runningwild

"Well I guess come on then," she sighed, "We better get going. I know you want to get back to see your family." Cassie took a few steps then questioned why she was even going. In the back of her mind, she couldn't stop thinking about how happy she was for both boys. Bo had his own little family, and Luke had the most beautiful little girl. For her own sake, she tried not to think about Luke's wife. Maybe a little walking, talking, or just plain silence would do her good.

"I don't mind it Bo," her eyes floated toward the sky to admire what he said about the nice day. "Plus, I don't think I'd want to ride with Luke. Can't guarantee that I wouldn't say the wrong things to him. I just don't know what to say to him. I feel like I shouldn't say anything at all, but I just want to talk to him.. like we use to." Heaving a sigh, her eyes had landed back on Bo, who appeared to be listening. "I feel like this should be Luke and I standing here talking, not me and you. You know. I thought that's how the past had placed us. I never saw this coming. I guess you can't see those kind of things."

Enos chuckled, "If ya hunted me down, there'd be no where for me to hide especially from a Duke. I'll be there Bo. Thanks for the invite." He stood there letting his chuckle die softly, "Well I guess I better get going, but take good care of her for me." Nodding in Cassie's direction, he waved goodbye. "Bye ya'll!" Cassie waved and watched him walk away.

Enos bit his lower lip for a moment while contemplating what "she might" meant. He kne whe had to take it for what it was worth because if she came, then she came, if she didn't, she didn't. "I guess I'll take it for what I can get," the tone he used seemed a little less than his cheery self. Cassie smiled, "She'll come, Honey. And, if she don't, then you know I'll fly her out to visit any time you want." Detective Strate knew that Cassie would do anything for him, and he admired her for that. If they didn't have each others friendship, they wouldn't have much of anything out west.

Shaking Bo's hand back, Enos grinned, "Well sure, Bo. I guess that will work out then." He seemed genuinely pleased to be invited to dinner because he loved catching up with Bo and Luke. The kids were always a pleasure to have around, and he couldn't pass up a good home cooked meal. "Plus, Cassie can't cook like a Hazzard woman should be able too," he kidded her and pulled her close with his free hand. "Be good," he spoke directly yo her. "I don't want Bo having to call me to come get ya early." Cassie scoffed, "I'm no child Enos Strate." After giving her a squeeze, he let his arm drop from around her. "You know what I mean." He sighed happily, "Take good care of her while I'm gone, and I'm gonna be there as soon as I can." He paused and directed his question to Luke, "Let me know if you hear from Daisy.. So, do you really think she's coming?" Something about the way he asked seemed a little less excited and more curious with a reason. Standing to herself, she didn't look at Luke much because even though he tried to hide it, she could still see his uneasiness. Anyways, she figured Bo would scold her later for being so forward. Nature is hard to change.

The smile on her face grew sweeter, "I wasn't wanting to impose. I just was curious. Plus, I didn't plan on staying long anyway." In fact, her curiosity had gotten the best of her, but the thought of going with them made her almost sick. She knew both of these men quite well at one time, but now there was no place for her. Enos nodded slowly, "You can go if you want Cass. I'll probably be back at the hotel, and I'll wait on you until you get back." "Well I don't know Enos.." He just smiled, "If they want you, let 'em take you." Getting her to feet, she leaned over to Enos and whispered, "They don't want me." Somehow, the look on his face just mirrored that fact that he understood.

Cassie found a smile within her that was genuine enough in the presence of Luke. While the boys shared a few sentences, she let her eyes linger on Luke and his sleeping angel. "You fellas go on home to be with your families. Enos and I can entertain ourselves for a little while." Enos nodded slowly, "I've got some calls to make that I've been putting off, so maybe I can do that." A sarcastic grin touched Cassie's face, "See fellas that's exactly what I was talking about. I'll watch Enos talk on the phone and twiddle my thumbs." She chuckled, "I'm kidding. Hazzard's not unfamiliar territory. Maybe I can find something to do.. like have one of ya'll take me home with you to see where you call home?" Her belief that inviting herself was too forward did not exist, but that was just friendly, southern hospitality Cassie. Of course, she wondered quite curiously what else had come out of life for Bo and Luke.

"Oh well, I guess that makes enough sense," the brown yet graying headed man commented. "I don't blame ya. I would've grabbed one with Cassie and not thought twice about it." He winked at her. Cassie's eyes got big, "Enos don't let Bo think you do everything with me. You know you leave me out all the time." Enos shrugged, "Sure Cass." He paused letting his eyes drift to the ground, "So, what now ya'll?"

Cassie simply nodded; but being as stubborn as she was sometimes, she knew that she would probably take a baby step over her boundaries at least once. Still she wanted to try to shift from her and Bo's intimate conversation to the more light heartedness of Enos' approach. "I see you're back, finally," she tried to add humor and sarcasm to her comment. Enos just shook his head, "Well Darlin', if you didn't have to bring everything you owned for a short trip, then I would've been back sooner." She shook her head at his comment and ignored it because often times Enos could be just as big of a packer as she was. Catching a look at Bo, he figured he'd strike a short conversation. "What made you two miss out on the ice cream outing? I saw Luke and Abi on my way over. They just seemed to be having a good ol' time without ya."

"I ain't saying that I want to be his new leading lady. I just want to be his friend. Haven't we always been friends on one level or another?" Cassie was sympathetic, but she still dealt with her spit-fire attitude at times. Usually, this occurred when she didn't see why someone would be so stubborn. "Luke needs to snap out of it, and I don't know how much time you're willing to give him, but he ain't gettin' any younger." Cassie sighed. "I'm sorry, Bo. I know you and your wife are doing the best you can for him. I guess I'm just angry at what's happened to him." She bit her lower lip, "I don't know what to do." At that moment, Enos had approached them. "Hey Ya'll!"

Cassie's eyes dropped, as she listened intently. This life just wasn't fair, and she wasn't about to let Luke continue living like he was. In her mind, she had to do something, anything to get Luke pointed in the right direction. "Do you think I could get a chance to talk to him. Just him and I?" Cassie swallowed gently, "I just want to ease him into a conversation with a woman. I won't mention anything about Sara." Saying his late wife's name, chilled her bones because she felt so guilty for using it, having not known her. "Who knows. Maybe I'll say something funny and he'll crack a smile." She paused, "Do you think he'd let you take Abi, so it could just be him and I?" In her heart, she figured that the answer was no, but she was trying. Anything that she could do to help even a little bit was what she was giong to do while she was in town. "I just want to help him.."

She understood and nodded to signal so. Everything that Bo told her was racing through her mind, and yes, she did pity Luke. If she owed him anything, she owed him just a normal life. No grief, no pity from herself, and she was going to give it to him. Cassie had let a few stray tears streak her face, but had managed to get herself under control. At least, under enough control to speak to Bo sensibly. "I wouldn't dream of bringing it up. Lord knows I've already hurt Luke enough for a life time, and I would never want to put him through anything like that again." Cassie paused, "I just can't believe it. Luke deserves all the happiness in the world." Looking up at Bo, glassy eyed she answered his request, "I won't act any different. I just wish I knew how to make him more comfortable around me is all. I know I've wronged him many times, but I would give anything to change his life."

Instantly, Cassie hand covered her mouth, as tears filled her eyes. What Bo had just told her had really touched her heart and had saddened her. "I'm so sorry, Bo. Luke never deserved that. He never.." Her voice broke, as tears slid down her face. The news had shocked her, and it had shocked her so much that she could not hide her feelings on the matter. "Has any one tried to get through to him?" She tried to take a steady breath, "He seems like he still can't move past it." Enos had smiled at Luke and Abi, "Well you two I won't ruin your father/daughter moment." Giving Luke a nod, he began to walk away with a pleasant smile on his face. He even shoved his hands in his pockets and had a bounce in his step. "I think I'll find Cassie," he spoke over his shoulder. Suddenly, he began to whistle a tune that wasn't immediately recognizable.

Cassie stared intently at Bo, "Sara?" Bo was being somewhat vague and beating around the bush to tell her what he needed to about Luke. But, something he said had caught her attention. "He loved her? Loved? What happened, Bo?"

Peering up at Bo, once he approached her was a defining moment for her. Not only did her face carry a smile, but her eyes showed a kind of hurt that couldn't be put into words. Still she seemed very soft spoken and cheery. "About Luke?" Upon hearing that, she looked concerned, "Is everything okay, Bo? He did seem a bit different more so than just growing up." Blonde to blonde, she waited to hear what Bo had to say. It almost surprised her how willing he was to take the time to talk to her about something that was apparently serious, or well seemed to be. A part of her was grateful for that because like just hadn't been the same for her. Nostalgia had overwhelmed her for the better part of a decade, and her new life was all that she had to hold on to. Well that, and Enos. Meanwhile, Enos had checked both Cassie and himself into the Hazzard Hotel. Just to go ahead and get things settled he took both of their suitcases in and Cassie's many extra, unneeded bags. Leaving the car parked at the hotel, it was more convenient for him to walk back anyway. Passing by the ice cream parlor, he spotted Luke and Abi inside through the door, but before he knew it, they were exiting with their treats. Enos decided to see if Cassie and Bo were still around. "Looks like ya'll know how to do an afternoon right," Enos flashed a chipper smile. "Are we all done working already?" The tone his voice carried was very sarcastic because he knew they'd be too busy catching up to actually get any work done.

Hearing Luke's comment, Cassie just kind of stayed still. Luke wasn't a new thing to her, she knew him like the back of her hand at one point, and some qualities in a person never quite change completely. "Well ya'll have fun," she didn't try to include herself any further. Looking back at the stage, Rosco must've went back to the court house because he was no longer there. He probably cussed them all the whole walk back for not helping much. Deciding she would rather just stay, Cassie headed over to the steps of the stage to sit down. Right now, she figured she had no business being around Bo and Luke. It just wasn't her place and hadn't been for a long time.

Cassie had walked a little closer to them from behind, but kept her distance. Her motherly instincts wanted to make sure that the little girl was okay. Overhearing their remedy, she chimed in softly. "I could take her for some ice cream, if she wants, and if it's okay you Luke. You two have been standing around like to knots on a log, and I ain't seen ya do nothing to help ol' Rosco." She grinned, "I've already hung balloons. I think I'll call it a day."

Bo reassuring news that Daisy might be coming excited Cassie. Yet, she was still a bit caught up on why Luke seemed so timid, when he spoke to her. Actually, she just figured it was because of their history and noted not to try so hard to be overly friendly. For both of them now, unfortunately, there were boundaries. "Well I do hope she comes. I know it would make Enos so happy," she smiled sweetly. "He misses her something awful. I'm telling you he'd stay over late at night just talking about her quite often. As the years have past, he doesn't so much anymore, but I know he thinks about her all the time."

Cassie simply smile, "She's just darling Luke. I'm proud of you. That sure is a beauty to bring into the world." Figuring that she may have been making things somewhat awkward, she changed the subject momentarily. "Is Daisy comin'?"

The hug that Cassie had given to Luke had maybe meant a small piece of the world to her, but her intentions were only friendly. A part of her realized that her action had been mildly inappropriate, and yet she still smiled as the little girl approached. "You know Luke, I was so happy for you when Enos told me that you had a child," she let her eyes move from Abi to Luke. She hadn't known much about the child nor Luke's wife, but she liked it that way. There was no reason to know too much about his life. "I only wish I could produce a child with such a head of hair," she exclaimed. "I figured ya'll would still be running wild, while I settled down. It's funny how things work out." Cassie hadn't thought a lot about Luke since she last saw him, which was a good while ago. Seeing him hadn't drowned her in sorrow nor did it Luke either, but she did find it nice to see a familiar face. After all she'd been through with Bo, she was even glad to see him; she was just glad to see them happy. Noticing out of the corner of her eye, Cassie saw that Luke's collar was sticking up. Reaching up with her hand, she went to fix it, but froze once she realized what she was doing. "Ah, sorry about that, Luke. I just noticed your collar was up in the back a little." She pulled back her hand a little, "Luke Duke is off limits," she joked. "I will apologize for the hug also, Mr. Duke. I believe it is from old habit and a time where fond memories could more easily be recalled." Grinning, she spoke once more, "I guess my ol' hands haven't touched much besides a sewing machine in years."

The playful arguing between Bo and Luke had painted a bright smile on Cassie's face. She loved hearing and didn't realize she had missed it. The days when they could just stand around and talk were presumed long gone for them. Fortunately, the presumption was wrong and they were able to do it today. Bo's question caused Cassie's face to pinken, then when Luke's attention followed, she seemed embarrassed. "Cozy? Bo Duke, are you saying what I think you're saying?" A rich giggle escaped her lips, "Come on Boys. Enos and I are just friends. We've spent ten years or more together in LA. It's always felt good having someone from home to spend time with." She paused, "My heart ain't suppose to belong to no man of Hazzard. And, I ain't sure no man from Hazzard's heart can take any stompin' that I could do on it." Of course, her attention was on Luke. Offering him a smile, she side stepped closer to him and slide her arm around him. All she could offer him was a friendly squeeze, before stepping away again. But, she savored the moment for a little more than it was worth. "I was only kidding, Luke. Poor joke I guess," she spoke with a half smile now. Turning her attention back to Bo, she answered his question, "We're just friends. Maybe a little close than we should be sometimes, but I know in his heart he's still waiting on Daisy. I just want Enos to be happy just like any of the rest of ya." A beat had past, before Cassie spoke again. "Plus, I suppose there isn't a man in the world that would want to take Miss Los Angeles with Miz Hazzard County." For a moment, she hid her southern accent until she spoke the words 'Miz Hazzard County'.

Cassie flashed Bo a smile, "It's alright Bo. You ain't never been able to resist a pretty woman." Of course, she was referring to Sammy and how obvious it was that they were completely in love with each other. "I guess I'm just the odd one out today," she sighed. "Ya'll must be a little too grown up for me now." This comment made her chuckle because she was just a hair older than Bo. "I don't blame ya though." [Hey Ya'll. I just wanted you to know that I've got Orientation for school the next week, so if my posts come slow and only one per day that that's why. Sorry.]

Enos had passed by Bo, giving his friend a nod of goodbye, and got back into his car. Sighing, he decided he would find them a place to stay and unload what belongings they had, and get back as soon as possible to help. He figured that Cassie wouldn't want to help too much longer; it could get awkward for her. Cassie had tied a bunch of helium balloons to the post; it was her second bunch, and she was enjoying her simple task. Heat from the sun, filled the already full balloons and shown brightly off of the red and blue rubber. Having worked with pallets of colors at fabric stores, she was impressed at Rosco's ability to choose those colors. The bright royal blue with the rich red was a lovely sight. Turning around she put her hands on her hips, her attention was directed to Luke, Abi, and Bo. "Now, I know that I'm as good as a stranger to ya'll, but a little social interaction never hurt nobody." Down south, Cassie poured on her southern charm, and her southern accent. She looked like a well polished southern bell in her white summer dress and red high heels. "You boys can't find nothing to say to me? Not nothing?" Sometimes Cassie could be cute with her actions, and this may have been one of those times.

Enos sighed, "Yeah.. it'll happen." All that he was left standing there with was Bo, but his attention had floated behind him to Luke and Abi. The beautiful sight of father and daughter was enough to make even the hardest of hearts melt. "Well Bo, we ought to help out Rosco," he glanced over at the Commissioner, "He looks like he's have a hard time." Rosco had been grumbling after being hit in the back of the head. Cassie had been taken by surprise herself by Luke's sneak attack on Abi. However, just watching the both of them let happiness wash over her face. She had never seen anything like it before. Los Angeles was not a place that carried such innocence. "She's a cutie, Luke. I can see she definitely takes after her Daddy on a lot of things," Cassie said. Still in her heart, Cassie wanted to connect on some level with the girl. Some things just didn't come easy for her, and children hadn't been one of them; she was too independent for that. Enos had turned on his heel to head over to where the new group had settled. "Cassie, Honey, do you want to see about a room or do you want me too?" "Would you mind? I'd like to stay here a little longer," she smiled. Shaking his head, he looked at Luke, "I have to do everything." In a way, he was looking for something that he and Luke had in common, but seemed inappropriate to mention. "I guess I'll be back then." Cassie glanced over at Luke and wondered whether he was going to kid her about Enos. It wouldn't surprise her one bit, if he did. Still she was captured by the sight of him as a father, she was thankful that she'd made it out of his life so that it could turn out so seemingly wonderful.

"Well if I'm still in town, you'll have to make a big announce. I want to know for sure, but I'm positive that she is," Enos just kept grinning. "I could only imagine what it'd be like.. man, if that was only me.." Enos' grin faded into a soft smile.