B.L. Davenport

Luke wrapped his arms around Bo glad for now he seemed to accept what he (luke) had told him. Part of Bo's misgivings had stemmed from the long road to recovery that still lay ahead and part was because he didn't like to give up on his ideas. Bo didn't like to think about the day when the family would change with the marriage of one of the cousins either Luke knew. He didn't really relish the idea of the change either although he knew one day it would come whether it was him or Bo or Daisy that found that someone special first only time would tell. Luke also knew realistically that one day which he hoped was many many years in the future Jesse would pass on to glory and he'd be the head of the family and that scared him although he'd never let on to either Bo or Daisy.

Luke nods smiling as he listened to Bo, he had those same thoughts. "Bo when someone that special walks into your life and she will then the dreams of Nascar or anything else you'd planned to do before settling down won't matter. You won't miss them or regret not following through with them, anything of the sort all that will matter is that special girl who's caught your eye. I think about finding that special lady too and when it happens, if it happens before I live out all my dreams then that's ok because there will be new dreams with my wife and our children. I'd gladly give up the dreams of a single man for that someone special without a second thought." Luke finished watching Bo's face carefully.

Aww what a sweet heartwarming story for the holidays. I really enjoyed reading it. Poor Betsyrae I hope she got that radio. B.L.

May have been Bo's idea but you didn't offer a better solution lol.

Luke softened his tone and gave Bo a tender look as he looked about ready to cry. That was the last thing Luke wanted was to make Bo cry he wasn't trying to hurt him just to get Bo to realize their dreams of Nascar weren't over just on hold for a little while longer. Taking Bo's hand he squeezed it gently. "I know and we will it's just gonna be a while longer is all but we WILL go. Maybe not today maybe not tomorrow maybe not next year but we WILL make it Bo. Together there's nothin' we can't do if we set our minds to it."

"You are using it as an excuse and the fact we got caught that night and makin' enemies in the reserve corps! All of 'em excuses and ya know that's all they are. It didn't matter who was drivin' the night we got caught if it'd been me we still woulda got caught it was just one of them things. We both got enemies so that's just an excuse too! I couldn't go by myself we're a team and it just wouldn't be the same without ya there with me. Now ya quit feelin' sorry fer yerself." Luke stopped staring at Bo waiting to see if he was going to listen to reason or have another outburst.

Moves off the bed to stand in front of Bo taking him by the shoulders forcing the younger man to look at him. "Bo Duke you cut that out ya hear me. The world ain't against us we's just had more than our share of bad breaks. We will get to Nascar we's just got to work things out so's we can go. Don't ya go usin' the farm and Uncle Jesse as an excuse neither cos ya know he'll tell us to go anytime we're ready!"

Luke reached out to stroke the back of Bo's bowed head but pulled back deciding against it. Bo wasn't in the mood to be comforted just yet, he sighed a long deep sigh running a hand down his own face. "I know how much ya wanna go try our luck Bo I do too but it just ain't in the cards right now. You don't know that we won't get to next year ya only speculatin' and if we don't then there's always the year after that. Ya just can't give up on ya dreams Bo ya know that as well as I do. Ya ain't a quitter fer as long as I can remember when ya wanted somethin' ya went after it! So don't you go givin' up now just cos things has gone a little south. Luke spoke frankly, Bo sometimes needed a 'kick' in the pants when he got like this cos things wasn't going his way.

lol I'd be more worried about the other boys named in it

"There's always next year though...so what we wait another year big deal all that matters is that you get better." Luke consoled softly with an arm around Bo's shoulders.

*laugh* Kelly if I kicked him there he'd sound more like yer Momma than yer Daddy

LOL why should it scare you chances are its about *you*

"sure we can just not right now....Yer gonna be better before ya know it and terrorizing Rosco and Enos again. Ya just got to be patient is all." Luke squeezed Bo's arm gently for reassurance, Bo looked so miserable he would promise him the moon at the moment if it'd erase that look and replace it with the usual happy go lucky smile that was usually there.

Luke watched Bo then nodded to Daisy "Yeah I think yer right...will ya'll give us a few minutes?" Jesse nodded and wrapped an arm around Daisy's shoulders steering her back toward the door. "C'mon Daisy girl let's go to the cafeteria and let the boys talk." Once they were gone Luke ventured closer to the bed sitting down beside Bo. He knew all the restrictions that'd been placed on his youngest cousin and he knew Bo wouldn't be happy but he hadn't expected quite this reaction he'd expected more of a tantrum maybe. Putting an arm around Bo's shoulders he spoke quietly. "It's not forever Bo just for a little while"

As they all come into the room Luke sees the look on Bo's face and whispers to Daisy. "Uhoh...." Jesse tried to ignore the look on Bo's and said jovially "well Bo I thought you'd be ready and rearin' to go"

Jesee released Daisy as she moved away to briefly hug Luke who returned the hug. Each one of his kids had their special way of getting what they wanted from him. For Daisy it was her sneakiness in maneuvering him around to her way of thinking. For Bo it was his still child like qualities despite being a grown man, and for Luke it was his tenacious stubborn streak which he shared with Jesse. Shaking his head slightly he chuckled under his breath, the other two were just as stubborn as he and Luke when they had a mind to be. Smiling Luke marveled how she'd managed to stop a near catastrophe between him and their Uncle. Bo needed someone's help and whether that help could suffice from just the family and friends alone or it needed to be professional none of them could determine except Bo himself. But then that was Daisy for you always consciencious of what her friends and family needed, and the best course of action to get that to happen. B.L. hid a smile at Daisy's tactics it was always amusing to see how each of the cousins handled Jesse Duke to get what they ultimately wanted at times,but she was no fool she knew if Jesse didn't want to let them win then they wouldn't no matter what methods they used on him trying to get their way.

Thank ya lots Betsyrae, glad you like what you read. It's fun to do and to know it's being enjoyed makes it so much funner (I know I know funner is not a word but so what) another one huh? we gotta discuss this I'm curious to know what's up yer sleeve now Bo.

Jesse smiled and hugged Daisy in return, he loved all his kids but each of them in their own special way...Bo was his baby and Daisy his little girl who often had to teach an old man his way of thinking might not always be best and then there was Luke his oldest always ready to take on any responsibility needed. "yer welcome baby" Luke smiled back at Daisy wondering how come she put up with his stubborn streak and alot of times if Bo was concerned lack of patience without knocking him upside the head. He was glad Daisy had changed Uncle Jesse's mind though because he really felt that it wouldn't benefit Bo at all to be made talk to anyone other than his family and even he shouldn't be forced to talk but left to come to the idea himself that he needed to talk about it which he usually did.

Jesse nodded patting Daisy's cheek gently smiling he looked at the faces of the other two youngsters in the room they looked relieved that he hadn't shushed Daisy's efforts. "Alright the choice is Bo's and if he don't wanna do it then I'm not gonna make him. I'll just tell the doctor we thank him for his concern but we can take care of Bo just fine." Luke sighed in relief he was glad Daisy had got through to Uncle Jesse in her calm quiet way where his stubborn argumentative way hadn't worked.

Three voices all jumbled together as they protested this new development. Bo wasn't going to like it and neither did they. He would have a fit just as soon as he was coherent enough to do so they knew but Jesse wasn't the least bit bluffed by their protests and pleads not to add this latest atrocity to Bo. Jesse only shook his head finally holding up a hand to silence them all. Luke however wouldn't be silenced. "Uncle Jesse you can't subject Bo to that he'll feel like some nut or something if ya make him see them doctors. We can get him through any problems he might have we always have before." Jesse gave Luke a hard look that silenced the younger man so he could speak. "Now I know none of ya like the idea I ain't too crazy about it myself but if it'll help Bo the way the doctor says then that's what we're gonna do and I won't have anymore argument about it. Understood!" B.L. not quite ready to give up pushed a littel further than the Duke cousins would "But Uncle Jesse....." Jesse shakes his white head at her with a withering look "I said enough B.L...."

"Then that's what we'll do" Jesse said as he gave a look to the other three awake occupants of the room daring them to argue with his decision which none of them did.

Luke listened to the report frowning when psychiatric treatment, he gritted his teeth Bo didn't need that kind of help he had his friends and family to support him through any mental anguish he would no doubt go through. "No disrespect intended doctor but Bo won't need psychiatric treatment he has good friends and a loving family that can help him far more than any doctor or nurse in that prospective." B.L. nodded her agreement staying quiet though in the background. Jesse too frowned but then nodded to the doctor and said "whatever you think is best for Bo is what we'll do"

Jesse and Luke both nodded happily at the doctor's news. It would be good to get Bo home again where he could finish recuiperating with his family around him constantly. B.L. smiled happily as well it seemed everything was going to be alright.

Glad your enjoying it Redneck Woman. It is such a morale booster when you write something and are told that you bring the characters to life.

Hey let us know how your liking the story so far.