocean front property real cheap in Tennessee. Cooter walked over to the wrecker making a shewing motion with his hand, saying “ladies I’d like to borrow my truck if you don’t mind.” Dixie and BL slid off the wrecker’s hood, sitting on an open tailgate. Five minutes after leaving, Luke looked in the side mirror and saw Rosco behind the wrecker. “We got company,” Luke said. “Now how come you can’t find him when you do want him but he’s always around when you don’t?” Cooter said to noone, more than really asking Luke. Picking up the CB mic Luke called Bo for backup “Bo, you got your ears on?” “Right here cousin, what’s up?” Bo asked. “We picked up a tail, one Rosco P. Coltrane. We could use some interference, if we are going to get that kit and get back before supper,” Luke replied. ”What’s your 20?” Bo asked. “We’re almost to the crossroads,” Luke said. “10-4, be there in 5,” Bo replied. Everybody had heard the radio transmission and the remaining Dukes and Davenports who knew what Hazzard law was like, headed for a vehicle. “Come on Debbie, you don’t want to miss the fun,” Jeb said, giving her a Duke smile, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Debbie wasn’t sure she wanted in on the ‘fun’ but she didn’t want to be left in the boonies. Besides, putting her arms around Jeb again was a very appealing thought, as she climbed on behind Jeb. Vance didn't want to take the younger boys, but didn't want to leave them either, choosing what he deemed the lesser of the two evils, he said, "Get in, hang on and shut up." The two teens were eager to see whatever that was about to happen, so they did as told. Coy settled in the passenger seat when the teens got in the backseat. Dixie jumped in with BL and Daisy as she silently planned her brother and new husband's murder. Jeb and Debbie tore out behind Bo, who had most of Luke's crew with him in the General Lee. LB and BB took the rest in their pickups. Hoping to get between Rosco and the wrecker, Bo keyed his CB mic “give me some room Cooter, I’m coming in for a landing.” Luke keyed the mic so Cooter could concentrate on driving “that’s a big 10-4 good buddy,” Cooter replied, giving the wrecker gas. Bo turned on a road that ran parallel and above the one Cooter, Rosco and the rest were on, hitting a dip in the road, General Lee took flight. “YEEHAA”, Bo yelled a blast of ‘dixie’ ringing through the air. “Coy, Vance did ya’ll see that? Bo jumped without a ramp,” Jed exclaimed now impressed. “Shoot that’s nothing you should see General Lee jump over a creek,” Coy replied. “We made it,” Randy said, opening his eyes wide when the stock car landed with a bone jarring jolt. Bo laughed, "Of course we did, but that was just about twenty feet, nothing like you Smokejumpers do when you jump out of those perfectly good airplanes." Bo said as he was turning the General Lee's steering wheel side to side to use all the road so Rosco couldn't get by, but he had also slowed the parade down a mite. Ryan asked, "Why are you slowing down?" Bo replied, as he pointed up ahead at the wrecker, gaining ground, "To give Cooter and Luke some time to get ahead of us." Bo saw the Hazzard County junkyard coming up, stepping on the gas a little more and General Lee picked up speed. Bo knew Rosco would follow him for 3 reasons, 1 Bo had been swerving all over the road, 2 he was speeding and 3 Rosco chased General Lee every chance he got. “Catch me if you can Rosco,” Bo said. Let’s go up on the top of rocky top to watch the show,” BL said. “Good idea,” Daisy replied, making the sharp turn. The rest of the older Duke and Davenport cousins followed as if they’d read her mind. The last in line was BB. He pulled across the entrance and exit of the junkyard, then stood on the bumper of the truck to watch the chase. Randy asked Bo, "How did you know he'd follow you?" Bo smiled widely, "He always follows me." Jed and Jeremiah leaned forward from the backseat, they couldn’t see the action down in the junkyard all that great but they didn’t complain, afraid they’d get a one way trip back to the farm instead of getting to hang out with the young adults, who were sitting on the window seals of their car. Jeremiah asked, "How does Bo know where he's going?" Coy laughed, "Most of us have been in every junkyard around looking for parts for years that we know these places like the back of our hands." From their view above the junkyard, Dixie was a little relieved that it seemed so far that Luke and Cooter were safely away from Rosco. She smiled to herself and thought it was a good thing she didn't have to kill Luke this early in their marriage. LB had turned his truck around and let the tailgate down “hey boys, why don’t ya’ll come sit with me, so’s you can see better”. The teens looked at Vance with hopeful expressions. Vance knew it wasn’t right to dampen the boys' fun, just because he wasn’t thrilled with having them along and if he was honest, he was still put out about their hangover this morning landing in his lap. Cooter and Luke pulled in at the garage, Cooter getting out, leaving the driver’s door wide open while he got the carburetor kit they needed. “Where’s the fire?” Luther asked. Cooter replied, "No fire. Just a wet hornets nest.... Rosco." With that he was back in the truck and heading around town. “Bo must still be playing hide and seek with Rosco cos I ain’t seen hide or hair of him,” Luke said as they left town, headed back toward the Partridge farm. “Yeah,” Cooter agreed. When they came upto the entrance to the junkyard, seeing BB’s pickup blocking it Cooter flashed his lights, Bo was just making another pass by, when he saw his way out was clear, he looked back, he’d lost Rosco in the piles of junk, a few turns back. “Show’s over, c’mon ya’ll can ride with me,” LB told the boys as he got up off the tailgate. “Alright!” Jeremiah said, the boys wasted no time getting in the cab of the pickup. Back at Mr. Partridge's open field, all the vehicles converged with the Dukes and Davenport men, each letting out a rebel yell and having a gut busting laugh at Rosco's expense. Their carrying ons was none the out of towners had ever seen. Being older, Randy had to ask, "So what keeps the Sheriff from just coming back here?" Bo replied, "He'll be awhile getting out from under a pile of cars he ran into." Bo saw the look of concern, "He was fine, just hopping mad." “Just a normal day in Hazzard,”BL said. “What if he calls out reinforcements?” Jeremiah asked, he might be just a kid but he knew even small towns usually had at least 1 deputy. “Cletus and Enos can’t hit the ground with their hats, when Daisy bats her eyes at them,” Dixie said. This brought chuckles from all the older Dukes and the Davenports. They got the bike fixed, raced and chased for a bit longer then figured it was time to head in for supper. Dixie told Luke, "I sure hope I can help more this evening, or your aunts are gonna think you married a lazy gal." “There’s so many of us, I doubt they know who’s helping and who ain’t,” Luke reassured. When they all came ‘tearing in’ as Jesse often put it, the three oldest Duke men were standing around Jesse’s smoker. He’d put on some ribs just before they all had gone to the Partridge farm. “Ya’ll have just enough time for chores before the ribs are ready,” Jesse said. The three oldest of their nephews replied, "Yes, Sir." As they walked toward the barn, it was Jeb who asked, "How is there always just enough time for the chores before the ribs?" Luke replied, "I think Uncle Jesse figures it into the cook time." The girls washed up and helped finish the rest of supper up, set the picnic tables, and got the iced tea pitchers on the tables. Jesse took the ribs in the house with the rest of the food that was set up buffet style just like breakfast had been. Jesse said grace and everybody fixed a plate and got a glass of iced tea but unlike breakfast the elder Dukes were eating outside too, they were all talking about the day’s racing and chasing when Jed innocently mentioned his and Jeremiah’s time behind Tilley’s wheel, earning Elbert, John and Jesse death looks from Bessie and Pauline. Elbert asked John to pass the green beans, John asked Jesse for more corn. Each now giving their meal far more attention than the chatter. Dixie was just glad supper seemed a lot more appealing than breakfast had. It was Bugs, Luke's Smokejumper who's middle name may as well be ‘Trouble’, who asked the guys, "So on a normal night, what is there to do around here for fun?" Bo being his usual helpful self spoke up, “the Boar’s Nest is alot more fun than it was last night.” Sounds of agreement came from the other 4 single Duke men. BL looked at Daisy and Dixie, all 3’s expression’s said ‘oh boy’ and it wasn’t a look of delighted anticipation but a bit of worry. Many a Saturday night at the Boar’s Nest had ended with whichever Duke boy or boys was there in the hoosegow and sometimes the Davenport men that were there and the girls ended up in the mix too. BALLADEER: After supper most of the Dukes, Davenports, Smokejumpers and Dixie's friend, Debbie were about ready to head out on the town. Only Uncle Jesse, the older Dukes and the younger boys were staying in, much to their unhappiness. There was a lot going on that was unsaid. First, Jeb seemed to be trying to catch a correctional officer, who just might want caught. Daisy seemed to maybe be trying to catch herself a Smokejumper but wasn't sure which one yet. Then there was Bo and BL who may have done a bit too much of catching each other. Not to mention the newlyweds who would just as soon have gone home alone. Look out Hazzard.... here they come. Jed complained, "We got to go last night. So why can't we go tonight?" Elbert quietly replied, "Because you got to go last night." Sadie had moped around the farm all day because she wasn’t used to BL leaving her behind more than a couple hours at the time but BL had left her all day. At supper the dog had laid directly under BL’s seat and had been stuck like glue all evening. Now she was bouncing around BL barking and wagging her tail thinking they were going somewhere, “Sorry you have to stay here but I bet the boys will play with you,” BL hugged Sadie, then let her in the screened in back porch. Everybody got into a vehicle, Jeb was borrowing BL’s GTO convertible because he didn’t think Debbie was ready for night riding plus she might need to drive back to the farm. They looked like a parade as they turned into the parking lot, General Lee in the lead. “Try not to get in trouble, Rosco’s probably got it in for you more than usual, after that little game of hide and seek, in the junkyard earlier,” BL said as Bo helped her out the window. “Me trouble?” Bo replied innocently. Dixie asked Luke before they pulled into the parking lot, "Is this a good idea?" Luke shrugged, "Probably not, but we can't let our guests go out alone, can we?" "Ok, but remember you are driving for us both again." Dixie reminded. Luke grinned wickedly, "That I can do Darlin"." "Great." Dixie said as they pulled in behind General Lee. “Is it always this busy on Saturday night?” Debbie asked as the group filed in, looking for a couple empty tables they could put together to make one big one. “Not always but it's pay week and it was closed last night for the reception,” Dixie replied. Finally spotting a couple tables, Luke held Dixie’s hand weaving through the crowd, the rest following. Somewhere along the way though, Coy and Vance had gotten sidetracked by Misty and Missy the Hopson twins. Misty and Missy were a pair of double trouble fun. Coy and Vance had messed around with occasionally when in Hazzard. Vance seemed a bit surprised by the two girls. Coy was just as surprised. Both Dukes knew these girls were pretty much a sure thing for a long night of fun, but they were trying for a different sort of fun. As the twins latched onto the boys, Casey and Lisa just kept making their way through the crowd with the rest of their crew. Vance smiled politely, giving Coy a nudge toward the tables everyone else in the group sat at, “nice seeing ya’ll but we better go on over to our cousins table, might not be back for a while we want to spend as much time as we can with them.” Misty wasn't so easily discouraged, "But, Vance, honey, we know your cousins too. In fact, we haven't had a chance to give Luke and Dixie our best." Vance nudged Coy on, "Well, as you see, they have a bunch of out of town guests, but I'm sure you'll see them around." Coy and Vance finally made it to the tables, grabbed extra chairs and squeezed in on either side of Lisa and Casey. Lisa grinned at Vance, "Friends of yours?" Vance ordered two beers with a motion to the waitress, "I haven't seen her in years. Now, where were we?" Lisa replied grinning “I believe you were about to ask me to dance.” Vance returned the grin, “care to dance?” BB was looking around to see who all was out tonight and spotted Hannah Rhuebottom,the daughter of Mr Rheubottom who owned and ran the store in town’s cousin. Hannah wasn’t what most of the guys in the county called pretty, she was kind of plain with mousy brown hair, gray eyes and plump. “Excuse me ya’ll,” BB said before going over to the corner table. Dixie tipped the beer before her to her lips, sat it back down as Luke took her hand and they headed for the dance floor. Rosco was doing his early evening patrol when he stopped at the Boars Nest to check on things, it being Saturday night on a pay week, things were bound to get rowdy. “Goody goody gumdrops, them Dukes and Davenports and them out of towners is all here,” Rosco said with glee, as he went inside scanning the crowd for his prey. Rosco wasn't sure who all was racing at the Partridge place earlier, but the Boar’s Nest parking lot held the vehicles. He started running license plates and filling out tickets. BALLADEER: By the time he was done, Ole Rosco nearly had writer's cramp. Rosco smuggly walked into the bar, crossed theoom and whipped out a ticket while giving his trademark giggle, "Here's a ticket for Bo and one here for Luke and Daisy too. He turned to the Davenports, "I have one for you, BB, LB, BL, and..." He crossed over to the elder Davenport, "You Luther." As Rosco turned toward the Smokejumpers, ..... Luther looked at the ticket then he looked at Rosco like he’d lost his mind. “Rosco, have you lost your mind? What are you giving me a ticket for?” Luther was confused and mad all at the same time. “Because your truck was at the Partridge farm and that bunch over there was racing,” Rosco replied. BL rolled her eyes at the explanation Luther got “how come I get a ticket then? My car hasn’t left the Duke farm since yesterday afternoon until now.” Rosco thought back, he couldn't swear BL's car was at the Partridge place, "Where they are, you are, and so is your car. Besides,it's here now!" Rosco explained. BL sighed, there was no point arguing, Rosco wasn’t listening he never did. Instead she gave Jeb a sweet smile, which he learned to be wary of long ago “Jeb this must be yours, since you're in my car tonight” BL said, sliding the ticket over. “What’s the charge?” Bo asked, causing the others to notice their tickets had no charge either. Rosco replied, "You know I write the tickets, Boss Hogg fills in the charges." Luke exclaimed, "What?!" "Now that dog don't hunt, Rosco!" "You can't do that Rosco!" Dixie said. "Can and did." Rosco replied. “Now as I was saying,” Rosco again turned toward the smokejumpers continuing “Now I got 1 for each of ya, so nobody feels left out,” Rosco said, giving each a ticket. “Rosco you can’t do that,” Bo said. “Can and did, now hush and don’t give no sass Duke boy,” Rosco said. Luke held his hand to stop the protests from his team, "Rosco this ain't over, but for tonight we're gonna go finish our beers and have a good time." He motioned everyone back to their tables. At the table, Randy asked, "so how much does a ticket for 'nothing' usually run around here?" He noted the blank charges. BALLADEER: Some days you can’t cram it into second, even if ya double clutch it. How about a game or two of pool, darlin,” Bo said putting his arm around BL giving his lady killer grin. “Sure, I don’t mind skunking you anytime,” BL replied,smirking. “Think, I’ll come watch,” Bugs, one of Luke’s team members, followed the couple to the pool table in the back. “Want to dance sugar?” Vance flashed Lisa a Duke trademark lady killer smile. “Yes,”Lisa smiled, standing up as Vance pulled back her chair. It wasn’t long before Coy and Casey, another of Luke’s team members, joined the couple on the dance floor. Rosco was sipping his coffee, eager for something, anything to pop off so he could arrest someone for something. Boss Hogg entered the bar from his office. Aside from the local regulars, there were several Davenports, Dukes, out of town Dukes and some strangers at the Dukes table. Boss went to the register and printed off a total sheet. He was very happy. Rosco moved to his side as he came out from behind the bar, " I'm ready. I just know something is gonna pop off and I'm just gonna get them." Boss Hogg replied, "No, no you ain't. " " I ain't? " Rosco was confused. "No, you ain't. At least not in here. You just let this bunch drink all they want as long as they ain't busting up the place." Boss instructed. “She some kinda pool shark?” Bugs asked Bo. BL had beat Bo twice and was headed for a third victory. Bo’s head wasn’t in the game, he’d been thinking all week about how he’d messed up and seeing Dixie unable to fully partake in the weekend’s festivities and also the reason for them in the first place just served to drive home how bad he’d messed up. “Huh, uh no I just let her think I can’t play worth a hoot,” Bo snapped out of his head with a cocky grin. “In your dreams maybe,” BL said, sinking the last 3 balls. “Excuse me gentlemen, I need to go to the little girl’s room,” BL said, leaving the men behind, making her way up front to the restrooms. Bo and Luke had long ago made a habit of watching the girls as they headed off on their own in the bar. As Bo watched BL's backside, a view he happened to be enjoying, his attention was drawn away when David Doolin, Dobro's older brother, and his wife walked into the bar. Bo couldn't help but notice Jeannie Ann, who had been a waitress at the Boar's Nest about a year ago, as she waddled her very pregnant self over to a table and was now surrounded by the other waitresses as David made his way over to Luke. He shook Luke's hand and gave their best wishes along with his explanation of working an extra shift the night before in preparation for the little one’s arrival. Bo suddenly felt ill. He broke out into a sweat as he suddenly pictured BL in a very pregnant state. He was now at the table hearing David going on about having to take extra shifts at work. Bo had never really held a job. He had worked the farm, he drove on the NASCAR car circuit, but that wasn't work. Could he even do a factory job? "Luke." Bo said. He got no response, "Luke." he said again, a bit more insistent. Luke heard Bo, but was trying to hear David as he talked. Bo was now tugging on Luke's sleeve gently and where no one else could see, "Luke." He nearly whined like he had about age three. Luke finally responded, "What, Bo?" "I need you to come check the carburetor on General Lee." Bo said urgently, as if he were telling Luke the barn was on fire. "What?" Luke asked, totally confused. "Yeah, it's bad. Come on." Bo insisted. Luke gave Dixie a look. He had to go see what was up with Bo, "I'll be right back, Darlin'" Dixie had been around the boys enough, she waved him on, "OK. Go on." Luke stood up, Bo latched on to him with a death grip and nearly drug him out the side door, even though the General was parked out front. Outside, Bo was frantic and freaking out, "Luke! Luke, did you see Jeannie Ann? Oh, Lord! What if, .... BL, ... oh, Lord! Luke, it was only once! I swear it was. Jeannie Ann was always so much smaller than BL and now,... Luke, BL just can't be PREGNANT!" Bo promptly picked that moment to violently throw up. In the bathroom BL wasn’t feeling so great herself, she felt dizzy as she went in the stall her head felt like it might explode any minute and she felt bloated but chalked that upto having made a pig out of herself on Jesse’s ribs, at supper. Dixie took Luke's absence as an opportunity to sneak off to the restroom herself. Outside, Luke had to at least grin a little at Bo's distress, right up until he saw Jeb, Vance and Coy standing behind him with their eyes bugging out. It was apparent they had heard Bo's last few words. BL was a bit surprised to see she had started her period, unlike Dixie she really didn’t keep track, when asked at her last physical she could only give an estimate. This was a welcome visit from her monthly ‘friend’, who always showed up at an inconvenient time but this time was more than a little convenient, it meant she wasn’t pregnant. Out in the bar, LB was getting better acquainted with Sara Grace Frawley, preacher JP Frawley’s great niece. BALLADEER: Friends don’t let her family relations fool you, she ain’t no saint. After a moment of stunned silence, Luke was now faced with a chorus as all three cousins spoke at once, "Who's pregnant?" "Pregnant, really?" "Pregnant??!!" Now Luke and Bo were trying to hush their three younger cousins, hoping no one else heard that word. BL’s first instinct was to tell Bo the good news but she thought better of it, the whole county would know their business if she told him here at the Boar’s Nest so she decided to wait until they were alone, having no idea that there was a discussion going on outside about the ordeal. Luther still not one bit happy about Cooter’s ticket on the wrecker being given to him because he owned it, had told Cooter he’d take calls the rest of the weekend, his look telling Cooter not only would they talk later but that the amount of said ticket was coming out of Cooter’s pay. Luke dropped his tailgate and got Bo sitting down, "You may as well explain before they start jumping to conclusions." Bo gave Luke a pleading look. "It's your story to tell." Luke said. Vance, Coy and Jeb were all ears as they gathered round their older cousins, which was making Bo more nervous than he already was. “I reckon you’ve all noticed me and BL are closer than just friends?” Bo said, three heads nodded ‘yes’. “Well lets just say we got caught up in the heat of the moment,” Bo said. The bugged out eye look returned to his cousins faces. “Bo tell us you weren’t dumb and didn’t use protection,” Jeb said incredulously, Bo and Luke but mainly Bo had been preaching to him since he was a teenager about it. “We did but it malfunctioned and now looks like I’m going to be a father,” Bo replied. “I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, cousin when her Daddy and LB find out,” Vance said. Luke groaned, "Now, Bo, you don't know no such a thing. You are just panicking." "Well, why shouldn't I be? Ya'll saw Jeannie Ann and heard David, how he's been working all those extra shifts and such.... I ain't ever even had a real job, ever." Bo said. “Neither have I but you’ll do just fine,” Jeb said. “IF it turns out that way,” Coy said. Luke decided to have a conversation about things Bo knew, but the others had no clue, "Bo, come on, how many times, years ago, did we have a night of fun without a lot of thought about it. Sure, things can happen after just once, but we've done a lot of things I don't like to admit to and knock on some wood here, it always turned out ok." Luke was now admitting to being a lot less careful in his younger days than he ever wanted his cousins to believe. Dixie came into the restroom just as BL emerged from a stall and over to the sink, “Dixie we HAVE got to talk,” BL said “Ok but I gotta pee,” Dixie replied, going in the stall BL just exited. BL checked to make sure the other 2 stalls were empty, “I’m not pregnant!” BL said. “I thought we’d be raising babies together,” Dixie said. “Maybe next time,”BL replied. ”I can just see you with a houseful of little Luke Dukes running around,” BL grinned, turning and leaving the restroom. Dixie blushed but beamed at BL's picture, and then she saw it. Little Lukes in trees, on jungle gyms, in creeks, she replied, "Oh Lord, I hope not. I'm not getting any younger BL." Outside, Bo tried pulling himself together as his younger cousins digested the information Luke had provided. Bo said, "But, Luke, I just don't know if I'm ready for all that." "IF," Luke stressed the word, "she is, you danged better be." He added, "Do you really think David and Jeannie Ann were ready for twins so soon?" "Twins?" Bo asked. Luke nodded his head 'yes'. BL heard Dixie’s comment before the door closed and was laughing when she came into the main part of the bar again. Not seeing Bo or Luke or the rest of the Duke cousins she headed back to their tables but seeing David and Jeannie Ann she stopped at their table to chat after getting a beer at the bar. “Have ya’ll seen Bo,Luke or the rest of the Duke guys,” BL asked. No sooner had she asked than the 5 men came back inside. Bo still looked a little like he might throw up again but at least he wasn’t freaking out., excusing herself BL walked over to the cousins, Coy, Vance and Jeb were giving her odd looks. Luke even looked at her funny. Bo can we go for a drive? BL asked. “Sure darlin’ let’s go,” Bo replied. Sitting her half finished beer on Molly’s empty tray as the waitress walked by, BL went out to General Lee, stopping before Bo could help her in the window she turned accusing eyes on the blonde, “You told, didn’t you? I thought we were waiting until we found out for sure!” BL climbed through the window, glaring at Bo as he went around, getting behind the steering wheel, cranking up. “I didn’t mean to, I thought it was just me and Luke, I swear.” Bo said, trying to talk his way out of the hot water he was in. As the others hit the dance floor or the pool tables, Luke took a drink of his beer, looked at Dixie, "What's up?" "What do you mean?" Dixie replied. "With BL. First, she's drinking a beer, then she got Bo out of here real quick. Spill it." Luke said. Bo looked over at BL, his own expression not a happy one, he knew BL hadn’t had anything stronger than tea since their time at the swimming hole had gone to hell in a handbasket and he couldn’t figure out why she’d risk harming the baby now, ‘if’ there was one. He had to remind himself they didn’t know yet or he’d start freaking out again. Bo hadn’t really been going anyplace in particular and BL hadn’t said where to go but somehow they’d ended up at the lookout that overlooked Sunset lake. “So what were you fellas doing outside? I asked David and Jeannie Ann if they knew where you and Luke went but ya’ll came back before they could say anything,” BL said. “David was talking about all the extra shifts he’s been working, preparing for his own little one, then I saw Jeannie Ann and I freaked out,” Bo replied. “Well I’m not pregnant so you can stop worrying” BL said. “YEEHAA”!! Bo’s rebel yell threatened to make BL go deaf, they headed back to the Boar’s Nest to celebrate. Dixie knew here was not the place to talk openly so she tried to be vague, "BL needed to run home for some feminine products." Luke gave Dixie a blank look. Dixie knew Luke was a smart man, however, where women were concerned he was certainly having an off couple weeks! "You know the products I won't need for a few months." Luke caught on to her meaning but was still confused. "She's not." is all Dixie said. Luke let out a long sigh of relief, "Thank goodness." Dixie frowned, "Would it have been that bad?" Luke sipped his beer, "You didn't just have to talk him off a ledge. Come on, let's dance or something nice." Dixie smiled, "Alright." Bo parked General Lee right back where he’d been before, so it was likely no one would know the stock car had ever moved. Bo slid out the driver side window, then hurried around to the other side to help BL. “Hope nobody pays any attention to me, I don’t want to explain why I am drinking a beer but didn’t drink anything but punch last night and only soda so far tonight if I get caught,” BL said. “You won’t just a little shucking and jiving maybe,” Bo replied as they went inside. The tables the group was sitting at were empty, everyone doing their own thing. Bugs was at the pinball machine, with a couple ‘good luck charms’ watching. The Davenport boys were in a serious dart game, it appeared. Luke and Dixie, Jeb and Debbie, Vance and Lisa and Daisy and Randy and Coy and Casey were all dancing. Everybody was having a great time, “Let’s dance,” Bo pulled BL into his arms and held on tight as she rested her head on his shoulder. Near closing time the group decided to head back to the Duke farm. Rosco was making his last check of the night and grinned, seeing the group leaving “Ah ha I caught ya!” Rosco said, reaching for his cuffs. “Caught who doing what? We was just leaving,” Luke said. “Exactly I caught you Duke boys, all 5 of ya with the intent to drive under the influence,” Rosco replied. “Sorry, guess again Rosco,” BL said, holding up the keys to General Lee. Dixie, Lisa and Debbie all held up a set of keys for the sheriff to see. Outside they all had another good laugh at Rosco. Back at the farm, everyone settled down most with someone warm beside them and most had some of Jesse's finest to sip on. It was one of Luke's younger guys, Ryan, who spoke up, “what's with the local law?" Luke replied easily, "One of the joys of living in a small town." Dixie added, "What he's not telling you is that these guys have all out ran, outfoxed and out maneuvered him since before they had a license." How about a moonlit stroll,” Coy asked Casey, giving her an irresistible grin, something all the young Duke men seemed to have been blessed with. “Sounds nice,” Casey replied, the two headed off in the direction of the south 20. “That sounds like a good idea, bit crowded in here, care to join me Lisa?” Vance said. “Yes,” Lisa replied, nodding. Jeb took his cue from his younger cousins and asked Debbie, “Would you like to take a walk?” Yeah, where to?” Debbie replied. “You’ll see,” Jeb replied, heading for the meadow on the northeast corner of the Duke property. “Wonder what they’re all upto,” Bo voiced his thoughts as he and BL stood outside the barn with Sadie. “Well knowing how a Duke boy’s mind works, I’d say to get better acquainted with the ladies, without a crowd,” BL replied. “Now getting away from the crowd for a little while sounds like a good idea,” Bo said. “Yeah,” BL agreed, taking Bo’s hand heading in the direction of the old silver mines on the property. “Sadie come,” BL called to her dog. “Look,” Bo pointed at a distant flash of lightning. “Maybe it’s going to finally rain and cool things off,” BL said. Bo added, “Crops could use it.” As if the rain God's had heard the conversation, from out of nowhere came a downpour. It was one of those downpours that cleaned out gutters and ditches. Catching each of the couples out in the open completely soaking them to the bone. Bo and BL were closer to the mines than the farm, “come on." After making a run for it, they made it to the mines soaked to the bone. The night was hot. Bo reached up to brush the water from BLs face. One look at each other lead to a long deep kiss. BL pulled back, clearing her throat, “Bo we better cool it, we just got through one scare. Do we really want another?” Bo got a picture of Jeannie Ann in his head and heard David Doolin talking about how much he’d been working extra shifts in preparation for the arrival of twins, “No,” Bo replied. A streak of lightning split the sky and thunder boomed like cannon fire as the rain came down in sheets. Sadie whined and reared up on BL’s leg. “Hey easy, it’s alright Mama’s here,” BL said, sitting down and holding Sadie close, even though the dirt was sticking to her wet shorts, making mud. Bo squatted beside them to wait out the storm. The others found their own shelter and spent the rest of the storm getting better acquainted. Some may have gotten more acquainted than others but each couple enjoyed the storm. Luke had opened the upstairs loft door to let in a breeze while he and his bride enjoyed some much needed alone time in the loft.

Salt WALTHER a truck driver in Road Pirates.

Hazzard TELEPHONE and TELEGRAPH

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.

Boss was always after SOMETHING for nothing!

Pretty good! I'd forgotten that Lulu called Boss, " Jefferson". I'm still remembering her calling him, " Chickabitty" ! LOL!

Next morning at the Duke farm Jesse knocked on Bo and Luke’s bedroom door, about to call them both remembering Luke wasn’t there he just said “Bo chores.” “Coming Uncle Jesse,” Bo called back, he hadn’t really slept in the quiet room, he was used to hearing Luke breathing across the room. Daisy came into the kitchen to help cook breakfast “morning Uncle Jesse.” “Morning Daisy,”Jesse replied. “Morning Bo,” Jesse and Daisy said when Bo came in the kitchen. “You’re gonna call the rest of the family later and share the news right,” Daisy asked her uncle. “That’s right but I thought I’d wait until after breakfast, why,” Jesse replied. “When you call Placid County, will ya ask Jeb if he’d consider getting his, Coy and Vance’s band together to play at Luke and Dixie’s reception. I thought a live band would be nicer than the jukebox,” Daisy said. As Hazzard news traveled from the Bakery, to anyone who came in, from Sheriff Rosco to Boss Hogg, from Enos, and anyone else the Davenports or Dukes told, all who told others, ... yet the big news had pretty well not been spread all over the county until the Hazzaed Gazette hit everyone's porch bright and early the next morning. Dixie's announcement was placed nicely on the society page, but being that Norm was Luke's friend and the fact there were no other big news stories, the Davenport-Duke Marry in Chickamahoney was front page news. Daisy was the first to open the Dukes, Hazzard Gazette, "Oh, Uncle Jesse, you have got to see this!" She gushed. Lulu Hogg picked up the Hazzaed Gazette and unrolled it to get the society page before Boss got his fingers on it. As she unrolled it, the headlines caught her eye.... “Jefferson, did you know about this?” Lulu asked, showing Boss the headline. Boss hadn’t really believed it but there it was in black and white. Lulu found the society page and read the news of the reception “how nice of you Jefferson, letting them have a reception at the Boar’s Nest,” Lulu gushed. Boss choked on his coffee, hearing this. He hadn’t agreed to the couple having no reception at his Boars Nest. Lulu was on a mission, "I'll call Daisy. We can decorate. I'll get the Ladies Aid to make food." Boss saw his food sales for the night going out the window. "And Jefferson, we can take care of the beverages." Lulu more than insisted. "Oh, yes, and for the toast. You have got to call off Rosco. I just know there is some Duke moonshine put back for a nice toast, and I won't have Rosco, Cletus or Enos messing this up by trying to arrest anyone over it!" Boss Hogg was about to have a vapor lock, the more his wife talked. He’d gotten enough of a look at the announcement, to know that the reception was Friday evening one of his busiest nights and he couldn’t even charge for food nor drinks, it was enough to make a grown man cry. All over the county tears were being shed at the news. Some were tears of joy for the couple, but some were tears from totally other emotions. Some of Luke's former girlfriends, as well as girls who still had hoped to one day become his girlfriend, wept. Some of the other girls who hoped to date Bo Duke also shed green tears, knowing that their competition for the blonde's attention just doubled. Back at the Duke farm, Jesse was making a few calls to spread the good news of Luke and Dixie getting married. Calling his brother Elbert up in Tennessee, Elbert’s wife Bessie dried her hands before answering “Duke farm, this is Bessie.” “Bessie, this is Jesse, how are ya? How’s Elbert and the kids?” Jesse asked his sister inlaw. “We’s all fine Jesse, is something wrong? Give me a minute and I’ll call Elbert, he’s out in the barn with Coy and Vance,” Bessie was a mite worried, it wasn’t like Jesse to call this early. “No nothing’s wrong, just thought I’d call and tell ya’ll the news. Luke got married,” Jesse said. “What?! Why didn’t you let us know? We’d have come down,” Bessie fussed. “I didn’t know neither until he brought her home,” Jesse said. A little later in town, Mary Lou Pringle came in the post office. She'd just come from the jewelry store “Is it true?” the wealthy brunette asked. Mary Lou might have money but she didn’t turn her nose up at the Dukes nor the Davenports. BL grinned, the gossips were getting the word out, for those that might not have seen the Hazzard' Gazette yet “yep it's true, Luke and Dixie finally tied the knot,” BL replied. Jesse poured himself a cup of coffee. Sat down, took a couple of deep breaths, and let them out slowly. Daisy came back into the kitchen, "Have you called everyone?" "No." Jesse paused, "I have one more call to make." Daisy grinned knowingly, "Who too?" Jesse looked up at her with wide exaggerated eyes, "Really?" "Give Aunt Pauline and Uncle John my love, and remember to ask Jeb about the guys playing Friday night!" Jesse said to her retreating form, "You'll be able to give them your love when they get here." He let out a sigh. "Here goes nothing." At the Duke Farm in Placid, Pauline dried her hands on her apron before picking up the phone. "Duke Farm." "Pauline, this here is Jesse. I don't suppose John happens to be nearby, is he?" "No, he shouldn't be back til supper time." Pauline said. The two exchanged the "is everything alright and how was everyone?” before Jesse took another drink of coffee. The thought crossed his mind that he'd have preferred it to have been shine even at this early hour. He both looked forward to spreading this news in Placid but also dread of what he knew would follow...... Jesse smiled just a bit as he said, " Pauline, I have some good news for a change. News that should make you very happy." Though he knew she might be happy but not very happy. "Luke got married." Pauline nearly spit her own coffee out, "Jesse, we must have a bad connection. Did you say Luke was getting married?" Jesse knew that had he said "getting" married as opposed to "got" that could have changed her being happy to being very happy. "No, I said Luke got married." "To whom? I never knew he was dating anyone steady. Do we know the girl?" Pauline's mind was jumping from planning the oldest nephews wedding to was the girl good enough for him, to FINALLY! She had figured for years now that if Luke would get married, the other boys may begin to settle down. She longed for Jeb to find a good proper bride so that she could have some babies in the house again. In town the post office was finally quiet, there had been a steady stream of folks all morning, most of which were not there to conduct post office business but to ask about Dixie and Luke getting married, because they had heard it around town. BL took the time to make a call to her cousin BB over in Sweetwater, “hello”. “Hey BB, how’s it going? BL said. “Can’t complain,how about ya’ll there in Hazzard?” BB replied. “Pretty good I reckon, especially Dixie,” BL answered mysteriously. BB’s curiosity was piqued, Dixie hadn’t said anything about something special about to happen, last month when he’d seen her. “What’s up with Dix? “She’s the reason I called, her and Luke took a little trip upto Chickamahoney,” BL replied. “They got hitched? I’ll be…” BB said. “Yeah, Daisy and me, are giving them a reception Friday night at the Boar’s Nest. I need a favor, Daisy put the reception in the Hazzard Gazette inviting the whole county. That means technically Ernie Ledbetter is invited but if he shows there’ll be trouble, we can’t let him ruin it so I want you to be the ‘bouncer’ and make sure he don’t get that chance. All you got to do is sit close by the door,” BL said, seeing Cletus crossing the road heading her way. “I’m your man, you can count on me,” BB replied. “Thanks, see ya Friday at 6. I gotta go,” BL said, hanging up. Cletus came in wearing his usual cheerful grin “howdy BL,"Cletus greeted. Before BL could get a word out, he laid down the Hazzard Gazette he'd gotten from the stand outside the door “have you seen this?” Cletus asked. BL glanced at the paper, “yep, I saw it and there’s a formal wedding announcement in the society section,” BL replied. Jesse looked heavenward, mumbled a near silent prayer for patience, and began to answer what he knew was the beginning of a million questions..."Yes, we know her. In fact, she grew up with the kids. He married Dixie Davenport." It had been several years since Pauline spent much time in Hazzard. Usually, it was on a holiday so Jesse's house was full of the family so there weren't many friends if any there. "Davenport? Davenport? The name is familiar. Wait, isn't that the family that has the garage in town?" Jesse replied, "It is. You've been around her parents, her brother, and her when she was just a little thing. As much as she was enjoying watching and listening to Jesse on the phone with her Aunt Pauline, Daisy knew she needed to get to the bakery before going to work Back in town BL gave Cletus his mail “Cletus, will you do something for me?” BL used her sweetest voice. “Sure BL anything, what can I do?” Cletus replied, he like most single men in Hazzard would do almost anything for Daisy Duke but BL hadn’t been friends with her, all these years and not learned a thing or two. “I gotta run a quick errand, will you stay here and watch things til I get back?” BL said. “Sure, I can do that,” Cletus said. “Thanks,” BL said, dashing off to the flower shop. “Morning Agnes,” BL spoke to the middle aged woman behind the counter. “Morning BL, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Agnes said. “I need to order a bridal bouquet,” BL said, holding up a hand to stop the tirade of questions about to come her way. “Have you read the Gazette?” BL asked, To which Agnes nodded ‘yes’ BL continued, “thought it’d be nice if Dixie had a small bouquet to toss, maybe centerpieces for the tables.” “Sounds nice, what’d you have in mind?” Agnes got her notepad to write it all down. “Something inexpensive, the budget’s small.Dixie’s favorite flower is tulips, so maybe just tulips and baby’s breath for the bouquet and I’m not sure how many centerpieces,” BL said, promising to ask Daisy about the number of centerpieces before going back to the post office so Cletus could get back to his day. Luther had noticed Dixie's Thunderbird and Luke's truck parked at BLs on his way around the Square to the garage. Cooter had been under the hood of Rosco's patrol car trying to repair the damage from its latest swim when he noticed his father walk out of the garage for no reason. Cooter straightened up further to see that his father had walked out near the edge of the road, looked across the Square, cursed, and walked back inside. Cooter had no idea what his father was looking at until he went outside a few minutes later to gas up a customer. When he caught sight of Luke's pickup still at BL's. Cooter frowned then went back to work. Gloria went out to get her newspaper and was appalled to see both Luke’s truck and Dixie’s car still in the driveway after 8 in the morning, on a workday, hearing Dixie squeal she muttered, “Lord only knows what they're doing.” Unrolling the paper she was flabbergasted to see the headline announcing the marriage. Flinging the newspaper at her husband, Gloria declared “ just look Abner for, heavensake they aren’t royalty, just a greasemonkey’s daughter and an old moonshiner’s nephew.” Even with the dark curtains and Luke having no intention of getting up early, sleeping in for him amounted to waking up just after seven. Dixie had her head on his shoulder, her leg across his curled up at his side. It had only been two nights, but Luke was sure he could get used to this really quickly as he combed her hair back with his fingers. Dixie never moved. Luke snuggled closer and held Dixie just a bit tighter content to drift off back to sleep until Dixie woke up. A bit later, Luke woke to Dixie running her fingers across his bare chest, which kicked off a replay of the events of the night before. Around eight, Luke declared, "I'm about to do something I hardly ever do." "And, just what might that be?" Dixie was nearly afraid to ask. Luke grinned, "I'm about to go run a tub of bath water in that nice deep clawfoot tub." With that, Luke was out of the bed and across the hall in his birthday suit. Dixie enjoyed the view, then got up and found a tank top and shorts before she heard Luke from the other room. "Hey, Dixie. Do you want to come wash my back?" Luke called. Dixie laughed as she crossed the hallway. Luke was already leaning up in the tub, giving her full access to his back. Dixie reached for a washcloth and soap and gave Luke's back a nice washing just before she felt him wrap one arm around her and pull her into his bath clothes and all. Dixie couldn't help the squeal that escaped just before Luke covered her lips with his. Luke then said, "I think you are a mite over dressed for the day, Mrs. Duke." At 11:00 BL closed for lunch, Bo was picking her up to go to the Dixie diner just outside of town instead of the Busy Bee cafe. Just as BL locked the door, Sadie yapped at the orange stock car headed that way. Pulling up in front, Bo lifted Sadie through the driver side window, while BL was sliding through the passenger side. “Hey why don’t we go see if Luke and Dixie want to come,” Bo said, he’d been looking for a reason to interrupt Luke’s ‘wedded bliss’ but knew BL nor Daisy for that matter would let him near BL’s place. “Sounds like a good idea to me,” BL replied, figuring by now they were up and just watching a movie or something. So Bo drove over. Leaving Sadie in the fenced in yard, BL and Bo heading toward the house. BL hollering a warning before they went in “LUKE, DIXIE HOPE YOU’RE DECENT COS I’M COMING IN AND BO’S WITH ME.” Gloria heard the warning through her own open window, gasping in mortification as BL brazenly opened the door, walking in, Bo right behind her. Luke and Dixie heard General Lee long before BL and Bo opened the front door. They had been snuggling in bed when they heard General Lee stop. Luke looked at the clock, "I don't believe they all kept him busy that long." To BL's warning, he replied as he picked up his jeans, "We'll be down in a few minutes." BL and Bo were sitting on the couch when the newlyweds came downstairs, BL grinning like the cat who ate the canary “couldn’t help myself,” BL said as explanation for barging in. “We’re going to the Dixie diner for lunch, ya’ll want to go too?” Bo asked. Both Luke and Dixie agreed as the four headed out the awaiting General Lee with Sadie ready to go too. Inside the diner, the four took seats at one of the tables after promising to bring Sadie back a snack. “I wasn’t planning to bust in on ya’ll but Kravitz had her windows open and we all know she’s been watching ya’ll since last night, just thought I’d give her something to see,” BL said. Luke laughed at BL, "It's alright, we heard ya'll pull up." Across the diner was one of the waitresses that had gone to school with the group at the table. She had seen the newspaper but decided to act as if she hadn't."Hey, ya'll. What brings ya'll in today?" “Ain’t you heard? Luke and Dixie got married a couple days ago, so we thought we’d celebrate,”Bo said. The girl plastered a fake smile on her face, handing them all a menu, “congratulations, what can I get ya’ll to drink?” She had a good mind to spit in their drinks, she didn’t like any of them in school and that hadn’t changed. “I’ll have a sweet tea,” BL said. “Make that 2,” Bo replied. Dixie and Luke both agreed, "We'll make it easy. Just bring us all four sweet teas. What's the special today?" Luke asked. Dixie was looking at the menu, trying to decide between a couple of items. The waitress wrote down their drink order replying to Luke's question about today’s special, “BBQ pork chops, with 3 sides”. “That sounds good, I’ll have the special.Can I get a burger with nothing on it to go too please,” BL said. “What sides do you want?” the waitress asked. “Hmm, mashed potatoes, coleslaw and mac and cheese,” “I’ll have the BBQ pork chops too, with mashed potatoes, green beans and corn on the cob,” Bo replied before he could be asked. Luke was waiting for Dixie to reply. Dixie didn't think the special sounded good to her. "I want the chef salad with Thousand Island dressing, ...." Luke was about to order when Dixie said, "and the meatloaf platter." The waitress said, "That comes with two sides, but the salad is just a garden salad." Dixie nodded, "My sides are mashed potatoes and corn. I also want the garden salad." "Alright, meatloaf platter with mashed potatoes and corn and a small garden." The waitress repeated. "Make the salad a large, please." Dixie said. Luke had decided on the roast beef with Texas toast, mashed potatoes, and gravy. With the orders complete, the waitress was off to turn in the order as others arrived at other tables for lunch While the waitress got the drinks, BL asked“anybody remember her? She look’s familiar but I can’t remember who she is, I’d hate for her to come in the post office and not know who she is,” BL said but before anyone could reply, the drinks came. “So what are you two going to do the rest of the afternoon?” BL asked then added “if it involves the bedroom, we don’t want to know.” Luke gave BL a cat that swallowed the canary grin, "Alright, since you don't want to know. Next topic.” The waitress had made her way toward the back, "Bo, isn't her name Linda Kay, Mae, something like that." Bo gave his older cousin a 'thanks a lot' look. "Lucy Mae." He said rather quietly. Dixie gave him a look, then looked to BL to see if she noticed Bo might know her a bit better than the others. BL looked over at Bo arching an eyebrow in question, she noticed Lucy looked at her with a look, that if looks could kill BL would drop dead. Bo opened his mouth then shut it a few times, like a fish out of water. “Let’s talk about this later darlin,” Bo said, trying to buy himself some time. He was going to get Luke for opening a can of worms. “Why? I promise I won’t get mad,” BL replied. BALLADEER: Friends if he believes that, I got ocean front property in Tennessee I want to sell him. Luke shot Dixie a questioning grin. He had just caught Bo, and he knew it even if no one at this table would admit a thing. BL was still waiting for some kind of answer but Lucy Mae brought their food “Roast beef with Texas toast,” Lucy Mae said. Luke reached for the plate. After passing out the rest of the order, including a paper bag with the burger, went on her way to take care of other customers. “I think I should have got the meatloaf, that looks good,” BL said, stealing a bite off Dixie’s plate. Dixie playfully put her fork on BLs hand. "Mine, but you can have a bite." The crew sat into eating. Luke glanced at the clock on the diner wall, "BL, what time do you need to get back?" BL looked up at the clock while chewing then swallowing and getting a drink of tea. She doubted that Luke cared if she got back exactly on time, so wondered what was on his mind “30 minutes or so, if I run back and get the mailbag I have an hour until I have to run the mail route,” BL replied. "Ok. Just didn't want you to be late on our account." Luke said. Dixie had eaten about half her salad and was working on her meatloaf and sides. She figured she would need a to-go box but just couldn't decide between the salad only or the meatloaf. Several of the people in the diner, who had seen the announcement, had stopped by to give the couple well wishes. Daisy saw Lulu coming out of the courthouse as she was pulling back onto the road from getting gas in Uncle Jesse’s pickup. He needed gas so she’d offered to fill his gas tank, on her way to work. “Lulu, can I talk to you for a minute?” Daisy called from the truck, pulling over next to the curb. “Daisy honey, how are you and the boys and Jesse? How about Luke’s new bride? Lulu gushed. “Everybody’s fine,speaking of Luke getting married, will you do me a favor and ask the ladies of the ladies aid if they will make refreshments for the reception? Luke and Dixie don’t want anything real fancy and expensive,” Daisy said. “Of course and don’t you worry about decorating either, we’ll take care of that too,” Lulu replied. “Don’t worry about the beer, it’s on JD and me,” Lulu added “Thank you Lulu, I best get to work now, see you Friday and thanks again,” Daisy said, waving. Over at the Dixie diner Bo, Luke and the girls were finishing their lunch, Lucy Mae had given them the check with their order. “I’ll get that,” BL said, picking up the check. “No you won’t, you done gave up your house last night,” Luke argued, taking the check from BL. seeing a protest coming, he handed the check over to Bo “lunch is on Bo,” Luke smirked at his cousin. “Speaking of houses, when do you get the day off BL?” Luke asked. ’“I’m taking Saturday off, so I can hang out, while everybody’s in town,” BL replied. Bo gave Luke a look, for being so free with his money. While Bo paid, Luke and Dixie went on out to the General. “I need to pee, that tea went straight through me, here, feed Sadie for me please Dixie,” BL said, she really didn’t need the bathroom that bad, she just didn’t aim to leave Bo in there with Lucy Mae. When Bo and BL came out, Bo was being real attentive to BL. He was in the dog house so to speak and he knew it. Sadie was in the back with Dixie and Luke, hoping for more people food when Bo lifted BL onto the passenger windowsill, guarding her head from a bump as she slid in. “Everybody set”? Bo asked, cranking up. Luke replied, "We are good back here. After you drop BL and Sadie off, swing over and let me grab the truck. I'll come out and help you with the chores awhile. Dixie, do you want to go hang out with Daisy and Uncle Jesse, or do you have something you need to do?" Dixie replied, "I think I'll take advantage of not working today and go hang out with ya’ll." Bo headed back toward the Post Office.... Once at the Post Office Bo parked in front, jogging around to the passenger side, helping BL out. While BL was getting the key, Bo was getting Sadie out of the General Lee. “I know it's in here somewhere,” BL said, digging in her purse. She had her head down not paying attention and was knocked down when someone ran past “hey watch where you’re going!” BL hollered. “You alright,”? Bo asked, putting Sadie down, Luke had seen the man run out of the emporium and had already followed him down the alley beside the hardware store. Dixie had gotten out to check on BL, while Bo joined the chase “are you hurt?” Dixie asked, trying to keep Sadie off BL so she could get up. Just my pride, I’ll live,”BL replied. Dixie replied, "Good. Let's go see if they need help." She said, giving BL a hand up. While BL put Sadie in the General Lee, Dixie was through the driver's window and fired the General up. As soon as BL was on the window seal and dropping into the seat, Dixie pulled out in the direction that the guys had run after the other man. From the garage, Cooter heard a ruckus. Looking up, he saw Luke and Bo chasing a man. "Be right back!" Cooter called to his father in the garage. Dixie and BL were just in time to see Bo and Luke tackle the man as he cut across Hazzard Square with Cooter coming out of nowhere to help. Rosco was just pulling up in front of the courthouse when he saw the Dukes and Cooter trying to apprehend the man. “FREEZE,” Rosco said. “What do you wanna bet he blames Bo, Luke and Cooter,” BL said, sliding up onto the passenger windowsill. "No bet." Dixie said, sliding out her own window. The man wasn’t giving up and getting away from Bo and Luke he was giving all he had with no thought of stopping. Bo and Luke had no choice but to keep up the fight or the fleeing man would be on the loose again. Cooter was at the ready to help, but it looked like Bo and Luke had a hold of a tiger by its tail and couldn't let loose." “Quit it! I said stop now!” Rosco tried to get close enough to break up the fight but he couldn’t. Unholstering his pearl handled pistol and firing into the air didn’t work either, the man wasn’t giving up, he was determined to get away, Bo and Luke were used to hearing vehicles backfire, so they paid no attention to the gunshot either. Enos and Cletus were heading on patrol and saw the ruckus possum“on a gumbush Cletus, we better help”, Enos said. “The sheriff does look a mite outnumbered,” Cletus replied. Running over they each grabbed for a brawler……… When Enos and Cletus jumped in, Cooter had no choice. With the law trying to get the Dukes off the stranger, even though he had no idea what was going on, he couldn't let the man escape. He did the only thing he knew to do. He jumped in to help the guys hold the man from getting away. Dixie looked at BL, "Ah, geeze, there's Cooter." Dixie said. Mr. Winters, the store owner, ran up shotgun in hand and fired off his first barrel. At that noise, the fight stopped for a half a second, which was just long enough for Cooter to return the stranger to his feet. The man jerked away from Cooter, popping the buttons on his shirt to pull loose, letting the money he had stuffed in his shirt fly free to the ground. Rosco, Enos and Cletus all jumped a mile high at the shotgun blast, Recovering Rosco looked at the money scattered on the ground then back at the thief, "allright you, you're under arrest." Rosco said. Enos brought out his cuffs,snapping them on the crook's wrist "you have the right to remain quiet......" After reading the guy his rights, he and Cletus carted the man off to the jail. "Well looks like excitement’s over, I better get to delivering the mail. C'mon Sadie." BL said, turning back to walk to the post office. Rosco turned his attention to the Duke boys. He was seconds from reaching for his own cuffs when Mr. Winters began shaking the Dukes hands once the money had been picked up. "Thank you, boys. If he had gotten away with this, it would have surely hurt us." He said, very relieved to have gotten his store's money back. Luke was tucking his shirt back in as Dixie approached. "Are you alright?" Luke put his arm around her. "I'm fine. Come on ya'll, let's head over to the garage before we head out to the farm." Luke wasn't sure why but felt the need to put some distance between himself and the Sheriff. At the garage, Cooter headed toward the fridge and took out three beers and looked over at Dixie, "Do you want a beer?" Dixie laughed at Cooter. It was barely past noon. "Coke’s fine." Luther raised up from the car he was working on, "So what was so interesting?" Cooter took a long drink of his beer and then said, "The Hazzard Emporium was robbed. These guys chased down the robber." "So you had to leave work, why?" Luther asked Cooter. "Figured they might need a hand." Cooter grinned widely. Luke added, "And we did. They guy was slipperier than a polecat, and then Rosco jumped in, trying to get us off him." BL waved to Mrs. Benson as she was coming around the side of the Benson farmhouse. Next stop the county orphanage. This was the last stop on the route. Luther asked, "Did I hear shots?" Bo offered proudly, "Yeah, Rosco shot off his pistol, but that didn't stop the Ole boy. Then, when Mr. Winters showed up he shot off his shotgun." Dixie added, "That's when Cooter jerked the guy to his feet, and money flew out of his shirt." The guys had finished their beers, and with all that helpful information, Luther's new son in law and son felt it was past time for their exit. Luke said, "Bo, we best be heading out." Cooter added, "I'll walk out with ya'll. I got to ride out and help Uncle Earl change a flat on his tractor." It was a job Cooter had been trying to get out of since early this morning, but now, he'd rather deal with the tractor than his father. Dixie was already moving to the door. Coke in hand. Luke said, "We got to walk all the way over to the Post Office for the General." Dixie pulled the keys out of her pocket, "No, we don't. He's at the Square. I thought ya'll might have needed him close, so I brought him over." “Thanks Darlin,” Luke said. Helping Dixie through the General’s window first, Luke was still on the sill when Bo started moving. “Hey what’s the hurry, we ain’t being chased?” Luke fussed as he slid into the seat. “Sorry, my foot just automatically steps on the gas, when Rosco’s so close.” Bo said, indicating the police station that wasn’t far away. Seeing Gloria Kravitz bent over, her back to the road, Bo couldn’t help himself; he gave a blast on the horn, scaring Gloria, who toppled over. Bo Luke and Dixie burst out laughing once they saw Gloria was ok, shaking her fist at them as they pulled into BL’s driveway. Bo stopped just long enough for Luke and Dixie to get out of the General Lee and into Luke's pickup, then he was in reverse and heading to the farm. Luke had backed out and was behind Bo in nothing flat. Back at the Duke farm, Jesse was just finishing up bottle feeding a piglet when General Lee and Luke’s pickup came down the driveway kicking up dust. Bo parked in his usual spot and Luke parked at the front of the old farmhouse, so he could get out easy, if paged. “Where’s BL, ain’t she coming for supper”? Jesse asked as the three came his way. “She’s still working, she’ll be out in a little while after closing the post office,” Bo said. “Is Daisy in the house?” Dixie asked “Yes, she’s been a waiting for ya,” Jesse replied so Dixie went on inside, while Uncle Jesse, Bo and Luke did the chores. Dixie called out to Daisy as she went in the back door. "In here." Daisy called from the living room. Dixie saw bags, rolls of netting, streamers, bells, and other things she couldn't rightly identify spread from the kitchen table to the couch. "What's all this?" Daisy beamed, "Decorations for Friday night. Lulu told me the ladies aid would take care of most of it, but I had to get a few extra things." "Daisy. Honey this isn't a few extras." Dixie said. BL arrived a short time later, Jesse said to go on in, leaving Sadie to play in the yard,"Wow" , BL said, seeing all the extra decorations spread from table to couch. Ain't the Boar's Nest gonna be pretty Friday night? Daisy beamed, thrilled with her purchases. "It's going to be gorgeous, nobody will recognize it," BL replied. Dixie laughed at the two and thought if they went all out for a reception, she hated to see what they would have done if her and Luke would have gotten married in Hazzard or for that matter what they would do when the baby was announced. She felt really loved but had to say, "I think you two are crazy." Daisy said, "Well, it's not every day my oldest cousin gets married, ya know." Dixie replied, "Well, I certainly hope not." Outside, Bo had to say what he'd been thinking since he found out Luke got married. "Ya know, Luke, by eloping, you missed the best part about getting married." Jesse's ears perked up a bit, ready to hear Bo's words of wisdom. Luke gave Jesse a glance but looked at Bo, ready to play along, "Which best part would that be Bo?" "The bachelor party, of course." Bo said in exasperation. Luke grinned at Bo and declared, "Bo, trust me on this. That is not the best part about getting married." "I think he's got you there, Bo." Jesse said, then added, "With all the cousins coming in, why don't ya’ll plan something for Friday night after the reception or Saturday night?" BL laughed then asked "what are you going to wear?" Daisy loved to shop, and the “two Davenport females knew it so it was no surprise when she replied "We could go shopping, ." Dixie really wasn't a shopper, "I figured to wear a good pair of jeans, my boots, and a nice top." “Don’t you want to wear something really nice?” BL asked, then grinned mischievously, “some folks already think you’re a jezebel or something, I have a red dress if you want to borrow it,” BL teased. "My favorite dress is my favorite blue jeans. Besides, I got married in jeans." Dixie had hated dresses since her mother made her wear them often. BL frowned and looked at Daisy, they had to convince Dixie to wear a dress, so she could wear a garter for Luke to toss. Daisy shrugged her shoulders, she didn’t have any convincing ideas. BL realized that they were just going to have to tell Dixie why she needed to wear a dress, BL knew if they didn’t Dixie would stubbornly hold her ground, she hated wearing dresses that much. “You can’t wear the garter for Luke to toss, if you don't wear a dress.” BL said with a sigh. Dixie now saw BL's reasoning for the dress. "Ok, I have a skirt and the top looks great with jeans. I'll show up in a skirt but the minute I can, I'm putting on my jeans so I can have fun." BL and Daisy smiled, satisfied Dixie wasn’t going to put a kink in their plans and still getting what she wanted. "We should probably get this stuff put away and get supper fixed,”BL said looking at the clock. Dixie went out to the barn to tell the guys supper was ready. Luke walked back to the house with his arm around her waist. "You know we only thought eloping would make things simple, ..... Daisy has got enough stuff to decorate all of Hazzard that she got extra to go with the things the ladies aid is bringing." Dixie explained. Luke sighed. "You know I love her, but sometimes she overdoes things." Dixie nodded, "I just wanted to warn you, this is one of those times." After Jesse said grace and plates were filled with Daisy’s fried chicken, BL looked at Luke and Dixie, now seemed like a good time to continue their discussion at lunch about living arrangements. “Did you two decide what you want to do about living arrangements? BL asked. Luke saw Dixie was waiting for him to reply, "If you are sure you don't mind. It makes more sense." Luke was quick to stop at least some of Bo’s pout. "Bo, if you can get the morning chores, I'll come do all the evening chores unless I get a call or hung up." “I’m sure,it’s fine. Just don’t make me move all my clothes again,” BL said dramatically, like it was the worst chore she’d ever done. “I’ll help ya darlin,”Bo volunteered, he could think of alot of worse ways to spend a couple hours than going through his girl’s unmentionables. BL could guess why Bo was volunteering and she was pretty sure, so could the rest. “Thanks for the offer Bo but if Dixie and Luke don’t mind me coming every few days to repack my bag…”BL replied. "No, we don't mind at all. Besides, when Luke's gone I expect you over." Dixie said. “You know I’ll be there, wouldn’t want you to get lonesome,” BL smiled. That settled talk turned to other things. As supper drew to an end, Luke said, "Speaking of bags, I need to grab some stuff for work." "I'll help ya." Bo said. Everyone watched the guys head to their room. Dixie asked, "Is he alright?" BL shrugged her shoulders, Bo must be upto something but what that was she didn’t know. Bo wasn’t looking forward to being alone in this room every night from now on, he’d shared it with Luke as long as he could remember. “Gonna be strange not having you here,” Bo said. “I’ll just be at BL’s in town or the garage, it’s not like you won’t see me, you find a reason to go to town atleast 3 days a week.” Luke replied. Bo pouted, "But it's not gonna be the same." Luke nodded. "You are right it won't be, but you were fine while I was in the Marines. You've been fine when I was training and even working out of state." Bo said, "I wasn't fine, and now I'd just gotten good and used to your being back." "I'm ten hot minutes away as the General flies. Now, what do you and BL have planned? Ain't you been seeing a lot of her? Only her?" Luke asked, hoping to keep Bo from getting too far into a funk. “I thought we might take a stroll down to the swimming hole,” Bo said. “Maybe take a swim, if you can talk her into it?” Luke questioned to which Bo only grinned. “We ain’t really talked about being exclusive but she likes more than just a night on the town or going to the grange dances, church socials and such,” Bo said. BALLADEER: Friends I believe that boy’s growing up. Bo helped Luke gather up his stuff and carry it to his pickup, the girls had just finished cleaning up the kitchen and had moved to the front porch, hoping to catch a breeze. “Want to take a walk BL?” Bo asked on his way to the truck. “Sure,” BL said, getting up off the step, where she was throwing a ball for Sadie. Seeing BL get up, Sadie abandoned her ball when she joined Bo. “Stay with Dixie and Daisy girl,” BL said, heading off with Bo. Bo put his arm around BL’s waist as they meandered along, talking about this and that.“Are you and Daisy going to give Dixie a shower? Bo asked. “No probably not, Dixie and Luke ain’t got nowhere to store things, maybe when they get a place of their own, we’ll give them a housewarming,” BL replied. As they neared the swimming hole, Bo untucked his shirt and opened it “Whew, it’s hotter than a July firecracker,” Bo said. “Yeah, I had to go put on something cooler before I came out,” BL replied. She’d gone over to her house, swapping her jeans and short sleeved top for shorts and a spaghetti strap tank top. “Water sure does look nice and cool,” Bo said casually. “Mm…yeah,” BL agreed. “Think I’ll take a swim and cool off, care to join me?” Bo said, removing his shirt. “Bo we ain’t got suits,” BL replied. “So,noone around to know but us,” Bo said, grinning wickedly, shucking the rest of his clothes and his boots. “What the heck,” BL said, shucking her clothes and tennis shoes. Luke and Dixie headed back to BL's. Luke parked his truck behind Dixie's Thunderbird. He went around, opened the door for Dixie, then grabbed a rather large bag from the bed of the truck as he politely waved and spoke to Mrs. Kravitz. Dixie also spoke. Mrs. Kravitz spoke while nearly drowning one of her flowers. Inside Luke sat his bag on the stairs then pulled the shade down on the window facing the Kravitz home. The newlyweds got comfy on the older overstuffed sofa. Dixie asked, "Were Bo and BL going to the Boar's Nest tonight?" "No. No, I don't think so. Did you want to go?"Luke asked, willing to go if Dixie wanted to, but very content to stay right where he was." Dixie replied, "Nope, just wondering if they might stop by later." Luke kicked his boots off, "I'm pretty certain we have the place all to ourselves." "Good." Dixie said, snuggling a bit closer. Bo and BL were having a ball splashing each other and other antics. Bo ducked under the water, hoping it’d get his mind off what he was thinking about, which was what he wanted to do with her right now. It didn’t help one bit though when BL looked at him with her dark brown eyes. Caressing BL’s cheek, Bo lifted her chin leaning close, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. Hands by both began wandering as the kissing got hotter, picking BL up Bo carried her out of the water to a spot of thick, lush, soft grass. “Be back in a second darlin,” Bo said. Going over to where his jeans lay, he got some ‘insurance’ from his wallet. Going back to BL, the two went back to their activities', BL was trying to be quiet although she didn’t know why, noone was around to hear. Reaching her peak she wasn’t able to stop the yell of passion as Bo reached his own. Panting Bo collapsed against her chest. A second later Bo swore. “What’s the matter”? BL asked. “Dang rubber broke,” Bo replied. "The rubber did what?" BL said for further clarification. As Bo removed the useless item, he showed BL what he had already seen. Bo Duke was cute and all, but right, the only logical thing BL could think of was to head back into the water. While trying to explain how sorry he was, Bo headed back into the water to clean up also. Both young adults agreed on just one thing after getting dressed, they both needed moral support! At BLs, Dixie had kicked her shoes off, both the newlyweds' hands were wandering as their kisses intensified. Even without listening, both Luke and Dixie heard General Lee slide into the parking place out front after being in a serious hurry to get there. Luke moved Dixie from his lap, adjusted his jeans, tucked in his shirt, and managed to open the front door as Bo and BL entered in near hysterics. BL rushed in, grabbed Dixie's hand like a lifeline, and pulled her upstairs. Bo let out a half sigh of relief when the girls cleared the room. Then, he looked at Luke with pleading eyes. “Dixie, I’m in trouble, what do I do?” BL pleaded for help before Dixie could say a word. “What’s wrong? Whatever it is, I’m sure we can fix it,” Dixie reassured her distraught cousin, sure whatever was going on wasn’t as bad as BL was making it out to be. “No we can’t fix it,” BL’s lip trembled. “Tell me what’s wrong and we’ll see,” Dixie said, still believing BL was making a mountain out of a molehill. “Me and Bo went swimming at the swimming hole, swimming wasn’t the only thing we did though,” BL said. “Tell me you were smarter than me and Luke?” Dixie said although she had a sinking feeling in her stomach the way BL was carrying on and Bo hadn’t looked good either when they came in. “W…we…were…i..it…b…br..broke,” BL sobbed. Downstairs Bo was still looking at Luke with pleading eyes, the same way he had since they were kids. “Ok, Bo out with it, why’d you two come flying in like the devil himself was on your tails?” Luke asked. “You know I told you, I was taking BL to the swimming hole,” Bo said. Luke nodded. “Well we went swimming and things got heated, one thing led to another…” Bo said. “You didn’t have protection?” Luke asked, he and Dixie were going down this same road, he had hoped this was one time Bo wouldn’t follow in his exact footsteps. “We had it, it broke,”Bo replied. Luke pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered “oh Lord.” Dixie hoped to be a comfort. "Ok. It could be no big deal. It was only once,right." BL shot her a look. Downstairs, Luke's thoughts jumped out of his mouth before he could think clearly, "Bo why, why is it that you feel the need to do everything I do?" Bo’s eyes got as big as supper plates, when he put 2 and 2 together and came up with 4. Luke swore then pointed his finger a centimeter from Bo’s nose “you can’t tell nobody what I just said. Not Dobro, Brody or even BL although she likely knows already, for heavensake don’t tell Daisy or everybody in 3 counties will know by tomorrow night!” Luke said. “Dukes honor,” Bo said, holding up his right hand, as if swearing in court. “YEEHAA!” Bo let out one of his rebel yells, causing the girls upstairs to jump about a foot high. “We may have a funeral Friday if that rebel yell was about, what I think it was about,” Dixie said, not sure whether to be amused or what. BL said “it probably was.” Gloria was still trying to see/hear what was going on with the young adults, when Bo’s rebel yell startled her and she lopped off half her rose bush. Dixie looked at BL, "Come on." She nearly drug BL down the stairs, Luke looked really guilty. "You told Bo?" "Now, now Dixie, honey, it's not like that he sorta figured it out!" Luke said in his defense. Dixie gave Luke a look. "Bo figured it out? I had to draw you a picture. And Bo figured it out?" BL cut in with a question, partly for her own benefit and partly to try and rescue Luke. “Have you decided where to go to see a doctor, since you don’t want nobody seeing you at Doc Applby’s or Lisa Sue telling half the county why you was there?” Dixie had been thinking about it. "There is a doctor that sees our inmates, she has her own office near Tri-Counties. I figure no one has to know why I'm leaving early for work or home a little late." “Want some moral support?” BL said, she gave Dixie a look, she wanted to get a home test and hoped Dixie would guess that BL didn’t want to risk being seen by somebody she knew. "Sure, but I'm not planning on going for at least another week or so." Dixie said. Only being married for a few days now, she at least wanted the possibility of her getting pregnant on her wedding night to be there. “A week?” BL moaned, a week sounded like an eternity. Dixie said, "Even if you go to a doctor they can't tell for awhile." BL knew she was right but still needed to know 'now'. "Awhile?" Bo gulped. Luke nodded, 'yes'. "So what do we do for 'awhile'?" Bo asked. Luke said flatly, "Pray." Dixie added “It takes some time before even one of those home test can detect pregnancy.” Bo looked at BL, the full consequences beginning to sink in, just because the stupid rubber broke. BL looked sick, just thinking about it all. Bo was looking a little green around the gills too. "Hey, Bo, give me a hand out here a second. Luke got up and headed out the back door. Outside, Luke asked, "have you figured out what you are going to do if she ends up pregnant? “I don’t know marry her, I reckon,” Bo said. “I ain’t the one that, atleast two kids at the orphanage might be mine,” Bo cracked a half grin. “Not funny Bo, this is serious, you don’t even have a steady job, chore money ain’t gonna support a baby and wife,” Luke said seriously. Inside BL was trying to be calm but wasn’t having much luck, “Dixie, can I stay here tonight, please? I can’t go home, the second Daddy sees me he’ll know something’s wrong,” BL said, then continued “I know you and Luke probably thought ya’ll would be alone, I promise I’ll go upto my room, you won’t even know I’m here.” "You are fine. We'll live." Dixie said while thinking that Bo driving right now might not be good for anyone in the county. Bo suddenly got a mental image of General Lee with two car seats in back. He headed further in the back yard where a small stream edged the property and lost his supper. Luke couldn't stop his snicker as he walked over to Bo, "Are you alright?” BL suddenly got paler if that was even possible, sinking onto the couch, she put her face in her hands. “BL, are you ok?” Dixie asked. “No, Sadie’s at the Duke farm, going there is almost as bad as going home,” BL replied, her voice muffled and shaky. "I can fix this." Dixie said, picking up the phone and placing a call to the farm. Luckily Daisy answered. "Hey Daisy, what is Sadie doing?" Dixie asked. "I just came inside from the porch to wash my hair. She's laying on the porch with Uncle Jesse." Daisy said. "Ok, BL and Bo stopped by and are thinking of staying. Maybe the guys will come get her in a few minutes." Dixie said. "Alright." Daisy said. “How about a beer?” Luke asked Bo. “Got anything stronger?” Bo answered. “No sorry,”Luke replied. “Beer’s fine,”Bo said. Luke came in the back door to get them and Dixie called out “hey Luke.” Luke came to the livingroom, he wanted to keep the hollering down, the windows were open and Mrs. Kravitz would love to know what was going on. Luke replied, "Yeah." "Would ya’ll mind running out and picking up Sadie? BL wants to stay here tonight, if you don't mind." Luke looked at the bottles of beer in his hand but replied, "Yeah, we can do that. I'll put these back in the fridge for later. We might stop in the Boar's Nest for one on the way to get her." "Ok, good. That will give me and BL some time." Dixie said. Luke went back out the way he came, stopping to put the beers back in the fridge on his way out, “C’mon, BL wants us to go get Sadie at the farm, we’ll stop at the Boar’s Nest on the way,” Luke said, heading around the house to his pickup. Bo wasn’t ready to see Uncle Jesse yet but followed Luke, getting in the passenger side. "Luke, you know Uncle Jesse takes a half a look at me, he's gonna know. I ain't ever been able to hide nothing from him." Bo said. Luke knew Bo was right. "Let's go get a beer and relax a few minutes. I hope to pull in, call Sadie and head back out. I'll tell Jesse you'll be out for chores in the morning, that's the best I can do. I have to work tomorrow. I'd like not to have to be trying to do chores in full darkness before driving out of town and working my shift." “Thanks Luke, I don’t think me and BL could get through this without you and Dixie,” Bo said. “Ya’ll would do the same for us,” Luke said as he parked in front of the Boar’s Nest. Getting out of the truck and going inside, Luke headed for the bar instead of their usual table, Bo followed trying to act as normal as possible. “Can we get a couple beers, Maggie?” Luke asked the Boar’s Nest newest waitress. “Sure thing sugar,” Maggie sat a mug of beer in front of each Duke. "Thanks, Maggie." Luke said, taking a $5 bill out of his pocket, "Keep the change." "Well, thank you, Luke, honey." Maggie said, tucking the $5 in her bra. Luke nodded, took a drink of his beer, and said, "Drink up, Bo." Bo didn't need an invitation as he downed half his mug in one drink, then flagged Maggie down as she went by, "Bring us another round." He said, tossing another $5 on the counter. Luke had only planned on one beer, but two wouldn't hurt. Maggie tucked the $5 in her bra with Luke’s and put down two more beers “I get off in 10 minutes,” Maggie hinted suggestively. Luke flashed his wedding ring and Bo flat turned her down, he had enough problems at the moment. Maggie smiled widely at them both, "That little ole ring is all new and all, but Maggie's here and I got a friend picking me up." “Thanks but no thanks. Come on Bo,” Luke said. Draining his mug in one gulp, Bo followed Luke out to the truck. Pulling out onto the road it didn’t take long before they turned down the Duke farm driveway. Bo was praying Luke’s plan to just call Sadie would work, then he saw BL’s car, “BL forgot her car was here, what now?” Bo said. Luke shrugged, "Keys should be in it. Grab it. I'll run blocker." Luke said, dropping Bo at BL'S car, then pulling closer to the porch. "Sadie, girl. Come on, baby." Then to his uncle, "We came out to get BL's car and Sadie. Bo will be here for morning chores. I'll be by tomorrow evening." Sadie got up and went bounding off the porch, stopping for a moment unsure of what to do, Luke was calling her but Bo was getting in BL’s car. Bo didn’t even see her watching though, so Sadie went over to Luke. Picking her up Luke sat Sadie in the seat beside him following Bo back to town. At the house, Dixie had gone in the kitchen looking for something. Neither BL nor herself had done much shopping. They had drinks, coffee, and a few frozen things. Any snacks that they had bought had been eaten. She picked up her keys and headed for the front door rather quickly. BL said, "Hey, you aren't leaving me, are you?" "No, I'm gonna radio the guys and see if they will pick up something to snack on." Dixie explained, heading to the cb in her Thunderbird. Dixie got in her Thunderbird, put the key in the ignition, giving it a half turn. Picking up the CB mic then “Little Shotgun to Lost Sheep, ya’ll got your ears on?” Dixie said, keying the mic. “Lost Sheep here, it’s Luke. What’s up Dixie?” Luke asked. “Can ya’ll pick up some snacks on your way back?” Bo chimed in this time “Luke’s got Sadie but I got BL’s car we got it too while we was at the farm”. Luke remembered what Dixie had told him, when BL moved to town and called Dixie and he’d asked why Dixie was taking icecream “don’t forget the icecream Bo,” Luke said. “10-4” Bo replied. “Thanks ya’ll I’m gone,” Dixie said, then turned off the Thunderbird, took out the keys, and went back in the house. BL sat on the couch hugging a throw pillow, right where Dixie had left her. “They got your car too,”Dixie said. BL hadn’t even thought about it, until Dixie just said the fellas got it. Bo didn’t turn to go toward Rhuebottom’s even though it was closer to BL’s, he knew Mr. Rhebottom would want to chat and he just wasn’t in the mood to socialize. Instead Bo headed to the all night supermarket. "The guys are still a ways out. Anything you want to talk about before they get here?" Dixie asked BL. BL shook her head ‘no’ “you already said it’d be atleast a week before I can get a test, so I guess there ain’t much to talk about. The best I can hope for is that I can avoid seeing Daddy and LB,and pray for a miracle like getting my period and not even needing the test,” BL said. Dixie replied, "OK." Each sat in the silence of their own thoughts until Luke's truck parked in the driveway. Sadie burst through the door, demanding attention. BL picked Sadie up, sitting the dog in her lap, she needed a distraction from the torture of her own thoughts so was happy to oblige Sadie’s demand for attention “hey girl, did ya think I forgot about you?” BL asked to which Sadie’s response was a yip and a doggy kiss from chin to forehead. Luke and Dixie laughed “I think that's a yes,” Dixie said. At the supermarket Bo had gotten a shopping basket, it had a bag of plain chips and a bag of nachos, a can of cheese dip and a jar of salsa, he wasn’t sure which to get so put both in the basket. Next was the cookie aisle, he got a pack of chocolate chip cookies and a pack of oreos, then it was onto the icecream to get a thing of chocolate icecream. Then he made his way to the checkout. Luke went to the kitchen for a beer and brought Dixie back a soda. Sitting down with Dixie, he asked, "Am I done? Again?" "MAY-be." Dixie stressed the first word. Luke gave her a look and kicked his boots off again. When Bo arrived back at the house with snacks, Dixie offered to put them up while volunteering Luke's help. "Did you talk him off the ledge?" She asked Luke. "I think he'll be fine until chores tomorrow anyway." Luke said, "He's worried about facing Jesse. I think we have a guest tonight." Dixie shook her head 'no'. "Two." “Two…BL’s staying too.” Luke said it more as a statement than a question. “Yeah, she don’t want to face Clyde anymore than Bo wants to face Uncle Jesse,” Dixie replied. In the livingroom, BL still held Sadie as if she were a lifeline. “I’m sorry darlin, this is my fault,” Bo said, he wanted to hug BL but at the same time he was afraid to touch her. “No it isn’t, we’re both consenting adults and I didn’t say no,” BL said with a deep sigh. After getting the snacks put up, Luke said, "Are we about ready to head upstairs?" Dixie was more than ready but asked, "Do you think they are ok?" "I guess we'll find out." Luke said as he started toward the living room closet. He reached for a pillow and blanket and put it by Bo. "Night ya'll. Bo, the earlier you get the chores done, the better chance of dodging Jesse. I'll get them tomorrow evening." With that, he and Dixie made their way upstairs." “Luke’s right if you're going to dodge Uncle Jesse, best get the chores done early and be on your toes,” BL said, putting Sadie on the floor, heading to the back door to take Sadie out to do her business one last time before bed. Bo opened the blanket and tossed the pillow on the couch, he didn’t know how he was going to be on his toes to dodge Jesse, he didn’t think he’d get much sleep tonight. BL, with Sadie on her heels came back into the livingroom, seeing Bo preparing to take off his shirt and get as comfortable as possible on the couch “There’s an empty bed upstairs, you don’t have to sleep on the couch,” BL said, heading up the stairs. “You think “it’d be ok,” Bo asked, even though Luke hadn’t specifically said he had to sleep on the couch.. BL shrugged “like I said before, we’re adults.” BL continued on to her room, Bo following her upstairs. Hesitating at her bedroom door, instead of going straight to the guest bedroom at the other end of the hall. As Luke stripped down to his jeans, he heard the distinct sound of a booted foot land on the upstairs landing. Dixie heard it too, looked at Luke a bit wider eyed. Bo looked at BL with a raised eyebrow, asking permission before going in. “Something you need?’ BL asked, pulling her tank top over her head. “You,” Bo replied. “No funny business, you have my word as a Duke, Just thought you might need holding,” Bo added, in answer BL dropped her shorts to the floor, putting on a nightshirt that reached the top of her knees she flipped back the comforter and covers, getting in and scooting over to make room for Bo. Crossing to the bed Bo shucked his jeans, socks and boots, then laid down, pulling BL over to him. Dixie had snuggled close to Luke with her head on his shoulder, "You know he stopped at this end of the hall." Luke replied, "Uh-huh. I'm not his keeper." "Ok." Dixie replied in agreement to let BL and Bo be adults, "But, you know when things hit the fan..." Dixie left her sentence unfinished. “When things hit the fan, we’re dead ducks too,” Luke finished. “It’s BL’s house, she makes the rules. We’re just living here til we get our own place,” Luke said. Wasn’t long before the only sounds were the crickets. The occupants of the house were sound asleep, worn out from the evening’s excitement/stress.Next morning before the sun was even up, Bo was getting ready to go to the farm to do the morning chores. Slipping out of bed, he saw BL had forgotten to set her alarm, so he flipped the switch so she wouldn’t be late.Picking up his boots he headed downstairs, pulling the bedroom door to, leaving it open enough Sadie could get in or out. As soon as Bo's feet hit the bottom step, Luke cleared his throat from his seat in the living room. Bo nearly jumped out of his skin. "Up early ain't ya?" Luke whispered. "You said if I was gonna dodge Jesse, I needed to do the chores early," Bo whispered back. Upstairs Sadie took advantage of Bo getting up, she hopped up on the bed,in 'her' spot that he'd been in all night. "Bo, you are gonna have to see him way before she can take a test. Besides, you've gone home after a night out many times. What's different now?" Luke asked. Dixie was in the kitchen out of ear shot, fixing coffee for her and Luke's drive in opposite directions. “What’s different now, asks the man who STILL ain’t told Uncle Jesse, he’s gonna be a daddy, you just eloped the same day you found out,” Bo said. Luke replied, "You are right there, but I stood up to my responsibilities and finally done what I wanted to do years ago. I just figured to let everyone get adjusted to that before we go telling everything." “Is it that or are YOU just chicken,” Bo said, quietly. Luke glared at Bo, "Being chicken and being plumb dumb is two different things." Dixie chose that moment to come out of the kitchen with three larger travel cups of coffee. "I made you both coffee, but Luke you got to let me out. I got to leave now or be late.” Dixie felt the tension in the room, as soon as she came through the doorway. Bo was about to say something when Dixie came into the room, “thanks Dixie,” Bo said, taking the cup of coffee, heading out the door. “C’mon I’ll walk you out, I got to get too.” Luke said. BL had tossed and turned ever since Bo had left her side, now she stood looking at herself in the mirror and she didn’t like what she saw. “Pull it together BL one look and everybody that comes in the post office will know something’s wrong. The whole Duke clan and Davenport clan are coming for the reception Friday and sure as shootin, they’ll know something’s wrong if you mope around like a wet blanket,” BL said to her reflection. Bo, being Bo Duke had things all planned. It was perfect, it couldn't miss. BALLADEER: "Yes, folks, it's time to start worrying!" Bo eased the General through the back forty, drifted in behind the barn. He gathered the eggs, milked the cows, and fed the animals. Then he quietly tiptoed to the back porch where he left the eggs and milk. He returned to the barn to finish up there. He knew Jesse wanted the garden hoed, but he knew he needed to head out of there before Jesse called him for breakfast. He looked at the garden on his way to General Lee. It could wait another day, Bo declared as he slid in the window. Back in town, once the others had left BL went downstairs, Sadie was like velcro walking so close beside her, BL was afraid she was going to trip over the dog. After letting Sadie back in, BL went upstairs running herself a hot bubble bath , it was one of the things she and Dixie had in common, a hot bubble bath could just about undo any stress. Leaning back in the clawfoot tub BL closed her eyes. The next thing she knew, she was rudely interrupted by the alarm clock Bo had set, followed shortly by Sadie barking madly at it! The bath water was cold, and all relaxation was gone. Once Dixie arrived at work, she went to the payroll department, which consisted of two girls about her age. She knew them from work but wasn't close personal friends. Taking a deep breath, Dixie squared her shoulders, preparing for the conversation she knew would follow. "Hey, ya'll. I need to change a few things and update some stuff." Dixie said as she sat down, knowing she'd be here awhile. "First is my address." She hadn't changed it before now due to not being how sure she was about staying in Hazzard. “I hear it, give me a minute to shut it off,” BL said as she drained the tub and dried off. Towel wrapped around her, BL rushed back to her room shutting off the alarm, Sadie immediately hushed. “No chance in me ever sleeping through the alarm,” BL said, looking for something cool but nice to wear. Settling on a light blue t-shirt dress that almost reached her knees and her white canvas tennis shoes. Pulling her hair back she pinned it up in a bun with bobby pins she kept in her purse, a little Powder and lip gloss from her purse and BL headed off to work, Sadie at her side. It took Dixie nearly an hour to do the address, name, and insurance information changes due to all the personal questions the girls had about who she had married and such. At the post office BL got Sadie settled with some breakfast before going up the street and around the corner to the coffee shop to get herself a cup of coffee to clear the cobwebs. Bo thought he’d made a clean getaway until Jesse stepped out the back door to get the milk and eggs, Bo left. “Where in tarnation are you running off to?” Jesse hollered. Sighing, Bo knew he might as well face the music, so climbing back out the General’s window, Bo said “nowhere Uncle Jesse.” "Well, get on in here and get cleaned up. Breakfast is almost ready. I just needed the eggs." Bo went in to do as he was told, "Yes, Sir." was all he trusted himself to say. At base camp, Luke was answering his own questions about why he had called in the day before. His buddy Randy being the ring leader in these unofficial questions, " Duke, we've worked together years now, and I ain't never known you to call in sick or otherwise. So what's with calling in requesting to take a 'holiday' yesterday?" Luke had known from the moment he decided he wasn't working yesterday that this conversation would happen. Since arriving, he had managed to keep the wide gold band on his left hand out of sight. Luke gave just a bit of a grin as he replied, "You are right, Randy, and I knew ya’ll would have questions. I needed yesterday to work out a few things after some events that happened Sunday." Luke paused, "One of the things is there's a party Friday night in Hazzard. Ya’ll are invited to meet Mrs. Duke." At that point, he waved his left hand. His crew broke out in a wave of congratulations, questions, and all-out pandemonium. One of the girls from HR asked, “is she the same girl that came to watch the jumps with your family?” Luke nodded ‘yes’. BL was just starting to sort the mail into two piles ‘delivery’ and P.O. Boxes, when she saw her Dad pull up and head inside, likely on his way to the cabinet shop, “was hoping to not see him til later,” BL muttered to herself. Clyde came in and propped on the counter, watching his daughter sort the mail. “Well atleast your still alive, not that I’d know, since you didn’t call to say you wasn’t coming home last night,” Clyde said. “Sorry Daddy, I stayed with Dixie and Luke, we lost track of time, it was real late so I stayed with them, just forgot to call,“ BL replied. Clyde grunted “have you got the cabinet shop mail ready, I gotta get going and open up.” BL handed Clyde a couple envelopes, “you want the house mail too, won’t take me long to sort it from the rest,” BL said. “Can’t wait, got a job to go look at, out at the Hobson farm, see you tonight,”Clyde said, on his way out Bo put eggs and bacon on his plate and after grace was said he dug into the eggs and bacon, hoping if his mouth was full that he wouldn't have to talk much. Luke gave everyone the details of the reception, and then the Smokejumpers got to work with their newbies. Dixie chose to invite only her former roommate to the reception. She was close to the tri counties workers and only kept in touch with Debbie from the old place.

Thank you for the kind words Roger and Hobie but I don't deserve all the credit. I have a wonderfully talenred coauthor in Dixie Davenport. I forgot to include that in my beggining note (sorry Dixie)