Bo stepped forward and greeted Jaime with a smile and took the bags from her and Luke

"I got these, why not have a look around?" He said to Jaime

Jaime nodded with a smile to Luke

"I'd like that..."

Luke smiled back, putting a hand gently on her shoulder. "Come on...I'll show ya the barn first..." Luke gently put his arm around her leading her there.

Jaime watched as Bo headed inside and leant against Luke, her arm around his waist as they went to the barn.

"This here's Maudine... she's gentle as a kitten and stubborn as Bo...you can pet her...she won't bite" he added scratching behind the mules ears the way she liked.

Jaime smiled and reached up to do the same, watching as the Mule relaxed some at the stranger's touch.

"See there? She likes ya...." smiled Luke.

Jamie bit her lip with a smile and nodded, looking up at him.

"I can't....believe i'm here..."

"I can't either...I'm still more nervous than a turkey Thanksgiving mornin'...but I suppose you knew that..." said Luke smiling a little.

Jaime giggled a little and nodded, leaning back against Maudine's pen.

"So..um...what do...I call everyone..."

Luke shrugged not having thought about that. "Well, Bo don't take too kindly to being called Beauregard... other than that, I guess whatever you're comfortable with."

Jaime nodded, swallowing softly

"Okay....Dad...."

Luke was taken aback and stood in shock. An overwhelming feeling of love surged inside of him. Guessing that that was what most parents feel the first time they hear their child say Momma or Dadda, he nodded his voice a little choked. "Alright then...daughter."

Jaime's eyes welled with tears as she hurried forward, closing the small gap between then and hugging Luke tight.

Luke bit his lip as the small girl hugged him. Bending over her he hugged her close pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.

Jaime smiled tearily as he did, feeling for the first time in her life, safe and content with where she was and who she was with. She didn't feel threatened or trapped, here she felt free and loved.

She didn't know why it was that fate had led her to Luke that day, or why things had turned out the way they had. All she knew was, she was happy now and all the 'Why is it's' she had had before had been wiped away.

As had Bo's....he was more content with the way Luke felt now and accepted the fact that no matter how much trouble he would get them into, Luke would never feel differently about him or spending time with him. Things were looking up, and a new era in the Duke family was about to begin..

But friends...that's another tale...for another time...y'all come back now ya here...and be sure to post on the Why is it feedback thread to post your comments on this here story and any ideas you'd like to see in the next installment. Keep it 'tween the ditches...