DixieDavenport

Luke mumbled, "Got involved my a--!" He glared at Lori while still holding Cindy's hand, who had managed to get back on the right side of the bar. Cindy Mae, "Sugar you didn't half to do that. I work here mosts nights." Luke still glared Lori's direction, "Well, I didn't want to see you get hurt cause of someone else's 'actions'!" Cindy Mae said, "Awe, that's sweet." Rosco felt in his bones something was up so he took a seat at the bar and ordered an Ice tea. He'd just stay awhile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie saw her Grandmother yelling at the others and offered, "I'll go see where they went!" She was off to her car. But she had already slipped her shirt, jeans and boots into the car. She stopped just past teh barn and changed before heading out. It didn't take her long to spot the cars at the Boar's Nest. She knew she was too young to drink but she could go see what was going on, but she'd have to be careful and park her car out of sight since she didn't have her license yet.

Luke looked at Jesse and said with a loud sigh, "I just don't want a repeat of last winter." He meant with Lori getting pregnant but couldn't go there right now. Jesse nodded his understanding. "And, God help me for saying this but I don't want her to TRY to get me that way. That scares the he-- out of me to think she might TRY." Luke paused. "I just want to not be pressured to be with her or be pressured to ask anyone to get married. I just want to....." Jesse nodded, "Be a 'free agent' for awhile." Luke smiled weakly, "Yeah." Jesse cautined, "Luke I've preached something to you and the other since you were 12, but I feel the need to say it again. You are 18. If you are approached by a girl to buy her a beer, to give her a drink of any kind or take her to bed, you had better be double da-- sure she's 18 before you do. All Rosco has to do is get some under age girl to set you up, son and you are gone." Luke swollowed hard. HE understood what Jesse was saying. Jesse said, "Talk to Lori, son. It will be better in the long run." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luther had told them that Grandma was staying to keep an eye on them considering that he couldnt possibly keep up with them. The older three pleaded their case that they didn't need a baby sitter. Dixie just went along. She loved the old woman. She had taught Dixie how to crochet, sew a little, do a little needle point. Dixie listened to her stories about the old times in Hazzard. She especially loved the ones about a couple of young handsome Duke boys in their teens by the name of Jesse and his brother Frank. Dixie knew how to get her way with the older woman. Sure she put on the dress and acted like she liked it but she'd be in jeans and boots before she went anywhere.

Dixie said, "Grandma! They were trying to KILL me!" Cooter, Lori and B.L. knew that this was NOT going to be good. Dixie was the 'baby' of the family and by far teh old woman's favorite. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke then began to tell Uncle Jesse, "I don't want to get involved with Lori or anyone for that matter right now. I know I'm not over Robin and having the whole steady relationship. I want to go out by myself and take home ....." Luke stopped he wouldn't say what he was thinking to Jesse. That was Ok, cause Jesse was on his train of thought, "The girl with the best offer." Luke looked at his Uncle. He was at a loose for words as the wise man had said EXACTLY what he had been thinking. Luke looked embarrassed and finally admitted, "That's about what I was going to say." Jesse said, "Luke there is nothing wrong with not being attached to one girl or playing the field, but when you start using girls for their pleasure and disregarding their feelings that's when it wrong." Luke nodded, "I understand that, Uncle Jesse, but my problem is that I tell you and myself that I don't want to be attached to Lori, but everytime she gets close to me I end up spending time with her. There's something there. We click." Luke paused seeing a lecture coming and figured he'd better explain, "I don't mean JUST in bed. I mean she walks in the Boar's Nest. I'm alone. We're leaving together. B.L. needs help, I have the wrecker, Lori was in the wrecker with me riding shotgun to go help. I don't know what it is. Right now, I feel like I'm using her. But, he-- she's offering if not instigating. But, I'm afraid I'm getting too close and worse yet, I'm pretty sure she is getting way too close." Jesse loked at Luke. He thought for a long while on what he'd said, and

Luke had been lectured by Jesse until Jesse was blue in the face. Fortunately, for them both they heard Lori pull in. Luke suggested a short walk, which he planned on ending up in the barn and hoped Jesse was tooo busy with dinner to come looking for them. He helped Lori get into the hayloft. She was glad her kneefelt better today. Luke said, "I would get ya a drink to help with that knee but I think Bo and the others wiped me out." Lori replied, "That's ok, Luke. I'm not even taking the meds the doctors gave me. Well, at least not often." Luke began stroking her hair, "Did I get the chance to tell you I missed you?" "I don't think you did." Lori said. "Well, I did." Luke he leaned over and kissed her passionately. It didn't take long for them both to loose their clothes, the barn loft in late May was mighty warm! Luke grabbed some protection as Lori rubbed his chest with her long fingernails. Several minutes later, Luke and Lori were in a world all their own, ............until Luke heard a board on the other side of the loft squeak...............He looked up to see.................

Luke kept on smiling at her and wrote her a note saying, "You really did a good job making Hughie do back flips this morning. You know I'm in deep with Luther and Jesse. I'm thinking of the many painful way to kill Bo when I get my hands on him -- If there's anything left of me after I face Luther and Jesse. I'm glad Jesse was in too big a hurryr this morning geting us to school."

When they got there Lori found Hughie Hogg first thing, "Hey, Hughie Honey. Sorry I missed the prom last night and all but I just got back into town." Hugie was about to do back flips when he saw Lori without her jacket. She had the tape recorder in her back pocket. Lori asked ever so sweetly, "What WAS all the commotion at the prom last night?" Hughie smiled and looked her up and down,"Well, well,... hello there, ohhh well, I should've been king and that sneaky little B.L. ran off with the crowns, she was sooo desperate to be my queen I guess, wouldn't you be?" Lori said, "Well, now Hughie, how can I be your queen if Rosco has the crowns." She paused, "Besides, I think you had something to do with those crowns being in BL's car." Hugie quickly made an effort to tell her, "I'll...I'll get them.... I can get them easily from him.... I'll tell you what went on if you'll be my queen?" "Hughie I'd LOVE to be your queen. I'm so tired of these boys around here." Lori tried not to choke on the lie. "Ok, I admit, I was mad because you never went to a prom with me liek you promised. I wanted to get back at you by causing trouble for your family. You'll still be my queen though, right, Lori, you promised." Lori gave Hughie a pitiful look, "Hughie I wouldn't be caught dead with you! And, you better stay away from my family and friends!" She turned and tossed the tape player to Luke who could get it to the principal's office quicker than she could right now. Hughie was screaming all amounts of profanities at Lori and Luke!

Luke sighed, "Thanks, Lori. I'll never get to sleep now. What are we gonna do about the other situation?" Lori smirked and placed her hands on her hips,"Glad ta know I'm the cause of that then... well we can bust outta here or we can wait til morning for Uncle Jesse to come get us." A thought just hit Luke, "I HOPE they don't need a wrecker tonight!" Cooter groaned, "Oh, man! Luther will kill us all!" Luke said, "Uncle Jesse has his hands full so he certainly couldn't go out and the wrecker is at the farm." Luke sighedn and continued, "I'm going to make Bo live really hard over this. I know I'm in deep about the shine not to mention him getting us ALL locked up cause he found it!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse had heard Coy sing with an off key and slurred voice one too many times, "Swing Low Sweet Chairot"***** as he heard Rosco pull up. He decided that whatever Rosco seemed to do to the lot of them was far too good for them. As Rosco pulled out taking the older four to jail, Dixie opened the kitchen door. "Uncle Jesse, Rosco tokd me to come inside with you." Jesse signed and thougth it was going to be a long night. "Well, drink you this cup of coffee and you can go to bed with Daisy. ***** This was an idea borrowed from Bethie 88 that she used in another story

Luke said, "Ok, here's what we need to do......" Dixie said, "I want to help. Even is BL is doing Alfred and you. And Lori's been with Ernie and Hughie and You!!! Where did Bo go he was telling me a whole bunch of stuff!!!!!" Cooter replied, "Well Lukas!!! I think we all know the what yer gonna grab! Its just the who, now? Which cousin will it be??" Luke glared at Cooter then looked at Dixie. She was three sheets in the wind, "What HAS Bo been telling you?" Dixie smiled, "All kinds of interesting stuff! He even told me that Vance a Robin did it!" Lori saw Luke turn purple!

In the barn Bo had finally got Coy to hush some. He and Dixie was talking. Bo said, "Yeah, Luke told me that Lori's not the ONLY cousin of yours he's been with." Dixie's eye were wide, "Bo, you don't mean? BL?" Bo nodded, "I hear she's been with Alfred too." Dixie asked, "BL? No!" Bo said, "Yeah, that's what I heard." Bo was trying to impress Dixie and let her think that if it was Ok for her cousins it was Ok for her to let him to first base anyway. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just as Rosco kicked through the door the engines roared and the 4 teenagers tore out heading for the Duke farm so they could discuss this in the barn. Cooter looked at BL, "Can't those two stop playing grab a-- long enough to get way from Rosco? Did you see Luke trying ot get the wrecker keys?" BL sighed. Cooter was in a dither. "Cooter would you ease up on them? They are going to do what they want no matter what you think. But, right now I need help." Cooter knew BL was right as he pulled in behind Luke in the back of the barn. Luke opened the back barn door to find Coy almost passed out. DAisy laughing at him and Bo trying to get Dixie's bra off. Luke took a deep breath and looked at Cooter for help.

Luke said, "Who all was there anyway, BL?" BL thought, "Me, Cooter, Mark, Vance, Robin, Ralph...." Luke shook his head. This wasn't getting him anywhere but angry. "Ok, who would have been king?" Cooter thought, "Luke since you weren't there. We all actually figured that someway Hughie Hogg would get it." Luke snapped his fingers! "That's it fellas. I was in the office the other day......" He paused, looked at BL and said, "NO comments from you either. Anyway, Boss Hogg was there and they were talking about using different crowns this year. The only reason, I can see him going to all that trouble to arrange better ones would be for Hughie to wear. Was that Darlene Snodgrass his date?" BL nodded, 'yes'. Luke said, "Yeah I smell a rat." Cooter asked, "But, why would Hughie have the crowns put in BL's car?" Luke asked, "Are you SURE Hughie got it?" BL and Cooter shook their heads no. "Ok, we got to find someone who would know. If Hughie knew he wasn't getting King he'd plant them to keep from getting embarrassed when he wasn't named King." ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coy almost shouted, "Leave me alone Bo!" Bo replied, "I'm only trying to get you to HUSH before we all get caught!"

Cooter looked at Luke and said, "Luke I know this ain't exactly my place, but....." Lori stood firm in frotn of Luke and said,"No Cooter it isn't your place.... Its my life and if I choose to let Luke....well...yea.... then I will!!! I'm a big girl Cooter stop treatin me like in a little kid!!!" Luke moved Lori to the side and said, "Cooter, I don't want us to have a problem about this." Cooter shook his head, "Well, it's just a lot creapy having my best friend with MY cousin." Luke replied, "That may be, but I'll not kiss and tell IF I can just get ONE or TWO other people in this shed to co-operate!" Lori had the good graces to blush just a bit. "Sorry." BL .............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse was geting ready for bed and realized that the kids had been really quiet this evening. He wondered if he should make one more check on them beofre turning in. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rosco was having one more fit when he found out BL had left in the wrecker. There was one wrecker in the tri-counties, how hard could it be to find!

Lori looked at Luke and said, "I gotta go!" Luke sighed, "Well, yeah, I know but just remember this is the only wrecker service in three Counties. We loose Luther business he'll kill us both!" Lori knew Luke was right, but headed off to find BL. "Wonder where Cooter is?" Luke replied, "He's supposed to be there. That's why I'm driving tonight, until you took the truck!" ~~~~~~~~~~~ Back in the Duke barn, Coy was getting loud. He wasn't trying to start trouble or anything just talking loud. Daisy and Bo were trying to get him to hush, which only made him get louder. Daisy said, "Bo how much has he drank?" Bo replied, "About what we have." He held the mostly empty jug up. Daisy's eyes went really wide. "BO!" "What?" exclaimed Bo. Dixie thought they were all three pretty funny about now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the school, Cooter saw BL take off running and.......

While everyone else was at the Boar's Nest or at the prom, Dixie had went to spend the night at the Dukes with Daisy. Daisy, Bo, Coy and Dixie had decided to hang out in the barn together since they weren't 'old' enough to go to the prom. Bo knew where Luke had a stash of Jesse's finest. After Bo was pretty sure Jesse wouldnt' be coming to the barn to check on them, he went to Luke's 'secret' hiding spot. Daisy's eyes got wide when she saw Bo had a gallon of moonshine. Bo said, "We'll just try a little." Coy agreed, "Yeah, Daisy. You know Uncle Jesse has let us drink some on holidays. It's sort of a holiday." Daisy said, "Well, I guess as long as we don't drink too much." Dixie was all for it. "Well, I've heard about this stuff all my life but never tried it!" Bo smiled, "We can fix that right now. Ya, might want to just sip it though." He poured some in a small jelly glass. Bo was the self appointed 'bartender' and made sure to keep pouring as the glasses began to get empty but he hide the jug from Daisy so she' wouldnt' know how much they were drinking. But, he seen she was giggling a lot and may not mind right about now!!

Luke had laughed at the thought of Ernie catching something not because he'd been with so many girls. He attempted to explain without sticking his foot on his mouth. "No, that's not what I'm laughing at. I was laughing at whatyou said about Ernie." Lori laughed to for a second then got a bit more serious, "So, just how popular are you?" Luke stopped laughing and looked at her, "Do we really want to have this conversation?" Lori shrugged her shoulders. Yes, she did want to know, but it seemed Luke didn't want to give her any information. Luke sighed, "Look, Lori there was a couple years there I had only......" He had never actually admitted to having been with Robin, "Been with you a couple times and sure I," he stressed, "DATED Robin, but ah, there was a lot of time there that I wasn't doing anything. So you might could say I've......" He was saved by Lori, who said, "Been making up for lost time?" Luke said, "Now, I wouldn't put it that way, .............." Lori .............

Luke looked at Lori and replied, "You know you're likely right about that, Darlin'. And I guess Robin was right when she said I was as stubborn as a mule." Lori asked, "So, where too, now?" Luke said, "Well, I'll likely be out most of the night, that non-driver is just the start of it. We can go to the house or head over to the Boar's Nest." Lori replied, "Let's go by the Boar's Nest for a bit. Yeah, I know how prom nights are I used to love to ride on Prom nights with Luther to see who got in how much trouble." She laughed. "Ok, then, we'll grab a burger and listen to the CB there. You cn ride with me tonight if you want." Luke suggested. Lori grinned, "Sounds good." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Boar's Nest, Luke and Lori walked in the place wasn't real crowded tonight due to the prom. Luke found two seats at the bar where he could hear the base CB radio. Cindy Mae, one of the waitresses, who Luke had went out with a couple of times came over. She knew Luke and Lori's history or most of it. She knew they were together at least for hte night. "What can I get ya'll?" "Two burgers, everything, fries, a Coke and ....." Luke looked at Lori. Lori replied to their surprise, "I'll have a Coke too." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The teachers at the prom were sure they should have found reasons not to chaperon the prom this year!

Luke backed out of the Boar's Nest and headed out to Jesse's old still site that he could get the wrecker to where Lori wouldn't have to walk real far. Luke could only hope he didn't have a wrecker call any time soon. He and Lori settled down at the still site and got reaquainted. Several hours later, Luke was holding Lori close to him and heard the CB calling for the Hazzard wrecker. "Sh--! he said grabbing his pants and boots as he went to answer the CB. Luke answered a bit short of breath, "Hazzard wrecker." It was the phone operator who replied, "We need you to pull a car out of a ditch on lake road just past the big rock." Luke cursed and said, "Ok, I'll be there shortly." He got Lori and they headed out to the lake road where Luke took one look at the car in question and nearly lost it! "Lori you do know that car?" Lori looked and yes she did know the car! "LUKE that's............!" Luke smiled, "Ralph and likely Robin."

Luke turned around and low and behold there she was. It was prom night and everyone else was at the prom. Luke had offered to drive the wrecker for Cooter, because if he saw Robin at he prom with Ralph it would be a replay of the Chirstmas dance a year ago. He had chosen weeks ago not to go. Luke had no idea that Lori would be home, especially not tonight. Lori still wore a brace on her knee and favored it just a bit, but other than that she was fine except for her wounded pride at being sent home days before completion of her training.

The Senior Prom was less than a month away. Robin had been asked several times but still hoped Luke would call. There was no one Luke wanted to take to his Senior Prom more than Robin, yet, that stubborn Duke pride kept him from calling. Mark saw the pain his sister and best friend were going through and decided to nudge things a little... "Luke, I'm having some trouble out of the Firebird that's why I drove Dad's truck today. Do you think you can come over after school and give me a hand?" asked Mark. Luke smiled, "Mark, you know that I have been staying away from your house on purpose." Mark looked at Luke, "Yeah, I do, but I thought you said we would be friends no matter what happened between you and Robin. Besides she may not even be home when we get there." "You have got me there. Yeah, I come over after school." replied Luke. "Great! I'll meet you out here after the bell rings." stated Mark as he headed off to class. After school Mark and Luke went to Mark's house. They had parked, Luke was changing into one of Mark's shirts as Mark raised the hood on the Firebird. About this time Robin pulled into the yard. Luke knew she had pulled in but continued what he was doing. It took him a few minutes to find the loose wire that was giving Mark his trouble. Which, unknown to Luke, Mark had loosened the night before. As Luke and Mark were finishing up on the Firebird Robin came outside. As she approached the two, both Robin and Luke spoke at the same time, "Can we talk?" they asked in unison. The three friends smiles at each other. "Care to take a ride?" asked Luke. Robin said, "OK." She headed to her car. "But, I'd like us to each take our own cars." Surprised, Luke nodded, “OKâ€. As the two pulled out of the yard Luke in the General Lee and Robin in her car, Mark was glad he had pulled the shuck and jive on Luke. At least they were going to talk. 00000 Luke headed up the mountain above Robin's house. He'd have to find a spot large enough to park both cars that her car could get to. Finding a spot he thought would work he swung wide so that he was heading back down the mountain. Robin pulled in behind him. Luke got out and went back to her car getting in the passenger side. They set in silence a moment. Finally, Robin looked at Luke, "Prom is just a few weeks away." Luke nodded, "Yeah, and there is no one I'd rather go with than you." "I feel the same way. I have been asked by several guys but haven't accepted any of them." Luke felt a glimmer of hope. "I'd love to go with you. Luke. I have dreamed of nothing else since we started dating, but I can't go back to what we had before." she paused letting that bit of news sink in. "I need to KNOW that we are going somewhere. We have been through three Christmas and Valentine's and you have made no commitments..." she sniffed as tears came into her eyes, "I'm not talking about tomorrow. I can hold on, if I KNOW we will have something, ... say in the next two years." The silence in the car was deafening as Luke absorbed what she had said. Making sure he understood her, "So, you are saying, that you will go to the Prom with me, if I can promise that within the next two years, we will get married?" "Luke, if we go to the Prom together and I am wearing your ring by graduation, then I can wait for you. I think asking that our engagement last two years or under is fair. I mean we have already been together the better part of three years." stated Robin as tears ran down her checks. "If I can't tell you that?" asked Luke. "Then, I plan on going to the Prom with someone who has already asked me to marry them." stated Robin matter-of-factly. "So basically, you are giving me an ultimatum. Either I tell you that we will be married in the next two years, or you'll marry someone else?" Asked Luke trying to keep all emotion out of his voice. Robin nodded, 'yes'. "Can I ask who you plan on going to the prom and marrying if I can't tell you that?" questioned Luke. Robin said, in a voice barely heard by herself or Luke, "Ralph Green." Luke couldn't help the surprised look on his face. "You are giving me an ultimatum. Either I tell you, I'll marry you with in two years, or you will marry Ralph? Of all people!" he added. Robin said, "Yes." Several minutes of silence passed as Luke considered his options. He knew that had she not tried to force his hand, that most likely they would have patched things up eventually and most likely in the next two years he would have proposed. He also knew that letting her go to the Prom with anyone else, especially Ralph, would be the beginning of the end. Luke was not happy about being given an ultimatum. Yet, he knew he loved Robin like he had loved no other girl. Luke swallowed the lump in his throat and said, "Robin, I love you. I love you more than I can say." Luke leaned across the seat taking Robin who was shaking in his arms, kissing her long and deeply. Then looked her in the eye and said, "I hope you and Ralph are very happy together." Luke said through a slightly cracking voice. "I'll be by next week for my things." He got out of Robin's car. Walked to the General Lee, climbed through the window, started him up and burn out letting the General turn totally around in the road. Before reaching Robin's house, Luke stopped and waited until he saw Robin's car behind him. Seeing the car coming up behind him, knowing that she could make it to the house from there, he again burn out leaving her in a cloud of dust.

Luke got the letter and read it. He addressed an envelope right then to Lori and put the necklace back in it. With a note that said: Lori, Once I give a gift it is that a gift. Keep the necklace and what it stood for. Thanks for all the encouragement there Lori. Remember, we chose to be together when we were together. I meant everything I said to you when I said it -- don't doubt that. Caulk it up to bad timing or bad karma I don't know it just wasn't right for us then. Please take care. Luke Luke mailed the letter. Even his closest family wasn't aware of the number of letters Luke and Lori exchanged. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Spring sprung in Hazzard, love was in the air for all of Hazzard except Luke and Robin. Luke had stayed at Robin's only a few times since Christmas. Robin tried to act pleased around her friends with Luke's presents but she really wanted a commitment that Luke wasn't ready to give. Finally it came down to a discussion between them, where Robin suggested they see other people for awhile. Luke had to agree. He knew if she had given him a little time that he most likely would have given her the ring he knew she wanted. A week passed. Then another, still Robin and Luke didn't go out with each other. Robin had went out with several guys a time or two. After about two months Luke decided it was time that he ask someone out. He began to ask out girls that he thought were 'easy', more ofter than not getting what he wanted by at least the second date. Then, he'd move on to the next challenge. Luke was also drinking pretty heavy. Usually when he and Bo would double date, Bo almost always found himself driving home. The only time that Luke would go out and not drink was when he had the wrecker. Bo, Jesse and the others were worried but felt it was a 'stage' he was going through and decided to give him some time and room to work it out.

Luke got her letter just minutes before leaving on an out of state run. He had time to read it and jot down a few lines: Lori, "Duty" is calling me out of state soon, too. 'Things' are getting tough down here. Can't hardly breath without someone knowing. (Luke knew she'd know he wsa talking about running moonshine). I know this will hurt you and that's not my intention -- Yeah I can see me marrying Robin in a couple years or so but she wants that promise NOW -- think that's unfair to her and me. Wish things were as simple as they used to be........... Take care! Luke He sealed the envelope and put it on the table to be mailed as he headed to the runner.

Luke got the letter and headed to the barn to read it alone. When he returned, Jesse gave him a questioning look. Luke just smiled and put down a letter addressd to Lori that was sealed tightly. In it he had written: Lori, Everone here is fine, I guess except maybe me! Well, that's another story you probably don't want to hear. I'm still not ready to commit to anyone but I keep getting pressured to. Like I said, you don't want to hear this. Uncle Jesse and all are good. I take it you are coming in after AIT (her advanced training before being sationed). Think you should know I am still with Robin............at least for now anyway. Yeah, she is one of the many pressuring me for a commitment that I'm not ready to give. Luke Luke had been spendn gmore and more time at the garage trying to earn extra money for the car he and Bo had built. The General Lee. But, they had a long way to go to get him right!

Luke joined into the Christmas carol they were singing. Dixie looked at him as he harmonized with Lori. Robin also gave him a look... Luke kept the wagon rolling and continued to sing...............

Dixie went to Lori and asked, "What?" Lori showed her the charm. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke had seen Robin pull up and seen Dixie head to Lori, so he kept Robin outside for a few minutes by telling he how much he hoped she likeher gifts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone else arrived and now it was time to open the presents......... One of the first was the one from Robin to Luke. She had gotten him a racing helmet and fire proof suit. If he insisted on racing she would at least make sure he was as safe as possible...........

Early Christmas Eve, Luke placed his wrapped gifts under the tree. He also placed the tiny box for Lori from 'Santa Claus' under the tree. He figured Lori would be there sometimes tonight. He placed under the tree his gifts for Robin who would be by also. He had gotten her several charms for her charm bracelet and a pair of boots she had been admiring. He knew she really wanted him to give her an engagement ring or at least a friendship ring. Luke knew how girls were and knew he'd better be da-- sure before he gave a ring to anyone. Daisy asked, "Luke you got the wagon loaded for the hay ride?" Luke nodded thinking of Christmas's passed, "Yeah, it's all ready." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie was glad to be spending Christmas at the Dukes instead of in the big city wth her Mother. "Ya'll ready YET?" she compained.

Luke had pretty much kept to himself the last few days as Christmas was fast approaching. Times and shine were good and he had had the money to buy for everyone even though he'd given Vance the hundred dollars. It was Saturday and he was telling everyone he was going to help Cooter at the garage, truth be known he was going Christmas shopping. He knew what Robin wanted but with everything that had happened with Lori he just didn't see giving Robin the enagement ring she wanted. He drove out of Hazzard and found several more charms for her bracelet and a pair of dress boots he knew she wanted. While looking at the charms Luke found another one he decided to buy. It was an angel charm. He had the following engraved on it, "Caitlyn Marie Duke, Nov. 10, ????" Luke had that charm gift wrapped in a separate box. He then shopped for the rest of his family.