by: Val Strate

Let me tell you about my driver. The woman who keeps me clean and running hard, she’s the quiet idle of an engine on a dark night, she’s the sparkle in the chrome of a bumper, she’s the shine and shimmer that clear coat gives. We met many years ago in 1971, a fine young Philly if I ever saw one. The first time she sat down I my passenger leather seat, I knew she was something special. We weren’t together then. I belonged to a young man named Jordan then. Jordan and I would drag race at Attica for pinks. Of course I won all the time, and Jordan was proud of me. He called me ‘Cricket’ because the way I’d jump from the starting line. How Jordan ended up with her that year, I will never know. An eco-friendly environmentalist and a drag strip racer, who would have thought such a combination, would exist? I think she once said something to Jordan she wanted to take things slow because she was on the rebound. Slow! Who takes things slow?! That’s a ridiculous notion but I guess Jordan obeyed it because Jordan dated her for at least two years. She went to Ohio State, while Jordan and I resided in Lima. Yes, I know… You Dixie folk are scratching your head saying, ‘Those are Yankee town names. You’re talking about north of the Mason Dixon line, not Hazzard.’ Yes friends I am.

Fore you see and must understand; I was born in Detroit then sold in Lima to Jordan Rice. No, I’m not a southern racer that was put together by backyard mechanics. Jordan’s father ran a Chevy dealership in Lima. Jordan was one of his father’s professional mechanics. He was a strapping young lad, easy with the wheel, hard on the gas. When we met, he was in the phase of his life where he was going from child to man. We would race together but when he was dating my driver, he seemed to get less reckless as time progressed. Well, as time went on and Jordan seen her more and more he let her drive me a few times. She was wonderful behind the wheel. Probably the best feeling woman I had in my driver’s seat. In the past Jordan did let some of his lady friends drive me a few times but he was always there with them. I knew things were getting serious between them when he let her drive me on longer trips by herself. She would always ask Jordan if she could drive and my pistons would leap with joy every time she would ask. The feeling of her long slender fingers wrapping around my wheel still excite me to this very day, and the sound of her soft high pitched angelic voice singing with my radio to sweet beautiful songs that Jordan never listened to. Granted I’ve always loved Jordan’s taste in music, Led Zeppelin was great. However, the sweetness of John Denver singing ‘Country Roads’ mixed with her voice was so glorious and beautiful, brought tears to my headlights.

I still remember the gold ring with the little sparkling clear piece of super hard glass that sat in the center. I don’t understand why that kind of ring is so important but I still remember the day he picked out for her, he was so nervous. I could feel his sweaty palms grip my leather wheel and his hands shake. He kept the little ring in my glove box for a long time. However, he never gave it to her and he never would… She ended up finding it on her own.

It was December and Jordan had parked me in the employee lot of the dealership as usual before going into work that morning. He was planning on going to Columbus after work to go see his beloved and had mentioned maybe giving her the golden ring. He said she was graduating in a year or so soon and she’d probably want a life with him. I over heard him discuss this many times with his father while they changed my oil and did maintenance checkups on me on lazy summer afternoons. Tell me, do dentists and doctors discuss their love lives over checkups with you? I find it rather odd that Jordan liked to talk to his father about such things while tending to my vitals but eh, I guess when you have a mechanic for an owner, checkups aren’t so formal. Maybe this is what it feels like for humans to have doctors in their families? Anyhow, on with the story, so it was December, and Jordan had gone into the dealership to work. I took a nap in the parking lot like I normally do while he’s at work. When suddenly, I wake up to here this awful sirens and noisy, ambulances show up screaming their presence and flashing their lights. I seen humans rush in and out of the garage of the dealership, some were in uniform, some were hysterical mechanics, some were barking orders, and it was pure chaos. I started to panic inside, in wonder what was going on. I whispered to the little mustang named ‘Sally’ that sat beside me in the lot, “Psst, you know what’s going on?”

“No, Cricket… I’m sorry I don’t. I was taking a nap too.” Sally whispered back.

I sighed in my space wondering what was happening when a black and white passed by. I called to him as he headed to the open garage door where the ambulances where parked, “Hey! Smoky! You know what’s going on? How come you and the ambulances are here?”

“Sorry kid, that’s official police business…” the black and white old Ford 500 curser answered as he strolled on by. However a rookie came by, and I called to him figuring he may leak some info because he’s new on the force. I could tell he was new, because he was a 1972 Plymouth Furry I, all bright and shinny white. That was the first time I see a Furry cop before. At the time I didn’t realize I’d see a lot more of them in the future and get to work along side of them. I would’ve been a little more polite to him by not calling him ‘Rookie’ if I would have realized this. My current law enforcement colleagues called me ‘Rookie’ for a long time and would poke fun at my green color a lot when I first came to the Hazzard team of law enforcement. They often would ask how a hot rod like me became the patrol car of a Game Warden, which to them is a glorified girl scout.

“Hey, Rookie! What’s going on?” I called out as he zoomed in.

“It’s a code blue; one of the lifts gave out and dropped a Caddy on a guy.” The crisp white Furry answered as he came in close to the area then parking. I felt my exhaust fan sink into my muffler. Jordan! Oh Lord please don’t let it be Jordan!

The funeral was three days after the incident. Jordan’s brother drove me with Jordan’s beloved sitting shotgun. We followed the hearse to the cemetery and lay my former driver to rest. After the funeral, I came back to Mr. and Mrs. Rice’s home and not to the parking space that was in front of Jordan’s apartment. I sat alone and untouched for a week. My body grew cold to the touch. I didn’t want anyone near me. Mr. Rice started me up that day that was a week anniversary of Jordan’s death. I didn’t start. I couldn’t. The cold December air ran through my fuel system and froze me up solid. My driver was gone now and I was ownerless. No more would I go to Attica and jump from the starting line to bolt down that solid asphalt strip as fast as I could. Jordan was gone. That afternoon Mr. Rice finally got me to start after putting something in my gas tank. It tasted bitter and nasty but it made the gasoline in my fuel system taste warm. We drove down to the dealership. He parked me out with some of the used cars and the next morning I had a huge sign on my windshield that said, ‘FOR SALE! As is’. I was confused now. Did this mean the end for me? I would never know the Rice’s anymore? Would I never see the woman which Jordan loved and I loved, who brought such joy into our lives? I would never hear her sweet voice sing John Denver as she sped down the highway. I wanted to tear my oil plug out and let oil leak all over the car lot. What about that important little ring that sat in my glove box still? What would happen to that? It meant something important to Jordan; would it be important to someone else now?

As I sat in misery thinking about my beloved deceased owner and the woman that would have been his bride to be, I heard a familiar voice. It was a woman. It was Jordan’s lover! She was back at the lot! She was talking to Mr. Rice and asking him about me. Her delicate fingers touched my hood gently. My pistons leaped in joy. Within a day or two, she was behind my wheel and driving me back to her college campus in Columbus. The day after she bought me, she opened the glove box to put her gloves in there and the little box with the ring fell out. She reached down and picked the box up and looked at its contents. Tears rushed from her eyes and she closed the box. She knew what it meant. She knew what the little gold ring meant. She sobbed uncontrollably for a long time then placed it back in the glove box. I carried that little box for her for a long time. She kept it in my glove box, tucked away. Every once in a while she would take the box out, look at the ring and ponder for long intervals. My oil pan leaked for her. From there on out, it was just us.  She graduated from college and eventually got a job in Ohio at a park up by Lake Erie. She worked as a ranger up there and lived in a small apartment alone. She would have boyfriends but they would never last long. One day she got a letter that made her take the long drive back home to Hazzard.

It was a shock for me really, going to Hazzard. I didn’t realize that she was from the south until we did arrive down there. She introduced me to her family and friends. Everyone loved us; in fact, we were challenged to a race! I was excited. I never raced dirt track before. We had a ton of fun, until the last few laps. That’s when things got serious and we ran into a wall. My hood was crumpled and my front end pushed back. Valerie hit her forehead on the steering wheel and was knocked out for a day or two. I was towed away to a place called ‘Cooters’ while she went to a place called ‘Tri-County’. Two young boys worked on me along with a gentleman who ran Cooter’s which I suspect was ‘Cooter’. They bent my frame back and restored my engine, ripped me apart then put me back together. When I saw my driver again, her head was wrapped in a bandage and she asked Cooter to take care of me for a while. I wanted to die. I hurt her. I caused my beloved pain and sorrow. That was the last time I seen her for a long while. I was sent to an old barn that Cooter owned and a sheet we draped over my head. Every Sunday Cooter would take me out of the short drive to keep me running but that was all my automotive life consisted anymore. Once I was the Buckeye state’s biggest thing in drag strip, now retired to a barn in Georgia. I sat for days with the blanket over my headlights thinking what kind of life is this? I felt bitter inside. There were days that I didn’t want Cooter to touch me and I wouldn’t start for him. During those times Cooter would then let me be, but he’d always come back and try again later. Usually I would then start for him. Cooter was a very kind man and a gentle mechanic. His touch was almost as brilliant and kind as Jordan’s. He was a genius when it came to helping cars. He along with some fellows named ‘The Duke boys’ created a car known as the General Lee.  I heard this car’s name spoken and whisper all through out the south while I was down here, but my first encounter with the super super-human automotive was on a Sunday afternoon drive with Cooter. We were heading on home when an orange Charger came racing out of no where. I almost ran into his tail lights when Cooter stopped me.

“Shoot fire and save a box of matches! You boys almost took me and ol’Cricket here out.” Cooter exclaimed into the CB.

A voice came back over the airwaves and I assumed it was from ‘The General Lee’, “Aawww, shucks Cooter, you mean we miss ya!” which was followed by a boyish laugh.

“Very funny, ya’ll wanna head down to the Nest and we can grab ourselves a beer. I’m a might thirsty and I wouldn’t mind visitin’ with ya.” Cooter answered, “Plus Cricket needs some gas…”

“Alright we’ll see ya at the Boar’s Nest.” The voice answered.

The next thing I know we were at the Boar’s Nest and I was parked right beside the famed ‘General Lee’. The General’s driver was a tall blond haired man with blue eyes, I recognized him and his cousin as the two young men who worked on me and brought me back to life. After the humans went inside to socialize, I sat in my spot and pondered some things. That’s when the General spoke…

“So you new to these parts?” The orange Charger asked as I sat in wait next to him.

“Well, kind of… “I answered.

“Kind of? What’s that mean? I know every car in Hazzard County, if you’re not new, how come I never seen you around town before.”

I then sighed and explained my story to the General. He listened close and seemed very understanding almost sympathetic when I spoke of Jordan and his beloved who bought me and now handed me off to Cooter’s care.

“I’m sorry kid… Wish I could help ya. I know it’d crack my gasket, if one of those Duke boys wanted to let me go, or something happened to one of them.”

I didn’t respond back but I think the General could tell how I felt. He then asked me another question in a gentle but inquisitive tone, “How come I haven’t seen you out and about? Cooter keeps you locked up?”

“Yeah, I only get out on Sundays…”

“Aaawww that’s too bad. Well, I’ll keep that in mind then…”

I looked puzzled at the General just as the humans were coming back, “For what?”

The Dukes slid into the General’s windows and Cooter got behind my wheel. The General Lee didn’t say anything until our engines revved up then he whispered, “You’ll see…” 

Two weeks had come and gone since that first meeting. I was starting to think that the General Lee forgot about me. It was that next Sunday that Cooter was taking me out for a drive when an orange bolt came zooming past. The sound of a Dixie horn hung in the air as I realized it was the General Lee. Cooter picked up the CB, “Hey, ya’ll this is crazy Cooter out here on the Hazzardnet, what you two lost sheep up to? Lookin’ for a race or something?”

The light happy voice of the blond Duke came over the CB, “Ha ha, hey how could ya tell? Come on… We wanna see what ol’ Cricket can do!”

“I don’t know ya’ll. I don’t wanna take a chance of wreckin’ him. He ain’t exactly mine.” Cooter answered.

“Aww come on Cooter, we’ll take it easy on ya. Just open him up a bit.” Luke’s voice came over the radio waves.

Cooter frowned a little but stepped on the gas sending me faster down the dirt road and right beside the General Lee. The General gleamed in the bright sunlight. He was in his element as he called out in joy, “Ha ha! Hey there Cricket! Ya ready to race?”

“Race?!” I blinked as we spend along neck and neck, and our drivers began to exchange playful taunts to start a race.

“Yeah, race… You said ya have before…”

“Yeah but it was so long ago…”

“Come on…”

I grinned as I heard Cooter call back on the CB, “Oh yeah, well ya know that gal ya took to the dance on Saturday Bo?”

“Yeah…” He answered back.

“She’s uglier than an armadillo…” Cooter chuckled in the CB after hearing one of the boys’ taunts.

“That’s it Cooter! Ya gonna race or not?” Bo called back revving the General. The General Lee laughed as he felt the gasoline run through him, “Get ready boy… We’re gonna be racin’ soon.”

Suddenly I felt a burst of speed and we were off. The General Lee and I were neck and neck in a race down that little dirt road. The wind in my grill the heat of my engine running and the sun beating down on my hood as dirt kicked up against our wheels. Our engines whined as we struggled against the wind. The General’s engine laughed as we raced.

“Tired yet?” The orange Charger at my side called to me.

“Heck no!”

“Good…” with that said he pulled forward more.

“Oh no you don’t!”

He just laughed again, but I then pulled ahead and passed him. Cooter wasn’t giving this one up. I raced forward now laughing hysterically. I was going to beat the great General Lee, “Ha ha! Take that!”

Little did I realize until it was starting to become too late to slow down, that the bridge was out. I gulped that last burst of gas in fear. I wasn’t going to make it across the River Styx there was no way. I tried to slow down but I couldn’t. I just felt myself racing toward the bridge. So this is why the General Lee slowed down.

“I can’t slow down… The brakes! Dammit! The brakes!” Cooter yelled into the CB.

Suddenly an orange burst came out of no where and pushed into my side forcing me off the road and into the ditch with it, the General Lee. We both slammed to a stop into the ditch and let our radiators cool while our drivers regained their senses as well.

“Cooter! Ya alright!” Bo called from his window to Cooter.

“Yeah… I just… wow… Ya’ll saved my tail back there.”

“Don’t worry about it Cooter. You’d do the same for us…” Luke answered as he got out of the General and came over to see if Cooter was alright.

I glanced over at the wounded General and realized my own damage as well, “Thanks…”

“Yeah, no problem… It’s what Hazzard folks do. We help one another out.” The orange charger answered.

“But I ain’t from Hazzard…”

“Don’t matter… You’re one of us now. You wouldn’t be in this County this long if you didn’t belong here.”

I paused as the tow truck pulled the General Lee away first then me up onto the car hauler. I was then pulled out as well and sent to the garage. We both got a full checkup and repair. Of course the General went on his merry way and I was sent back to the barn of solitude. However, I had a new out look on life. Was there something more to me being idle all this time, laying in wait for the right moment? As time pasted, I noticed the cars did too. However every once in a while I seen the General on my Sunday drives, even though we never raced again it was nice to exchange a word or two with him. I looked forward to those moments, instead of feeling sorry for myself that I wasn’t out and about all the time. Something told me, my sweet lady love was coming back home to me. I just didn’t know when…

That’s when it happened, years later one Wednesday afternoon; Cooter came out to the barn with the Dukes and the General Lee.  As I was backing out of the barn and spotting the General in the drive I called hello to him, “Hey! How are you doing?”

He gave me a grin and spoke, “Cricket, buddy this is your lucky day.”

“What do you mean?” I asked as I then followed him out of the farm driveway toward town.

“You’ll see… You’ll see…” He chuckled. He did this kind of surprise with me before. I wasn’t too happy about this mysterious attitude he was giving me and I wanted to know then but I didn’t question it further.

We arrived in town and pulled in front of the garage. That’s when I realized, the woman I met years ago in Ohio was standing before me. She was back! She looked just like the day she left me only healed of her injuries and a warm smile painting her lovely face. She skimmed her hand over my hood before she got behind my wheel again after Cooter got out and reunited us. I could see the tears in her eyes. She was happy to have me again. That night she drove me back to her home, to her ‘factory’ her place of birth. The little Georgian farm was welcoming and warm again. Little did I know that my life would change again. I would go from just a hotrod road warrior to a vehicle of justice. Yes, within a week of her homecoming, she was hired onto Hazzard County’s Department of Wildlife and I was made her official vehicle. When we went on a call together, I adorned a red flasher on my hood. The first time I parked in front of the courthouse, I was introduced to Hazzard One and Hazzard Two, the county’s two squad cars. I can still hear Hazzard One laughing when I rolled up.

“Well, well, lookie what we got here Two… I think someone parked in the wrong place.” Hazzard One scoffed.

Hazzard Two didn’t say anything. He just gave me a look.

“Look, man… I’m the Game Warden’s vehicle and if you got a problem with that, that’s tough cause I got just as much right to be here as you.”

“Oooo, snippy!” One proceeded to interrogate, “Look rookie, just stay out of the real police work.”

They didn’t take too kindly to me at first but after a while I earned my way in. The pivotal point for the tension to finally break between us was when I beat the yellow mustang named ‘Spice’ that was driven by the infamous Trisha Hawkins in a race for Enos Strate’s life. Hazzard Two was extremely thankful his officer was returned to him.

However, this is one fact that I realized, patrol cars in this county don’t last long and they are replaced fairly quickly because their officer’s wreck them beyond repair. I just deal with them. The new models no longer tease me because they’ve heard of me and now somewhat respect my presence in the department.  I’d tell you all about that race with ‘Spice’ it but that’s another story that is told at another time. There are still many moments and many stories I could tell you about. Like the time my mistress saved a boa snake from a pet truck wreck, or the time her first love before Jordan came back into her life, (so that’s why she wanted to take it slow).

For now, I’m just happy to be returned to my Mistress and have her back in my life. We are one once more, mistress and machine, in a marriage of sentiment, passion, love and adventure. Whatever happens to us in the future is yet to be foreseen but we take it one road at a time, just me and my mistress, Ms. Valerie Marie Strate.

Written by Marie Roach, April 2007.

by: Vinsmouse

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Dukes of Hazzard, not making any money, just cheap thrills.
Warnings: Violence towards a beloved character.
Rating: FRC
Summary: An innocent bystander is the victim of a viscious attack when somebody seeks revenge. An answer to the Appomattox Challenge.

email: vinsmouse.1@juno.com

The first hint I had that anything was wrong, was a searing pain down my side. As usual I was parked outside the Boar’s Nest, while the boys were inside having fun with a couple of sweet young things. Oh pardon me, I’m usually not this rude, but the viciousness of the attack really rattled me. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is General Lee, or as many refer to me; The General Lee. I’m a 1969 Dodge Charger, partner in adventure with the Duke boys, Bo and Luke. And until recently I was a thing of beauty, but that was before the completely unprovoked attack on my person.

It all started when Bo decided to ask Miss Pamela Rogers out on a date. She’s a pretty thing, tall and leggy with long blonde hair, just the way Bo likes them. They went out on a couple of dates and things went very well between them. Especially when Bo drove us up to kissing cliff and he and Pamela climbed into my back seat…. Excuse me while I just wipe the fog from my windows, there that’s better, now where was I? Oh yes, well Bo and Pamela had a lot of fun together, but Bo never has had a long attention span. A fact the ladies of Hazzard are well aware of, so I don’t know why Pamela thought things with her were any different. However apparently she did, judging by the vile things she was saying last night at the Boar’s Nest.

I heard her walking around on the gravel of the parking lot, or maybe stomping would be a better word for it. Anyway, there she was stomping around the lot, ranting about cheating men and bimbos. I would tell you the things she said but I was taught not to use that kind of language. I heard her say something about teaching that no good Bo Duke a lesson and then the pain began. As I said earlier the first hint I had that something was truly wrong was a searing pain in my side. I found out later that she had drug her key down my side, leaving a deep, ugly scratch in my paint. While I was still reeling from that unexpected pain, Pamela climbed in through my window and began to cut into the driver’s seat. Using the only defense I could, I managed to flip the seat forward, hoping to knock her against the horn to alert Bo and Luke to the attack. Unfortunately Pamela moved faster than I anticipated and twisted to the side, avoiding the horn. It must’ve made her even angrier, because suddenly she shoved the seat back and using the weight of her body kept it in place while she continued her attack. When she climbed back out the window, I gave a sigh of relief, thanking Dodge that she was finished.

It turns out I was a little too quick with my thanks. I saw her coming towards me with another weapon and that was when I remembered that she played softball. I prayed that Bo or Luke would come outside, heck even that numbskull Rosco would’ve been better than nothing. He might not like the boys any but I don’t think he would’ve let the attack continue, especially against an innocent bystander such as myself. My prayers went unanswered though and as pain erupted, I heard the breaking of glass and my world went dark. If I’d been afraid before, now it was even worse, as I couldn’t see anything at all. Standing there in my parking spot, I would’ve trembled if I could’ve, as I wondered what she would do to me next. I could hear her walking around me, her thoughts as she studied me nearly a physical thing. Her steps suddenly moved towards my rear end and I dared to hope she was leaving. Of course she wasn’t through with me yet and without any warning I felt something sharp enter my rear driver’s tire. I could feel nothing but pain as she dragged the object through the skin of my tire, leaving a gaping slash allowing all of the air to escape. Quickly she proceeded to treat the other three tires in a similar fashion, luckily by this time I was numb from the pain, so I felt nothing. “There, bet he thinks twice before he cheats again,” I heard her mutter in satisfaction.

I don’t know how long I sat there after the attack ended. Time doesn’t really have much meaning to my kind, but I know you humans place some importance on it. All I can tell you is that after some time, I heard the door of the Boar’s Nest opening. The next thing I heard was Bo calling my name, his voice filled with pain and devastation as he saw what had been done to me. “Sweetheart would you do me a favor and go get Luke?” I heard him ask his date. “Oh General, who did this to you?” he asked and believe me I wish I could’ve told him.

“Bo what happened?” Luke called as he joined us. “Who did this?” he demanded of Bo.

“I don’t know Luke, I came outside and he was sitting here like this,” Bo told him.

Luke’s next words answered my question about why she was ripping my seat. “Um Bo, what did you do to Pamela?”

“Pamela? I didn’t do anything to her Luke, we had a good time, why?”

“Well she didn’t agree with ya I guess.”

“You think she did this? No way Luke, why would she do this to the General?” Bo asked.

“You’ll have to ask her that, but she left her signature,” Luke told him, fingering the rips in my seat.

“She carved her name in his seat? Awww General I’m sorry,” Bo softly said, running his hand along the edge of my roof.

“It ain’t your fault Bo,” Luke told him and silently I seconded his words. “Look Bo why don’t you go inside and get Cooter, we’ll have him tow the General to the garage. We’ll get him fixed up first and then we can worry about why.”

“Okay Luke,” Bo softly answered him. Suddenly I felt a weight on my roof, it took me a moment to realize it was Bo laying his head and shoulders on the roof. “I’m so sorry she did this to you General, but don’t you worry I ain’t gonna let her hurt you again,” he apologized, his voice strangely thick.

“He knows you won’t let him be hurt again Bo, I’m sure he doesn’t blame ya none,” Luke assured him.

I didn’t hear anything else from Bo after that. I guess he must’ve gone inside because the next thing I knew Cooter had joined the boys. He spent a few minutes tsking over my condition and then he got busy hooking me up to his tow truck. So now here I sit in Cooter’s garage, waiting for him and the boys to fix me up. That’s the end of my part in this sad tale. All I can add is, I hope Bo will learn to be a little more selective of who he dates after this.

The End.

A/N: Ever since I heard the song Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood I’ve wanted to write a story about it. I could so easily picture some girl who took things more seriously than one of the boy’s intended doing those things to the General. The Appomattox challenge was a good excuse and then I started wondering how the poor car must’ve felt. Just sitting there, minding his own business and then suddenly he falls victim to a horrible attack! Hope y’all liked it, please review and let me know what ya thought.

by: Heather (LostSheep3)

The roar of the shot-gun startles me as I lay there in the straw, looking up at my uncle through a red haze of anger. Unable to do otherwise, I obey Jesse’s words and stand, but I can’t shake Luke’s hand…I can’t forgive him. I know in that moment what I need to do…what I have to do for myself.

I can see the sadness in Uncle Jesse’s eyes as I tell him that I have to leave, that I can’t see another way. When he puts his arm around me and tells me he loves me, and that the farm will always be my home, it nearly breaks my heart. I can only nod in acknowledgement as I climb into the General, knowing that I’ll never be back.

Tears cloud my vision as I drive away from the only home I have ever known, hurting and angry, upset…I just wish I could make Luke see.

“Why can’t he see!?” I slap the steering wheel as I head in the direction of the fairgrounds. “Diane ain’t like that. She ain’t what he says she is! He’s just jealous! I know he is!” I pull to the side of the road as my vision blurs. “He knows he couldn’t make that jump…he knows that I’m the only one who can, the only one with the guts to try! Ha, sayin’ I ain’t man enough to fight him…I showed him! Luke just thinks he’s hot stuff. Thinks he’s better’n me. I’ll show him – I’ll show all of them!”

Wiping my eyes I throw the car into drive and hit the gas, taking the well-known roads toward the fairgrounds at breakneck speed, handling the General like a pro…the pro that I want to be, that I know I am. “He ain’t half the driver I am.” Growling, unable to let go of the anger boiling inside me for Luke Duke.

“He’s gutless……..Jealous…sayin’ I ain’t got no brains. What right does he have? He thinks he’s so much better’n I am. I’ll show him!”

Turning the wheel hard, I slide as I make the turn into the Fairgrounds gunning the engine once again, then, screeching to a stop next to Diane’s camper-trailer.

My mind spins as I storm inside, barely even seeing Diane at first, so angry, and frustrated that it’s come to this. But her smile makes it all much better, I know as I look at her that Luke has to be wrong…he just has to be, how could someone so sweet and sincere be using me.

I put my arms around her as I ask her if the offer of a place to stay is still open, and can’t help but laugh at her response.

Gazing at her, I’m distracted by other thoughts, thoughts of this beautiful young woman I’ve come to love. When she smiles her face lights up, and so does my world. Her laugh is the sweetest music to my ears. Her touch makes me feel more alive than I have ever felt before, more alive even than jumping the General.

I wish Luke could see her like this…blue eyes shining, a smile lighting her face as I tell her that I’m here to stay. I can see the hope that my promise to jump brings her. How could he even think of asking me to go back on my promise to her? I can’t crush her dreams of reviving her stunt show like that. I can’t do that to this sweet, gentle, beautiful woman…I’m her only hope…I’m the only one who can make those dreams come true. No one else in the county has the guts to make that 32 car jump…I’m the only one willing to try for her…and I’d do anything to keep that hope alive in her soul.

She’s making my dreams come true too, keeping my hope alive. I have wanted to be a professional driver since the first time I ever sat behind the wheel of Jesse’s old shine runner. I knew then that I was born to drive, to send cars flying, to push my car and myself to our limits.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of going around a dirt track at a hundred and ten miles an hour. Or send a car soaring over a stream, betting that you’re a good enough driver that you and the car land in one piece. I know I’m good, the best in the county – but until I met Diane I didn’t know how to get from the dirt tracks of Hazzard to the professional tracks of NASCAR….or into the world of professional stunt driving. Thanks to her, I’m getting my chance, getting the chance to show the world just what Bo Duke is capable of. She is making my dream come true, and I love her for it.

She looks up at me and asks what’s wrong, why am I looking at her like that. My response is a warm smile, a small laugh. “Nothin’s wrong…in fact things couldn’t be better” I whisper, leaning in to catch strawberry red lips in a gentle kiss.

She wraps her arms around me and returns the kiss. As I hold her, all thought leaves my mind…for now there is only her, the girl of my dreams, the one I can’t imagine my life without.

As I leave the camper sometime later, I let out a whoop. Even though Luke and I aren’t getting along, all is right with my world…I’m in love with the most beautiful woman in the world, I’ve got the money I need to start paying Luke for his half of the General, and soon, I’ll be known all over the state as the hometown boy to make an impossible jump. All of my dreams are about to come true…I’m on top of the world.

by: Meadowmufn

Rosco and Enos sat quietly in a corner booth of the Boar’s Nest, surveying the Saturday night crowd. In a small town like Hazzard, most of the action, and the trouble, on a Saturday night was at the local watering hole. Both officers made it a point to spend a few hours of their overlapping shifts on Saturday nights keeping an eye on the rowdies and by extension, protecting Boss Hogg’s business.

The two men spoke occasionally while sipping root beer, Enos sharing the day’s events from his shift and Rosco going over general Sheriff’s Department business and shifts for the upcoming week.

The Sheriff enjoyed his Saturday nights at the Boar’s Nest, as he felt more like the sheriff he used to be and less like a man who’d been bought. Plus, Rosco genuinely liked his junior officer and was proud of him, though he’d never admit that to Enos. Enos enjoyed it too. Rosco’s complicity in Boss’ schemes disturbed him, though he understood Rosco’s motivation. Still, he liked the old sheriff best, the one that used to be the best lawman in the state. Every Saturday night, he got a glimpse of that man and it made it a little easier to overlook his superior officer’s faults.

After an hour or two of relative calm, Enos excused himself and bid goodnight to the sheriff. As Enos neared the front door, a gang of leather-clad bikers entered. The apparent leader of the gang shoved the deputy aside, causing him to crash into a nearby table, showering popcorn and beer in every direction. Before his deputy hit the floor, Rosco was on his feet. “Awright! Just freeze it right there,” he shouted, pointing at the thugs. He quickly shuffled over to help Enos to his feet and then strode over to the gang leader.

Standing toe to toe with the gang leader, Rosco’s courage shrank a little when he realized the sheer size and bulk of the man. Rosco mustered what courage he had and declared, “Ahm the sheriff in these parts and the man you just shoved is my deputy. I don’t take too kindly to folks assaultin’ mah officers, so unless you wanna spend all weekend in the hoose gow, ah suggest you an’ yer gang clear out of here.” Rosco emphasized his point by thrusting his thumb in the direction of the front door.

“Well, sheriff,” the thug replied as he poked an index finger into Rosco’s chest, “you got things all wrong here. Your deputy ran into ME.” He paused and flashed a sinister smile and looked to the men on either side of him. “I have witnesses, right boys?” The gang of 6 men behind him grunted affirmation. “So, sheriff, unless you want me to pursue charges of police brutality, I suggest you let us all just grab a beer and enjoy our Saturday night.”

The gang leader walked past Rosco, his shoulder knocking the sheriff off balance. Rosco quickly recovered and his hand went automatically to his belt, releasing his handcuffs in one swift motion. He turned and grabbed the man’s arm from behind, twisting it behind his back as he shoved him into the bar. “You have the right to remain silent…” he said as he slapped the cuffs on one wrist and reached for the other. When the man resisted, Enos came alongside the sheriff to assist, only to receive a swift boot to the gut from the arrestee.
Rosco shoved the man hard against the bar, struggling to get the other wrist cuffed. A hand grabbed his shoulder and whirled him around. Before he could get his bearings, one of the thugs took a swing at his head, landing a punch squarely on his jaw. Rosco’s head snapped back and he dropped to the ground with a muffled thud. The Dukes rushed forward to check on Enos and Rosco, only to be met with flying fists themselves. They blocked the first salvo and ducked as they sought an opening to land their own punches.

People quickly took sides, most rushing to the aid of the Dukes and the Hazzard law, some outlaws siding with the bikers, and some slipping out the door and out of the fray. Uncle Jesse carefully escorted his beer through the melee to the quietest corner of the bar.

Cooter, never one to resist a good fight, got a running start and flung himself bodily at several of the gang members, flattening them in one swift motion while the Dukes scuffled with the gang leader and his lieutenants.

Enos cautiously crawled towards the sheriff, arm pressed firmly against his aching gut. The sheriff laid on his back, obviously dazed. “Sheriff?” Enos patted his cheek lightly. “Sheriff?” Rosco moaned as he slowly rolled over on to his side and attempted to get up. “You ok, sheriff?” Enos asked. “I’ve been better, Enos,” Rosco groaned. A body came flying their way and the two law officers ducked instinctively. It flew directly over them and crashed into a nearby table.

Rosco looked at his deputy, “Enos, we gotta get this under control.” Rosco withdrew his revolver and aimed it skyward. Before he could fire, a foot kicked the firearm from his hand. A split second later, the foot swung back at Rosco’s head. He ducked as Enos grabbed the assailant’s leg and pulled, toppling him backwards. He quickly scrambled away, out of the law’s reach and back into the fray. Rosco and Enos looked at each other for a brief second and then bound to their feet after the man, ducking and swerving to avoid punches and flying debris.

The Dukes had their hands full with the leader of the gang. He took punch after punch and barely slowed down, yet each of his blows felt like a sledge hammer against their jaws. After absorbing a particularly brain-rattling blow, Luke suddenly found himself held aloft unsteadily over the biker’s head. Daisy came to Luke’ rescue, or tried to anyway, by smashing a chair into the lead biker’s mid-section. The thug lost his grip and Luke careened into Bo, knocking both of them to the ground.

“Oh my gosh! Luke! Bo! I’m so sorry…” Daisy apologized, rushing to her cousins’ aid. Before she could offer a hand to help, the lead biker grabbed her. “Let me go!” she yelled, fists pummeling his chest. Hearing Daisy’s cries, Enos and Rosco abandoned their quarry and made their way through the skirmishing crowd towards her. Enos came up behind the man and tried to get him in a headlock, but the man was so tall, Enos couldn’t gain any leverage. The biker shrugged him off like he was a mosquito. The sheriff watched his deputy hit the floor with a thud.

Finally pushed past the breaking point, Rosco launched himself from atop a chair onto the man’s back, locking one arm around the brute’s neck and covering his eyes with his other arm. This tactic had the desired effect and the man loosened his grip on Daisy. Luke grabbed his cousin and tried to rescue her from the biker’s grip. Seeing Daisy caught in a tug of war, Enos rushed to Luke’s aid. With additional help from Bo, they wrenched her from the man’s grasp. Daisy tumbled forward as the biker and Rosco tumbled backwards, slamming into the bar. The force of the blow knocked the wind out of Rosco. His momentum carried him over the bar and he slumped to the ground on the other side amongst a growing mound of debris from the fight.

The lead biker growled in discontent, glowering at everyone in front of him. Everyone shrank back a bit, unsure of what the man was capable. He stepped forward and everyone took a step back. He raised his arms out to his sides and let out a primal scream of rage, tensing every muscle in his body.

“Uh oh,” Enos gulped. “I think we made him mad.”

“You mean he wasn’t already?!” Bo asked, incredulous.

The biker snorted and pointed at the cousins. “You’re dead!” he screamed, purple faced and shaking with rage.

“No. You’re under arrest!” Rosco yelled as he jumped from atop the bar, striking the thug over the head with a broken chair leg he’d found on the floor behind the bar. The behemoth didn’t move, as if he never even felt the blow to his head. He just stared straight ahead, unblinking for a few seconds. His knees then buckled and the giant crumpled to the ground as if in slow motion.

Everyone stared at the felled giant for a second, then Luke kneeled to check his vital signs. “He’s ok, just knocked cold.”

“Enos, cuff him!” Rosco ordered. The sheriff disappeared into the still skirmishing crowd as his deputy followed his orders.

Shortly afterwards, a gunshot thundered through the tavern. Rosco had recovered his revolver. The sheriff smiled in satisfaction as everyone froze in place. “Awwwwright now,” Rosco drawled. “I want all of you bikers to line up against that wall.” The now leaderless gang complied grudgingly. Rosco ordered Enos to call for backup as he kept watch on the lineup of thugs.

As Daisy and the other employees of the Boar’s Nest started the arduous task of cleaning up the place, Boss Hogg walked through the front door. Taking in the utter ruin before him, Boss let out a yell, “GAAAAAAAAAAH! Rosco!? What in tarnation?! Who did this?! What happened here?!”

Dumbfounded, Rosco stuttered, trying to think of how best to quickly explain the situation. At a loss, he looked at Enos. Enos looked at the Dukes. Finally, Bo chimed in, “Just another Boar’s Nest Saturday Night, Boss!”

by: Yva J. (aka Enos Fan)

As the sun rose in the distance, Jesse Duke stared out across the emptiness of the green pasture. His aged eyes were filled with life, although the doctor had told him more often than not to slow down and take it easy. “You should be retired, Mr. Duke,” the man had said, his voice filled with concern. “That means resting and relaxing and not doing so much hard work.”

Jesse had retorted with an irritated sigh, but had said nothing.

If the truth were known, he had been working this hard since he was a youngster, and far be it for him to stop now, just because his body had decided to start playing tricks with him.

He took a deep breath as the cool breeze ruffled his beard. As he released an irritated snort, his thoughts returned to the know-it-all doctor who was going about giving him orders. Leave it to those youngsters to tell him such a thing, he thought. Did they not know that hard work was the key to his vitality? If they had actually subjected themselves to the work he had done throughout his life, then perhaps they would not be so quick to be telling him what to do now that he was older. They may hold a degree in medicine, but that did not mean they knew what was in a man’s heart. They would eventually have to learn to do that just as he had done throughout his own life.

He rubbed his hands down over his belly, the familiar denim of his overalls meeting his wrinkled fingers. On a day like this, there was nothing but gladness in the air, and he would be darned if he were to sit around the house staring at four walls when there was work to be done.

“What a morning,” he breathed in the cool Georgia air as he stretched his hands over his head and allowed his back to stretch in the same manner as a cat would. “There are chores to be done,” he said to the stillness, “but not just yet.” This particular morning was special and he had crawled out of bed extra early to watch as the sun rose across the horizon.

He had a great many things to think about, today was the day the very last mortgage payment on the farm was due. Once the money was dropped off, the farm would belong to the Duke family, and J.D. Hogg would no longer be able to hold his hand over the land or the people who worked it.

The envelope with the money was tucked securely in the pocket of his overalls and he decided that this time he would not be rushing into town at the last possible minute to make the payment as he usually did. Instead, he would go in early and personally hand the money to Hogg himself with a smile and a customary slap on the shoulder. He would finally hold the deed to the land in his hand, and this, he would be able to pass on Bo, Luke, and Daisy. This would indeed be a day the Duke family would celebrate.

So much had changed in Hazzard, yet so much remained the same. The farm seemed to be the one constant in his life, and his eyes sometimes became misted over whenever he thought about how much joy was present there. He remained on the porch, but instead of staying on his feet, he seated himself on the chair close to the door leading into the kitchen.

After several minutes had passed, he heard a distant sound split the silence and he raised his head to see that a white dot in the distance appeared on the horizon. It looked to be the size of a needle’s eye, but soon grew to the size of a car. As it came closer, the noise from the motor filled the air and he groaned when he recognized what was coming towards the farmhouse.

“It’s six thirty in the dang morning,” he grumbled under his breath. Inhaling sharply, he slowly got to his feet and dug into the pocket that held his worn out silver watch. As he opened the cover, he stared down at the face of it, the two hands presently on the roman numeral six. “What in Sam Hill does Rosco want at this hour?” He muttered as he returned the watch to his pocket.

Minutes later, the car stopped and the driver got out, but instead of it being Rosco, it turned out to be was Enos Strate the Sheriff’s Deputy of Hazzard County. Jesse liked Enos, but he often wondered if he would ever really grow up. The Deputy seemed more like a child in the body of a man, innocent and sometimes incredibly naïve. It was easy for the Duke family to take advantage of his brand of naïveté, but Enos also seemed to come back for more and considered their family to be his best friends in the world.

Jesse watched as Enos disembarked the police cruiser and walked slowly over to him. The younger man was dressed in his civilian clothing, not even his deputy’s hat graced the crown of his head. Instead the breeze gently ruffled his hair, sometimes blowing it in his eyes.

The Deputy’s head seemed to be adrift in the clouds and this left the elder of the two to question why it was the deputy had come at all. What was his ultimate purpose for showing up at the Duke farm at this hour and out of uniform? Instead of raising a series of compounding questions, which were of very little significance, Jesse watched as the younger man approached him and spoke, his voice etched with nervousness.

“Uncle Jesse, I’m sorry to disturb you this morning,” he began as his eyes sought those of the older man. Enos always called Jesse ‘Uncle Jesse’ although it had long ago been established that there was no kinship between the two men. Somehow, over time, Jesse had become a surrogate uncle for the insecure county deputy.

“What can I do for you, Enos?” Jesse eventually asked. “It’s six thirty in the morning.”

“I know,” he said as he rubbed his hand through his dark brown hair. This only succeeded in making the hair fly about, giving Enos the hairstyle that resembled a bottlebrush. As he came up on the porch, he motioned towards a couple of chairs that were placed nearby. “Do you mind if I sit down?” He asked.

“Not at all, just tell me what you’re doing here,” came the response, but after several minutes, Jesse took a deep breath. “Did something happen? Is it J.D.?”

For whatever reason, Jesse felt it was right of him to ask about the welfare of the County Commissioner, even if the two men despised one another. At the same time, he also knew that no one would be showing up at this hour unless there was something wrong. It was no secret, as with himself, Boss Hogg was getting up there in years as well. He also knew that he could not live with his conscience if something were to happen to him without showing the customary concern for his fellow man.

“No Sir,” the deputy whispered. “As far as a know, Mr. Hogg is alright.”

“Then what in tar-nation are you doing here?” Jesse asked.

“I-I just wanted to help make sure that you got your mortgage payment to Mr. Hogg before three this afternoon. I heard the Sheriff telling Mr. Hogg that he had all sorts of traps and things in mind for y’all before the due time of the payment,” he began. “I know that today’s the last day for the last payment and I wanted to do what I could to make sure nothing went wrong with that.”

“At six thirty in the morning?” Jesse asked.

“Mr. Hogg told Rosco and me to be out on the road at eight this mornin’ to try and stop y’all. I don’t know why, Uncle Jesse, but he wants to make sure your family gets foreclosed on today, and I didn’t want to see that happen. Y’all are good folks, and, well…it just seemed wrong to me somehow,” Enos said. “It could get me into trouble, but I don’t much care anymore. I just don’t want y’all to get thrown off your land.”

“That’s awful nice of you, Enos,” he said smiling as he took in the earnest face of the younger man. “Yet, somethin’ tells me this ain’t just about the mortgage payment,” he began. “What’s on your mind, Enos?” He asked. “Is it something about Daisy?”

As most of the Dukes, Jesse tended to grace the topic of his niece very delicately. He knew that Enos was in love with Daisy and had proven himself to be someone Jesse could approve of as a suitor. Jesse, of course, never broached the topic with Enos, but he still waited for the younger man to find the nerve to approach the family with his feelings.

“No Sir, I came because it was the right thing to do,” Enos said, thus distracting him from his earlier thoughts. “I spent much of my life not doing what was right because of my duty and not following my heart. I didn’t want to go through that again at your expense. I always wanted to be an honest and hardworking lawman, but that seems contradictory for Hazzard, don’t it?” Without waiting for Jesse to respond, Enos continued. “Uncle Jesse, I want to do what is right, not because of an obligation or duty, but because my conscience was telling me it is the right thing to do.”

Jesse looked at Enos, his blue eyes widening. He had never heard him speak with such conviction, and he started to wonder if what his heart was telling him did not just center itself on the mortgage, but perhaps it had something to do with his feelings for Daisy. Of course, Jesse had also been waiting to hear these words ever since his niece had almost married him.

After several minutes, the older man took a deep breath. “Enos,” he paused, the words he was about to say filled with sincerity. “I’m really proud of you.”

The deputy’s eyes opened at that moment and brightened considerably. “Really?” He eventually asked, his voice cracking with emotion.

Never in his life had Enos been able to share one of his fondest wishes, and that was to gain approval and acceptance by Jesse Duke. Enos knew that this man was one of the most respected and honest people in the county. Yet, he always knew that because of his job, there was always going to be something that stood between him and Jesse’s favor. Eventually, he swallowed. “You don’t know what that means to me, Uncle Jesse.”

“Oh, I think I do,” Jesse mumbled, but no other words emerged. Jesse Duke was generally not a man built on sentimentality. Instead, he took a deep and cleansing breath and stared out across the pasture towards the eastern horizon. “You gonna tell Daisy now how you feel or wait until another bank robbery?” He chuckled under his breath as he turned around and looked meaningfully at Enos.

The deputy nodded as he turned back to behold the sky that was now filled with hues of purples, pinks, blues, and yellows. For whatever reason, these colors reminded him of the overall feeling of gratitude towards God for making such a beautiful day and giving it to them in such an unconditionally loving manner.

Jesse turned and cast a glance towards Enos. The deputy was now sitting with a cockeyed smile plastered across his face. He seems to be lost in his own little world again, he thought as he noticed as tear as it slipped from beneath Enos’ eye and made a steady stream down over his cheek. His attention once more returned to the sunrise.

After awhile, his thoughts were jarred when he heard a sniff from the younger man and almost released a chuckle when he saw Enos wiping his flat palm across his cheek and, thus, smearing the tear away.

Jesse said nothing; instead he turned his head back towards the natural wonder that was playing out before their eyes.

For some time, the two men sat watching in companionable silence until the door abruptly opened and Jesse turned around to see that Daisy had stepped outside, her hair pulled back in a casual ponytail and her sundress wafting in the cool early morning breeze.

“Enos, what are you doing here?” She spoke, her voice soft as she regarded her uncle and the younger man who were both seated on the porch.

“I uh…” he began, his voice trailing off. “…Hi Daisy.”

“Enos and I were just enjoying the sunrise and talking,” Jesse said.

“Uncle Jesse, should I go ahead and get breakfast ready?” She asked. “I scramble up some eggs with bacon and sausage, if you’d like.”

“You can, Daisy, but I got chores to do,” Jesse heaved himself from the chair and started to walk off in the direction of the barn. “I’ll be back in about an hour or so.”

“But Uncle Jesse, you know what Doctor Hayes said about resting and taking it easy,” Daisy objected. “Let Bo or Luke take care of the chores.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, ‘watch out for your heart, Mr. Duke’,” Jesse groused, his voice emerging in a singsong twang and filled with sarcasm. “Daisy, when are you gonna learn that my heart ain’t gonna take me out of this here world until the good Lord is ready for me to come back home to Him?”

“But Uncle Jesse,” she objected.

“No buts, now why don’t you kids skedaddle back inside and get that promised breakfast put on?” He asked as he looked from Daisy to Enos and then started to walk towards the barn. With his back still facing them, neither Daisy nor Enos saw the coy smile that was now plastered across Jesse Duke’s face.

~~~~~

As soon as the older man had disappeared inside the barn, Daisy looked at Enos. “I wish he’d listen to me for once in his life, Enos. I’m worried about him,” she said hotly, her words filled with frustration. She watched as Jesse rounded a corner and entered the barn. As soon as he was out of her sight, she turned to face the deputy. “I just don’t know what I’m going to do about him,” she mumbled more to herself than to him.

As these words emerged, she started to follow her uncle, but Enos reached a hand out and stopped her with a soft touch to her shoulder. Upon feeling this, she stopped and turned around. “His heart won’t give out on him for doing some farming chores, Daisy honey,” he offered kindly as he released his hold on her but reached for her hand.

Once he could feel her fingers curling around his gentle hand, he stroked her own with his free hand as his next words emerged. “You should know by now that your Uncle Jesse is probably the strongest man in all of Hazzard County.”

“The strongest willed, you mean,” Daisy whispered bitterly, her voice etched with worry.

“There is something to be said for strong wills,” Enos said smiling at her. “A strong will is what keeps me in here, even though I could have stayed in Los Angeles.”

Daisy shrugged her shoulders as she felt her heart starting to hammer loudly in her chest. For a moment, she stared down at their joined hands as she remembered the day he had left and how heartbroken she had been. Then her thoughts drifted and she could recall the day he returned to Hazzard and then how they had almost gotten married. So many memories, and yet she knew beyond any doubt that her heart was slowly and surely being held in the loving hands of Enos Strate.

She took a deep breath and looked at him. His hair was wafting gently in the breeze and she reached over with her free hand up and brushed it aside so that it would once more lay flat. Instead of speaking of her feelings, she shook her head. “I don’t know, Enos,” she said softly, her words returning her to the present moment. “Jesse Duke could give stubborn lessons to Maudine the mule.”

“Don’t be so hard on him, Daisy,” Enos said. “Uncle Jesse is only doing what he has been doing all his life. You can’t very well take that away from him. If you did, it would be to deny him of his reason for living. My daddy once said that one might be able to take the farm from the man, but they will never take the farmer out of the man.”

Daisy smiled at him, the gesture weak and filled with uncertainty. She shrugged her shoulders as she looked into the kind eyes of the man she loved.

At this moment, she was simply uncertain as to whether or not she could even touch on certain topics while still in his company. She wanted to and yet, she was completely aware of the fact that the only response he would accept would be a completely honest one.

She took a deep breath and raised her head as the heartfelt truth emerged with her words. “You’re probably right, Enos, but it scares me so much to even think about it. You know, the way I figure, Uncle Jesse’s probably not gonna retire or take it easy until I’m married off and he knows I’d be well provided for.” She turned and looked at him, her expression filled with meaning, and her gaze encompassed in her own brand of hope.

At the same instant the words had emerged from her, she managed to look him directly in the eyes as a tinge of redness suddenly colored his cheeks.

She would never have admitted this to anyone, but the day that she and Enos come close to getting married, her heart nearly shattered from disappointment. She knew that she didn’t love him in that way, at that time, but now she did. Of course, she had always had a soft spot in her heart for him. Of course no one knew that she was just as afraid to tell him, as he was to tell her. In the recesses of her heart, she figured that Jesse would disapprove of him as a potential suitor and this left her literally standing between two chairs.

Deep down inside, he was the man she had waited all her life to find, yet, at the same instant, she wondered what the rest of them would say if she had confessed her feelings about a man who had loved her since grade-school.

After several minutes of awkward silence passed between them, she turned and faced him. “Enos, what are you doing here so early in the morning?” She did not ask as a way to demand something from him, but instead she was curious as to why he was there in the first place. Of course, she would not freely admit it, but she was happy to have woken up to see that he was paying her family a visit.

The deputy’s cheeks flushed an even brighter shade of red. “Nothin’ much really, I just wanted to come by and help make sure Uncle Jesse got the mortgage payment to Mr. Hogg in time since today’s the last day, and I didn’t want y’all to lose your farm because of some dirty trick.” He lowered his head as he stared down at the boots that covered his feet.

“That’s really sweet of you, Enos,” she said with a slow nod. Seconds later, she inched her way over to him and weaved her arm through his and took his hand. “Would you help me fix breakfast, Sugar?” She asked, her eyes meeting his.

He immediately nodded and allowed her to help lead him into the house. “Then that means you can stay and help us eat it. We even have a jar of buttermilk in the fridge just for you,” she offered with a smile as they came into the bright and cheerful kitchen.

Enos nodded as the door swung closed. Daisy slowly lowered her arm and the two of them separated. She approached the refrigerator and pulled out the bowl with the fresh eggs inside while he seated himself at the familiar kitchen table.

Once she had carried the eggs over to the sink, she took six of them out and returned the small bucket to the refrigerator. Returning to the sink, she watched as Enos stared down at the tabletop. They remained in this stance for several minutes before he raised his head and looked at her. “It really is not necessary for you to do all this work on my account, Daisy,” he said politely, but his voice seemed more like he was talking to himself and less like he was addressing her.

“But, you’re helping us by telling Uncle Jesse Boss and Rosco’s plans,” she said smiling at him. “You could get into trouble, you know. Not to mention the fact that if they found out that you told us, then the breakfast I’m cooking will give you the energy to get past all that.”

“I know, but Daisy, I’d do anything I could for you or your family. You know that,” he said. “And I wouldn’t be asking for a reward for it, neither.”

“I know that too, Sugar,” she said as she walked over to where he was sitting at the table. She rested her hands on his shoulders and stared down at him, her eyes filled with love. Seconds later, she found herself allowing her weight to fall against the back of the chair and she managed to wind her arms around him, chair and all. As she felt her weight falling against his strong back, she buried her face against his left shoulder.

Inhaling, she could detect the scent of Ivory soap as well as the fragrance of his aftershave. She figured that he used something that was for sensitive skin, but it smelled so good, and she remained in this uncomfortable stance for several minutes just allowing his presence to entice her senses. After several minutes had passed, she raised her head, her gaze now shifting to the room where they were.

It was no secret; both Daisy and Enos both loved the kitchen of the Duke farm. The bright and cheerful essence seemed to welcome anyone who came calling whether it was kin, their friends, or a stranger. Sometimes there were things that happened that were not so grand, but yet there was always something that would make her smile when she thought about all the good and bad times that had happened over the years.

Enos raised his head and when he felt her hold on him tightening. He tipped his chin as high as he could so that he would be able to see her from this position. When he saw a frown shadowed across her face, he swallowed. “You’re worried, aren’t you?” he whispered.

She nodded sadly as she tried to stand up, but when she felt his hands covering hers; she remained in this awkward half-seated position. “How strong is his heart?” She spoke in response to Enos’ question. “How much can a man go through before the good Lord calls him home?”

“You’re frightened about something that you cannot control?” Enos asked.

“Yes,” she nodded. “I’m more afraid than I have ever been in my life, Enos. Bo and Luke don’t seem to be worried about any of this. It’s probably because they are strong young men with girls flocking in to date them, but me…” she shook her head. Before Enos could object and remind her of all the times she had caught the fancy of some fellow, she continued to speak. “…I can’t imagine my life without Uncle Jesse anymore than I can imagine myself being a barmaid for the rest of my life.”

“Then don’t try to imagine your life that way right now. Just try to enjoy and live as you have done all these years,” he said smiling. “A job can always be changed, it is not what truly lies in the heart of a person. This was something that I learned when I was working out in LA. It was also something that made me decide to come back. It was also something that Uncle Jesse always tried to remind me of. Just this morning, he reminded me of what was important.”

“What do you mean?” She asked softly.

“Well, I learned that no matter how far away I am from this place, that it will still be home to me. I also discovered that how great or small my dreams may be, my heart will lead me back to where it is I belong. The same will hold true for you, Daisy. The measure of one’s heart is only as great as the person who dreams or carries the hope inside.”

“That doesn’t help,” Daisy said sadly. “This farm, this family; that was Uncle Jesse’s dream. Once he gives the payment to Boss Hogg, then he will have accomplished everything he set out to do.”

“Yes, and perhaps that is the weight that weighs the most heavily on you. Since he will now accomplish having the farm paid off, he will have accomplished what he needs to. This will insure that you, Bo, and Luke will always have a home and a roof above your heads,” Enos said.

“How did you get to be so smart, Enos?” She whispered as he stood up from the table, turned around, and looked deeply into her eyes. “I always thought you…”

“…Were a dipstick?” He asked with his light-hearted laugh.

“No, I don’t mean that,” she objected.

“Perhaps not, but maybe the words Uncle Jesse has been telling me all these years are finally starting to sink in.” He took both of her hands in his and smiled down at her. “I’m not as naïve as I may seem, Daisy. I learned a great deal over the years, not just about being an honest lawman, but about what lies in my heart. I know y’all have become a family to me, and I can recall how you’ve helped me out of a jam or two. I also realized what a blessing your friendship means to me that time you were willin’ to marry me to save me from living out my days behind bars. I truly found someone of worth that I knew I loved. The truth is, my pride would not let me reach out and embrace you although I really wanted to.”

Daisy looked down at where his fingers were laced with her own. “You mean; you knew that I didn’t…”

“…Love me in that way?” He asked, but affirmed this with a nod of his head. “Yeah, I knew. Daisy, the hives were just a good enough reason to allow us both the time we needed to determine if that was what we really wanted.”

“But, you knew, it was me who didn’t know. I knew all along that you loved me, Enos,” she whispered.

“Well, I said so on the canoe when we were together on the lake,” he said smiling at her. “I said it then, but you didn’t. That was when I knew that you weren’t ready.”

“I wasn’t ready, Enos, but how does one know if they are ready?” she offered softly. “I have always thought that you knew, deep in your heart, I deeply cared for you.”

“I knew that, but Daisy, carin’ for and lovin’ someone are two different things,” he said as he stared down at where their hands were joined. He rubbed his hand along the softness of her skin, but eventually raised his head. “There’s something I have wanted to tell you for a long time now, Daisy. I realized Just now, when Uncle Jesse told me that he was proud of me that I could. The truth is, I think I was happier hearin’ those words than I have ever been in my life. You know, I have always sought his approval in the past for things or decisions. I wanted him to see me as a man who could make the right decision and not just be considered someone who was ripe to be snookered.” He shook his head as a nervous laugh emerged. “I guess I always knew that if I played the part of the dipstick that I would never be able to show you what I could do or be the kind of man you deserve. That is I…” His voice trailed off and he lowered his head.

“I think I know what you’re trying to say, Enos,” she whispered. She released his hands so that she could wind her arms around him and allow her head to come and rest against his shoulder. “These are the words I was waiting to hear since the day we almost got married.”

“They were?” He asked.

“Yes, and now I know that the feelings you hold for me can be returned,” she said as she felt her fingers caressing the side of his face. “Enos, I…” her voice trailed off as she felt his soft lips touching her own.

Seconds later, the door opened and closed and Jesse came into the kitchen.

Enos slowly backed away from Daisy and regarded him with a happy, and this time, a not so nervous, smile.

“I thought you young-uns were getting breakfast ready,” he said with a low chuckle. He could tell that by Enos’ expression, that the young man had spoken to Daisy and her response had been an affirmative one.

He also knew that the two of them had spoken about what truly existed in Enos’ heart, and that was the reason he had left them alone in the first place. “So what did I miss while I was serving Maudine her breakfast?”

Enos exchanged glances with Daisy, but offered Jesse a lopsided smile. No words emerged from him, but his niece looked at him. “We were just talking about stuff, Uncle Jesse. You know how it is.” she said hurriedly.

She cast a shy glance across the table and when her eyes met Enos’, she could see that he was smiling as though he had won the lottery.

“Just stuff, huh?” Jesse asked, his eyes sparkling merrily.

“Well, no Sir,” Enos said, his voice filled with confidence, something that Jesse had rarely seen in the younger man, but also something that the Duke patriarch liked. “We were talking about what it is that makes a person find the courage to follow their heart.”

Jesse nodded approvingly as Daisy got up and set about to finishing her task of making breakfast.

In the other room the three of them could hear the sounds of Bo and Luke waking up.

“Oh boys?” Jesse called out over the sounds of coffee being poured and Daisy’s scraping the last of the eggs from the frying pan. “I’m going to be leaving here before eight to take care of the mortgage business, so you’re going to have to take care of tidying up the hen-house for me.”

As soon as the words ‘yes Sir’, filtered back into the kitchen from the other room, Jesse nodded as he patted the envelope in the breast pocket of his overalls.

The End…