by: Essy Jane

Laurel and Jesse sat together that day catching fish. She seemed determined to catch at least one. Laurel was different than most girls. She had a lot of Jo Anna in her. Adventure was definitely her middle name. Laurel had been Jo’s best friend since she was old enough to say hi. That’s a long time.

Considering Jesse had his father’s tastes, the youthful gal wasn’t too bad at all. She had chocolate colored curls that waved down to her back. Laurel had sapphire eyes like Daisy. Laurel was 5’6, just short enough for Jesse’s liking. She was most kind and wonderful. Jesse did love her and Bo was right, this was the longest he had dated anyone.

Laurel Rhuebottom was always pleased to have Jesse around. She loved the whole Duke family. She was in the same class as Jesse ever since before he could remember. The thing Laurel loved most about the young man was his love for life. She was willing to follow him anywhere because of it.

“Laurel, I have something to ask you,” Jesse began.

“Jess, you know you can ask me anything you want to,” Laurel said.

“Look, you are beautiful and wonderful.”

“Thanks Jesse, are you asking me to go to the beauty pageant with you?”

“Well, umm…”

“You already know it is a yes.”

“I know but…”

“I can fix an engine with my eyes closed.”

“Yeah but…”

“I can be Miss Tri-County easily.” Jesse blushed.

“No, that isn’t it.”

“Well spit it out Jess.” Jesse swallowed hard. He felt the ring in his pocket and wondered if there was a more romantic way of doing this. “Oh Jesse come on, there’s something in that mind of yours and I want to know what it is.”

“Well…” Laurel’s line was being tugged.

“Alright! A fish!” She began reeling it in. “Go ahead Jesse, I’m still listening.”

“Well I think that you’re…” Laurel reeled the fish in. She pulled it off the hook and laughed hard. “I think you’re…”

“I got you!”

“Are you listening?”

“Sorry Jesse, I am listening.”

“You’re a wonderful gal.”

“Thank you Jesse, we got to gut this guy. You want me to start a fire? We could eat them right here.”

“Uh yeah, that would be nice.” Jesse took the fish and gutted them. He watched Laurel as she chopped wood. Jesse smiled—he couldn’t help but to do so. She was so special…his kind of woman. Laurel knew how to please him and how to make him feel happy. She always seemed to carry this special shine.

Meanwhile, in another part of Hazzard, six men were sitting around a campfire doing their own planning. Kay, the father of the five men, glared at his boys. They were being impatient as usual. “You said this would be an easy job,” Haden said.

“Yeah, so far all we have done was sitting here and waiting…for what I don’t know. I thought we’d get the cash from the bank and get out of here,” Eddy mumbled.

“Seems you boys don’t understand what Hazzard is like. Bumbly law men who sure, have their arrests but couldn’t find pros like us,” Kay announced.

“Yeah so let’s go rob the bank then,” Farley commented.

“There is one factor that doesn’t allow us to, Farley. This is what you boys don’t understand.”

“Oh, those dreaded Dukes you keep talking about? Oh Dad, we can whoop them.”

“Farley, I said the same thing. They whooped me. A long time back, when Bo and Luke still drove the General Lee. Now it’s Bo and Luke’s sons…still as witty as their fathers.”

“Oh yeah? Well bring it on! I could take them down with two hands tied behind my back,” Beck cut in.

“No, you must understand, we need to take this slowly. I have an idea. It’s the beginning of the crop season. Bo and his son, Jesse, are gonna pick up some seed at the local store,” Kay commented.

“So what?”

“So, we hit them where it hurts.”

“I still don’t get what you want to do, Pa,” Haden mumbled.

“Don’t you get it? You go against a Duke they bring in the whole shooting match. If you hurt a Duke, they all go to their side and nurse them back to health. So, we get rid of two Dukes and they’re occupied,” Kay enlightened his kids.

“We’ll run them off the road,” Ole declared.

“Ah, I knew you were always the smart one. Okay, here’s how we do it…” Uh huh, these guys are up to no good. I wonder how the Dukes are gonna get out of this one.

Back at the fishing hole, Jesse was still working up the strength to tell Laurel. She had already beaten him out of two times of saying it. Laurel loved to talk. She loved to talk to Jesse most of all because he was really good at listening. “So Mama told me to work at the store next Wednesday and I told her I needed to check my schedule. Then I remembered the farmers came in to get their seed on that day and that you were going to be there so I thought…” Laurel began.

“Marry me,” Jesse cut in. Laurel’s eyes widened as Jesse pulled out the ring. “Laurel Lee Rhuebottom, I had you in my sight since we were in kindergarten. I don’t want to waste another minute without knowing you’ll be the one holding my hand…showing me life’s adventures.”

“Oh Jesse.”

“Will you be my wife?”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” They kissed each other. Jesse leaned in to hold onto her back and ended up burning his hand on one of the rocks. He jumped almost immediately.

“Owe!” Laurel giggled. She looked at Jesse’s hand.

“Don’t be such a baby, Jess. You’re supposed to be romantic here. You just proposed.”

“I sure did.”

Over in the swamp, Paige and Jose were sitting there staring at the stars. They held hands in the moonlight. Jose sighed as he gazed into his fiancée’s navy eyes. Her brown hair fluttered in the wind. “You know, Jesse is probably proposing right now,” Jose mumbled.

“I can’t believe he wants to marry my sister. Laurel is—not like most gals. She is adventurous and fast. She always has her head in the clouds. All that girl ever wants to do is write.”

“And go out with Jesse.”

“Yeah that too. Besides Jose, won’t you find it a little weird that your third cousin is going to be your brother in law?” Jose shrugged. He sighed and leaned back onto the blanket.

“I think it would be neat…kind of weird I suppose. You know, he already feels like a brother. Now it will just be more official.”

“When’s your Dad coming down?”

“In six weeks that is if all goes well.”

“There just won’t be enough time for the honeymoon if they’re gonna get married.”

“Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

“I want to have a honeymoon.”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“I know you do but sometimes things change.”

“Change? That’s the last word I need to hear. I want time with you, my new husband. Not have to come back here in the middle of all our plans just to…” Jose kissed Paige.

“Maybe we’ll do a duel wedding.” Now Miss Paige Rhuebottom kissed Jose. The young man smiled.

“I like that idea.”

“Maybe that’s too soon though.”

“What do you mean too soon?”

“Bo told me they were moving. He’s giving the Duke farm to Jesse. I guess sort of passing on the family heritage. Bo would rather die then see the farm sold off to a stranger. At least with his son running it he can come back.”

“Y’all have a ton of roots here.”

“You better believe it.”

“Are you afraid?”

“Of what?”

“Leaving here?”

“No, I am doing it with you Paige and you are the best person to do it with. If I was doing it alone, I would be.”

“Oh Jose…”

“You know Paige, I didn’t like leaving New York.”

“It must have been hard to leave your home and not know anyone.”

“Yeah but Bo and Jesse got me through it. Not to mention Jo Anna.” Paige smiled.

“With Laurel then too because as you said, they were joined at the hip.”

“They sure were.”

“Hazzard has been even more of a home to me. You know everyone in this town and it feels like they all care about you more.”

“That’s what makes it harder for me to leave. All I know is here.”

“I am sure that Kansas will be a good place to live too.”

“Yeah, if we don’t get sucked up by a Tornado.”

“Oh relax, where’s your sense of adventure?”

“I guess I’ll find it everyday when I am with you.” They grasped each others hands once again and laid in complete silence. The wind rolled over them softly.

When Jesse and Jose got home that night, Nancy-Lou was jumping up and down in excitement. “You didn’t even tell her yet,” Jose commented.

“Didn’t have to she reads minds,” Jesse answered.

“Jesse, I won,” Nancy screamed.

“What?”

“A trip to Europe, all expenses paid for me and three friends. I have invited Daisy, Lauren and Paige! Oh this is gonna be great. I already told your father. We’re going for two months.”

“Nancy, what about the wedding plans?” Jose asked.

“Oh…I forgot. Well, Essy’s still going to be here. Paige and Essy have very similar tastes. We’re leaving in a week. Don’t worry, I trust you three completely with the babies. I need to get to know my new daughter in law and cousin.”

“Well this is a good way,” Jesse announced.

“She told me she said yes. Lauren and you will make one handsome couple.” The family all laughed. Nancy went in her room and packed after that.

by: Essy Jane

Now welcome back to Hazzard, you haven’t been here for a spell have you? Well then, come on over and watch a fun race between father and son. Jesse Duke was as excited as ever racing his Daddy. Bo was known as the best driver in all of Hazzard. Everyone recognized his style and his orange car. Bo would take that car everywhere…well except when he was farming or taking the triplets somewhere.

Now if you know anything about the Dukes, racing is always the first and last thing on their mind. That has been the way it has been since the beginning of time. For a long time, they ran races to see who the best was. Back in the old west, they raced horses over in Hazzard. Yep, the Dukes lived here for a long time.

Jesse was winning at first but ol’ Bo had something on his son, experience. Bo had been driving much longer than Jesse and that was fact. Bo had gone through the NASCAR races and much more. Jesse didn’t want to go and race on the big circuit. It suited him fine being here in Hazzard and racing the locals, some of the best drivers in the world. After all, this was Hazzard County.

The big ravine came up and both Bo and Jesse jumped it, clearing it. “Daddy, you’ll never beat me, you’re too old. Besides, I have got the better General,” Jesse boasted over the CB. He sounded the horn. Bo shook his head and chuckled at his son’s comment.

“You may be younger but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve,” Bo replied as he revved up his engine. He sped ahead of Jesse and of course won the race. Lilly-Rose was the one judging the race. Last time Jesse thought he won and Bo was sure he had. This time judge Lilly made it clear as rain. She looked at the two and laughed.

“You two are hilarious,” Lilly commented.

“Ah only on good days,” Bo replied.

“You were good but next time…” Jesse began.

“Next time I’ll beat you twice.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, I know it.”

“Why?”

“I’m your father, I am supposed to know it.” Jesse rolled his eyes. Both men were still in their cars.

“You want to go again?”

“A second race? Nah, not now.”

“You’re old.”

“Nope, just not willing to press my luck.”

“You guys really take the cake. I needed some cheering up. You know, I have been pretty down since Mom moved to LA. I thought she would stay in Hazzard County forever,” Lilly commented. Bo pulled himself out of his mustang General and laughed.

“Oh Lilly, your Mom loves Hazzard but sometimes it doesn’t exactly seem like the land of opportunity,” Bo answered.

“Well, I would have thought Mama would have at least stayed for me.”

“Oh Lilly-Rose, you know as well as I do your mama loves you dearly.”

“Not enough to stay here.”

“They offered her a great job in LA. One she couldn’t refuse.”

“She shouldn’t have left. All my brothers moved with her. Now I am the only Hogg in Hazzard.”

“You still have Cletus.”

“Yes, I do have Cletus.” Lilly sighed.

“Daisy still calls you every night doesn’t she?” Lilly nodded softly.

“Dad, would you be upset if I moved away?” Jesse asked.

“Ah, probably but Jess, you couldn’t stay away from Hazzard even if you wanted to,” Bo announced.

“Oh you think I couldn’t make it?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“You think that I wouldn’t be able to get away from this town?”

“Nope.”

“What then?”

“The General stays in Hazzard.”

“Okay, you do know.”

“Besides, I see your eye has fallen on Laurel. You two have been dating for two years now…steady I might add. Jesse, you never date anyone steady.” Jesse laughed. He looked his father in the eye.

“Well I thought it was about time I did. I was thinking about getting married.”

“Oh come on, just because Jose’s engaged, doesn’t mean you have to go off and do it.”

“What?”

“You two are unbelievable. Y’all have been competing since Jose got here. He was the first to want to get married to Paige and now you’re doing it because…”

“I love her, okay?”

“I know you love her.”

“Is that a problem?”

“I know you love her. I was just teasing.”

“Well, Jose has bought a piece of farm property over in Kansas thanks to me helping him make furniture for people.”

“He had enough for the land?”

“No, he had enough for the down payment, Daddy.”

“Well you know, that was nice of you.”

“NICE? Uh huh, that wasn’t nice of me! “He’s getting married in three months and moving away. You know, it’s not fair! He’ll be so far away.”

“Oh Jesse, you’re over reacting,” Lilly said.

“Over reacting, I am not over reacting!”

“You told me I was over reacting.”

“Oh that’s different. I am gonna loose my best friend.”

“I lost mine too.”

“Okay, maybe it’s not different.”

“You know what Jesse?”

“What?”

“He’s always going to be your best friend, no matter what you do.”

“Yeah right, Lilly he’s just gonna magically hop over here when he has bills to pay and things to do. It makes total nonsense to me.”

“Jesse…”

“All my adventures are going to end all because he wants to go and get married.”

“Shepard, this is lost sheep three calling, you got your ears on?” Jose said from the CB in the house. Bo picked up the receiver.

“Yeah this is Shepard, come in,” Bo answered.

“The babies are whining, I need our two guitar players to come home so we can calm them down.”

“Ah, no problem we’ll be over there in a jiffy. This is Shepard, over and out.” Bo put down the CB.

“Guess you guys are gonna git going huh?” Lilly asked.

“Yeah, that song is the only thing that calms them down,” Jesse answered.

“You guys did a really good job writing it.”

“Well, I was playing around on the guitar and Jo started humming a tune. Jesse came in and wrote the words.”

“I wish my brothers and I could do something like that. I tell ya, you have all the creative genes on your side.”

“Nah, we just have most of it.”

“You were supposed to disagree with me.”

“What’s the point? You would say you were right anyway.”

“Lilly, you wanna drive General Lee Two home? I need to have a talk with my son,” Bo cut in.

“Yes sir, no problem,” Lilly answered. She got into the General and started it. Bo climbed into the original General Lee and smiled.

“Man I have missed this car.” He revved up the engine and away he went. “Jesse, remember that letter that looked official?” Jesse nodded softly. Bo swallowed hard. “Well, that was Nancy-Lou’s grandmamma, your Great Grammy. She passed away. Anyway, she acquired a small fortune and left it all to Nancy-Lou. A big house and a lot of money, all left to your mama.”

“Is there some sort of point to this?” Jesse asked.

“Son, Nancy’s Granny left me the business…and wants me to run it. Now, I know I wouldn’t usually…”

“You’re leaving Hazzard?”

“Jesse…it’s a good opportunity. I can make some good money for these younger kids and help them out.” Jesse shook his head.

“So everyone’s leaving me?” Jesse slammed on the dash board. “I can’t believe this! You guys are all leaving me. This is like torture.”

“Son, I’m not trying to do this to hurt you or anything…”

“Dad, why? Jo and me, we’s did real well here. Now you’re telling me you’re gonna move those kids all the way over to a strange place?”

“Jesse, it’s not like we’re trying to hurt you or the kids. I have been farming since I was knee high to a grasshopper. It’s all I know. I love Hazzard County.”

“Then why do you want to leave?”

“It’s complicated.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your mom wants to live closer to Daisy and your Grandpa.”

“And you accepted! Dad, this isn’t fair! We have lived on this land for generations. Now you want to throw it all away?”

“No I don’t.”

“I don’t wanna loose you.”

“Son, you’ll never loose me.”

“You’re gonna be in LA.”

“I will still be a father to you and to Jo.”

“Yeah and we have to pick up and move over there with you? I don’t want to leave my home!”

“Jesse, I want to leave you the farm.” Jesse’s eyes widened. He stared at his father. Bo couldn’t help but smile. Jesse shrugged and shook his head. “Look, I know you think this a lot of responsibility…”

“Yeah it is and I can’t BELIEVE you would put us through it. I am not ready to run a farm on my own.”

“I know you can do it. Marry Laurel, bring her here…raise family. You know you’re right, this is the best place to raise a family.”

“Then why are you leaving? You have three new babies.”

“You know, your mother doesn’t want to leave but she also does. It’s a chance to be close to her other relatives they all live out west.”

“I know.”

“I have never wanted to stay more than I do now but I brought your mom here…I worked with her every day. I love her a lot. She wants to try this out. If it doesn’t work, your mama and I will buy a new set of land.”

“Daddy…”

“You’re my son Jesse, you are an amazing person. You’re gonna pull through this. Besides, we’re not leaving for six months.” Jesse sighed.

“I do want the farm.”

“Great! I’ll transfer the money I have in this account to yours. That way you’ll have something to start with. I want you to know all the best. Ask Laurel…ask her.” Jesse smiled as they stopped at the farm.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.” Jesse had his Dad in a big bear hug. Bo grinned as the tears rolled down his face. He tried to push them away but he didn’t know how. The hardest thing he would ever have to do would be to leave Hazzard. As he looked out at the farm, he remembered the grass he had planted. Bo remembered Nancy-Lou planting her flowers in the front yard. He could almost see Jesse and Jo taking their first steps again like it was for the first time.

Bo could see Jesse, on the front porch with a party hat on. He of course was more excited than Jesse was…considering it was his first birthday. Jo kept ripping off her hat. She didn’t like things like that. Bo could remember Lilly-Rose dancing with the chickens when she was three years old. He had to laugh at that one.

Bo thought further back. He could see himself and Luke running across the dirt. He thought about Uncle Jesse screaming for them to slow down. Luke and Bo always did everything together. They played basketball with their Uncle. Bo was a bad player at first but his Uncle worked with him.

Bo remembered when Daisy came to live with them. He recalled every detail, including the color of the ribbon in Daisy’s hair. Bo locked her in the closet the first day. She screamed for ten minutes. Luke let her out and was kind, he didn’t tell Uncle Jesse. Bo didn’t like her at all in the very beginning.

Daisy was a cute little thing and of course no one could deny that. Uncle Jesse and Aunt Livonia always seemed to spend more time with her…well at least that’s what Bo thought. Soon, Bo got used to her and ever liked her. Luke always seemed to have a spot for Daisy.

They became joined at the hip those three. Daisy, Bo and Luke did everything together. When Daisy lost her first tooth, Bo and Luke were the ones that helped her pull it out. When Bo learned to drive, it was Luke and Daisy who were brave enough to get in the car with him. Uncle Jesse always did tell Bo that he was a natural.

Now, Bo was going to leave. How could he even think of such a thing? Leaving a place that he had been a part of his whole life. Sure, he pursued a singing career but he ended up back here. When Bo and Luke went into the NASCAR circuit, they had a lot of fun but missed Hazzard more than anything.

Bo would just have to accept it, he guessed. “Dad, your squishing me,” Jesse said. Bo let go of his son.

“I’m sorry,” Bo mumbled.

“What were you thinking about? Just now, you went into outer space. Are you okay?” Bo sighed.

“Well Jesse, I was thinking about your first party.”

“When Jo hit me?” Bo tried to hold in his laughter but it seemed to come right out. “It’s not funny, Dad.”

“Oh she was always a wild child.”

“She threw cake at the clown.” Bo laughed away. Jesse smiled as he shook his head. He ran his fingers through his hair. “That was the last time I had a clown at my birthday parties.”

“Well, I am going to miss this place.”

“It’ll always be here if you want a visit down memory lane.” Bo began to cry again. He shook his head.

“I’m a dang fool!”

“Dad, a few tears ain’t goanna change how I see you.”

“Son, you’re a wiser man than me.”

“Am not.”

“You are too.”

“Not a chance.”

“No really, I have always tried to teach you three good values but in the end, you were always the ones teaching me.” Bo swallowed hard. He looked up at his son. “Jesse, I wasn’t even gonna have kids, I really wasn’t.”

“Why not?”

“I didn’t think I would be a good father.”

“Well let me tell you, Bo Duke, you are the best father anyone could have ever had.” Now it was Jesse’s turn to cry. “You know, all my life I have had love and adventure. I had peace and war. You know who was there through it all? You, you were the one constant person in my life and that will never change.”

“Make me a promise Jesse?”

“Anything Dad.”

“If anything happens to me or your mother…”

“I will, I promise you I will take care of them.”

“No matter what?”

“Of course Dad, no matter what.”

“Thank you son, now lets go make some babies stop crying.”

“You’ve got it.”

“You know, how you and Jose do it, I’ll never know.”

“It takes a special touch.”

“I’m going to miss you two.”

“I’ll miss you too, Dad.” With that, they made their way into the house. Well, let’s see how this one turns out.

by: Essy Jane

“The bride and groom will now read their vows to each other,” Rosco said.

“Beverly, I love you. Today is a very special day. Long ago you were just a dream. This day like a dream come true. For today, Beverly, you have become my greatest joy, my crown. For sweet heart, you have made me your king. Thank you for being what you are to me. With our future as bright as the sun itself, I will care for you, honor and protect you. I would lay down my life for you, Beverly, my friend and my love. Today I give you all of me and ask that would always accept me,” Cooter said. Beverly’s eyes filled with tears.

“Cooter, I love you and I know you love me. I pledge to you my life as an obedient, faithful and loving wife. I will always stand by your side no matter what. I will remember the love you showed me. Until the end of time itself, I will think of you as my king and my only love. I give myself to you and hope in return you will always love me and think of me as your queen,” Beverly replied.

“A justice of the peace it is my honour to pronounce you two husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride,” Rosco commented. Cooter lifted Beverly’s veil and kissed her softly. Whelp, there you have it. “Oh, the reception is at the Duke farm. Don’t forget to try Bo’s potato salad, the late Jesse’s recipe. Khee.”

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by: Essy Jane

Okay folks now pay attention, I’m only gonna say this once. Jesse decided to fight these guys. Since he knew where they were gonna be, Jess drove there and stood out in the open. “Hey bad guy! Come on out and show your face you coward!” Jesse exclaimed. Ten people walked out. The ten police officers that were arrested for bank robbery.

“Well, well, who do we have here?” Noel commented.

“Noel, this is Luke’s cousin, Jesse. What do you want boy?” Aaron observed.

“You know that fight to the death? I want to make it fair. If I win, your men get out of Hazzard and leave the Dukes alone forever.”

“And if you loose?”

“You can fight Luke and I will be out of your way. Is that a deal?”

“Fight a kid?”

“I ain’t a kid mister but thanks for the compliment.”

“Do you even know what you’re fighting for kid?” Noel asked.

“Yeah I do, now we made a deal. One of the rules is none of your men can help you. If they do, the deal is automatically off. Got it?”

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by: Essy Jane

The General was on the dusty dirt roads of Hazzard that morning driving Maria, Tony and Jose to the Indian caves where they would hide out. They now knew the revenge was sought on Luke was to live with nothing. To have nothing to love or to hold…how they felt in prison. The only way to avoid anything happening to the Spanish Dukes, they would have to remain in hiding until the rest of the family figured something out.

As Jesse made his way back, he thought about leaving his cousin there. They had plenty of company. Jose could take care of himself. But what if someone found them there? Could Jose hold them all off by himself or would Tony be well enough to help? No one could really tell right then and there. What would happen if he lost his cousin? Being on probation wouldn’t be easy. Not only that, Jesse would have lost his best friend.

In any case, he didn’t feel right about this. There was no way in the world that Jesse would feel good until he knew they were in the house. “Lost sheep number 2 calling Sheppard…are you in Sheppard?” Jesse said over the CB.

“This is Sheppard go ahead lost sheep,” Bo replied.

“Mother hen and her chicks have gone to the field, repeat mother hen and chicks are safe, come back.”

“Good work lamb, now head back to the valley, repeat back to the valley. We have some counting to do, over.”

“Alright, lost sheep number two, out.” He continued on his way home wondering how in the world they were going to get out of this. Now that Luke’s family was free they would likely go after him. It was scary to think that Luke could get it. He wasn’t exactly in the best condition. If Luke would get up and try to fight you would probably see him right back down where he was before.

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