by: Susan Porter

When Daisy awoke the next morning she found herself
curled up in her own bed, an afghan covering her body.
The morning sun streaked across the room, kissing her
cheek. On her bedside table was a a note from Enos.

“Daisy, I’ve taken the General to the Capital city
airport to pick up Bo and Luke. We’ll be back about
eleven then we’ll go see Uncle Jesse. Love, Enos.
P.S. You’re beautiful, even in your sleep.”

Smiling, Daisy rose, showered, fixed herself a small
breakfast and was waiting on the front porch when the
General Lee pulled in, carrying Enos and the boys.
After quick hugs they left for the hospital, in two
cars, to check on their Uncle Jesse.

On arrival they found that Jesse Duke was with his
doctor so they were forced to wait until he tests were
finished. Once Jesse was back in his bed Rosco laid
out the problem he and Jesse had discussed two nights
before. He needed the Duke’s help.

“This is more than a celebration of those two
historians finding that Civil War chest at the bottom
of Hazzard Pond. Last month two of Boss Hogg’s former
partners, men Enos and I arrested, were released from
prison. Three days after their release, I got this in
the mail.”

He showed them the paper onto which letters had been
pasted, clearly a threat against Rosco, and Enos.
Luke examined the note, playing with the words.
“There’s something… familiar… about some of the
words. Almost as if they’re taunting you.”

Enos looked over Luke’s shoulder. “I got one of these
last week, I thought it was a crank. Police officers
tend to get them from time to time.”

“There’s something about a trunk here, could that be
the chest those two guys recovered?”

“That’s the only think I can figure. That’s why I
need your help, all of you.”

Rosco laid out the plan he and Jesse had discussed.
“Enos, I want to swear in you, Bo and Luke as Hazzard
County Auxiliary deputies, to guard the chest until
the ceremony. Jesse, Cooter, Cletus and I will try to
find the men who sent the threat.”

“What about me?” Daisy asked. “I want to be apart of
this too. And I was a Hazzard deputy once, don’t
forget.”

“Daisy, honey, this might be dangerous.” Enos warned.

“Yeah, Daisy, this sounds dangerous. Maybe you should
just…”

“Luke, if you don’t mind,” Enos spoke quietly, “this
is between me and Daisy. Honey, could I speak to you
a minute, alone?”

The two of them stepped out into the hall. “Enos…”

“Daisy, honey, you know I love you, and I would never
deny you anything you set your heart on, but this,
this is different. You could be putting your life in
danger.”

“I love you, too. But how could I be in danger if I
just take over patrol duties to free up Rosco and
Cletus?”

There was a light in her eye that told Enos she would
be doing her own investigating, but he knew that there
wasn’t a thing he could do to stop her. “All right,”
he nodded finally, “I won’t stand in your way if you
want to do this, but, it’s been a long time since you
were a deputy. If anything happens…”

“Nothing is going to happen to me.” she laid her hand
on his cheek, knowing she was getting her way. “Not
with my big, handsome guy to protect me.”

Enos smiled, knowing he was being buffaloed but also
knowing he could deny Daisy nothing. “All right,
honey.” he bent and kissed her mouth. “Damn but you
can talk me into anything.”

Arm in arm they reentered Jesse’s room. “All right,
we’ve talked it over and it’s okay with me if Daisy
gets a uniform and goes on patrol But no
investigating, right?”

Daisy smiled sweetly, fingers crossed behind her back.
“Right.”

by: Susan Porter

Rosco hugged Daisy when she end Enos entered the
Capital City hospital a hurried four hours later. His
eyes were red–rimmed and showed bags from lack of
sleep. “Daisy, Enos, I’m so glad you’re here. Jesse
scared me.”

“He scared us too. Rosco, are you all right? You
look dead on your feet.”

“Between trying to run the county, being sheriff,
spending time at the hospital and splitting farm
chores with Cooter I haven’t had much sleep. I was
due at a meeting… somewhere… ten minutes ago.
I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

As Rosco shuffled off Daisy and Enos exchanged uneasy
glances. Together they entered Uncle Jesse’s hospital
room and found him sitting up in bed, a tray of
half–eaten food in front of him. “How do these
people expect a body to eat food that can’t be
identified? Which is the meat, the brown stuff or the
tan stuff?”

Daisy smiled at Cooter as Enos spoke. “The brown
stuff is the meat, Uncle Jesse. the tan stuff is
supposed to be gravy.”

“Daisy! Enos! About time the two of you showed up!
I’m gettin’ tired of looking at Cooter and Rosco.”

daisy laughed at her uncle’s blustering then hugged
him. “There’s not a thing wrong with you, you had me
worried!”

“I would have been out of here and back at the farm
last night if those fool doctors didn’t insist on
running more tests. Now the nurses say I’ll be here
until tomorrow.”

“Now Uncle Jesse, Enos and I are here and Bo and Luke
are on their way. the time will fly by.”

“I got work to do at the farm.”

“Rosco and I have been doing your chores Uncle Jesse.”

“And now that we’re here,” Enos assured him, “we’ll
help too. You need to rest.”

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

Several hours later Rosco returned to the hospital and
stayed until the night nurse came in and kicked them
out. Exchanging good nights they left Jesse to sleep,
Rosco to his office to finish paperwork, Cooter to the
Hazzard hotel and Enos and Daisy, with Sarge, returned
to the Duke farm where, working as a team, they
completed the night chores and prepared dinner.

Midway through dinner the phone rang. Daisy answered
it and listened for a few minutes, her expression
getting increasingly sour. When she hung up she
refused to face Enos, instead running out onto the
porch and hiding in the shadows. Enos followed her.

“Daisy, are you all right honey?”

Daisy looked up at Enos through tear swollen eyes.
“I’ll be all right in a minute. I guess the stress is
just getting to me.”

He moved to stand behind her, his hands massaging too
tense shoulders. “Tell me, maybe I can help.”

She leaned against him. ‘The call I just got was from
the university. They want me to write a paper for the
scientific journal. It would involve a lot of time
and research but it would also mean a lot of prestige.
The EPA wants me to do research for them, Uncle Jesse
needs me and to top all of that off, my ex–husband
called my attorney, he wants to get married again and
needs his alimony payments reduced.” she sighed.
“It’s been a long week.”

Enos was silent for a monet, massaging. “I know the
perfect stress reliever.” he said at last. “Wait
here for a minute.”

He disappeared into the house for a minute then
returned, dangling the keys to the General Lee. “Come
on, honey, let’s take a ride.”

Enos was mysteriously silent as he drove them through
the back roads of Hazzard and up to Blindman’s Bluff.
He pulled up to the cliff, turned on the radio and got
out of the car, beckoning for her to join him as he
lay back on the hood. Daisy lay beside him, her head
nestled against his shoulder, her eyes closed, her
breathing even. Enos had begun to think she was
asleep when she whispered, “So, when does this stress
relief begin?”

“As soon as you let it. Look out there, honey, the
way the stars shine on Hazzard Pond. It all looks so
calm, as if nothing in the world could disturb it.
It’s all so peaceful, Daisy. This is my favorite
place in the world, and now I’m sharing it with you,
the love of my life.”

Daisy smiled against his neck. “You’re right, it is
peaceful, but I don’t know what’s helping me more,
being here or being in your arms.”

Enos snuggled closer to her, kissing her forehead.
They were quiet as the night and the music from the
radio moved around them. Daisy was nearly asleep
against him when the disc jockey came on the radio and
announced, “This song goes out to our favorite couple,
Enos and Daisy who are out there somewhere tonight
falling in love all over again and, hopefully,
planning their wedding.”

“May I have this dance,
my you’re lookin’ pretty,
Is there somethin’ wrong
Did he leave you hurtin’,
I don’t mean to pry but
those tears in your eyes,
gave you away…”

Enos looked down at her, amused, “Shall we dance?”

She gave him her hand and allowed him to guide her
into the moves of a slow, intimate dance.

“You have
the right to remain silent,
anything you say as I hold you against me,
will forever remain a secret,
between us two.
I’ve been wanting you,
but you didn’t know it,
and now that he’s gone
at last I can show it…”

(The song is You Have the Right to Remain Silent by
Perfect Stranger)

by: Susan Porter

Rosco entered the dark hospital room and approached
the side of the bed, touching a sleeping Cooter on the
shoulder. “I’m back Cooter. Why don’t you go on out
to the farm and get some sleep?”

Cooter yawned and stretched. “What time is it?”

“Ten. I know I said I’d be here sooner but…”

“Did you get ahold of Daisy?”

Rosco shook his head. “There’s no answer at her
apartment and by the time I reached the university she
and Enos had already left.”

“I’ll page Enos from the farm. You’ll call if there’s
any change?”

Rosco nodded.

Silently they both eyed the older man lying peacefully
asleep on the sterile sheets. Jesse Duke’s heart
attack the previous afternoon had shocked them both.
Though his doctor had assured them both that the
attack had been mild and that Jesse wouldn’t suffer
any ill effects, Rosco and Cooter had been taking
shifts at the hospital, watching over him.

Trying to juggle the jobs of county commissioner and
sheriff was beginning to tell on Rosco. there were
heavy bags under his eyes and he was beginning to miss
appointments.

As Cooter left the room, Rosco sank to the chair that
Cooter had just vacated. “Jesse, I don’t know if you
can hear me, but, I’ve got a problem. Boss always
said that if I needed help…”

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

When Daisy and Enos entered her apartment, Sarge was
at the door to greet them, running around and between
their feet, sniffing at Enos’ pant leg, wagging his
short tail furiously as he recognized his master’s
scent. Daisy laughed, eyeing the pup. “I think he
likes you.”

The pup circled and settled between them with a
contented sigh. “He seems happy.”

“He should be. He’s spoiled. He gets the best food,
all of my neighbors love him, and bring him presents.
He even gets to sleep with me in my bed.”

“Lucky dog.”

The sensual undertone of his voice made Daisy’s breath
catch in her throat. She looked up into his eyes,
reading their silent message. “Enos…”

He put his arms around her waist, drawing her to him.
His mouth hovered over hers, “I love you, Daisy Duke.”

Daisy’s heart raced as she draped her arms around his
neck. “I love you too, Enos Strate.”

As her lips blindly sought his, the pager clipped to
Enos’ belt started to beep. reluctantly he pulled
away from her, sighing, “Why don’t you get your things
ready and put Sarge in his carrier while I answer
this.” he moved toward her phone, reading the number.
“It’s Uncle Jesse.” he called to her as she moved
into her bedroom to retrieve her luggage.

“Cooter? It’s Enos. Are you staying with Uncle
Jesse?”

“Not exactly. Where are you? Is Daisy with you?”

“Yeah, we’re still at Daisy’s apartment. I figure we
should be in Hazzard before nightfall. Cooter, is
something wrong?”

“Enos, I’m glad you’re with Daisy. She can lean on
you and you can get her home in one piece. Enos,
Uncle Jesse is in the hospital. He had a heart attack
yesterday.”

Enos heart skipped a beat. “Is it serious?”

“It was relatively mild but he’s gonna need us for a
while. Bo and Luke are on their way but they won’t be
here until tomorrow morning. Rosco and I have been
taking turns with him.”

“We’re on our way, Cooter.” Out of the corner of his
eye, Enos saw Daisy in the kitchen, coaxing Sarge into
his carrier. “Take care of him.” he said quietly
before hanging up.

“Is Cooter staying at the farm?”

“In a manner of speaking.” he reached for her hand.
“Sit down a minute, hon. I have something I have to
tell you.”

Daisy sank to the sofa beside him, trying to read his
expression. “What’s wrong Enos?”

“Honey, Uncle Jesse had a heart attack. He’s in the
hospital. Rosco and Cooter are with him.”

Tears melted down her cheeks. “Bo and Luke…”

“Are on their way but they won’t be in until tomorrow.
The attack was mild Daisy, he’s gonna be okay.”

He rocked her in his arms as she cried. After several
minutes he forced himself to hold her at arms length.
They had to leave. “Daisy, we have to leave now if we
want to get home in time to see Uncle Jesse.”

She nodded, sniffing as she dried her tears. “Take me
home, Enos. Uncle Jesse needs me.”

As she moved around the apartment, gathering the last
of her things, and Sarge’s, Enos’ eyes followed her.
Sighing, “I need you too, Daisy.”

by: Susan Porter

Enos Strate strode across the tree-lined lane that
snaked through Duke University, twisting his brand new
black Stetson in nervous hands. He was lost.
In desperation he approached a woung woman eating an
apple beneath the branches of a large shade tree.
“Excuse me, ma’am. Could you please tell me where I
might find Dr. Daisy Duke’s office. She’s in
ecology.”

The young woman swallowed hard, studying Enos. This
was a real cowboy, she decided, real from the tips of
his polished black boots to his tight fitting jeans.
She had no way of knowing that Enos was from Hazzard
and was just a good ole boy. “Doctor Duke?” she
pointed to a nearby brick building with ivy crawling
up its walls. “Her office is on the second floor.
Third door on your right when you leave the elevators.
Her name is on the door.”

“Thank you kindly, ma’am.” he smiled down at her.
“Much obliged.”

As he moved off toward Daisy’s building several other
girls joined the one under the tree. “Who was that
guy?”

“Yeah, he’s cute.”

“I don’t know. He was looking for Doctor Duke’s
office.”

Someone inhaled sharply. “I knew I’d seen him
somewhere before. That is Sergeant Strate, L.A.P.D..
He’s Doctor Duke’s boyfriend.”

“Lucky Doctor Duke! Nice butt.”

Blushing scarlet, Enos entered the building and,
finding his way to the second floor, came upon Daisy’s
office. Entering quietly he found Daisy sitting
behind a piled desk, her auborn head bent as she
massaged her neck. Sympathetically he moved behind
her, his hands moving to massage her neck and
shoulders. Daisy moaned sensually, leaning into his
massaging hands. “I don’t know who you are, but if
you promise not to stop I’ll love you forever.”

“You’d better love me forever,” he told her, moving
his fingers gently through her hair, massaging her
scalp. “I know I’ll always love you.”

Daisy smiled. “Your aftershave gave you away. It’s
the stuff I gave you for Christmas. You weren’t due
for another hour. I was going to come to the airport
to pick you up.”

He bent and kissed the tip of her nose. “I caught an
earlier flight. I couldn’t wait to see you.”

“I missed you. So did Sarge.”

Sarge was the puppy Enos had given Daisy for
Christmas. He was a tiny flop eared, mud brown mutt
who adored them both. When he and Daisy had returned
to her apartment after two weeks of christmas in
Hazzard he had moped for days, rushing to the door at
the tiniest sound, waiting for Enos. He was going
home with them now and it was almost like he knew
that, after six months, Enos was coming for him.

He turned her chair to face him and cupped her head in
his hands. “I missed you too. Every day, every hour,
every minute…” his lips touched hers briefly, “I
missed your eyes…” he kissed each eyelid, “your
dimples…” he kissed each flushed cheek, “your
smile…” his lips caressed her lower lip, “your
laugh…”

As his head bent to pocess her mouth, her phone rang,
startling them both. She pulled away from him, her
cheeks red and her breathing heavy. She touched his
cheek with her fingertip as she picked up the phone.

“Doctor Duke.”

She listened for a few moments then grabbed a pen and
began to scribble notes. “Yes, of course, I can get
that information for you. I’m returning home this
weekend for a class reunion. It won’t be a problem.
I’ll call you on Friday.”

As she hung up the phone Daisy let out a rebel yell
and hugged Enos. “That was an agent from the EPA.
Mr. Luger. He asked me to do some research. Enos, if
I do a good job I could get into the EPA!”

Enos offered her his hand, picking up his discarded
hat to the expression on his face. “Come on, honey,
let’s go home.”

She locked her office door as they left, still
chatting happily. “Isn’t it funny, no matter how far
we go or how long we stay away, Hazzard is still
home.”

He put his arm around her waist as they left the
building. “There was a time I couldn’t imagine
leaving Hazzard, or you. I wanted to get married,
have children and grow old there, with you.” He
turned her in his arms. “I still do.”

Daisy sighed, touching his cheek with one finger.
“Oh, Enos…”

The girl who had given him direction called out to
them. “Have a nice summer, Doctor Duke!”

Daisy waved at the girl as they began to walk across
the quad. “I know her. She was in my freshman
biology class. Failed. I never thought she would
speak to me again.”

“I asked her for directions. She thinks I’m cute and
that I have a nice…butt.”

Daisy slowed a step and eyed a very embarrassed Enos
from behind. “She’s right.”

“Daisy!” his cheeks reddened.

Daisy laughed and hugged him to her side. “Come on,
let’s go home.”

by: Susan Porter

The two men dived deeper, their searchlights making
wide sweeps over the bottom of the large pond. The
chest, if the major’s journal had been correct, had to
be nearby.

The man in the lead squinted into the beam, seeking odd
shapes in the shadows of the water. There was a small
possibility that the chest had survived on the surface
but most likely it would be at least partially buried
beneath the sand and soot that had flowed into Hazzard
Pond in the hundred odd years since the Civil War.
They just needed to know what to look for.

He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find the
other man waving excitedly to his left. The chest,
what was exposed of it, lay gleaming in the ray of
light.

Together they worked frantically to clear an area
around the chest and lifted the heavy object, carrying
it between them to the surface. Taking deep, harsh
breaths the two men lifted the chest into their
airboat and climbed aboard. Taking off their masks
and shrugging off oxygen tanks, the men smiled over
thier find. This was going to make them, and the tiny
town of Hazzard, famous.