by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 14

At the moment those words left his mouth, Bo Duke felt as if the world had tilted violently. He lost his balance and fell to his knees. He seemed to be enveloped in a thick fog…he could no longer see the countryside around him. His vision clouded further and he heard voices…voices from his past. The voices were not speaking directly to him…but they were close to him…sometimes mentioning his name. He heard his Uncle Jesse, a younger sounding Daisy and Luke, and…could it be? He heard the unmistakable sound of Meghan’s soft, musical voice! They were the voices of his past, all right, but he didn’t remember ever hearing these conversations before. What were those strange noises in the background? Why couldn’t he move or speak?
‘What’s going on? Have I finally lost my mind?’

Reality: September, 1985…Tri-County Hospital, Long-Term/Rehabilitative Care Unit

Luke Duke stared, stonily, out the window of the sixth floor waiting room. His whole life had changed in the past six months. Who would have thought that one event would have such an impact on a whole family. It was almost as if all the joy had been instantaneously sucked out of their lives. His uncle rarely smiled anymore and Daisy, who was usually always smiling and quick with a laugh, was now more prone to tears than laughter. Luke, himself, had become more reserved. He kept his emotions and thoughts completely to himself, rarely speaking to anyone except family and close friends. The eldest Duke cousin had never realized how closely his family was knit until one of them was gone. “But, he’s not gone…not yet anyways,” Luke thought about the conversation he had just overheard between his uncle and the doctors.

“They’re wrong! They just have to be wrong!” He said to himself as he pounded the window frame with his fists. He jumped as he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned to see his cousin Daisy standing behind him with tears shining in her eyes.

“Luke, honey, I’m afraid they might be right this time. You know how bad Bo was hurt…I mean…six months in a coma, all those problems and now this pneumonia…Luke, even if he does somehow make it…” Daisy broke down and began to sob. Luke hugged her to his chest and began to rub her back to soothe her. He knew all too well what his cousin was talking about. Even if Bo did live through this he could still spend the rest of his life in a coma or brain-damaged to the point where he couldn’t take care of himself. Either way, his best friend was gone.

“Where’s Uncle Jesse?” Luke asked, trying to control the surge of emotions running through him.

Daisy wiped her eyes and sniffed as she struggled to find her voice, “He’s gone down to the chapel. I thought I’d give him a little time alone and then I’d join him. He’s havin’ a real hard time right now…he doesn’t want to see Bo suffer, but he can’t let him go.”

“I know the feelin’.” Luke said, softly.

“Do you wanna come down to the chapel with me?” Daisy asked as she turned to walk toward the elevators.

“Nah. I think I’ll go sit with Bo for a little while…maybe talk to him a bit.”

“OK…Luke, I love you. Tell Bo I love him, too and me and Jesse’ll be up in a little while.” Daisy returned to her cousin and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

Luke returned the kiss. “Love you, too, Cuz and I’ll be sure to tell him, even though he knows it already,” he said with a wink and turned her back toward the elevators.

Luke entered the Long-Term Care Unit and wandered back into the room his cousin had been in for a little over five months. The room was more “homey” looking than a regular hospital room and was plastered in pictures and posters from concerts and races…just anything to talk about and to possibly remind Bo of his life before the accident…that is if he ever woke up to see them. Luke went over to the large window and stared out of it. He could still see the events that led up to Bo’s accident. They had played out in his mind like a movie…every day since. He kept trying to figure out if he could have done anything different…

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
It was early April. He and Bo had been driving back from town. Jesse had sent them to get some new pieces for Maudine’s harness and they had to hurry back to start work in the fields. Bo was his usual self, talkative and having fun. The two cousins were just enjoying the day. They briefly had a chase with Roscoe, but ended it by leaving the Sheriff yellin’ at them after he went nose-first into a cow pond. On their way back to the farm, Bo decided to take one of his famous short-cuts. Soon the Duke boys found themselves in their usual position: in the wrong place at the wrong time. All was well until they passed the old Jenson place. Apparently, some of Boss Hogg’s “business associates” were using the abandoned farm as their hide-out. They obviously didn’t want any company and objected strongly to the sight of the orange charger and its two occupants speeding through “their territory”. Before they really realized what was going on, Bo and Luke found themselves smack in the middle of another chase. The Duke boys had no idea who the angry men were and they sure didn’t know why they were chasing them. Luke looked behind while Bo floored the accelerator.
“Come on, Bo! Quit foolin’ around and lose ‘em, already.”
“I’m tryin’, I’m tryin’. You’re not helpin’ any by hollerin’ in my ear!”
“Shut up and drive! I think they’ve got guns.”
“Who are those fellas anyway? We didn’t do nothin’ to them.”
Luke shrugged his shoulders and looked out the front window. Jenson’s Creek was coming up fast.
“Uh, you do realize there ain’t no bridge over that creek.”
“Yeah, but it’s either jump it or turn around…and I don’t want to turn around. Do you?”
“Nope…step on it, Cuz.”
Just as Bo gunned the engine, preparing to jump, shots rang out.
“They’re shootin’ at us!” Bo said in a panicked voice.
Luke ducked down in the seat and tried to get Bo to scoot down as much as he could. More shots were fired as the General sped ever closer toward the creek. Just as Bo sat up a little higher in order to line the car up for the jump, two bullets pierced the back window.
Luke yelped, “Whoa! That was a little closer than I like it. Way to go, Cousin! They’re not gonna try to follow us over…” Luke stopped and looked on in horror as the car sped toward the creek. Something was wrong; they were headed for the woods, not the small clearing on the other side. “Bo…straighten up! That’s gonna be a rough landin’…Bo?” Luke looked over at his cousin.
He briefly caught sight of Bo slumped over the steering wheel, blood staining the back of his head, before the General, completely off course, went airborne and slammed straight into a grove of trees on the other side of the creek. The impact threw both Bo and Luke from the car. Luke was briefly knocked unconscious. He awoke and found himself lying in a ditch near the creek. His head throbbed and his left leg hurt beyond belief. He gave himself a quick once over and determined that a cut on his forehead and a broken leg were the worst of his injuries. He suddenly remembered his last picture of Bo; unmoving and blood staining his bright blond hair.
“Oh my God! Bo! Bo, where are you?”
Luke struggled to drag himself to the wrecked remains of the General Lee. The car looked terrible, but foremost on his mind now was his cousin.
After a few minutes search, Luke found Bo. The younger man was lying a few yards away from the car. He was lying face up, unmoving, and was covered in cuts and scratches. Luke crawled over to his cousin and tried to rouse him.
Thankfully, Bo was breathing and had a rapid but steady heartbeat. He appeared to have no obviously broken bones. Luke braced himself for what he would find as he put his hand beneath his cousin’s head. His hand was instantly covered in blood. He found an entrance wound. Luke’s heart almost stopped. Bo had been shot…and the bullet was still lodged in his head! Luke paled and almost fainted. He had seen too many men die in ‘Nam from bullet wounds like this. How was Bo going to survive getting shot in the head…plus a car accident on top of that? He had to get help. Luke struggled to get to the General’s CB, praying that it still worked.
His prayers were answered and he was able to radio for help. To Luke’s pain and fear addled mind, it seemed he and Bo were almost immediately surrounded by people. Jesse, Daisy, Cooter, Roscoe, Enos and the ambulance personnel had all been alerted by Luke’s frantic radio message.
After a brief stay in the hospital, Luke was able to leave with nothing more than a cast on his left leg and crutches.
Bo, however, had to be flown to Atlanta for emergency surgery to remove the bullet and skull fragments from his brain. He stayed in the trauma unit for a couple of weeks and was transferred back to Tri-County General.
After the doctors realized Bo was not coming out of his coma any time soon, he was moved to the Long-Term Care unit. Bo arrived in the unit looking shockingly different. His head had been shaved for the surgery and he was hooked up to so many machines! He had not moved or made a sound since the accident. Luke and Daisy didn’t know what upset them more…the sight of Bo attached to life-support machines, the sight of the incision on his nearly bald head or the fact that Bo was so unnaturally still and quiet. Daisy fretted about Bo’s hair and was overjoyed when the blond strands began to grow back long enough to cover the ugly scar. Bo was given a very slim chance of ever waking up. The Duke’s were told that with his type of injury, many people who did manage to wake up were left severely brain damaged. The medical staff really didn’t expect Bo to live as long as he had. Jesse told them all that Bo was a Duke and that ‘Duke’s didn’t give up the fight.’ Luke often joked that Bo was too stubborn to get up and too stubborn to die and that he would wake up only when he was good and ready. The Duke family stayed by Bo’s side, praying and hoping he would regain consciousness at any time. They had almost lost him several times over the last six months due to breathing complications due his history of asthma, fever due to infections, and now this severe case of pneumonia.

Luke remembered one of the doctors telling him “this is usually how cases like this end up: dying from pneumonia”…but Beauregard Duke was not just a “case”! ‘He has a life, he has a family…he’s got too much left to do. He’s only 25, for Christ’s sake! He’s not supposed to die like this…helpless. He’d want to go out fightin’.’
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Luke finished his daily replay of the accident…finding once again that there was nothing he could have done to protect his ‘baby brother’. Cooter had managed to restore the beloved orange Charger to its former condition, but Luke could barely bring himself to drive it without his “co-pilot”. He continued to stare out the window for a few minutes before turning to look at the still young man in the bed across the room. He still couldn’t believe that his younger cousin, the one that was always so full of energy, mischief and life, was lying there…motionless and lifeless except for the constant hiss of the ventilator and soft beeping of the heart monitor and IV machines. He slowly sat down in the hard chair that he, Jesse, Daisy, or sometimes Cooter or Enos had occupied at one time or another since Bo’s admittance to the hospital. He reached out and grasped the limp, cool hand of his cousin. Luke swallowed hard. Bo felt too cold, too lifeless!
“Bo, it’s me. I’m here, now. Look, I know you don’t want to live like this…but, don’t leave us…please, Cousin! Don’t leave, not yet. You have to wake up and be alright. If you don’t, they’re gonna let you die! Please, Bo, listen to me,” Luke begged his still cousin.
The dark-haired man leaned over and laid his head on the bed. He couldn’t be strong any longer. His body soon shook with emotions that had been held in check ever since that day, six months ago.

*************************************************************
Meghan Riley was making her usual rounds. The patients in her ward were not difficult to deal with, just time consuming. She felt the only problem was getting too attached to these long-term patients. She was having an unusually hard time trying not to get attached to one patient in particular. Meghan had started work at Tri-County General about three weeks before this young man was admitted to the Long-Term/Rehabilitative Care Unit and he had been her patient ever since the day he arrived. He was very attractive and something about him just seemed to draw her to him… even though he had been badly injured and had been completely unresponsive since. From his family members, she had gotten an idea of his past and his personality and she longed to know the man Bo Duke had been before his arrival into her world. When she worked with the blond-haired man she found herself opening her heart and soul to him. She knew he couldn’t respond to her, but she couldn’t explain to herself or anyone else why she felt such a connection to this man. She actually felt…as crazy as it sounded…that she could be falling in love with Bo Duke!
“Great, Meghan! You have to go and fall in love with a man who’s in a coma! You can’t do anything normal, can you?” she thought as she gathered supplies needed in Bo’s room. She had been off work for the last week, taking a long overdue trip home, and was concerned to hear that Bo had contracted a case of pneumonia and was taking a turn for the worse. She hoped to have some time alone with her favorite patient to talk to him and maybe reconcile her feelings for him before any thing happened. Meghan fought back tears. She couldn’t get overly emotional…she was a nurse! She had to be professional and show her concern for a patient in a more reserved way.

Meghan juggled the medical supplies and clean linens as she approached the door to Bo Duke’s room. She paused in the doorway as she heard heart-wrenching sobs coming from within. Her heart clenched and her blood ran cold, ‘Oh, no! He’s gone!’ she thought.
All thoughts of professionalism went out the window as her concern for Bo took over. “What’s wrong? Bo!” she cried and dropped the items she carried to the floor as she ran into the room.

Luke Duke jerked his head up in surprise. He noticed Bo’s usual nurse, Meghan, standing at his side, with a look of sheer panic on her face.

“Meghan! It’s good to see you back. We missed you last week,” he said as he wiped his eyes and tried to regain his composure.

“It’s good to see you, too. What’s going on? How is he?” Meghan asked as she went around to the other side of the bed and started to examine Bo. She was shocked to realize that while she was gone, his breathing had gotten so bad that he had been placed on a ventilator. Meghan listened to his heart and lungs and checked every monitoring line and piece of tubing that ran into or out of his body. When she had assessed Bo to her satisfaction, finding that Bo was alive, but a great deal worse than when she last saw him, she looked up at the dark-haired man, questioningly.

Luke had sat quietly, watching as the petite, brown-haired nurse performed her duties. He knew she cared for Bo, but the look of worry she had and the gentle, tender touch she used now let Luke know that she felt a lot more than professional concern for his cousin.

“It’s bad, Meghan. They don’t think he’ll make it through the night,” he paused at her sharp intake of breath. Luke stood and placed a steadying hand on the young nurse’s shoulder. He watched as she stroked a small hand through his cousin’s unruly blond hair before continuing.
“The doctor’s are saying that even if he does live…he won’t have much of a chance of surviving for very long or most likely will never recover. They’ve advised Uncle Jesse to pull the plug and just let him pass on…peaceful-like…so he won’t suffer any more.” Luke’s voice was strained, showing his difficulty with coming to terms with the finality of his cousin’s condition.

Meghan could hardly believe what she had heard. She knew Bo had been in a bad state, but she had always been optimistic that he would improve with time. He couldn’t die…not without knowing that she loved him. It wouldn’t really make any difference…she knew…but she had to tell him. She took a shuddering breath and looked up at Bo’s cousin for some sort of comfort or unrealistic assurance that Bo would be fine. Luke had been there everyday and had become a good friend to her, as had all of Bo’s family and friends.

Luke could see the pain and tears in Meghan’s eyes. He pulled her into a gentle hug. She rested her head on his chest. She tried not to cry but she couldn’t hold back her feelings any longer. Meghan held onto Luke tightly and spilled out her heart. Even though he could barely understand her words, Luke knew that she was telling him that she loved Bo. He thought how Bo would have fallen head over heels for this little nurse and would have tried every way possible to impress her…and he still managed to get her to fall in love with him anyway, even when he was unconscious!
Luke held Meghan, patting her back to comfort her. “You know what? I have a feeling he’d be crazy about you, too.” Luke said.

“Really?” Meghan asked as she gently pulled out of Luke’s embrace, wiping her red eyes and streaming nose.

*************************************************************

Bo Duke seemed to come in and out of a thick fog. He couldn’t move a muscle and he barely felt anything. He grasped bits and pieces of what was happening around him and tried to make some sense of it all. During his brief periods of awareness, Bo could not see but he could hear everything going on around him. He could hear the rhythmic whooshing of the ventilator and the soft beeping of the machines. ‘I guess I’m in a hospital…but why? Luke said I need to wake up…something about not leaving yet…and they’re gonna let me die? What’s goin’ on? Why am I here…what the heck happened?’ Bo’s mind was whirling. He had no idea what was going on. Was this actually real or was it a dream?
Would he wake up in the cemetery beside Meghan’s grave or…wait, someone was touching him…a woman’s hands…not Daisy, but he recognized her touch.

‘Meggie?’ He knew it was her! His sweet angel was there, alive! She was touching him, speaking to him, stroking her fingers through his hair. He heard her telling Luke that she loved him! Him! Not Luke! Bo’s heart soared. His Meggie was alive and loved him, Luke didn’t hate him, and he had his life before him… he had to let them know he wanted to live!
He vaguely remembered hearing his Uncle Jesse talking to someone about turning off the machines…
‘That’s what Luke meant. They’re gonna let me die!’ He had to wake up!
‘I don’t know what happened, but I’m not ready to die yet! Damn it, why can’t I move? If I could just open my eyes or something…just to let them know I’m here!’

Unbeknownst to Luke and Meghan, Bo was gradually, bit by bit, coming out of his coma. He was still a long way from being fully awake, but he was becoming more aware of his surroundings and trying to wake up. His frustration at not being able to wake up, however, was playing havoc with his vital signs.

Meghan and Luke were alerted that something was going on by the shrill, rapid beeping of Bo’s cardiac monitor.

“What’s goin’ on?” Luke asked, panic evident in his voice.

“His heart is racing. It needs to slow down or he’ll go into cardiac arrest. Something’s happening…Bo, can you hear me? You have to calm down, honey. You need to calm down, now. Your heart can’t take this. Bo, sweetie, listen to me.” Meghan spoke softly to Bo. She had sat down on the edge of his bed and was stroking the side of the blond man’s face and his hair, trying to slow his racing heart. Bo instinctively responded to her touch and his heart rate slowly returned to normal. As the beeping of the monitor slowed down and returned to its normal pitch and rhythm, Luke let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. He laid a shaky hand on his cousin’s head and said a brief prayer of thanks.
Meghan pulled a blood pressure cuff from the bedside table and wrapped it around Bo’s left arm. She spent a few minutes checking his vital signs. She lifted his eyelids and checked his pupils…a routine action she had done many times since Bo had been on her ward…this time, however, the petite brunette saw something that shocked her. She gasped and turned to look at Luke.

“He responded!” She said, excitedly.

“Huh?”

“His pupils…they responded to the light. For the first time since I’ve been taking care of him, his eyes responded to light! Luke, do you know what this means?” Meghan had almost jumped off the bed in glee.

“Is he gettin’ better?” Luke asked, still a bit unnerved from Bo’s close call.

“Well, I don’t really know if he’s getting better…but he’s definitely starting to wake up! That’s the most response he’s given us in six months.” Meghan’s mind was reeling. Would he wake up…could it finally be possible…or is this a cruel twist of fate to get everyone’s hopes up before he dies? If he did wake up, would Bo be able to recognize his family? Would he be able to function…or would he spend the rest of his life in this place…with someone tending to him like a baby. More importantly to Meghan…would she be able to tell Bo that she loved him and could that love ever be returned?

Luke could barely believe what the nurse, whom he and his family had started to regard as a close friend, was saying.

“Do you really mean it’s possible? I mean…could he…he is! I just know it…Bo, I knew you’d come out of this!” Luke stood by his cousin’s bed and squeezed his hand. The normally calm and collected man was almost jumping in his excitement.

“Now Luke, don’t get your hopes up…Bo’s still not out of the woods yet…” Meghan cautioned, her professional attitude taking over; but inside she was just as excited as Luke.

“I need to find Uncle Jesse and Daisy.” Luke said as he turned toward the door. In his hurry, Luke almost barreled into the two people coming into Bo’s room.

“Hold up, boy. Where are you headed in such an all-fired hurry?” said a familiar, tired and somewhat troubled voice.

Luke immediately stopped. His uncle reached out and grasped both of Luke’s arms…almost as if to steady himself. “What’s wrong…is it Bo? Has something happened?” Jesse asked…fearing the worst. Daisy rushed into the room without waiting to hear Luke’s reply to their uncle’s questions.

Luke broke into a smile…his crystal blue eyes sparking like they did before the accident. “He’s waking up, Uncle Jesse…Meghan said so. He’s gonna wake up and he’s gonna be fine! I just know it…Bo’s too stubborn to let this beat him!” Luke said; his face set in conviction, as if his saying the words would make them come true.

Jesse stared at his dark-haired nephew. He wanted so badly to believe him, but the doctors seemed so sure this time that Bo was almost gone. He held tightly to Luke and looked over to the little nurse that had taken such good care of Bo.
“Miss Riley? Is it true? Is my boy finally wakin’ up?” The old man almost shook with emotion.

“Well, he responded a little when I checked him a few minutes ago. Mr. Duke, Daisy,” she said, looking to each of them and almost bouncing in her glee, “…I really think Bo’s gonna wake up for us! I agree with Luke…I just know he’s ready to come back to the real world! He’s still in bad shape…don’t forget that…but, maybe he’ll at least open those pretty blue eyes of his and…” She stopped her train of thought abruptly and blushed brightly. She looked at the stunned and hopeful family, knowing that they noticed her embarrassment. “Um, I need to go get Dr. Shackelford…he’ll want to come check him.” Meghan hastily left the room in search of Bo’s main physician.

by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 13

Bo and Luke finished their errands and stopped by the Boar’s Nest for a while. Luke was greeted by shouts and hugs of congratulations on his engagement and was treated to a few beers from friends. He was enjoying himself and showed off his and Meghan’s marriage license like it was made of gold. Bo, Daisy and Cooter had never seen Luke so happy and open about his feelings before. Bo had lied and told Luke that he was feeling better…he didn’t want to rain on Luke’s parade…so he tried to act fine and cheerful. As hard as he tried, though, his charade was wearing thinner the longer he sat on his barstool. He felt a big coughing fit coming on and slipped off to the men’s room. After a long while, Bo returned to the crowded barroom, burning with fever and exhausted. He ached all over and it hurt to breathe. In fact, it was becoming very hard to even draw a breath. He knew he needed to go to the doctor…he had put it off too long. He headed toward the others but stopped as his vision began to blur and go dark.

Daisy looked up from the mug she was drying to see her cousin walk out of the bathroom. He looked terrible! She saw him sway on his feet and she knew he was about to pass out.
“Bo!” She yelled across the bar.
Cooter and Luke were alerted by Daisy’s outburst. Both men turned in time to see Bo’s knees buckle. Luke was able to reach the young man before he completely hit the ground. He gently lowered his cousin to the dusty floor and was shocked at the heat coming from Bo’s skin. Luke calmed himself and let his military training guide him through an assessment of Bo’s condition.

“What’s the matter with him?” said Cooter.

“He’s been sick with a cold since the day after Thanksgiving, but it’s more than a cold, now. He’s sicker than he let on…isn’t he?” Daisy said.

“Yeah, he is and he’s been too stubborn to stay home and rest or to go see the doctor.” Luke said with frustration as he continued to try to rouse his cousin.
“He’s got a high fever and he’s not breathing too good. From the way he’s been coughin’, I’d bet Boss Hogg’s bank that he’s got pneumonia.”

Upon hearing Luke’s comment, Cooter slipped through the crowd gathered around them and called an ambulance. Luke folded up his coat and placed it under Bo’s head. Daisy knelt next to her cousins and felt Bo’s forehead.

She gasped with shock; he was so hot, his skin felt like it was on fire.
“Luke, he’s burning up!”

“I know. We need to get him to the hospital,” said Luke.

“The ambulance is on its way,” said Cooter, rejoining the others.

Luke and Daisy looked up at their friend with surprise. They had not realized he had left. Luke nodded his head; his gratitude showing in his eyes.

Thirty minutes later, a Tri-County ambulance left the Boar’s Nest, headed toward Capital City. Bo Duke lay on the gurney with an oxygen mask over his face; the rapid, irregular beeping of a cardiac monitor telling the strain his body was under. A red-haired paramedic in his late thirties sat on one side of the unconscious young man and Luke sat on the other. The paramedic had determined that Bo’s temperature was dangerously high and had placed ice packs on his chest and under his arms. Luke looked on as fear and worry clouded his mind as the vehicle careened around curves; racing to the hospital.
Soon the wild ride ended and Bo was whisked out of the ambulance and into the Emergency Room. Luke filled out the admission forms that were placed in front of him as best he could and sat down in one of the hard plastic chairs to wait for news.

Daisy had called Jesse at Aunt Lavinia’s house and told him about Bo’s collapse. Jesse had assured her that he would be home as soon as he could. Daisy then sped toward the hospital, Cooter accompanying her.
They arrived at the hospital in time to hear the latest update on Bo’s condition.

A tall, blond-haired nurse told them that Bo was being transferred to ICU as soon as a bed became available and that a doctor would be out to talk to them soon. Luke hugged Daisy and tried not to let his worry show too much. Daisy could tell, however, that her older cousin was upset.

“Has anyone told you what’s going on, other than what we just heard?” she asked.

“No. That’s the first news I’ve heard. ICU…he must be in bad shape.” Luke said quietly, looking at his hands.
“Don’t worry, Lukas. Bo will be out of here in time for your weddin’. He’ll be up and raising Cain with all of us in no time.” Cooter said as he put a comforting arm around each of his friends.

Daisy smiled at Cooter and hugged him.

Luke just nodded, still looking away. Luke felt that he should have noticed how sick Bo was. He should have known all along what was going on with his cousin instead of being absorbed in his own life. “Hell, we’ve been side by side nearly everyday since he was two and even shared a room most of our lives. We’re as close as brothers. He should’ve been able to come to me. Why didn’t he?” Luke thought as he cracked his knuckles in nervousness. He hoped he would have a chance to become close to his “little brother” again, but now…with getting married and Bo being sick and all…he just didn’t know how things would work out. For the first time in his life, Luke Duke didn’t know what to do; he didn’t have a plan and he had no idea how things might unravel. He was scared…and he didn’t like it one bit.

Luke, Daisy and Cooter were soon joined by a very worried Jesse and the small group waited patiently for any news concerning Bo.

*************************************************************

Meghan Riley was winding down a hard day at work on the sixth floor neurology unit. She had gotten all five of her demanding patients settled for the evening and was completing her charting before the end of her shift. It felt good to sit down for a while! Her lower back and legs briefly protested the change in position but she soon was able to relax a bit as she jotted notes about Mrs. Johnson in room 610’s condition after her recent back surgery. Meghan was roused from her recount of the day’s events by a soft, very familiar voice. The petite brunette looked up to see her fiancé standing a few feet away. She was surprised to see Luke at the hospital and was even more surprised at the look of worry and fear on his face. Her strong Luke looked like a scared child as he stared at her with wide eyes and a serious expression.

“Luke, honey, what’s wrong?” she said as she came around the nurse’s station to embrace the dark-haired man. “Has something happened to Uncle Jesse?”

Luke squeezed her hard in return. He broke free of the embrace and began to pace in the small area where they stood. He took a deep breath and prepared to tell Meghan what was going on. He took her hands in his own and held on tightly.
“No…he’s fine. It’s Bo. You know that he’s been sick off and on since Thanksgiving, right?” Meghan nodded. “Well, he didn’t get any better and he’s been hiding it from all of us. He looked really sick today and was coughing a lot…but he said he was feeling better, so we went to the Boar’s Nest after running some errands. While we were there, Bo collapsed and has been unconscious ever since. The doctor said he’s got a really bad case of pneumonia in both lungs and a seriously high fever. They’ve put him in ICU…on a ventilator…he can’t even breathe on his own anymore. His fever is so high…” Luke stopped talking and swallowed hard. He braced himself and continued, “the doctor said that if the fever doesn’t go down soon, Bo could die or be brain damaged…besides the fact that he could die at any time due to the infection! It’s bad, Meghan. Daisy and Uncle Jesse are waiting to go in to see him; but I don’t know if I can see him like that…lying there, hooked up to those machines. He’s been sick before…when he was a kid or had a spell with his asthma…but nothing like this. The doctor didn’t sound too sure that Bo would even make it, Meghan! My best friend could be dying and I can’t do anything about it! I’ve always been able to take care of him. I’ve always been the one he ran to…I always knew what to do to make things better.” Luke’s voice softened, “I couldn’t protect him this time…I know I couldn’t help it…but I feel like I’ve let him down or betrayed him somehow.” Luke’s careful mask that he usually used to hide his emotions cracked. Silent tears streaked his face as his fear for Bo’s life consumed him. He let Meghan draw him into an embrace and was grateful for her soothing touch.

The young nurse held Luke tightly and gave him what strength she could as she offered her support. Her own feelings of fear and worry were raging through her mind. Meghan’s heart had dropped at the news that Bo was ill. Her mouth had gone dry at Luke’s description of his cousin’s condition. She knew all too well that a serious illness such as this could kill even perfectly healthy, strong people such as Bo Duke. She had to see him. She had to let him know how she felt about him before it was too late; regardless of the potential consequences.

Twenty years later, on a hillside overlooking the Tennessee River, rural West Tennessee;
Bo Duke continues to reminisce about his life since meeting Meghan Riley.

“That’s pretty much all I remember about the year we met, Meggie. Granted, some of it was based on what Daisy told me, after the fact. Daisy and Uncle Jesse told me that I came pretty close to dying. I sometimes wonder if things had been better off if I had; I mean better for you and Luke. I know he would have been happier if things between you and him had stayed like they were. I’ll always treasure knowing that you loved me the way that I loved you…I just wish I had been able to let you know I felt the same way.” Bo went silent for a while, the gentle spring breeze tousling his short, blond hair as he played with the weeds that grew around the tree he sat beneath. “Daisy said Luke walked in the room just as you were telling me how you felt. I know it hurt him…it had to hurt you, too. I wish I could’ve prevented it. I do nothing but cause trouble; even when I’m unconscious!” He smiled, grimly. “I know it doesn’t help matters any to relive all of this, but I have to. It’s all my fault, Meggie! If I hadn’t been around, we wouldn’t have fallen for each other, you and Luke wouldn’t have argued, and you wouldn’t have left that night and gotten in that wreck.” Bo reached out with a trembling hand and gently traced the letters etched in the granite monument next to him. “I’m the reason you’re dead! I didn’t even know what had happened until after you were already buried. I couldn’t love you like you deserved and I kept Luke from loving you, too.” He wiped away the tears that had streaked his face as he spoke.

After several minutes of silence, he took a deep breath and rose from the ground, caressing the stone marker as if it were his beloved’s face. “Well, Meggie, to make a long story short, I’ve spent the last twenty years trying my best to get myself killed. I’m too chicken to just go on and do it, but I’ve entered every dangerous race, been in every life threatening situation I could…just to try to end the pain. I blamed myself and I blamed Luke, a little, for your death. Luke blamed me, completely, and that’s one reason I left the farm as quickly as I could. I tried to be there for Luke, to help him and to grieve with him, but he couldn’t stand to look at me. I couldn’t stand being around home; the memories of you and of happy times with Luke and my family were too much. Luke and I didn’t speak for nearly ten years. But now we can talk to each other and we’re trying to get close again…but I don’t know if we can ever be like we were. Uncle Jesse’s gone now…maybe you two have seen each other…I hope so; he liked you. Luke has moved on with his life after a few reckless years. He’s in with the Forestry Service and is thinking about retiring from smoke jumping. He’s married and they’re thinking about starting a family. Daisy and Enos finally married and they are doing great…Daisy has a PhD…can you believe it? And me…I’ve become a success without even trying. I’ve lived my dreams…but it doesn’t matter without someone to share it all with. My someone was you, Meggie. I still love you and I miss you more every day. Daisy tells me I need to get over you and live my life…but I can’t…something won’t let me…I can’t stop thinking about the past; wondering if I could have done something differently.” He paused, looking tenderly, through tear-dimmed eyes at the yellow roses he had placed on Meghan’s grave. “I’m sorry I haven’t been to see you. I came once…when I first left home, but I couldn’t bring myself to get any closer than the gate. I couldn’t bear the thought of you lying here.” Bo sighed as he walked toward the edge of the small cemetery. He grew closer to the bluff overlooking the river. “I’m supposed to be on my way to Hazzard…to meet up with Daisy and Luke at the farm. I’ve been thinking about retiring and just moving back home. I want to try to get some of my old life back…I’m tired, Meggie. I’m so tired of trying to outrun the memories and ‘what could’ve been’…it’s like I’ve been in twenty-year long nightmare and I can’t wake up!” The blond haired man ran his hands through his hair, viciously, and shouted into the wind, “Please, God…please, help me! I don’t know what to do anymore…I just want it all to end!”

by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 12

Bo had discussed his plans with Jesse and the older man, while trying his best to persuade his nephew to stay, understood his reasoning. Jesse had at least convinced Bo to post-pone his leaving till after harvest and the holidays were over. He would start his new life at the beginning of the new year; the months in between, however, had been tough on the young man. Meghan had started coming to the farm more often and had started accompanying Bo and Luke to races and such. Bo had gotten quite good at hiding his feelings when he was around Luke, but it was getting harder and harder to do when he was around Meghan on the rare occasions they were left alone together. Daisy and Jesse made special efforts to be around whenever Meghan was there, but it was not always possible. The emotional stress of hiding his true feelings all the time began to take its toll on the blond-haired man. His sleep was haunted by dreams, both torturously good ones and occasional nightmares. He wasn’t eating well…a fact that caught everyone’s attention, since Bo had always been known to have a big appetite! His asthma, which had all but disappeared again over the summer, had started to make its presence known as late fall came to Hazzard. Bo often woke from his dreams wheezing and coughing; fumbling on his bedside table for his inhaler. He was constantly on edge…afraid Luke would find out his secret love for Meghan…afraid he would slip up and reveal his feelings to Meghan, herself. He had to get away, to put some distance between them…if he didn’t, he would go crazy!

*************************************************************

The fall harvesting was over and the year’s crops had done well. The Duke family celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with their close friends and had much to be thankful for. The family was, however, worried about Bo. He looked awful and seemed to be lost in his own thoughts most of the time. Bo endured everyone’s fussing and encouragement to eat more and spent his time trying to convince them that he was fine, “just a little under the weather”. Cooter had joined the Dukes and Meghan for the holiday meal and was present for the celebration that followed. Luke had finally gotten up enough courage and asked Meghan to marry him. Much to everyone’s surprise, Luke rose from the dinner table, knelt on one knee in front of Meghan and proposed in front of everyone! Through tears and laughter, Meghan said “yes” and the entire room erupted in congratulations, hugs and sounds of delight. Daisy called everyone she could think of and soon an impromptu engagement party was taking place! The only person who seemed a bit subdued, was Bo. He was, in a way, truly happy for them and was the first to envelope Luke in a bear-hug of congratulations. He warmly hugged Meghan and welcomed her to the family. It was the hardest thing he had ever done. He wanted her to be part of the family, yes…but as his wife, not Luke’s. He wanted to yell in outrage and pain. He wanted to grab Meghan and run to the General to get as far away from Luke and Hazzard County as they could get. He wanted to break down and cry like a baby, but he kept a smile on his face for Luke and the rest of the family’s benefit. As soon as he could, without seeming too rude, Bo pulled on his coat and snuck away from the party…his excuse was that he had eaten too much and now felt bad. He spent the rest of the evening in the hayloft, drinking beer and deciding where he would go as soon as the year was over. He would go north, maybe North Carolina or somewhere else where there were big racetracks. Bo knew his best chance at a decent job would be something related to cars or driving; maybe he could even get back into NASCAR, if he was lucky. Racing without Luke would be hard…they had always worked as a team…but, he would do it if he had to. After all, Luke would be starting a new life of his own…with his new wife. Bo shook his head in disbelief as he thought. The Duke boys are finally growing up! “Heaven help us all!” he said, out loud, before he drained his can of beer and settled back into a bale of hay, tightening his arms around himself against the cold of the late November night.

Bo’s night in the frigid hayloft had left him with a very bad cold and some stiff muscles. The younger Duke slowly made his way into the farmhouse; coughing and sniffing the entire way. He skipped breakfast and went straight to bed, where he planned to stay for most of the day. Bo avoided most of the questioning from Luke and Cooter, who had stayed the night, (Daisy and Jesse pretty much knew why he had been hiding out) by saying he had not felt well and just fell asleep in the barn by accident. Luke seemed to accept Bo’s answer easily. He had noticed that Bo had not looked well yesterday and maybe the excitement of the party had been too much for him. Luke had planned to spend the next few days with his cousin since Meghan was working the next seven days straight. He wanted Bo to be his best man and needed help in getting things organized for the upcoming wedding and he just wanted some extra time with his best friend before he and Meghan started their life together. He and Meghan had decided to marry on New Year’s Eve; neither of them wanted to prolong things much longer! Luke smiled at that thought as he helped Daisy wash up the morning’s breakfast dishes. He and Daisy could hear Bo coughing from down the hall. Daisy looked at Luke, her brow creased with worry. She sometimes still felt the need to worry and fuss over Bo even though he had been healthy as a horse since he was fifteen. After all…this had been a pretty rough year for him…

“Luke, Bo doesn’t sound too good. I’m gonna go check on him.” she said as she dried her hands with a dishtowel and turned to leave the kitchen.

“Now wait a minute, Daisy. Bo probably just has a bad cold from being in that loft all night. He needs to get warm and get some rest; and he can’t get any rest if you wake him up and pester him. If he needs something, he’ll let us know. Besides, I’ll be in and out today and I can check on him. You get on to work and tell everyone at the Boar’s Nest about my weddin’!” Luke said with a wink and a grin as he popped his dishtowel at his cousin.

“All right, Romeo! You call me at work if you need anything. Uncle Jesse’s gone to Aunt Lavinia’s for a couple of weeks to help her with some business and to visit some of the cousins so try not to make too big of a mess while he’s gone, OK?” Daisy said quickly as she grabbed her coat and purse, gave Luke a peck on the cheek and headed for the door.

The next few days went on as usual for the three Duke cousins. Jesse’s nightly phone calls let them know that he was well and enjoying his visit with Lavinia. Daisy had her chores and her work at the Boar’s Nest. Bo and Luke had their chores and the plans for Luke’s wedding to occupy them…that is, when they weren’t being chased by Roscoe and Enos for one thing or another. However, things were far from being well for the youngest Duke. Bo’s cold was not leaving him; in fact, it was becoming alarmingly worse. He tried to hide his symptoms from Daisy and Luke…they would only worry and he would get a long lecture about sleeping in the hayloft, and frankly, he didn’t want to hear it! Bo had been taking some cold medicine and had decided to go see Doc if he wasn’t any better by the next day.

Luke had asked Bo to go with him to pick up his and Meghan’s marriage license. The boys were driving to town, the sound of General’s engine roaring through the cold December air, and enjoying the slow pace of the day. They were talking of Luke’s upcoming trip to Tennessee with Meghan to visit her family at Christmas. Luke also told Bo of his plans to get a job in Capital City and move into Meghan’s apartment until they could get a new place. Silence eventually overtook the two cousins, since Bo did not feel like keeping up his usually endless supply of chatter. Bo sat, leaning against the door, with his eyes half closed. Luke noticed that his cousin seemed quieter than normal and looked ill. Luke thought, “Bo must be sick, he asked me to drive and he’s been quiet for ten minutes!”

“Hey, Cousin, you OK?” Luke asked.

“Yeah…,” Bo started to say, but Luke looked sideways at him as if to say he didn’t believe him, “…Well, not really. I guess I’ve still got a little bit of that cold.”

“Well, that’s what you get for sleeping in the barn in November…” Luke started to say.

“Luke, I know it’s my own dang fault! I don’t feel like hearing a lecture, all right? Let’s just get into town and do our business so we can get home.” Bo snapped.

“OK, OK! Don’t get your feathers up. Jeesh, you’re as testy as a wet hen!” Luke replied.

“I’m sorry, Luke; but I really don’t feel good. I just want to get home and go back to bed.” Bo said, miserably. The younger man immediately went into a coughing fit.

Luke looked at his cousin with concern. Bo seemed really sick. His face was flushed and he sounded as if he were coughing up a lung! The dark haired man pulled the General into a 180, taking them back toward the farm.

“What are you doing?” Bo managed to say between coughs.

“I’m taking you home and then I’m calling Doc.”
“Luke, you need to get that marriage license today. Let’s just go on and get it. It won’t take long, and then I’ll let you call Doc.” Bo replied and jerked the keys out of the ignition.

Luke glared at his cousin as the car rolled to a stop.
“If you felt this bad…why didn’t you just stay home? I could’ve done it by myself.”

“Because you asked me to go with you…that’s why. I’m your best man and I’m supposed to help you with stuff like this. I wouldn’t leave you to do it all by yourself. Besides…” Bo said sheepishly, “I didn’t feel this bad when we left. So let’s get goin’, cousin! We’ve got things to do before I keel over.” Bo said with a slight chuckle as he tossed the keys to Luke.

Luke shook his head. He would never understand his younger cousin. Luke realized then how much he would miss being around Bo all the time; but…Capital City wasn’t that far from Hazzard and he could still see Bo and the others at least a few times a week, he hoped. Luke headed the General toward Hazzard and they sped off.

by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 11

After dinner, the four Dukes went their separate ways. Jesse had decided to go to bed early and Daisy was in the kitchen washing the dinner dishes. She smiled as she remembered the evening’s events. She thought dinner had turned out pretty well. She had been worried about how Bo would react, especially after his drunken arrival at the farm earlier; but, her younger cousin had behaved admirably. She was proud of him; she knew how hard it must have been for him. She honestly didn’t know her excitable, at times over-emotional ‘baby brother’ could be that strong. It was obvious to her that Bo still felt very strongly about Meghan; but he managed to hold back enough to keep Luke from catching on. Daisy grinned as she remembered that she had to poke Bo in the side a few times to keep him from staring too long at the pretty, petite brunette. He somehow managed to act like he had never even been passed-out drunk just a few hours ago! He smiled, laughed, and talked like nothing had ever bothered him. She shook her head. Maybe Bo had a career in acting waiting for him! Daisy’s thoughts moved to her older cousin. Luke was definitely head over heels about this girl. She had never seen him this much in love. Meghan seemed to care for Luke just as much…and she was such a nice, likable girl. She would fit it with the rest of the family so well; but something about her bothered Daisy. Daisy thought she had noticed Meghan looking at Bo with the same look of longing that Bo had for her. Could it be possible that Meghan had feelings for Bo as well? Could she be in love with both him and Luke? Daisy felt a chill run up her spine. She couldn’t really blame the girl if she was…either of her cousins would be ideal catches…but she prayed that was not the case.

After dinner, Bo had gone out into the yard with Cooter to look at a problem with Jesse’s truck. Luke had left to take Meghan home and would probably been gone for a while. Cooter quickly determined the problem and said that he would order the needed parts the next day. The mechanic studied his young friend for a few minutes as he wiped his hands.

“Hey, buddy…what’s on your mind? You ain’t been acting like yourself lately,” Cooter asked.

“Aw, nothing much…just some personal stuff. I think I’m about over it now…or will be pretty soon.” Bo said; hands shoved into his pockets, not looking at his friend.

Cooter adjusted his cap and studied Bo. The young man nervously kicked at a clump of grass in the barnyard and looked like he did not want to talk. He had watched Bo grow up and considered him, as well as Luke, as a brother. Therefore, Bo’s strange behavior lately had bothered him just as much as it had the Dukes. “You know you can talk to me if you need to, Bo. I just don’t want to make a habit of draggin’ your drunk butt home; and I sure don’t want to get a call to pull the General out of a ditch or off a tree because you decided to drive when you shouldn’t.” Cooter looked out from under his cap brim with serious eyes.

“Thanks a lot for bringing me home, Cooter. I don’t know what I was thinkin’. I guess Luke was right…I wasn’t thinking at all.” Bo said with a grim chuckle. “I just had some things going on that I didn’t know how I was going to deal with…so I guess I thought I could deal with them better if I was drunk and didn’t know what was happening. But, don’t worry…I talked to Jesse and he sorta put things straight for me. I’ll be all right.” Bo stuck out his hand to his friend. Cooter grasped it and pulled the younger man into a quick, brotherly hug. Bo grinned and slapped Cooter on the back as they parted.

“I sure hope so, Buddyro. Jesse’s always been able to straighten you and Luke out. I’m ready to see you kickin’ it up again! It’s been getting kinda dull around town without you chasin’ women and causing trouble!” Cooter joked and aimed a mock-punch at Bo’s shoulder before he turned to climb into his tow truck.

“Thanks again, Coot. Let us know when those parts come in.” Bo waved good-bye to his friend and walked to the porch of the old farmhouse.

He didn’t know how he did it, but Bo had managed to keep his true feelings hidden and not make a total fool of himself. He shook his head and laughed as he sat down on the glider. When he had shaken Meghan’s hand tonight he had to forcibly stop himself from taking her in his arms and kissing her, holding her delicate frame to his and making her forget that Luke Duke even existed! Every little movement she made caught his attention. He knew he would have bruises on his side from Daisy poking him, but he just couldn’t help staring! Bo remembered nearly every word his sweet little Meggie had said during dinner. She had told them that she was from a very small town in Tennessee and that her dream had always been to be a nurse. She was a country girl… raised near the Tennessee River, she had been the only person in her family to go to college, she had one older brother and her parents still lived in her quiet little home-town. She hated being so short, she loved music, played the piano and she was a “bookworm”. Bo nearly groaned with longing when she told Jesse she drove a white ’79 Camero, loved fast cars and football (thanks to her older brother), and she really liked to cook on her days off! The more she spoke, the more Bo knew that he would happily spend his life with this woman if she would have him!

Bo swayed slowly in the old glider and softly smiled to himself as he remembered her explanation for how she had ended up in Capital City. Daisy had asked her why she chose to come there as opposed to someplace bigger or more exciting. Meghan replied that, in order to help pay for her student loans, she had signed up with an agency that sent nurses where they were needed the most.
She said, “I thought I would get to go someplace exotic or exciting, but I got sent to Tri-County General instead! It was just as well, though; a country girl like me probably couldn’t handle anything more exotic than north Georgia! Besides…I wouldn’t have gotten to meet all of ya’ll if I had been sent somewhere else.” Bo recalled the tender look she had given Luke after saying that and the quick, gentle kiss Luke had given her in return. His heart clenched at the memory. He felt ashamed when he remembered the jealousy that had surged through him and that he had to restrain himself from reaching across the table to push Luke away from her!

Bo also recalled the flame he had felt run through him whenever he and Meghan caught each other’s eyes or briefly touched. He had seen something there, in those emerald eyes, that had given him hope; she seemed to have felt something too, he was sure of it! Bo then thought of Luke’s gentleness toward this woman. Luke was truly in love with her…and she seemed to return that love. ‘They don’t need me screwing up something that could be good for both of them. Even if there was as chance that she did feel something for me, I can’t justify hurting Luke like that just to make myself happy,’ Bo thought. He knew what he would have to do. The only way he could get Meghan off his mind would be to leave. He couldn’t stay around, constantly seeing her and listening to her voice; he would eventually mess up and his true feeling would be found out…then all hell would break loose!
‘Now…to keep things under control until I can figure out where I’m going and what I’m going to do once I get there! Daisy and Jesse might understand…I hope so; but how in the world will I explain it to Luke?’ He thought as he rubbed his still-aching head and stared out across the yard. The blond-haired Duke sat on the rusty, old glider for several hours; listening to the sounds of the Georgia summer night, lost in his thoughts and dreams of what couldn’t be.

Meghan and Luke had spent a couple of hours just driving around and sitting out by Hazzard Pond; talking and cuddling. He had dropped her off at her apartment after a lengthy and very enjoyable good-bye. Once alone, Meghan began to process the events of the night. She immediately started getting ready for bed; she needed all the rest she could get because she had to work the next several days. As she puttered around her apartment, getting ready to turn in, she realized that she had really enjoyed herself tonight. The Duke family and their friend, Cooter, had reminded her of her own family and the farm seemed so much like home! They had all talked and laughed with ease and she looked forward to seeing more of them; as she was sure she would, since she and Luke had decided to get more serious! Luke was wonderful…she could definitely see herself with him for the long haul! They suited each other well. Daisy seemed like she would be a real good friend, even like the sister she had never had. Luke’s uncle reminded her of her own grandfather so much it was scary and Bo…well, Bo was a different story. There would be no way on earth she could ever feel only brotherly feelings toward Bo Duke! Her cheeks flushed when she remembered her reaction to Luke’s younger cousin. She knew she had probably acted like an idiot! When he touched her…it was all she could do to keep from leaning toward him and kissing him! His smile and sparkling eyes melted all her resolve to ignore him. How was it possible to ignore 6 feet, 3 inches of blond gorgeousness? He had talked often during dinner, but she barely heard him. She had to remind herself to stop staring at his kissable mouth when he spoke! ‘He must think I’m so rude! I barely made eye-contact with him!’ she thought, changing into the tank-top and boxers she slept in. She admitted to herself that she was afraid to meet his eyes. The feelings she had felt the few times they did overwhelmed her. Her mind reeled as she remembered holding that midnight-blue gaze with her own…was what she thought she saw in his eyes really there? Did he feel the same way? Did he also feel that she was the missing part of his soul…like he was to her? As irrational as it sounded, she realized, tonight, that was exactly how she felt about Bo Duke. They just had a connection…or at least she felt they did…that she and Luke, as much as she loved him, didn’t have. ‘Great! That would be my luck…finally find a wonderful man who loves me and who I love in return and the “man of my dreams” turns out to be his cousin and he might possibly have feelings for me, too!’ Meghan thought as she frustratedly brushed out her hair before going to bed. ‘I just have to be stronger. I can’t let these crazy feelings for Bo ruin my relationship with Luke.’
She climbed into bed and turned out the bedside lamp. The petite brunette tossed and turned for a while before finally falling asleep. Her dreams started out being about a quiet, gentle man with dark, wavy hair, crystal blue eyes, and work-hardened muscles she could feel underneath the white T-shirt he had worn tonight; but they eventually turned to a tall blond with midnight eyes and a soft, brilliant smile, wearing a red T-shirt over sun-bronzed skin that her hands itched to touch.

Luke pulled the General into the yard, parking next to Daisy’s jeep. He climbed out of the window, whistling softly as he did. He bounded up the porch steps and was almost through the door when he noticed his cousin, Bo, quietly sitting on the glider.
“Hey, Bo. I thought you’d be in bed by now…nursin’ that headache.” Luke said with humor.

“Oh, hey, Luke. Just thinkin’.” Bo said quietly.

“Alright, Cousin, what’s goin’ on?” Luke said. He motioned to Bo with his hand and said, “Scoot over.”
Bo scooted over on the glider and Luke sat down next to him. Bo noticed that Luke had gone into his “father/big brother” mode and he grinned, slightly.

“Talk to me, Bo. Something’s bothering you again. What is it? You’ve always told me before,” he paused. “Have I done something to make you not trust me anymore?” Luke said with concern and a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“No, Luke, I still trust you. That’s not it. I…I just…I just thought I’d try to handle this on my own; you know, finally be grown up and deal with my problems by myself. It’s something personal, Luke. I hope you understand and I didn’t mean to worry you,” Bo’s voice trailed off as he tried to express his thoughts. “I’m awful sorry about today, too. I didn’t really mean to get that drunk…it just happened.” Bo shrugged his shoulders and hoped his cousin would accept his explanation and apology.

Luke seemed almost at a loss for words. He took a deep breath and turned to reply to his cousin.
“I guess I understand…and I was more scared about what coulda happened to you than I was mad at you for gettin’ drunk. I’m sorry, too, for all that stuff I said…I didn’t mean it. I just wish you’d have talked to somebody before you got to feelin’ that bad.” Luke ran his hands through his wavy hair. He was silent for a few minutes; then he looked at his cousin, studying the younger man intently, and spoke…seemingly at a loss for what to say. “It’s just…well…Bo…I’ve just been so used to you comin’ to me with every little thing since you were old enough to talk. You’ve always come to me to help you or to give you advice…I guess I sorta miss it. I’m not used to you being all grown-up and having secrets.” Luke admitted with a slight smile and wink as he reached out to ruffle his cousin’s hair.

Bo submitted to the gesture…something Luke had been doing to him since they were small. When they were children, Bo dee always let on that he hated it, but in truth, it always reminded him of their closeness and shared childhood. He scowled and smoothed his hair; gave Luke a sideways grin and said, “Oh, brother…between you, Daisy, and Jesse, you’d think I was still ten years old!”

“Well, you are the baby of the family…and always will be, Little Cuz!” Luke said as he dodged a light punch from his cousin.

“Cute, Lukas…real cute!” Bo said, after he had tried to hit his cousin’s arm.

“Changing the subject,” Luke said, as he rubbed his hands together, “what did you think of Meghan?”

Bo’s expression quickly became thoughtful, his eyes distant. “She’s a wonderful woman, Luke. You’re a lucky man to find someone like her. You two seem to really be suited for each other.” Bo said honestly.

“Thanks, Bo. I really do like her…I love her. I could see myself settling down with her.” Luke chuckled, “Can you believe it? I’m actually thinking seriously about settling down with one woman!”

“That’s great, Luke. I’m happy for you. You deserve a good woman like her and she needs someone like you, too. I hope everything works out for the two of you.” Bo said, putting a hand on Luke’s shoulder. He was barely able to suppress his emotions. He told his cousin the truth, meaning every word, while hiding his own breaking heart.

Luke noticed the seriousness in Bo’s eyes and voice. He was unused to his younger cousin acting in such a manner. He also noticed that Bo’s eyes seemed a little too bright. Were there tears in his eyes…nah, it was just a reflection from the porch light…wasn’t it?
“Bo…that really means a lot to me. Thanks. You’re a good friend.”
Luke put an arm around his cousin and drew him into a hug. Bo squeezed his older cousin tightly. He wanted to cry…about Meghan, about hiding this secret from Luke and about his choice to leave…but he steeled himself against the feeling. The two cousins soon got up and went into the house, both tired from the eventful day and evening. Later, as the blond Duke lay in his bed, he allowed his pent-up tears to freely and silently slide down his face. His mind had decided what his heart could not. He would definitely leave the farm to ensure Luke’s happiness with Meghan…even if it meant sentencing himself to a lifetime of misery without her or the closeness of his family.

by: TNRiverRat

Chapter 10

Bo had spent the last hour trying to sober up and explain his drunken state to an irate Jesse and a worried Daisy. His uncle and cousin were obviously disappointed in him and he apologized profusely. He could also tell that they were very concerned about him…which only made him feel worse! Daisy had forced a couple of cups of coffee down him and then ushered him off to the shower; complaining that he smelled like one of the dumpsters at the Boar’s Nest. Bo sniffed at his blue T-shirt and agreed with her. He took a long, hot shower and began to get ready for the night’s company.

The shower had helped some, but Bo still felt awful. He had a raging headache! The young man had barely managed to pull on a clean pair of blue-jeans and was gingerly toweling his wet hair when a knock sounded on the bedroom door.

“Come in,” Bo said as he grabbed a red T-shirt from the dresser and pulled it over his head.

Jesse came into the room. He looked around, realizing he had not really been in the boys’ room many times since they had grown-up. He walked up to his nephew, who was tucking his T-shirt into his jeans.

“Bo, son…you want to talk about what’s been botherin’ you?” he said as he laid a hand on the young man’s damp, wavy hair.

Bo didn’t look at his uncle. “No…I …I’ll be fine, Uncle Jesse. I’ve just been acting like a danged fool…as usual.” Bo sat down on the end of his bed and looked up at his uncle with a small, sad, lop-sided smile. His big dark-blue eyes were full of remorse and shame from his earlier behavior… and something else Jesse couldn’t quite identify.

Jesse smiled at Bo. “Be strong, boy,” he said as he sat down next to his nephew. He grabbed Bo’s knee and gave it a squeeze, right in a spot where he knew Bo was ticklish. Bo jumped and grinned a little.

“I know you think you love this girl…but you really don’t even know her.” Jesse said, quietly.

Bo started to protest, but Jesse held up a hand to stop him.
“Listen to me, son. Your cousin really seems to be struck on this girl and she must care for him or she wouldn’t be comin’ out here tonight to see all of us. You need to decide what’s more important to you…pining over this girl and possibly wrecking your friendship with Luke or getting’ over her and movin’ on and keeping your best friend. Luke misses you, Bo. He knows you’re keeping something from him and it hurts him that you don’t trust him enough to tell him.” Jesse allowed Bo some time to soak in his words.

Bo hung his head and looked at the floor. He started to speak in a voice so soft Jesse could barely hear him at first.
“I know, Uncle Jesse. I don’t want to mess things up any more than I already have. I don’t want to hurt Luke…and if he really loves Meghan and she loves him, then I’m happy for them. I want to tell him, but you know Luke…he wouldn’t exactly be happy to hear that I’m in love with his girlfriend! He’d probably kick my teeth in…especially after today.”
Bo sighed and looked at his uncle. “I’ll try my best. I’ll move on…but I can’t promise that I’ll forget her.”

Jesse patted Bo’s back. “Your best is all you can do, Bo. I can’t expect you to do anything more. If you truly love Meghan, you’ll never forget her…but I hope for your sake and for Luke’s that you can find someone else that you are free to love and will love you.”

Bo snorted and gave his uncle a disbelieving look.

“She’s out there, Bo…you just be patient…and if by some chance Meghan is the ‘one’ for you…it’ll happen in it’s own time…most likely when you least expect it. We just have to trust that a higher power is in charge and things will work out better for all of us if we remember that.”

“Uncle Jesse, you sure know how to put things into perspective,” Bo said as he reached over to hug his uncle.

Jesse grinned. “Well…I do have the benefit of age and experience.” He laid a weathered hand on his nephew’s shoulder. “I just pray that you and Luke won’t let this come between you. You kids are so close…when I’m gone all you’ll have is each other and I don’t want to see anything damage that closeness.” Jesse’s voice grew thick with emotion and he cleared his throat. The old man put his hands on the knees of his faded overalls and pushed himself to his feet. “Well, enough of this mush. I need to make sure dinner is ready and you need to finish getting dressed. Luke and Meghan should be here soon.” He took in Bo’s indifferent expression. “Things will work out, Bo…you’ll see,” he said.

Bo looked at his uncle and smiled.
“Thanks, Uncle Jesse. Now…I just hope I can make it through dinner without A) throwing up again, B) making a fool of myself, C) Luke finding some reason to kill me, or D) all of the above.” Bo ticked each of his options off on his fingers as he spoke. He stood up slowly, holding his head as he did so. “I know one thing…I hate that whiskey Boss sells. It gives me a headache.” Bo rubbed the back of his neck and looked sideways at Jesse.

Jesse laughed. “Any of it will give you a headache if you drink too much of it! Your best bet is to stay away from it,” he said as he left the bedroom.

Bo grabbed his belt from the bed and began to thread it through the loops of his jeans. He was surprised by his uncle’s sudden reappearance. Jesse stuck his head around the doorframe. “Boy…I don’t care how old you are now…if I ever…ever hear of you gettin’ drunk and tryin’ to drive again…I’ll whip the hide off you.” Jesse raised an eyebrow and pointed a finger at his nephew, “I mean it young’un.”

“Yessir.” Bo replied and nodded solemnly. He grinned as his uncle winked and shut the door.

The blond-haired Duke finished getting ready as quickly as his protesting head would let him and he joined his uncle and Daisy in the living room just as Luke and Meghan pulled into the drive, soon followed by Cooter’s truck. Bo saw how happy his cousin and Meghan looked together as they walked onto the porch. His heart sank, but he was also glad that they had found each other; he couldn’t think of anyone better for either one of them. Bo could see that Luke truly loved Meghan; his older cousin had a soft, gentle look on his face he had never seen before. Bo then looked at the object of his affection. He felt a powerful surge of emotions…his adorable little angel looked so beautiful! The dress she wore suited her perfectly. Her golden skin looked so soft. Her rich brown hair hung loose around her shoulders. She wore just enough make-up to accent her features, not cover them up as some women did. Her soft, green eyes were as beautiful as he remembered. Her full-lipped mouth, that dimpled smile, that voice…all as captivating as the first time he saw her. Even her feet in the delicate sandals she wore looked lovely! He was fascinated by the red nail-polish on her toenails…that simple thing just drove him wild! Bo realized this night was going to be harder on him than he had at first thought. At least maybe with Cooter and Daisy being there, he could keep his mind from wandering where it didn’t belong. He had to believe Jesse’s words: There would be someone for him and him alone. He just had to be patient. He vowed he would get through this night and he would get over Meghan Riley. He had to.