by: Marty Chrisman

Jesse was as concerned as Luke when he found out what had happened. He assured Kelly that she was welcome to stay at the farm as long as she wanted to. After supper that evening, Kelly and Luke went for a walk. Although Kelly loved being at the farm, it would make it more difficult for her and Luke to find time to be alone. Uncle Jesse might be all for their relationship but he would never let them sleep together in his house without being married. He was more open minded than most adults of his generation but not that open minded.

“Maybe Roscoe’s right,” Luke said as they walked along a path that led towards the back pasture. “Maybe it was just a bunch of kids that got into their daddy’s shine or something.” From the tone of his voice, Kelly knew that Luke didn’t believe that any more then she did. He was just trying to keep her from worrying.

“You don’t really believe that and neither do I.” Kelly said, stating the obvious.

“But I haven’t been back in town long enough to make anybody mad….at least not yet.”

“Well, you’re here now.” Luke said, slipping a protective arm around her waist “And I’m not about to let anything else happen.”

Kelly stopped walking and turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he pulled her close. “That’s what I love about you, Luke Duke. You always make me feel safe.”

“Is that all you love about me?” He whispered, as he bent his head to kiss her. Kelly laughed softly, as she pulled him to the ground to show him what else she loved about him.

That night as they were getting ready for bed, Daisy looked at Kelly and said, “You really love Luke, don’t you?”

“Does it show that much?” Kelly asked with a grin

“Honey, it’s always showed.” Daisy told her, grinning back. Both girls started laughing. They had spent most of their childhood giggling and talking about the boys they knew right here in this room. Secretly, Daisy had always hoped that Kelly and Luke would get together someday and now that they had, she couldn’t be more pleased. She loved them both and after what they had gone through, they deserved to be happy.

Kelly had finally told Daisy the whole story about the night she disappeared. Daisy had been sad and shocked to hear about the baby and Kelly’s miscarriage. Daisy couldn’t even imagine going through something like that scared and alone. And then to go to a big city like Atlanta and make a life for herself all alone without any friends or family around. But then, Kelly always had been fiercely independent and self reliant, she had to be with her family. But Daisy also knew that Jesse and Martha’s love and understanding was what had given Kelly the strength to survive her childhood.

The next day, Luke drove Kelly into town to get a few things. On their way back to the farm, another car came barreling down the road behind them. Luke saw it coming in his rear view mirror but didn’t pay much attention, until it rammed into the General’s back bumper.

“Hang on!” he yelled at Kelly, who turned her head to see what was going on when she felt the sharp jolt from the two cars colliding. Luke hit the accelerator to pull ahead of the other car. The other car sped up too, pulling up alongside the General. The windows were darkly tinted so Luke could not see who was driving. The wheel jerked in his hands as the other car rammed the front fender, trying to force the General Lee off the road. He fought to keep control as the other vehicle rammed him again.

He felt the tires on the passenger’s side leave the pavement and sink into the soft dirt of the ditch. It was only because of Luke’s skill as a driver that he was able to keep the car from rolling over as the General plowed into the ditch at a high rate of speed. The other car was disappearing down the road as he finally brought the General to a stop.

“Are you okay?” he asked Kelly anxiously

“Yes,” she told him “Just a little shook that’s all. Who the hell was that?”

“I don’t know,” Luke told her grimly “I’ve never seen that car around here before.” He got on the CB and made three calls. One to the farm to let Uncle Jessie and the others know what had happened, one to Cooter so he could bring his tow truck to get the General out of the ditch and see if there was any damage, and one to Roscoe to report the car that had deliberately ran him off the road.

Uncle Jessie, Bo and Daisy arrived a few minutes later in Dixie. Relieved that Kelly and Luke were both alright, they listened as Luke told them about the mysterious driver that had forced Luke off the road. When Roscoe and Cooter showed up shortly after that, Luke repeated what had happened.

“It’s probably your own fault, Luke Duke.” Roscoe spluttered “You Dukes attract trouble like a dog attracts fleas.” He looked at Kelly “And you’re just as bad young lady. You might as well be a Duke too!”

“Roscoe,” Daisy said a hint of anger in her voice “Does that mean you’re not going to do anything?”

“What do you expect me to do?” Roscoe said in an irritated voice “Luke here already said he’d never seen the car around here before and he didn’t see the driver. And he didn’t get no license plate number.”

“I was a little busy, Roscoe.” Luke said defensively “Trying to keep the General on the road.”

“Don’t look like you done a very good job of that either.” Roscoe said

“Roscoe P. Coltrane,” Jesse said sharply “You know Luke wouldn’t lie about what happened. Now it’s your job to do something about it, so do your job like you’re suppose too!”

“Now Jesse,” Roscoe said in a flustered voice (Nobody liked to tangle with a Duke when they were mad) “I done told you there ain’t much I can do. I ain’t got enough to go on. Just get that car out of there and get on home.”

Jesse continued muttering under his breath as Roscoe walked back to his car and drove away. Cooter pulled the General back onto the road and checked him out. He assured the boys that there were no damages other then the scratches and dents on the front fender where the other car had rammed Luke. Daisy, Jesse and Bo climbed back into the jeep, telling Luke that they would meet him and Kelly back at the farm.

Before climbing back into the General, Luke checked out the car himself. Satisfied that there were no other damages that Cooter might have missed, he climbed into the General beside Kelly. Kelly looked at him with a puzzled expression when he hesitated before starting the engine.

“Is something wrong?” she finally asked him

“I was just thinking,” Luke said, turning sideways to look at her. “Roscoe was right about one thing. Maybe you should be a Duke.”

“I thought I was.” Kelly said with a soft laugh, stopping when she saw the serious look in Luke’s eyes.

“Marry me.” Luke said quietly, looking deeply into her eyes. Kelly stared at Luke, too surprised to say anything. (And anyone who knew Kelly knew that was a first for her) Smiling slightly, Luke reached out to pull her into his arms and repeated, almost in a whisper “Will you marry me?”

“Yes” Kelly finally managed to say. She started to cry, tears of happiness and joy, as Luke kissed her deeply and passionately.