by: Marty Chrisman
Bo was in the barnyard trying to round up some stray chicks when the blue mustang pulled into the driveway and pulled up beside the General Lee. He wasn’t really that surprised to see Luke slid out from the wheel as Sierra Dawson slid out of the other side of the car. He was actually pleased to see the pretty singer with Luke, he had suspected that whatever plans Luke had had the night before involved her and he was happy for his cousin because he knew just how much Luke cared about her. When Luke grabbed her hand as they walked towards the house Bo knew that they must have worked things out pretty good. Grinning, he followed them into the house.
Jesse and Daisy both glanced up as Luke came into the kitchen, mildly surprised but pleased to see that he was accompanied by Sierra. Jesse had told Daisy about Luke’s previous relationship with the talented singer the night before after they got home from town.
“Hi, everybody.” Luke said with a grin, as he stepped behind Sierra and protectively wrapped his arms around her waist. “Uncle Jesse, Daisy….this is Sierra Dawson.” Compared to Luke’s full height of six foot one, Sierra looked a lot smaller than she actually was.
“I’m so happy to meet you!” Daisy gushed enthusiastically, smiling at the other woman happily.
“I’m pleased to meet ya too, ma’am.” Jesse said with a warm smile
“I’m pleased to finally meet all of you too….” Sierra said “Luke used to talk about you and Hazzard all the time….I feel like I already know all of you.”
“Well, we’re sure looking forward to getting to know you.” Bo said with a grin stepping out from behind them and going to the refrigerator to help himself to glass of milk.
“We sure are.” Daisy agreed “You can tell us all about Nashville.”
“Luke, why don’t you show Sierra around and me and the kids here will make up a nice lunch for everybody to welcome the pretty lady to our home….” Jesse said
“Sweet talk sure runs in this family.” Sierra said with a laugh
“Sounds like she’s got you guys all figured out already.” Daisy said with a giggle.
“Come on….” Luke said with a laugh as he took Sierra’s hand and led her back outside. For the next couple of hours, they walked around the farm as Luke showed her some of his favorite spots on the property, the hidden stream in the woods where he and Bo went skinny dipping in the summer, the hidden grove where blackberries and strawberries grew wild, and the tall oak tree where he used to hide as a kid when he was in trouble. When they returned to the house, they sat on the porch swing content and happy to just be together again. Luke found himself thinking that this was the way it should have been eight years ago. He had a lot of lost time to make up for.
They spent most of the day at the farm and Sierra seemed to fit in easily and comfortably. After lunch she immediately pitched in and helped Daisy with the dishes and when it was time to make supper, she helped with that too. After supper, Luke told Jesse that he wouldn’t be back until Sunday night because he planned to spend the next two days in town with Sierra. Jesse nodded understanding Luke’s need to be with Sierra as much as he could right now. Seeing them together, he could see just how much his oldest nephew loved her. And she loved him too. Jesse could see it in her eyes. There was nothing quite like being around two young people so much in love. It reminded Jesse of his early days with his darling Martha. They’d had that kind of love and the good lord had blessed them with almost 40 together before he’d called Martha home to Glory. Jesse still missed her terribly especially at times like this.
Luke returned to Hazzard with Sierra and for the next two days, they spent most of the time locked away inside the RV just getting to know one another again and renewing their love for each other.