by: DaisyMae Duke

This is inspired by one of my favorite stories “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry. I hope you like it!!!!

Luke Duke shook his head sadly as he mucked out Maudine the mule’s stall. It was going to be a hard Christmas this year…in more ways than one.

There was no money, little food, and quite frankly, after the sadness the year had brought no one was really in the mood for Christmas. In fact, if Luke had his way, they would skip the holiday all together. But then there was Bo. Bo who insisted on whistling Christmas carols while he did chores; Bo who adorned Maudine’s fetlock with a small red bow in honor of the season; Bo who spent hours untangling the old Christmas lights in order to decorate the tree he had insisted on having. It was Bo who was making Christmas happen this year- Luke was just trying to get by.

The year had started off bad with Jesse getting a cold that he couldn’t shake. The cold turned into pneumonia which proved to be too much for him to handle. With his kids surrounding him, he had fallen asleep, not to wake again, and the first wave of grief rolled over what was left of the Duke family.

Luke hadn’t allowed himself to mourn too much for his uncle. It wasn’t that he didn’t miss him- there simply wasn’t time. Now that Luke was the patriarch there were still Jesse’s hospital bills to be paid, the mortgage to pay, and crops to tend to. Between Daisy working and Bo racing every so often they had managed to make it to December. Now if they could make it through Christmas.

Luke sighed heavily. Truth be told, he was tired- tired of everything. He marveled at how his aunt and uncle had always provided a merry Christmas for them, when they had so little and the farm and shine runs as their only income. Now Daisy worked and Bo raced along with Luke tending the farm and doing odd jobs here and there and they still couldn’t get ahead. He chalked it up to his inability to manage and eventually, though he had gone to the loft purposing in his mind to stack hay, he ended up laying in it, tears burning his eyes.

The barn door creaked open. “Luke? Lukas? You out here?”

Luke sighed. He might not be the best mechanic in the world, but his sense of timing was incredible. “Up here Bo.”

Bo frowned climbing the rickety ladder. “Whatcha doin’ up here cuz?”

“Just thinkin’ is all,” replied Luke with a slight quiver in his voice, biting his tongue to stop his tears from falling.

“You alright?” asked Bo detecting the quiver and knowing the answer to that before he asked the question.

“Fine.”

Bo frowned again. “Daisy an me are stringin’ the popcorn…ya wanna help?”
Luke shook his head. “No thanks. I gotta go to town.”

Bo looked at him. Something was troubling him, that much was certain. “Luke what’s wrong?”

“Nothin’…I gotta go…” he stood up going past Bo and climbing down the rickety ladder. “Tell Daisy not to wait supper on me.”

“Luke…” Bo watched as his cousin got in the old truck and left, noting who there were faint tear stains on his cousin’s tan face. Climbing down the ladder, he made his way inside. “Daisy…Daisy….somethin’s wrong with Luke….”

Daisy looked up from her string of popcorn. “What?”

“He was cryin’…he said nothin’ was wrong but…”

“Maybe he’s missin’ Uncle Jesse,” suggested Daisy.

“Maybe…maybe…he needs a really nice Christmas…”

Daisy smiled. She had made the boys a couple new shirts apiece and knitted them each a blue scarf as her gifts to them. It wasn’t much, but their shirts were mended beyond further repair, and she reasoned that they, along with the homemade cookies she intended to make would be enough. “You have somethin’ in mind sugar?”

Bo bit his lip. He might not be in charge of the finances, but he knew that things were tight. Even if there was extra money in the box above the stove, Luke wouldn’t want it spent on him for a gift. They would need to save it for the next time the tractor needed repairing, or the next time Boss saw fit to throw one of the boys in jail. No, he would have to figure a way to make Christmas merry for Luke on his own. “Not yet.”

“Well…you’ll think of somethin’.”

Bo sighed nodding. He hoped so.

Luke sighed as he walked past the decorated store windows in downtown Atlanta. There were so many things he saw that he wished he could buy for his cousins, but the more he looked, the more depressed he got. The diamond earrings that would be perfect for Daisy seemed to taunt him with their brilliance and sparkle. The price tag on the Gibson guitar he longed to get for Bo seemed to laugh at him in ridicule. Putting his arm to the window he rested his head against it before catching a glimpse of the store front behind him in the reflection: Honest John’s Pawn Shop. Swallowing Luke crossed the street opening the door, a tingle of bells sounding.

A balding older man greeted him with a welcome. “What can I do for you?”

“I…I uh…I wondered what you could give me…for this…” he carefully took the jackknife out of his pocket and set it on the counter.

“Hmmm,” observed the man as he examined it. “It’s got some wear and tear…but then…it’s quite old…in fact…they don’t even make this brand anymore.”

“Belonged to my great gran-daddy-Hank Duke.”

“Hmmm,” the man that Luke supposed to be honest John said again. “Well I can give you five dollars for it.”

“Five dollars?!”

“I don’t generally deal in antiques…”

“Fine…I’ll find someone who will…” snapped Luke moving to take his knife back.

“Wait…wait…you seem like a nice fella…I’ll make it fifteen…”

“Twenty-five,” countered Luke.

The man laughed. “You know how many new ones I could get for that price?”

“Twenty-five,” said Luke again his hand on the knife.

“Twenty…and that’s my final offer.”

“Done,” said Luke unexpectedly holding his hand out for the money.

Honest John carefully opened the till and counted the bills into his hand and Luke, feeling a good deal richer than he had been moments before, left the store. Now to find something for his cousin…

He had already made a jewelry box for Daisy. It wasn’t as beautiful as the ones he had seen in the windows, at least not in his opinion, and he couldn’t afford to put a beautiful pair of earrings or a necklace into it like he wanted to. Still, he had worked hard on it each night when she worked late at the Boar’s Nest, sanding every crevice until it was smooth to the touch. He then varnished it, the color and grain of the wood coming out. Daisy’s gift was done. It was Bo’s gift that he wanted to be extra special…

He knew he couldn’t get much with twenty dollars, but he began the task of looking anyway. His mind kept going back to the guitar he saw in the window. It was a good deal more than twenty. Bo definitely would not be getting a new guitar for Christmas…but he did need a strap for his old one. With the twenty dollars in hand, Luke went into the shop.

Christmas Morning came and Daisy had outdone herself with breakfast: eggs, grits, ham, and toast.

“Daisy where’d you get the ham?” asked Luke with a frown. It had been a long time since the family had had any meat that wasn’t caught in a trap or with a bow.

“Boss and Lulu…seems Boss ate so much ham and things all week that he declared he didn’t want to see another bite all year…so Lulu gave their Christmas ham to us…and all the trimmings to go with it. I just cut off a bit to go with breakfast for a change,” she said smiling over her plate.

Luke nodded a little. “S’real good.” He looked over at Bo who was grinning like a cat that swallowed a canary. “What’s with you?” he asked a slight smile on his face-Bo had that effect on him.

“I wanna open presents!” said Bo almost sounding like the impatient five year old he had been so many years before. “Auntie never made us wait ‘til after breakfast.”

Daisy chuckled. “I thought you could handle it…guess not.”

Luke finished his plate, though his heart ached a little, the presents he was about to give looked so meager.

“You two first,” said Daisy handing each of them an identical box with a kiss. “Merry Christmas.”

Bo and Luke carefully opened their gifts exclaiming with delight at the new shirts and scarves. Bo put his blue scarf on right away. “How do I look?”

Luke playfully took the scarf and wrapped it around, covering his face. “Much better.”

Bo laughed a muffled laugh as he undid the scarf, handing Daisy his present from him. “Merry Christmas.”

Daisy bit her lip opening the small box and exclaiming with delight as she saw the small wooden cross strung on a string inside. Lifting it out, she slipped it over her head. “You made this…Bo… it’s beautiful… thank you!”

While she was still gushing over the gift, Luke handed her the carefully wrapped box. “Hope you like it…” he added softly.

Daisy looked to him before un-wrapping the box her eyes growing round with pleasure. “Oh Luke….it’s so beautiful. Did you and Bo plan to get gifts that go together like that?”

“Sure didn’t,” put in Bo with a smile.
Daisy sniffed hugging bother her cousins. “Thank you fellas…so much.”

Ever uncomfortable when he was feeling emotional, Luke cleared his throat and pointed to the box on the floor.

Bo grinned and like a child tore the paper off his gift stopping when he saw what the gift was- a brown leather guitar strap.

“He’s speechless,” giggled Daisy.

“I wish it was more…” said Luke softly.

“It…it’s great,” said Bo softly. “Open yours…”

Luke bit his lip and opened the small package that was left. It was a knife pouch for his belt.

“I know…how you’re always so worried about losing Hank’s knife…” he explained softly.

Tears started rolling down Luke’s cheeks.

Daisy swallowed seeing them.

“Luke? Dontcha…Dontcha like it? S-see if yer knife fits?” asked Bo, a quiver in his voice.

Luke bit her lip. “I can’t do that Bo.”

“Wh-why not?”

“I…I sold it to get your strap.”

Daisy’s hand flew to her mouth knowing how much Luke treasured his knife.

Bo burst into tears when he heard that rushing forward and tackling his older cousin in a hug.

Luke was taken aback, tears threatening his own eyes. “It’s okay…I wanted to do it…go get your guitar… so we can see how the strap works…” he said hoping to find a distraction for his little cousin, who, despite his five-and-twenty years was sobbing like a baby in his cousins arms.

“Can’t,” whimpered Bo between his sobs.

Luke frowned looking to Daisy who simply shrugged.

“I sold my guitar…to buy the pouch for your knife,” he explained burying his head against his cousin’s shoulder.

Luke lost control of his carefully guarded emotions at that point, hugging his brother close and holding an arm out to Daisy, drawing her in to the hug as well. Closing his teary eyes, he felt that what his uncle had tried to instill in them all those years had been right all along. There were things more important than money and worldly possessions…things like love…and with a family like his, Luke knew he was the richest man in the world.

by: DenverC

Christmas only comes once a year. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that when my family starts trying to get me to do silly things – like wear that elf hat Daisy keeps bringing towards me. I keep telling her, I ain’t gonna wear it!

“Come on, Maudine! It looks so cute on you,” Daisy’s now trying to talk me into it instead of just putting it on me. She should know by now, if I tell her I ain’t gonna do it, I ain’t gonna do it! “Look, Flash is wearing hers.”

Now there’s a reason for me to put it on – the sheriff’s dog is wearing one. Dogs are willing to do anything for a treat, or just to make people laugh. A mule has standards! You don’t see mules jumping through hoops or walking on their back legs in circuses, do you? No! Those are strictly dog tricks! Good, here comes Jesse. He’ll talk some sense into her!

“Uncle Jesse, Maudine just ain’t cooperating!” Daisy’s starting to sound frustrated now. Ain’t like I ain’t been trying to explain it to her, though.

“Well now, that’s a shame, ain’t it, Daisy?” Jesse sounds kinda disappointed, don’t he? “I guess we’ll just have to find someone else to pull the wagon for the kids to go caroling. Maybe Burl Tolliver will let us use one of his horses.”

Now that’s just low! I always pull the wagon for the children’s choir – almost as long as Jesse‘s been directing it! Burl Tolliver’s horses are race horses; they can’t be trusted with them children – that would be like asking Bo and Luke to drive a float in the Christmas parade. Everyone would be hanging on for dear life, but it would get done in record time! I would hate to put the children through that.

There’s no need for Jesse to look so smug when I put my head down for him to put the hat on. I ain’t doing it for him – it’s for the kids. Yeah, I saw him wink at Daisy. Sometimes you just have to let them think that you don’t know when they’re shucking and jiving you. The things us animals have to go through to make our people happy!

Of course, all of the kids have to come up and pet me as they get on the wagon. They love me, after all. Some of them even sneak me lumps of sugar as they go past – YUM! I know, I’m not supposed to have them, but we can’t disappoint the children, can we? After all, it makes them happy, and Christmas is a time of giving, right?

Luke takes my reins, like he has to tell me where to go. I’ve been walking this same route every Christmas Eve for the last ten years, after all! At least Bo ain’t got them this year. Luke just tries to get me back on track if he thinks that I’m wandering, Bo tends to pull on the reins more. He’s just a bit impatient, I guess.

The decorations sure are pretty this year, ain’t they? Look, Miss Tisdale’s even got a tree on her front porch and lights all over her roof. I guess that’s what Jesse sent the boys over to help her with last week. I know that little woman didn’t get up there herself to hang them. (She’s afraid of heights, you know.)

She always comes out to listen to the singing from her porch swing. For some reason, this is always the house Jesse chooses to sing a solo after the children finish their songs. This year it’s “Away in a Manger.” That’s always been one of my favorites. Miss Tisdale looks like she could just sit and listen to him sing for the rest of her life. I feel the same way, of course. My Jesse has the best voice in all the world! He always practices his solo for me while we pull up stumps and logs for the boys to cut into firewood. I could work all day without a break if he would just keep singing to me. Unfortunately, the song isn’t long enough, and we’re soon on our way.

Here’s Boss and Lulu’s house. They always have a food theme for their decorations. All of the white pillars are wrapped with red ribbons to look like candy canes, and there are gingerbread men on the wreath on the door. It’s pretty, but it always makes me hungry! (I love peppermint!) Fortunately, after the children sing, Lulu always brings them hot chocolate and candy canes. Jesse lets her give me a small candy cane as a treat, too. I never have understood what she sees in Boss – Lulu is such a sweet woman.

It takes us almost an hour to get to all of the houses, and everyone is tired by the time we pull back up to the front of the courthouse. The kids have really done well this year. As they climb down, they all stop to pat me again and tell me “Merry Christmas.” They really are good kids.

When we get back to the farm, Jesse and the boys hurry through the outside chores while Daisy gets things ready inside. After all of that, we still have the annual Christmas Eve party. Jesse gives me an extra scoop of sweet feed and pets my nose, telling me what a good girl I am before he goes in to help Daisy. He always makes sure that I know that he loves me and appreciates me helping him. Most people don’t think to do that for animals – my Jesse is pretty special, I guess.

After all of the guests arrive; I let myself out of my stall. Yeah, I know that I’m supposed to stay in until one of the humans let me out, but I would miss all of the fun that way! I love to peek in through the window and watch the party. My family and their friends always decorate the tree and sing songs as they visit and eat. Everyone sounds terrific, but I still listen extra carefully to try to catch Jesse’s voice.

As the party winds down, I turn to sneak back into my stall. In the morning, the goats and chickens and me will get a special Christmas breakfast, so I have to make sure that I’m safely inside before anyone realizes that I’ve been out.

When I start to fall asleep, I hear the happy sounds of laughter and friends saying goodbye. The church bells in town start to ring to welcome Christmas day, and I think, ‘It’s a shame that Christmas only comes once a year.”

by: Heather (LostSheep3)

An orange Charger was racing down Mill Pond Road, heading toward home, the blond driver loudly singing Christmas carols, sounding pretty good. As he went flying by the junction for the Hazzard Crossroad, he did a doubletake and pulled to a sliding stop just beyond the junction. What the….?

The blond slid from the car window and walked toward the young woman sitting on a suitcase next to the road. His heart melted when he saw that she was crying. He walked closer, a bit cautiously, not sure he should intrude. “Miss?”

The young woman jumped and toppled backwards over her suitcase at the sound of the young man’s voice. She looked up at him with brilliant green eyes, her long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail.

“Easy, there,” Bo said, giving her a wide smile and offering a hand.

“P…please….l…leave me alone…” The woman said, huddling in on herself and shying away from the outstretched hand.

“It’s okay, honey, I won’t hurt you,” Bo reassured, crouching down to make himself seem smaller.

“Just leave me alone!” The woman nearly yelled, then she burst into tears once again.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

”Please, oh please, just leave me be…”

Bo sighed, not sure what to do…he was taught to respect people’s privacy, but also taught to help friends, and in the Duke family, a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet. Rather than push, or walk away, Bo took a seat on the ground and waited.

After several minutes, the young woman looked up. “What are you still doing here?” She asks with a frown.

“You looked like you could use a friend.”

”Why do you care?” She asked with a scowl.

“Because, I do,” Bo answered, as though it were as simple as all that, and for him, maybe it was.

“I don’t want you to care,” she growled.

“Too late,” Bo answered with a disarming smile.

The woman finally looked at Bo, “You don’t give up, do ya?”
Bo chuckled, “nope, never.”

“What do you want from me?”

“Well, it’d be nice to know who I’m talkin’ to.”

“I could say the same thing,” she answered back.

“Okay…my name’s Bo Duke. And you are?”

“Stacy Whiteling”

”Well, nice to meet you, Miss Whiteling.”

“Mrs. Whiteling, you may as well call me Stacy.”

”Okay Stacy. Mind if I ask what you’re doing out here in the middle of Hazzard County, no car, no bus, no transportation in sight?”

“I was walking, toward the closest town.”

”That’d be Hazzard.”

She snorted “What a name!”

“Hey now, I’ve lived in Hazzard all my life, and it’s a fine town – even if the name does sound a bit…odd.”

“Sorry,” she smiled at him, a bit sheepishly. “And I’m sorry for rippin’ your head off.”

”Ain’t no problem, ain’t the first time, won’t be the last,” Bo answered, smiling. “You know, I could give you a lift into town, drop you off somewhere.”

The young woman shook her head, “I don’t wanna be no trouble.”

“You won’t be, come on,” Bo answered as he stood and offered her a hand up.

The brunette looked at him, at the outstretched hand, then, almost shyly reached for it. Bo drew her up and held her hand as they walked over to the General. At the passenger side door, she put her suitcase in the open back window, then reached for the handle.

“Ya gotta go in the window.”

”What?” she asked in disbelief.

”My cousin and I race him, so the doors don’t open. It makes the car safer.”
“Wow, ain’t never seen nothin’ like this,” she said as she gamely got one leg up on the door. Ever the gentleman, Bo put one arm around her back, and the other under her legs and helped her scoot into the car.

“I gotta tell ya, Bo Duke, this is the most interestin’ car I’ve seen in a long time,” she said with a small laugh.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Bo answered, sliding into the driver’s seat, starting the car and putting it into gear.

Stacy laughed at that.

?Should I drop you off at the hotel? The bus stop?” Bo asked a few minutes later, pulling into the center of town.

Stacy shrugged, “I ain’t sure, know anyone in town lookin’ for help?”

”No, sorry, most of the stores are family-run.”

”I should’ve known,” Stacy sighed, resting her head on her hand, her elbow on the doorframe.

“I’m sorry, I don’t really know where else they might be lookin’ for anyone.”

”Ain’t your fault, Bo. You already done more for me than I might expect.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the ride,” she struggled a moment, then got herself out of the car window.

“Hey, where are you gonna go?”

”Don’t matter, I’ll figure somethin’ out,” she answered, getting her suitcase. “Thanks again!” She smiled, more a real smile, as she waved and walked away from the orange car.

Bo watched her walk away and wondered about this girl who looked so lost one minute, and self-confident the next. Finally he dropped the car into gear and headed toward home.

“What’s eatin’ ya?” Luke Duke asked Bo as the Duke family sat around the kitchen table finishing supper later the same evening.

“Nothin,’” Bo answered, glancing at his cousin.

Luke shook his head, not believing his younger cousin for a second. “You sure?”

“Yes, Luke, I’m sure,” Bo answered. “Excuse me.” Without waiting for an answer he got up from the table and headed out the door to the back porch, barely grabbing his jacket as he passed the coat hook.

“What is his problem?” Luke grumbled, picking up his plate and heading to the sink, obviously frustrated.

“Luke, you know Bo’ll talk when he’s ready.” Uncle Jesse said from the head of the table.

“Yeah, Luke,” Daisy added as she stood and started picking up dishes, “you know how he gets.”

“Don’t mean I gotta like it.”

Daisy laughed and Luke turned to glare at her, “what’s so funny?”

“You, you’re just the same way when there’s somethin’ you don’t want to talk about.”

Luke grumbled and leveled a blue-eyed stare at his cousin, then rolled his eyes and walked out of the kitchen, heading for the room he shared with Bo.

Daisy headed to the door once she and Jesse were finished with dishes. “Don’t wait up for me, I’m going to see Nancy Sue at the boarding house.”

“You be careful,” Bo said as he came into the kitchen.

“It’s the boarding house, what could happen?” Daisy smiled at him, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

“It’s Hazzard – anything could happen.” Bo smiled at her. “And you’re a Duke…”

Daisy shook her head, “I’ll be fine. See you later,” She answered, leaning up to give Jesse a kiss as well.

“I hope so,” Bo said to Jesse as he watched Daisy walk out the door.

“I’m sure she will be.”

Bo nodded, then headed for the door himself.

“Where are you off to?”

“Just going for a walk, I’ll be back in a bit,” Bo answered, shrugging into a denim jacket.

“See you later,” Jesse answered, watching as Bo left the kitchen. The white-haired man shook his head and went to start a pot of coffee.

Daisy stood on the porch and rang the bell at the boarding house, her arms wrapped around herself against the chill of the night. “Hey there,” She smiled at her friend as the door was opened.

“Hi, glad you could come over,” Nancy Sue smiled, stepping back so Daisy could enter.

“Me too!” Daisy laughed “Oh, honey, I’m so excited for you!”

“Thanks, Daisy,” Nancy Sue answered, grinning. “I can’t believe that Rob and I will be married by this time next week.”

”I know! It’s great,” Daisy grinned, walking with Nancy Sue into the living room – the only room guests were allowed in, without special permission.

“I’m so excited!” Nancy Sue said, taking a seat on a couch, then glanced across the room at a new boarder, the young brunette gave her a sort of sad smile.

“Excuse me,” said the young woman as she stood and headed out of the room.

“Who’s that?” Daisy asked, watching the woman leave.

“Oh, that’s Stacy, she just moved in,” Nancy Sue answered, taking a seat on the couch and picking up the wedding gown that she’d been working on.

”She didn’t look too happy,” Daisy said, taking a seat next to Nancy Sue.

”I get the feeling that she’s not – though she won’t talk to anyone.”

”Oh,” Daisy said with a sigh as she picked up a section of the wedding gown and a needle, starting where she’d left off hemming the night before.

The next morning at breakfast, Daisy mentioned the new girl at the boarding house and how upset she seemed.

“That sounds like Stacy,” Bo said.

“You know her?” Jesse asked.

“I nearly ran over her on the road yesterday, gave her a ride into town.”

”Oh, so that’s why you were late getting home for chores,” Luke teased a twinkle in his blue eyes.

Bo glared at Luke, “for your information, Cousin, I behaved myself. She seemed too upset not to.”

“She say anything?”

“No, Uncle Jesse, she wouldn’t talk to me about it. I tried, but I didn’t want to push.”

”No, I wouldn’t want you to.” Jesse nodded and went back to his breakfast. “On a happier note, tomorrow we’re going to Atlanta.”

”What for?” Luke asked.

“Luke Duke, don’t you know what time of year it is?” Daisy asked.

“Yeah, it’s December.”

“Time to go Christmas shopping. And I need to get supplies so I can bake to send to the relatives – and I need to get some presents for some cousins I could name.”

”Why do we have to go?” Bo whined.

“Because I said so,” Jesse answered.

“Yes, Sir,” Bo and Luke said together, sullen at the prospect of spending the day in the city.

“I’ll just wait out here, Daisy,” Bo said, later that evening when he took Daisy to the boarding house to meet up with her friend Nancy Sue. They had just dropped Daisy’s Jeep off at Cooter’s for some repairs.

“You sure, sugar? We could just go home, Nancy Sue can handle one night by herself.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Maybe I’ll go sit on the porch or something – but talking about weddings, and wedding dresses gives me the creeps.”

Daisy laughed at that, “Men,” she said, shaking her head and laughing all the way up the porch and into the house.

Bo slipped from the car and headed around to the side of the house where there was a little side porch. He stepped up on the first step and heard a quick intake of breath from the corner, then silence. Stepping closer he looked down at the woman sitting in the corner next to the house. “Stacy?”

“You again…” she said, but the tears were too heavy to hear the sarcasm in her voice.

“Yeah, me again.”

”Why are you always around?”

“I brought my cousin Daisy to see Nancy Sue.”

“She’s the one getting married in a week, ain’t she?” Stacy asked, sniffling a bit.

”Yeah, she is.”

“Poor thing, if only she knew what she’s getting into…” Stacy shook her head.

Bo moved closer and crouched down next to Stacy. “Oh, I don’t know, I’ve known Rob since he was in grade school, he’s a nice guy.”

“She’s one of the lucky ones then,” Stacy said, her voice harsh.

Bo contemplated that for a few moments…”wanna talk about it?” he asked gently.

“Ain’t much to tell…I wasn’t one of the lucky ones…now I got nowhere to go, and no way to get there…” she sighed. “I wish I’d listened to everyone. Mama said not to marry him, but I didn’t listen.”

“Where’s your mama now?”

”Tennessee, but I ain’t got a way to get there, even if she’d welcome me back, which ain’t likely.”

“You don’t know that for sure – do you?”

”No, but she hated him, and told me if I found out I’d made a mistake not to come running back…and now I got a really good mistake – and nowhere to go,” she pressed her hand to her belly.

Bo’s eyes widened at the gesture. “What do you mean by that?” he asked as he settled onto the floorboards next to her.

“I got myself knocked up – and my sorry excuse for a husband don’t want kids,” Stacy answered bitterly.

“Oh, Stacy…” Bo couldn’t help himself, he reached out and took her hand, and squeezed it.

“Why do you care, Bo Duke? I can’t quite figure it out,” Stacy asked after a few moments, turning green eyes onto the blond Duke.

Bo shrugged, “I just do.”

“You’re somethin’ else.”

“So I’ve been told,” he smiled. She returned the smile, looking a little more settled for it. “You know, you really shouldn’t be out here in the cold.”

“I know, but I can’t handle bein’ in the parlor while they’re workin’ on that dress, and I don’t want to just be up in my room all the time.”

”I understand about the parlor,” Bo said with a chuckle. “Tell you what, why don’t we take a walk?”

Stacy sighed, “Yeah, okay.”

Bo stood and offered her a hand, drawing her against him when she stood. “You know, you really don’t need to go through this alone.”

”I don’t want to risk his wrath on anyone who helps me.”

“Stacy…that sounds…”

“He beat me up, Bo, when he found out about the baby, “ Stacy’s tears started again in earnest.

Bo wrapped his arms around her and drew her tight against him, letting her cry. “I don’t even know if the baby’s still alive.” She cried against his shoulder. “I just wanna go home to Mama…”

“Sh…okay, okay, we’ll figure somethin’ out,” Bo soothed, but it took almost half an hour for her to settle, during that time, Bo held her and puzzled over her problem in his mind.

Later on that night, Bo walked into the bedroom he shared with Luke just as his older cousin was climbing into bed. “You were gone awhile.” Luke said by way of greeting.

“Yeah, Daisy and Nancy Sue have a lot left to do to get ready for next Friday.”

”I can’t imagine getting’ married, let alone on Christmas Eve.”

“Yeah,” Bo answered, as he changed into a pair of sweat pants and climbed into his own bed.

“You okay, Cousin?” Luke asked as he gave his cousin a worried look across the small room.

“I ain’t sure…” Bo answered, after thinking for a moment.

“How can you not be sure?” Luke asked with a smirk.

“Ain’t really anything for me to not be okay about – just…you remember I mentioned that new girl?

“Yeah?”

“She’s stayin’ at the boarding house.”

”Oh,” Luke said with a knowing grin.

“It ain’t like that, Luke,” Bo said, somewhat exasperated.

“Then what is it?”

“She’s hurtin’, real bad, and I don’t know if there’s anything that can help her or not.”

”Bo…” Luke sighed as he became frustrated with his cousin’s cryptic answers. “You know we’ll help her if we can.”

“I know, I just don’t see how we can.”

”Well, it’d help if you’d tell me what the problem is.”

Bo sighed, looked across the room at his cousin, then told Luke what he knew of Stacy’s story.

“Well…” Luke said when Bo stopped speaking several minutes later.

“I wish there was some way to get her home to her Mama, but I don’t even know if she’d take her in – and I don’t even know her name to find out!” Bo said in obvious frustration.

“Bo, easy cousin. We’ll do what we can, okay?”

“Okay,” Bo said with a sigh.

”Now, get some sleep, morning’ll come early and we need to go to Atlanta with Jesse and Daisy tomorrow.”

Bo sighed again, reached up and turned out the light, then settled in under the covers, “Night, Luke.”

”Night, Cousin.” Luke answered, settling in, though sensing it was going to be some time before he found true sleep.

The shopping trip the next day was a roaring success and the Duke’s came home loaded with packages, much to the boy’s dismay when they saw that Cooter had dropped off Daisy’s Jeep. Daisy laughed and took off right away to go help Nancy Sue more, leaving the boys to bring in all of the family’s purchases.

Bo watched her go, his thoughts turning to Stacy.

“What’s on your mind, Cousin?” Luke asked as he and Bo carried bags into the house.

“Stacy.”

”Bo…”

“Not that way, Luke, just, I wish there was some way she could be home for Christmas…but it’s only a few days away, and I ain’t sure how she could be.”

“Well, Cousin, this is the season of miracles,” Luke answered cryptically.

Bo simply nodded, though his demeanor suggested he still wasn’t sure how it would be possible.

“Hey, Sugar,” Daisy said, looking up from where she was frying bacon as Luke walked into the kitchen the next morning.

“Hey, Daisy,” Luke answered, giving her a tired smile.

“I got that information you wanted.”

”You did? How?” Luke asked, looking less tired at her announcement.

“Nancy Sue left me alone in the living room for a few minutes, and I did some poking around, found the registration book for the boarding house. Stacy is registered as Stacy Lovine.”

“Good work, Daisy.”

”Still ain’t sure what you’re going to do with that though.”

“Bo said she went to school in a town just outside of Nashville, I was going to have Scoop see if he could dig up anything, barring that, I was just going to start going through the phone books. At least with a name like that, it shouldn’t be too common.

“You gonna tell Bo?”

”Not just yet, not until I know that I have something concrete.”

“He could love you for wantin’ to help, or hate you for meddling.”

“I’m betting on the first,” Luke said with a grin, blue eyes twinkling.

“I’m sure you are,” Daisy said with a laugh.

Luke laughed and went to the phone to put his plans in motion.

“Stacy, you know I’d help you, if you’d just tell me your mama’s name,” Bo said as he and Stacy sat on the porch at the boarding house.

“Bo, thank you, I love you for it, but I have to respect her wishes, and her wishes were not to see me again for marrying Gary.”

“I can’t believe that any mother would throw you to the wolves when you’ve been through what you have, and being pregnant too.”

Stacy sighed, “Well, you don’t know my Mama.”

“No, I don’t. But don’t you think you should give her a chance to change her mind? For the baby’s sake, if not your own.”

”I don’t even know if the baby is alive!” Stacy yelled, as she turned her head away. “I’m sorry,” She started to cry with the words. “I’m just so worried and frustrated,” she said a few minutes later as the crying jag eased.

”Stacy,” Bo said, as he slipped an arm around her. “Come on, I think you need to go to the clinic, Doc Petticord will at least let you know whether the baby is alive.”

”I’m afraid.” Stacy admitted, as she looked up into Bo’s blue eyes.

“I know, but I’ll go with you.”

”Thank you,” Stacy leaned up and kissed his cheek. Bo smiled at her, warmly, stood up and held a hand down to her. She took it and let herself be drawn up against him. Bo slipped an arm around her and started walking with her toward the clinic across the square.

“Well, Ms. Lovine,” Doc Pettticord said to the young woman as she lay on the examing room table, “let’s see what we have, shall we?” He looked over at where Bo was holding Stacy’s hand, “Bo, would you please wait outside?

“I’d like him to stay.”

The old doctor raised an eyebrow, but nodded, “if that’s what you’d prefer.”

“Thank you.”

“Certainly,” the doctor answered as he started his examination.

Stacy looked up at Bo, and squeezed his hand as the doctor examined her heart and lungs, then took a stethoscope to her abdomen. She only looked back at the doctor as he stood up straight again.

“Well, Ms. Lovine, everything appears to be in order, there’s a very strong heartbeat.”

“Oh, thank God,” Stacy said, weeping with relief as Bo held her close.

“Doc, Stacy was hurt by her husband, is there any way that it would affect the baby?” Bo asked softly.

“Well, there’s always a chance, but we won’t know until the child is born, and I suspect that there are at least another 6 months before that happens.” Stacy nodded to confirm the amount of time. “You do need to take good care of yourself though.”

“I’ll do my best,” she promised.

“You should get checked at least once a month for the next 5 months, then every 2 weeks until the baby’s born.”

Stacy nodded, “I will, thank you, Doctor Petticord.”

“You’re welcome,” he smiled at her, then gave Bo a smile and left the room.

Stacy sighed, “I was so worried.”

“I know you were, I confess, I was too. But you heard the Doc, you won’t know for sure…”

“My baby’s alive, that’s all that matters for now, Bo,” Stacy said, letting him help her off the exam table. Bo nodded, but it was obvious to her that he was still worried. “Bo, you’ll understand someday, when it’s your own baby.”

Bo’s eyes widened and he had to laugh, “Ma’am, I don’t expect that for a long time.”

“When the time is right then,” Stacy said with a laugh as they left the office.

While Bo was seeing Stacy to the doctor’s office, Luke was in the Duke kitchen, wrapping up a phone call with his friend Scoop, who worked at the paper in Capitol City. “So, I need to find this woman’s mother, in a little town just outside of Nashville – and I can’t even guarantee that Lovine’s the right name.”

“You never make things easy for me, do you Luke?” Scoop laughed.

“Gotta keep you on your toes.”

“Yeah, yeah. Okay, give me a couple of hours, I’ll see what I can come up with”

“Thanks, Scoop, I owe you one.”

”Duke, you owe me so many I lost count,” Scoop said with a laugh. “Don’t worry though, I’ll collect one of these days.”

“I’m sure,” Luke said, smiling toward Uncle Jesse who’d just walked into the kitchen.

“Let me get to work, I’ll call you later.”

”Okay, bye.”

“Bye.”

Luke hung up the phone and looked at his uncle, “Scoop’s going to see what he can find.”

“Good, I ain’t sure what you’re doing is the right thing, but I can’t really fault you for trying either.”

“I ain’t sure it’s the right thing either, but…with the situation as it is, she needs her mama, if we can get her mama to take her back.”

Jesse nodded, “In the meantime, I need you to go look at that tractor, it ain’t runnin’ right.”

“Yes, Sir,” Luke answered, as he stood and put his chair back where it belonged before he headed out the door.

Jesse shook his head as he watched his oldest nephew go, he sincerely hoped that his kids knew what they were doing.

“I hate to leave you, Stacy.”

”Bo, you have chores and work at home, I’ll be okay, I can take care of myself”

“I know, but…”

”Bo, you’re sweet, and I appreciate everything you’re doing, but, I need to live my life for myself – and so do you.”

“Okay,” Bo conceded, he leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek, which she returned with a smile. “Can I stop by later?”

“Honey, I have a feeling I couldn’t stop you if I wanted to.”

“True.” Bo laughed, as he left her standing on the porch at the boarding house and headed for the car.

Bo pulled up to the farm and saw his cousin bent over the tractor parked in the yard, he slid from the orange stock car and headed toward Luke. “Hey Luke, need any help?”

“Yeah, hand me that wrench” Luke said, holding out a pair of pliers he was in exchange for the wrench.

Bo took the pliers and handed off the wrench. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Running shaky, think it’s the belt,” Luke answered without looking up. “How is Stacy today?”

“She’s good. Took her over to the doctor, she was worried that her husband had managed to kill the baby when he took after her. But the doc found the baby’s heartbeat.” Bo smiled as he thought about her, “She’s an amazing woman, she even said that that was all that mattered for now.”

Luke slowly turned to look at his younger cousin, catching something in his voice. “Bo?” he asked with a worried frown.

“Hmmm?”

“You ain’t fallin’ for her, are ya?”

Bo shook his head, “I like her, Luke, but I know how to be friends without fallin’.” Bo answered, sounding rather defensive to Luke’s ears.

“Uh-huh…” Luke answered, not sure about that, given Bo’s track record – and worried about his cousin’s heart getting broken.

“Boys! Lunch’s ready!” Daisy called as the back door slammed closed behind her.

“Be right there!” Luke answered, looking to his younger cousin again “Just be careful,” he said quietly as he headed to the house with Bo.

Bo nodded in answer and turned a bright smile on Daisy as they walked past her into the house. “Something smells good”

“Just ham,” Daisy said with a shrug as the boys headed to the bathroom to wash up.

About halfway through the meal, the phone rang and Luke jumped up to grab it. Bo gave him a quizzical look, because the standard rule was that the phone wasn’t answered during meals, the family figured that whoever it was could call back.

“Duke farm…Hey, Scoop!’ Luke said into the phone, “Yeah…yeah…okay…man, thank you.” Luke said, writing something on a piece of paper, “Yeah, I’ll let you know. Definitely, see you then. Bye.”

Bo looked at Luke as the older cousin took his seat again. “Must be important.”

“It was, kind of, I was waitin’ for him to call me back.”

”You were?” Bo asked, Duke curiosity warring with the respect for privacy instilled in him by his uncle.

Luke swallowed the bite of food he’d just taken and turned to his cousin. “Yeah, I was,” he paused and regarded his cousin for a minute. “I had him look to see if he could find Stacy’s mom through the newspaper.”

“Luke!”

Luke just looked at his cousin, trying to decide if Bo was upset or glad. Finally he decided that he was already in this far, he might as well go all the way. “He found her, just where Stacy said, in a little town, not too far from Nashville. I was going to call her this afternoon.

“But Stacy said her mom wouldn’t want anything to do with her.”

”You know as well as I do that minds can be changed.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“And what better Christmas present than taking Stacy home.”

“You mean…”

“I mean, if Stacy’s mom will accept her back, I was thinking of you and I taking her.”

Bo smiled at his cousin, “Thanks, Luke.”

“You’re welcome,” Luke smiled, though now he was convinced Bo was falling for Stacy.

“I think, Luke, you better let me do the calling,” Jesse said after a moment’s silence.

“Why?”

“I think she might take it better,” Jesse’s blue eyes bore in on his eldest nephew, “just trust me on this one, Luke.”

”Okay” Luke said, shrugging.

“I’ll call after lunch, while you two finish on that tractor.”

“Yes, Sir.”

After the lunch dishes were washed, and the boys had gone back outside, Jesse picked up the phone and dialed the number that Luke had written down. He was anxious about this phone call, he did not want to get in the middle of other people’s affairs.

The phone rang about ten times on the other end and Jesse was just about to hang up when the phone was answered, ”Hello?” said the voice of an older woman.

“May I speak with Lydia Lovine?”

”Speaking.”

“Ms. Lovine, my name is Jesse Duke, I hope I haven’t called at a bad time.”

“No, not at all. How can I help you, Mr. Duke?”

“Ms. Lovine, do you have a daughter named Stacy?”

“Yes…” She answered, her voice shaky “Has something happened to her?”

”She’s fine now.”

“Then why did she have you call me?”

“She doesn’t know that I’m calling you.” Jesse swallowed “She is fine now, but she could really use your help.”

“I told her not to call me if she ran into bad times with that Gary person she insisted on marrying,” she said, rather harshly.

“Ms. Lovine, please hear me out,” Jesse said with infinite patience, “she left her husband. My nephew found her walking along the road here in Hazzard a few days ago.”

“Walking? Why would she be walking?”

”She needed to get away, according to my nephew. Maybe I don’t have any right to tell you about this, but I know that if one of my kids was in trouble I’d want to know.”

”She’s in trouble?” Ms. Lovine asked with a hitched breath.

”She was. Her husband didn’t take the news that she was pregnant very well.”

“My baby? She….oh, God..she’s pregnant?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh God…”

Jesse could hear the tears and gave her a few minutes to cry.

“You must think I’m a horrible mother…”

“No, ma’am…I know you were doing the best you could at the time.”

“Thank you, oh thank you,” she said, her breath catching.

“Will you take her back?” Jesse asked after a minute.

“Yes! Of course!” She was crying again “I know I said I wouldn’t but I was just…so upset.”

“I understand.”

”Where can I come get her?”

“My boys’ll bring her to you,” Jesse said.

“Oh, Thank you! Thank you! Oh!” She started crying again.

“I’ll let you know when they get on the road,” Jesse said after giving her a moment to calm down.

“Thank you, Mr. Duke, thank you so much.”

“I’m glad to help,” Jesse said. “I’ll call soon.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jesse was smiling as he hung up the phone and headed for the door.

Bo looked up as a shadow crossed in front of him. “Did you get in touch with her?”

“I did.”

“And?” Luke asked, as he turned from the tractor to join the conversation.

“She’ll take her back. I told her that you would bring Stacy to her.”

Bo sighed with relief, “Thank God”

“Thank you for talking to her Uncle Jesse.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

“Guess you better go talk to Stacy, Bo.”

Bo swallowed hard, “Yeah, guess I should.”

“Well, go on,” Luke encouraged as Bo didn’t immediately make a move.

Bo nodded and headed for the house to wash up before going to town.

Stacy heard the knock on the boarding house door and headed down the stairs, since she was the only one there. “Bo!” She smiled as she saw the blond on the porch. “You said you’d be by, but I didn’t think it’d be this soon.”

Bo laughed, “I couldn’t stay away. How are you?”

“Good, I took a nap and am trying to just…relax. I suppose I need to start looking for a job soon, but, I needed a few days.” She stepped back, “Come on in.”

“Thanks,” Bo said, stepping into the entryway.

Stacy led him to the living room, “Have a seat, can I get you something to drink?”

“No, thanks, I’m good,” Bo answered as he took a seat. He looked around the room, taking in the homey look, the fireplace mantle decorated for Christmas, the tree in the corner, the scents of pine and cinnamon filling the room.

Stacy saw where he was looking and looked around as well, “They did a really nice job, I like the decorations.”

“Yeah, me too,” Bo said as he sat on the couch and shifted a bit nervously.

“Reminds me of how my mama always decorated,” Stacy said, touching her belly, “I hope I can do the same for my baby.”

”Maybe you can,” Bo said, looking Stacy in the eyes.

Stacy nodded, though she looked sad. “I hope so.”

”Stacy…” Bo started to say but then he hesitated.

“What is it, Bo?”

“I don’t want you to be mad, but…”

“What?” Stacy asked, her voice a bit tight, she was obviously nervous.

“My cousin, Luke, found your mom.”

Stacy’s eyes widened, “What?” she asked in obvious shock.

Bo nodded, “My uncle called her this afternoon.”

Stacy snorted, “I’m sure she was thrilled to hear from someone on my behalf,” she said sarcastically.

“She wants you to come home.”

“What? How? Why?!” Stacy’s voice was rising with each word.

“Jesse told her what happened and he said that she was sorry that she’d told you not to come home.”

Stacy stared in disbelief, tears in her eyes, “I don’t know if I should be mad at you for going behind my back, or glad that you did.”

“I can’t answer that for you, Stacy, I can tell you we only did it because we care.”

“I know.”

“Do you want to go home?”

Stacy nodded hesitantly, “I do, but I’m scared.”

“I know, but it sounds like your mom really wants you home.”

“I don’t know how, I have no money, no job…” Stacy said, tears pouring down her cheeks.

“Luke and I’ll take you. We can leave tomorrow.”

“But tomorrow’s Christmas Eve.”

“I know, we can have you home for Christmas.”

“But the wedding?”

“Nancy Sue will understand. Besides, Daisy and Jesse can still go.”

“And Christmas? I’ll be with my family, but you may not be with yours, depending on the weather.”

“We’re with our family every day, we’ll have Christmas when we get back. How many years has it been since you’ve had Christmas with your mother?”

“Four,” she said, wiping tears from her cheeks.

“Then you need to go, if you want to.”

Stacy was silent for a few minutes, then she nodded, “I want to.”

“We’ll be by at 8 to pick you up. It’s about a 5 hour trip to Nashville.”

“Okay,” she said, wiping more tears from her eyes.

“Good,” Bo said, standing, then leaning down to kiss her cheek. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Bo.” Stacy said, as she caught Bo’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

“You’re welcome,” Bo said with a smile as he turned and headed for the door. He nearly got bowled over by Nancy Sue and Daisy as they walked into the house, laughing.

“Bo!” Nancy Sue laughed, as he caught her before she could trip and fall. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Bo said, smiling.

“Well, I need to get some sleep, I’ll see y’all tomorrow,” Nancy Sue said, stepping back.

“Actually, Luke and I won’t be able to be there.”

“What? Why?” Daisy asked, shocked.

“We found Stacy’s mom, we’re taking her home to be there for Christmas.”

“But, the wedding!”

“Daisy, it’s okay, I understand.” Nancy Sue said, smiling at Bo. “Though I’ll miss dancing with you and Luke.”

“You’ll have enough dancing with your husband.” Bo said with a smile “Congratulations, Rob is really lucky.”

“Thanks, Bo.”

“You’re welcome.” Bo said as he leaned and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you at home, Daisy.”

“See you later, Bo.” Daisy answered with a sigh of disappointment.

The two women watched Bo leave, Nancy Sue smiling softly at her friend’s generosity, Daisy settling down after a moment, honestly pleased with her cousins, if a bit frustrated that they wouldn’t be there for the wedding.

The next day dawned bright and clear. Bo and Luke picked Stacy up as promised and the three of them headed out to Nashville, after making a quick stop at the courthouse to get the boys permission from Boss Hogg, their parole officer, to leave the state. The plate of cookies Daisy sent, and the holiday put Boss in a good mood and granted permission without even giving it a thought.

The drive was long, but uneventful, the General Lee drawing a few glances as they neared the city, but nothing to worry about..

Bo could feel Stacy shaking next to him as they neared her mother’s house, “Stacy, you okay?”

“I’m scared.”

“Don’t be, honey, you’ll be fine.”

”Bo’s right, Jesse said your mom really wanted to see you,” Luke said from her other side.

Stacy took a deep breath. “Sorry, I’m grateful to the two of you, just nervous.”

“It’ll be okay.” Bo said, taking her hand as he drove.

Stacy nodded and leaned a bit toward Bo, then reached for Luke’s hand, and gave him a smile too.

Not too much time later Bo pulled to a stop in front of a small, white frame house, the porch decorated in glowing Christmas lights, an evergreen wreath on the door.

“I can’t believe I’m here…” Stacy said quietly.

Luke smiled at her, gave her hand a squeeze and then slid out of the passenger window and leaned back in to offer her a hand. Stacy looked up at him then took his hand let him help get out of the car. Bo slid from the driver’s side and met them on the walk, just as the front door opened and a small black dog came out, yapping.

“Oh! Tuffy!” Stacy exclaimed, leaning down to greet the dog who was yipping and jumping around her, licking her chin, excited to see her.

“Stacy…” Said the woman who came out of the house. She was in her mid-fifties with graying hair and tear-filled green eyes.

“Mama…” Stacy said as she stood and walked toward the woman.

“Oh, Stacy…I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, Mama, it’s okay…” Stacy said as she wrapped her arms around her mother.

”I’m sorry, Stacy, I love you.”

“Love you too…”

Bo put a friendly hand on Luke’s shoulder as they watched the reunion and gave his cousin a smile, silently thanking him for helping with this, and for understanding.
Luke grinned at his cousin, and could tell that neither one of their eyes were completely clear.

The woman finally stepped back, though Mrs. Lovine left her arm around her daughter. “Thank you so much for bringing Stacy back.”

“Our pleasure, ma’am.” Luke said.

“Lydia, please.”

Luke nodded, “I’m Luke Duke and this is my cousin Bo.”

“I owe you more than I could ever repay,” Lydia said, glancing at her daughter.

“Seeing Stacy happy is repayment enough,” Bo said, as he at the young woman.

“We should be going though,” Luke said.

“Thank you,” Stacy broke away from her mother then hugged Luke and kissed his cheek. “Thank you so much,” she whispered as she hugged Bo and kissed his cheek too.

“You’re welcome,” Bo said, holding her for a long moment before he stepped back.

“Are you sure you won’t stay for at least a cup of coffee?” Lydia offered.

“We appreciate the offer, Lydia, but we need to get back on the road.”

“You’re not going to try to make it all the way back to Hazzard tonight?” Stacy said.

”No, but we’ll go as far as we can, maybe we can catch some of Christmas at home,” Luke answered. “Take care of yourself, and keep in touch.”

“I will, you too.”

”We will,” promised Bo.

“Come on, cousin,” Luke lightly backhanded Bo on the stomach as he headed for the driver’s side of the car.

Bo gave Stacy and her mother another smile then slid into the passenger side of the car. The car rumbled to life and both boys waved out the window as they pulled away from the curb. Bo turned in his seat and watched until Stacy and her mom were out of sight.
Luke looked at his cousin, he knew that even though Bo would never admit it, his heart was breaking just a bit.

The boys drove about halfway to Hazzard before they decided to stop, the weather was turning colder and the snow was starting. The next morning they woke up early, to snow on the windows of the motel where they had spent the night. Sighing, they got ready to go and were back on the road around 7 am.

Four hours later – after a trip that should have been two hours at the most – the General Lee pulled to a stop in front of the farmhouse. Daisy ran out of the house, laughing and smiling, to greet them. Jesse followed at a more sedate pace, though the smile in his eyes showed how happy he was to see his boys, and how proud he was of them for caring so much for someone that only a week ago was a stranger.

by: Val Strate

Christmas never seemed this somber around the Strate Clan celebration as this one. The old white farmhouse where Enos Strate and his twin sister Valerie grew up at was filled with guests. The warm glow of holiday candles filled the windows along with the huge decorated seven foot Douglas fir that stood proudly in the den.  The topper on the mighty tree was just inches away from brushing the ceiling.  Valerie stood in front of the tree with her holiday mug filled with cocoa and spirits, as she admired the carved wooden angel topper whose halo was almost touching the ceiling. A blue Christmas light happened to be wrapped in the right place ironically and seemed to almost tell the mood of the house. The guests were rather quiet this year. There wasn’t as much laughter in the house. The holiday mood was still present, but something was missing and everyone knew what it was.

“He did a good job on that angel.” a male voice said behind Val. She turned to see her brother dressed in his black slacks, sky blue cotton dress shirt and holiday tie.

Taking a sip from her mug, Val nodded then took a sip from her mug. Her jeans and sweatshirt gave contrast to her brother’s nice attire. Enos dressed in more business clothes that he ever did before lately, especially after his win for the office of County Sheriff. The twin brother watched his sister stand there in jeans, flannel, and braids. It had been a long time since she braided her hair like that but he knew why she had done it. He looked to the angel on the tree and noticed the pretty dark braids that matched his sister’s. They were made of the same rich chocolate hair as Valerie’s. In fact, he remembered the day their mother cut Val’s hair and gave the locks to their grandfather for the angel. Enos stepped closer to the middle aged woman and pulled her into a hug. Setting her mug down, she rested her head on her twin’s shoulder and took a hitched breath. The soft murmured sounds in the kitchen and other rooms seemed to be drowned out as the twins stood in silence at their grief.

“Why?! Why now… Christmas was his favorite holiday. Why? I mean why couldn’t God have taken’ him after the first of the year!” Val sobbed softly into her brother’s shoulder.

Enos sighed as he rocked his twin. She would probably be the one to take this the hardest. Their older sister Josephine lived in Alabama and didn’t make it over as much; and Enos himself was busy with his family. He had his wife Daisy Duke, who was expecting their second child, and their son Scott. Of course Val would be the one to have to be around to help take care of things. Sure Grandpa Strate lived with their parents, but this past year it was too much for their own aging parents and Valerie took over caring for him. She was determined to not see him go to a home. So the family hired a home health aide to come to the house when Valerie could not be there. The past year was hard on the Hazzard County Game Warden, but she took it in stride and now it was over. The pain that the old man had been feeling was finally gone and he had been given his reward on December 15^th of this year.

Enos drew a heavy breath as he clung tight to his grieving twin. He couldn’t help but feel a tinge of guilt for not being around as much to help with Grandpa Strate, but his sister needed him now. The silence was broken by a lighter voice, “Enos, Val, ya wanna come and-…oh.”

It was their older sister Josephine. Having just entered the room, she saw her siblings clinging together by the tree. The shorter blond moved in silently to the room and huddled close to her sibs and ran her hand comfortingly down Val’s back, “I’m sorry sugar.”

With that Val broke away from her twin and her sister and stepped away into the other room, sobbing and trying to dry her own eyes. Enos sighed in dismay and Josephine looked at her brother slightly confused, “What? Is it something-…”

“No Jo, she just don’t like to have a whole bunch of folks fuss over her at once.” Enos answered then patted his older sister’s shoulder reassuringly.

Josephine looked to Enos, “Really how is she taking this?”

“Hard.” Enos said flatly.

Josephine’s shoulders slumped, “Poor Val.”

The older sister left her brother for a moment to stand there and stew in his own juices. Enos looked at the tree, putting his hands into his pockets; he walked back into the kitchen where most of the family was. All the members in the room were either talking, eating, or playing board games of some sort. His pregnant wife drifted over. Her brown curls cascaded over her face and she held an elegant footed glass of orange juice that was garnished with a slice of orange and cherry. Daisy smiled at her husband thoughtfully and asked in a gentle tone, “You ok?”

“Yeah, it’s just my sister.” the Sheriff-elect said to his wife as he stood there in the doorway of the kitchen, looking over at his parents and the other family members playing games and gossiping.

Daisy mused a hand through his short dark hair, “Which one, Jo or Val?”

“The emotional dark haired one…” He answered flatly.

“Ah, yeah, she would be takin’ this hard. She watched over Grandpa Earl all this past year.” Daisy stated as she shook her head and took a sip of her orange juice.

Enos nodded then glanced down at his wife’s red sweater covered swollen tummy, “How’s the baby?”

“She’s fine. She wants some of that good chocolate fudge that yer mama makes tho’.” Daisy smiled lightly giving a little humor to the tense mood.

Enos blushed then walked over to the buffet table of sweets and picked up a chunk of the gooey chocolate confection and offered it to his wife, who plucked it from his fingers and popped it into her mouth with a smile gracing her face.

“Ya weren’t gonna take it from my fingers where ya?” Enos chuckled as he licked some of the remaining fudge off of his fingers.

“Nope. There are yug’ins ‘round.” Daisy answered then moved into the room and mingled more leaving her husband to flush on his own.

The soft sounds of Christmas music played on the radio and the murmurs and an occasional short laugh would fill the atmosphere of the house. Enos then drifted out of the kitchen and to the room where his sister Valerie had gone into. She was no longer there. Enos gave another heavy sigh and walked back into the kitchen to join the holiday hub-bub.

Valerie had left the farm house to be on her own. The young Game Warden left the party and took a short drive to the cemetery to where her grandfather lay. As she knelt down on the cold leaf covered earth by the tombstone and touched the name of her grandfather that was etched into the stone, “Earl Enos Strate, Born: January 9^th, 1910. Died: December 15^th, 2000” The cool wind touched her cheeks and the moisture from Val’s eyes stung her skin.

Daisy met Enos back in the kitchen again and saw the worry painted on his face, “So, how is she?”

“She’s not there.” Enos answered his wife softly.

“Not there? What do ya mean sug?” Daisy asked finishing her non-alcoholic beverage.

“I mean she ain’t there.” He answered a little louder almost a slight snap but not meaning to. A few relatives stopped what they were doing and took notice. That’s when he moved past his wife a moment to get his coat, “I gotta find her.”

“Wait a minute….” Daisy told her husband as she grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving the party. She then appealed to the clan, “Attention everybody, has anybody seen Val?”

Several relatives shook their heads except for one of Josephine’s children, the youngest, little Bobby, “I saw her leave Aunt Daisy. She took her coat with her.”

“I’ll go look for her, Enos.” Daisy then answered.

“But yer pregnant honey. You should stay here where it’s warm.” Enos protested.

Daisy shook her head, “Just cause I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t drive a car. I’ll be fine Enos. I’m not gonna go into labor any time soon and I have a cell phone to call ya with. We have another three months to go yet honey.”

“But, how will ya find her? She could be anywhere Daisy.” Enos asked as he was taking off his coat and she was putting her’s on.

“Trust me honey, I know.” Daisy smiled then left.

Valerie wiped the tears back from her cheeks and sniffled softly, “I know ya wouldn’t want me cryin’ like this but I’m sorry. I can’t stop it. I miss you. I love you Grandpa. ”

Memories of the old man flashed through her mind. He was gone. Even in his last year on Earth, he gave her memories that she’d never forget. Now she would have to go home to the farm house again and be alone, “I know you were lookin’ forward to this holiday. And well… So was I…”

“Ya know I don’t think Pappy Earl would want ya here crying over his grave when he’s back at the house.” A voice behind Valerie spoke. Val dried her eyes and turned to see Daisy standing by her, “Can I join you?”

“Yeah… How’d ya know I was here?” The crying woman asked her sister-in-law.

“Cuz, when Jesse passed about three years ago. I had to see him too, alone at his grave.” Daisy answered with a gentle understanding smile.

Valerie nodded but remained silent.

“You know he loved Christmas Val. It was his favorite holiday.” Daisy spoke soft.

“Yeah, it was. He carved the head for our tree topper and made us wooden ornaments every year. Told us kids Christmas stories, went with us every year he was able to pick out a tree and helped decorate it…” Valerie sniffed as she wiped an emerging tear from her eye.

“Then you know that he wouldn’t be here on Christmas.” Daisy answered. “He wouldn’t be sad either.”

Valerie was silent for a moment, taking in what Daisy had just said.

“His spirit would be back at your parents’ house, watchin’ over you and your family. He’d be smiling at his great-grand kids opening their presents. He’d laugh at the silly jokes told, the board games played, and the joy that is in that house on Christmas. You’re blessed Val. Heck, I’m even blessed cause Enos married me and brought me into ya’lls family. You know that and you know what I’m talkin’ about sugar. Yer grand-pappy is in that house and he’s in heaven as well, lookin’ down on you. I’m sure sug that he wouldn’t want you to be sitting alone out here on Christmas, weepin’ over him.” Daisy explained.

“But it hurts so much…” Valerie whispered as she looked at the tombstone.

“It’s going to. I don’t think it will really ever stop hurting. It just gets more bearable sugar. Believe me. I know.”

“I guess you would.”

The women sat there in silence looking over the grave for a few moments. Valerie sniffled and pulled a tissue from her pocket to help dry her eyes, “Ya know he made that angel for me…”

“I know. Enos told me all about it. He misses his grandfather very much too.” Daisy answered softly. Val nodded then stood up, signaling it was time for them to leave. The two women then got into their cars and returned to the party. By the time they got there, the first round of presents was being distributed. Val and Daisy found seats in the den among the other family members. After watching many of the children open gifts it was now time for the grownups. As gifts were passed around the room, Valerie ended up with a small brown paper wrapped box with some yarn tied around it for a bow. It was a rather simple looking gift on the outside but inside held something much more. All the relatives’ eyes seemed drawn to her when she read the tiny tag, “To Valerie… Love Pappy.”

Val sighed and pulled the wrappings off as she opened the tiny jewelry sized box. Inside it held an opal necklace with a note.

My Sweet Child Valerie, 

                Thank you for taking care of me in my hours of need. I love you very much. Just as I love all my grandchildren. Enclosed is an opal necklace that I gave your passed on grandmother for Christmas, sixty years ago. Since it was her birthstone like yours, I figured you would want it. For opals are bad luck to wear if it ain’t your birthstone. When I gave it to her, I told her that I had no idea what to get her for Christmas that year. I bought the necklace at a pawn shop one December day after a shine delivery in Atlanta. It was the only way I could afford it. When she opened the gift Christmas morn, she scolded me for spending so much on her but beamed at the opal and its beauty. She told me that it reminded her of winter snow, like they have in the North, and that it was a piece of winter frozen in that little rock. To us this necklace reminded us both of Christmas, and now I want you to have it.

 

With Love, 

Pappy Earl

The whole room was silent for a moment and Valerie flushed with flattery and embarrassment. Then ooo’s and aaaah’s came as aunts and cousins all loomed over for a look at their deceased matriarch’s necklace. Val handed the box to another relative who showed it to another and soon the whole room got to see the pretty white fire filled pendent. Soon the necklace came back to her and she thoughtfully closed the box and tucked it safely away and the celebration continued. As Valerie sat there watching her relatives unwrap gifts she felt a little warmer in her own heart, knowing that Daisy was right. Grandpa Earl really was there.

The End…

 

by: BlackJack Murphy

Rosco surveyed the town square from the top of the courthouse steps as dusk fell upon Hazzard. He stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets and shrugged his shoulders, trying to ward off the encroaching winter chill.

The sheriff shook his head, dejected. He’d seen the town through many Christmases, in good times and bad. Somehow, this year, the spirit just wasn’t there. Hazzard had been hit by hard economic times. The decorations around the square were sparse. Shops and homes that were normally decked out in lights were noticeably dark.

He was feeling the pinch too. His paycheck hadn’t been stretching as far as it usually did. That normally wouldn’t bother him all that much, as he wasn’t completely unfamiliar with going without from time to time. But during the holidays, when he wanted to provide a little something extra special for his loved ones, it hurt. He knew his kin would understand, but it hurt nonetheless. Rosco stood there for a moment multiplying that feeling by the population of Hazzard and he understood why it just didn’t feel like Christmas this year.

The sheriff turned and went back into the courthouse, blowing breath into his hands to warm them as he went.

“Hey, sheriff,” Enos greeted.

“Hi, Enos,” Rosco replied flatly.

“We just got a call from the church. Seems the baby Jesus has gone missing,” Enos said.

“What?”

“From the nativity scene,” he explained.

“Oh.” Rosco sighed, somewhat distracted.

“You want me to handle this one, sheriff?” Enos offered.

“Huh?” Rosco looked up at his deputy. “Oh… no. No, I’ll take care of it. You go on home, Enos.”

“Thanks, sheriff. Good evenin’,” Enos said quietly as he headed out the double doors and home.

“Evenin’,” Rosco replied half-heartedly.

Rosco grabbed a pen and small notepad off the booking room desk and tucked it into his jacket pocket. Then he headed back out into the cold night muttering. “What kinda person would steal a baby Jesus? That’s just…” his voice trailed off and the thought went unfinished as he trotted down the courthouse steps and headed across the square to the church.

When Rosco entered the church, Pastor Sheppard was patiently waiting for him in the back pew. The sheriff removed his hat and held it in front of him as he approached the pastor. The choir practiced a medley of Christmas carols in the background. The pastor greeted Rosco and guided him out front to show him the empty manger and answer questions.

“When’s the last time anyone saw it?” Rosco asked. The sheriff donned his Stetson again and grabbed the notepad and pen from his jacket pocket.

“About an hour ago,” Pastor Sheppard responded. “It was a few minutes before choir practice. There were no witnesses that we know of. Town’s been kind of empty lately, y’know?”

“Yeah,” Rosco sighed. “I know.” He jotted down a few notes. “Is there anybody you suspect might be behind this?”

“Honestly, sheriff, who would do something like this? I can’t think of anybody in Hazzard that would. Certainly none of my congregation… I would hope.”

Rosco took a moment to look over the “crime scene”. Even if he were a forensics expert, Rosco figured there’d be very little he could find in the way of clues. Someone could just come up, grab the Christ child, and be out of sight within a matter of seconds.

The sheriff shook his head. “I’m sorry, pastor. Unless we have a witness or it turns up on its own, I just don’t see how we’ll get him back. I’m afraid we won’t have a baby Jesus for the nativity this year.”

“I understand,” the pastor nodded. “Just do what you can, Rosco. That’s all I ask. Maybe whoever took ‘im will feel some sorta remorse and bring ‘im back.”

“I hope so,” Rosco said, though his voice seemed defeated.

The church doors swung open and the departing choir members streamed out past the sheriff and the pastor. Some glanced up at Rosco and greeted him somberly, some just walked away, head down, shoulders slumped. It was clear that the choir members had heard the bad news.

The Duke family straggled out with the last of the choir. The boys were visibly irritated and Daisy was upset. Jesse, in his usual stoic manner, put a hand on Rosco’s shoulder and said simply, “Find him, Rosco.”

Rosco nodded soberly as the Dukes offered goodbyes to him and the pastor.

This is exactly what this town needs right now, Rosco thought sarcastically. As if the town hadn’t suffered the proverbial punch to the gut already, this blow to its spiritual center might just be the knockout it never saw coming. Rosco suddenly felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

“Well, that’s all the questions I have for now, pastor. If you think of anything else or you get any new information, please give me a call.”

“I will,” Pastor Sheppard forced a smile.

Rosco tipped his hat in goodbye and headed back to the courthouse.

The disappearance of the baby Jesus bothered Rosco greatly and for many reasons. The thought that someone he probably knew could do such a thing made him uneasy. The fact that they could do it when the town was in such turmoil made him ill. The realization that the town’s hopes were resting on him made him depressed.

For the next few days, the case consumed the sheriff. He talked to each family that lived on or near the square. He talked to shopkeepers. He requested that the Hazzard Gazette publish a plea to Hazzard citizens for information regarding the disappearance. Nobody knew anything. As the case grew colder, Rosco’s hope grew dimmer. And the mood of the town mirrored the mood of its sheriff.

Boss Hogg noticed that the atmosphere around the sheriff’s department was decidedly gloomy. He was unsure what, if anything, he could do to lift the spirits of his brother-in-law, but he engaged Rosco in conversation anyway.

“Any leads yet?” Boss asked.

Rosco looked up from the paperwork he was filing. “No.”

“Have ya talked to the Dukes?”

Rosco looked at Boss in shock, “You don’t think the Dukes…”

Boss interrupted him, “No, no, no. Rosco, I may not particularly like the Dukes, but I know even THEY wouldn’t do something like that. I just meant… oh, hell. I don’t know what I meant.” Boss stood in thought for a moment. “It just seems that whenever there’s a crisis about, the Dukes always seem to have an answer.”

Rosco nodded. “Yeah, Boss, yer right. They do.” Rosco grabbed his jacket and Stetson.

“Where ya goin’?” Boss asked.

“I’m gonna go talk to the Dukes.”

Boss nodded as he popped his cigar back into his mouth.

The ride out to the Duke farm felt like an eternity and the cold, dark night only made it seem more so. Out of sheer impatience and helplessness, Rosco flipped on the patrol car’s lights and sirens and eased his foot down on the gas.

The Dukes, who were busy preparing for bed, could hear Rosco coming miles away.

“Sounds like Rosco,” Bo mumbled and then spat a mouthful of toothpaste into the bathroom sink.

“Wonder what’s up,” Luke replied as he splashed his face with water and wiped it dry with a towel.

Jesse went to the door as Rosco’s patrol car came to a skidding stop in the yard. “What’s the trouble, Rosco?” he asked as he held the screen door open for the law man and offered him a seat in the kitchen. Jesse lit the stove and held up the cold metal coffee pot in a silent offer of a warm cup of coffee.

“Thanks, Jesse,” Rosco accepted. “I came to talk to you about the missin’ baby Jesus.”

“And that’s important enough to require a siren and lights at this hour?” Bo inquired as he entered the kitchen.

Rosco stared at Bo, wordlessly giving him his answer.

Bo mumbled, “Sorry.”

Luke entered the kitchen, followed closely by Daisy. “We don’t know anything about it, Rosco, or we’d have told ya already.” The three cousins all took a seat at the kitchen table.

“I know,” Rosco admitted, fidgeting a little in his seat. “I figured that already. That’s not why I’m here.”

Bo, Luke, and Daisy looked at Rosco blankly, waiting for him to elaborate.

“Then why are you here, Rosco?” Jesse asked, placing a steaming cup of coffee before him. Rosco picked the cup up with both hands, warming them, and nodded in thanks before sipping.

The sheriff fidgeted some more after putting the coffee cup down. “Well, Boss said… I mean, whenever… It just seems that…” The Dukes sat quietly waiting for the sheriff to gather his thoughts and spit them out. Rosco looked into Jesse’s kindly eyes and it calmed him. He continued, speaking plainly, “Boss reminded me tonight about how whenever there’s a crisis or trouble in town, well… y’all usually have an answer for it… a plan of action.” The sheriff turned to look at Luke expectantly.

An awkward silence followed, before Luke spoke. “I’m sorry, Rosco,” he shrugged. “Without havin’ any leads or information of any kind, I can’t think of anything you haven’t already tried. I mean, that notice in the Gazette askin’ for information and promisin’ no charges if it was returned unharmed, that was a good idea. If the person who took it doesn’t respond to that, what can we do?”

“Nothin’,” Rosco sighed. “I’m sorry I disturbed ya.” The sheriff stood and pushed his chair in.

Jesse stepped forward and placed a arm around the sheriff’s shoulder as he walked him to the door. “Rosco, you know we Dukes will do anything we can to help ya, but it just seems that everything that can be done, has been done.”

Rosco nodded silently, feeling the weight on his shoulders dragging him down again.

“If I think of somethin’, I’ll call ya, Rosco,” Luke offered.

Rosco nodded again.

“We’ll be prayin’ for ya,” Daisy added.

“Thanks,” the sheriff mumbled as he started down the steps towards his patrol car. He stopped and turned back to look at the Duke family. It was an odd feeling, but it felt as if the Dukes’ hopes were resting on him too.

The next morning, Rosco awoke in a decidedly bad mood. That night was Christmas Eve and he still hadn’t found the baby Jesus. He sat at his desk, asking himself why this of all the thefts he’d had to deal with as sheriff, was depressing him so much. It was just an object. Or was it? It was a symbol really, he thought to himself. A symbol of hope, and that’s what this town needed right now… in any form it could find. He sighed heavily.

With each passing hour, Rosco tried to hold out hope that the thief would return the baby to the nativity scene. With each passing hour, that hope waned. As the midnight hour neared, Rosco sat alone in the darkened sheriff’s office.

Rosco wracked his brain. He thought of the visit with the Dukes. He remembered eagerly awaiting Luke’s flawless plan… that never came. He recalled leaving no better off than he had arrived, Daisy promising to pray for him. And that’s when Rosco realized there was only one thing he hadn’t tried.

He folded his hands, looking upwards. “Sir… uhhh, I know I don’t talk to ya as much as I should. An’ I ain’t exactly been,” Rosco sighed, “worthy of much attention from ya.” Rosco bowed his head and closed his eyes, “But if ya could see it in yer heart to return the baby Jesus to us, I’d appreciate it. I… I ain’t askin’ for me. The town sure could use… a little hope. Please?” Rosco unclasped his hands and opened his eyes, only to close his eyes quickly again and add a quick “amen” before opening them again.

Rosco took a deep breath and noticed the clock on the wall, five til midnight. He rose a little apprehensively and put on his uniform jacket and Stetson.

As Rosco exited the courthouse into the cool night air, he could hear the choir singing in the church down the street. He debated on whether or not to join the Christmas Eve service. He didn’t much feel like it, but the singing sounded heavenly, so he wandered in the direction of the church.

O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear saviour’s birth.

Rosco spared a small smile. He’d always loved that hauntingly beautiful Christmas song. A soloist was putting her heart and soul into each and every note. As he walked towards the church, he noticed that the churched seemed to be the only building with lights on. It was like a beacon in the square, which seemed appropriate given the occasion. Rosco squinted at the bright light. There seemed to be something near the front door.

What is that? Rosco thought to himself. Could it be…? No, he wasn’t going to get his hopes up.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

“Wait a minute!” Rosco said aloud, his hope growing as he neared the steps.

The thrill of hope! The weary world rejoices! For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Rosco ran up the steps and knelt next to the bundle.

Fall on your knees!

He looked around frantically, hoping to find who may have put it there.

O hear the angel voices!

The power and intensity of the song grew, other voices in the choir joining in. Rosco lifted his head and listened. It took his breath away.

O night divine, O night when Christ was born. O night divine, O night, O night divine.

A lump grew in his throat. He removed his Stetson and stared at the innocent face shining up from the bundle. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand as he looked skyward and whispered, “Thank you.”
He looked through the double doors of the church and saw the citizens of Hazzard entranced by the moving song. As the song neared its end, Rosco put his Stetson back on, gathered the bundle up, and brought it into the church. Excited whispers followed him as the congregation realized what he held.

It wasn’t long before the commotion in the back caught the attention of the rest of the church. When Pastor Sheppard saw what Rosco was carrying, he jumped to his feet and hurried down the aisle. Rosco gladly handed the precious bundle over to the pastor.

“Thank you! Oh, thank you, sheriff! You don’t know what this means to us,” the pastor gushed.

Rosco smiled broadly. “Yes, pastor. I think I do.”

The Duke family, Enos, Cletus, Cooter, Boss, and Lulu all surrounded Rosco. Bo and Luke patted Rosco heartily on the back.

“You found him!” Luke exclaimed.

“Not exactly,” Rosco admitted.

“Huh?” Bo asked.

“He was on the steps of the church,” Rosco answered.

“The thief must’ve brought him back!” Daisy shouted excitedly.

Rosco laughed. “Maybe so, but I like to think it was… “ Rosco pointed skyward, “divine intervention. Khee!”

Jesse smiled, “I think you may be right, Rosco.”

As Pastor Sheppard carried the bundle out the front of the church towards the nativity scene, nearly the entire congregation followed.

Rosco stood back, watching the animated faces of the townfolk. It seemed as though a heavy cloud had been lifted and hope glimmered brightly in the eyes of citizens of Hazzard again. It’s amazing, Rosco shook his head and smiled to himself, that one little baby could make such a difference. And it occurred to Rosco that someone may have thought the same thing on a night like this about 2000 years ago.

“Merry Christmas, sheriff!” Enos shouted from the crowd.

“Merry Christmas,” Rosco replied as he joined the congregation admiring the newly restored nativity.

Merry Christmas, y’all!! The End.