by: Essy Jane

At the Duke farm, Beverly and Cooter were over. They had news that would even have the family in knots. Now there are a lot of interesting things about Nancy’s dad…but this was gonna hit her fast. “Nancy, your mom and I decided that all this fighting wasn’t doing us any good. So…” Cooter began.

“So honey, Cooter and I decided that it was about time that I got married again,” Beverly added. Nancy looked at the two in bewilderment.

“How can a couple fall in love so fast? I mean one minute you and Dad was fighting like cats and dogs. Now both of you are madly in love? This doesn’t make sense,” Nancy-Lou replied,

“Well, you know what? Sometimes love doesn’t make sense. I love your father…I suppose I always have. I will not be subjected to living common law. We need to be married like good folks do. I want you to be my matron of honour.”

“Mom…I don’t know what to say.”

“I hope you’ll say yes.” That’s about the time Luke walked out. He was slow of course and had problems moving but he was walking all the same.

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by: Essy Jane

Meanwhile, at the Strate home, DJ was working the fields like he had always done. The afternoon was crisp and beautiful. The trees blew in the background as the clouds wandered in the deep blue sky. Denver-Jones Strate loved to farm but what he really wanted was to be a police officer like his father once was. He wanted the adventure and the fun. Mostly, DJ longed for the chance to help people. Sure he could help his father and mother but was that enough?

He walked in the house and raided the fridge instantly. DJ grabbed a pitcher on lemonade and put it on the table. He could just taste the lemons as the flavour filled his mouth. DJ loved lemonade, especially how Enos made it. It was like a special tradition passed down to him from Jesse senior. Enos took pride in having Jesse’s recipes. The man was so special in everyone’s lives.

DJ took out the meat, mayonnaise, mustard, cucumbers, tomatoes and ketchup. He began chopping up things and literally throwing it onto the bread. He put it all together and slapped it together. As DJ took a bite, the mustard and ketchup ran down his chin. He wiped it with his black button up shirt and smiled. “Dang that’s good,” DJ mumbled to himself. He took another bite and another. DJ gobbled the sandwich down. Roxanne walked in and looked at DJ. She giggled at the sight of his face. “What?”

“You look just like you did when you were little,” Roxanne commented.

“Well I am hungry and…”

“You don’t have to explain those sorts of things to your mother. Now, what were you planning on talking to me about?”

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by: Essy Jane

The next few weeks were filled with bed rest for Luke. Bo wouldn’t have it any other way. He knew the best way to get over injury was to sleep it off. Luke was pretty tired even if he didn’t want to admit it. Luke slept long periods of time and woke up even later.

Jose called home over and over again through the week trying to get a hold of his family but there was no answer. Every time he would call there would be no answer. Maybe Maria high tailed it out of there…but that was unlikely. She wasn’t willing to leave her home. Jose became scared and just hoped he was wrong but with his mother.

Luke was feeling much better than he did on that day. Then again, Luke looked horrid and beaten. He couldn’t think nor did he want to try. All that was on Luke’s mind was telling his son the truth and hoped that he wouldn’t have those men find him. He now felt better and wanted to see his son.

Jose came in with a mud track on his pants. He sat down in the hand carved wooden chair and looked at his father with his deep brown eyes. “You didn’t tell me that you were convicted of things,” Jose commented. He put his feet up on the chair and waited for an explanation.

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by: Essy Jane

Now what was wrong with this picture? Duke walking beside Steele and talking until the cows come home. Something about the picture seemed strange. However, Jesse was the type of guy who accepted things at a faster rate. The girls were home and when both saw Jason Steele, they screamed. Soon, he too was accepted like Coy and Vance were.

Bo still didn’t approve of this Jason Steele but he would only be around for a few more months. He got his life back again. Everything that he had lost was back in his hands. Jason wasn’t about to stay around here and dwell on old thoughts. He was about to go and live his life in a cool climate, Alaska. It would be a chance for him to get away from all the heated hostile air.

Jesse and Jason walked along the new fence that Jose was working on. He broke it with the General; it was only fair that he fixed it up real nice. Jose was taking a break and of course Jesse had to go and poke him with a stick. It was too funny when he snorted and rolled onto his side. It seemed like he was almost a young infant. Jesse laughed silently to himself.

Something about those two made a perfect match as if it was made in heaven. Bo and Luke had the same bond. They would tell each other almost everything. They were closer to brothers than most were. It was a happy time in their life when they would just go fishing. The Dukes always did have a heart of gold.

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by: Essy Jane

Well the dukes had a bit of time to heal up. Of course they were out searching for Steele’s newest hideout. It had to be around here somewhere. Steele wouldn’t have gone far. He still hadn’t robbed that bank yet. Jason wanted to show Boss some grief and pain. How could he without causing him shame? Something about business made a Coltrane shiver.

Bo didn’t approve of these boys night stalking. It wasn’t proper for them to do. What if they got killed? Bo would never forgive himself. He didn’t want to take a chance with the boys. Now that the girls were in Chickasaw, Bo could watch over the boys better. He got very over protective.

In fact, Bo grounded both boys to the house. Naturally they both got out. They were in the General before Bo could even stop them. “We couldn’t live in fear…we had to go out and find him…right?” Jesse tried to reassure himself. Jose kept on driving. He didn’t think too much about what he was going to do. However, he wanted this to be over.

As he drove, Jose noticed something…it was Jason. He was in dirty tattered clothes. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in at least a month. That wasn’t that Jason they’d seen. The Jason they’d seen was in an expensive suit and he was teaching criminals. This seemed too weird even for Steele. Jose pulled off to the side of the road. Jason circled the car slowly. “Still looks like the General Lee that I remember,” He muttered to himself.

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