by: Marty Chrisman

            Sunlight filtering through the bedroom window woke Luke up. It took a minute for him to remember where he was. Until he felt the warmth of Kelly’s body cradled in his arms. She was still asleep, curled up against him with her head resting on his shoulder. Luke couldn’t help smiling as memories from the night before slipped into his mind. He had intended to bring her home and then go home himself, but that didn’t happen. A goodnight kiss had ignited the burning passion between them, the passion of their renewed love for each other. Much later, Luke had finally remembered to call home to let Jesse know he wouldn’t be home that night. He didn’t tell Jesse where he was spending the night but he was sure Jesse had probably already figured that out for himself. (Especially since Luke had left the Boar’s nest with Kelly the night before)

Kelly’s eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him, snuggling closer as his arm tightened around her. “I could get used to waking up like this.” She said, tilting her head for his good morning kiss.

“So could I” Luke said with a chuckle, letting his hand wander freely across the body he remembered so well.

“You want some breakfast?” Kelly whispered with a playful gleam in her eyes, as she slid her arms around his neck.

“Later,” he whispered “I got something better in mind right now…”  He kissed her deeply, as he shifted positions so that she was lying beneath him. Later, much later, they took a shower together and then got dressed.

As Kelly walked out to the General with him, Luke made a date to pick her up later that night. Even though he’d rather spend the day with her, there were chores that had to be done at home. Stealing one more kiss, he slid into the General and turned on the engine. Kelly watched until he was out of sight before going back into the house. She had never been happier. For the first time in years, she finally felt at peace again.

Daisy was in the back yard hanging clean laundry on the clothesline when Luke pulled up in the General. She grinned broadly as she watched her older cousin climb out the window. “It’s about time you decided to come home.” She told him with a teasing twinkle in her eyes. “You must have had a good time last night.”

“Yeah, I did.” Luke told her with a huge grin as he went into the house. Jesse was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee. He glanced up as Luke came in the back door. Smiling as broadly as Daisy, he couldn’t resist teasing his nephew.

“It’s about time you got home” he said in a gruff tone “Them chores ain’t gonna do themselves, ya know.”

“I’ll git to ‘em right away.” Luke said, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the pot sitting on the stove. Sitting down at the table, the rumpling of his stomach reminded him that he hadn’t eaten yet. He helped himself to one of the muffins left over from breakfast that were still sitting on the table.

“No need.” Jesse told him with a chuckle “Bo must’ve felt sorry for ya cause he did your chores and his both this morning. Then he took off to go fishing.”  Jesse finished his coffee and shoved himself to his feet. “Did you ask Kelly to supper tonight?” he asked as he put his cup in the sink.

“No,” Luke said “I thought I’d take her to Capital City for supper and maybe see a movie or something.”

Jesse nodded thoughtfully. “Looks you two got things worked out.”

“Yeah” Luke agreed with a self conscious smile. “I guess we did.”

“Good” Jesse said “Cause you and that little girl belong together….you always have.”

Luke smiled to himself as Jesse walked out the door. Jesse’s approval meant more to Luke than he would ever admit. He looked up that old man and admired him more than anybody else he knew. Jesse was a tough old bird and he could be as stubborn as all get out, especially with that Duke pride. But at the same time, he could be gentle and loving

with a deep compassion for his fellow man. The strongest parts of Luke’s character came from Uncle Jesse. Whenever Luke had kids of his own, he just hoped he could be as good a father to them as Jesse had been to him.

Luke was still sitting at the table when Daisy came inside from hanging up the laundry. “Hey, cuz.” She said brightly “You hungry?”

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

“I kinda figured maybe you didn’t have much time for breakfast this morning.” Daisy told him with a laugh. Luke lowered his head so she wouldn’t see the flush that crept into his face. The three cousins teased one another outrageously about their various love affairs, but it was done with love, not spite or vindictiveness. Daisy quickly fixed Luke a hearty breakfast complete with scrambled eggs, bacon, fried potatoes and toast.

Daisy sat down at the table, watching Luke as he ate. Leaning her arms on the table, she finally said, “Luke, you know I think it’s great about you and Kelly. I hope you’re both really happy together.”

“Thanks, Daisy.” Luke said. Finishing his breakfast, he put the plates in the sink and decided to go and find Bo. Checking out their usual fishing spots, he finally found Bo at Miller’s pond. Bo was lying on the bank, his cowboy hat tipped over his eyes to keep out the sun. Luke grinned. It didn’t look like Bo was getting much fishing done.

Bo jumped, startled, when Luke kicked his foot to wake him up. “Dang it, Luke” he stammered “Ya like to gave me a heart attack or something. I thought you was Roscoe.”

“Why? Did you forget to grab your fishing license again?” Luke asked, as he settled down on the bank beside Bo.

“No,” Bo said “I got it right here in my pocket.” He leaned up on his elbows and looked at his older cousin with a grin. “You spent the night with Kelly, didn’t ya?” he asked

“Yeah.” Luke said, picking up a stone and skipping it across the water.

“Well, alright!” Bo exclaimed with a huge grin “I was wondering when the two of you was gonna get back together.”

“Well, I’m glad to know everybody approves.” Luke said dryly.

“Shoot,” Bo told him “Everybody always knew you two would get together someday…heck, you and Kelly would have been married by now with two or three kids by now if she hadn’t disappeared.”

“You think so, huh?” Luke said with a laugh.

“I know so.” Bo told him, laughing back. “If you hadn’t laid claim to her, I would have.” He grinned again and poked Luke in the ribs “So when’s the wedding?”

“Don’t ya think you’re rushing things a little?” Luke said with a laugh. “She just got back in town.”

“Yeah,” Bo said with a wicked grin “And the two of you sure got a lot of catching up to do.” Before Luke knew what was happening, Bo had bounced to his feet and shoved Luke in the water.

“Dang you, Bo!” Luke yelled as he surfaced, shaking his head to get the water out of his eyes. “I’m gonna get you for that!”

You’re gonna have to catch me first, Cuz!” Bo said with a loud laugh, as he ran back to Daisy’s jeep and climbed in, roaring away. Luke climbed back onto the bank, cold and wet. His boots squished water and he walked back to the General Lee.