by Debbie (Ldydebpv31)

Fandom: Dukes of Hazzard FanFic and Yahoo! Groups: DukesFanFic
Rating: PG-13
Status: NEW
Archive: Please Archive
FEEDBACK: Both Positive and Negative are welcome and appreciated
Series/Sequel: Chapter Eleven

Disclaimers: This is a complete work of fiction written just for fun. No intended Copyright infringement.

Notes: This is a rather long text and will take several posts to send all of it. I thank any and all who take the time to read my work. To Those who chose to honor me with their comments/critique’s I offer my sincerest gratitude.

Warnings: The Story has some of the usual car chases, fist fights, etc., but there is also a little sexual content and suggestions of sexual violence but not very graphic. You be the Judge.

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

The sun was just beginning its descent, ending the day during the drive Will and Bronco were taking Bo and Caitlin on. Will wanted to keep Caitlin’s nerves on edge…to keep her controlled. He made sure to keep his hand resting over her seat’s head rest, his fingers brushing the back of her neck and hair. He tried to caress her cheek, but she flinched and pulled away from him. Bronco laughed. Will used Caitlin’s hair to pull her back against the seat…keeping her there with his hand again resting on her neck. Bo helplessly watched Caitlin hang her head…tears drenching her face. Unable to stand the pain being caused his Caiti-Girl and not being able to help her, Bo turned his attention to the road…taking mental notes of the path they were following…the knowledge of where they were going beginning to worry him and bring him hope at the same time. Will nudged Bo slightly and jeered, “My, My, country boy, shame on you for violating your parole. I hear the sheriff of this county doesn’t like you very much. Matter of fact he’s promise J.D. to shoot you on site.”

Bronco added, “guess that means you better behave yourself, Mr. Duke, and don’t try any of those escape plans you been forming in your head.” Bronco continued to drive in circles until the sun had completely set and darkness covered the roads. Bronco laid a hand on Caitlin’s knee and commented suggestively, “We’re almost there, Miss Rose. We went to a lot of trouble to pick out just the right place for you. Will, they use a she’ll be as good as or guest as she was a host?” The two men laughed as bronco made sharp turn down a very narrow path. He had turned on only the parking lights of the jeep so as not to give away their position to Bo. It did not matter; both Bo and Caitlin were too busy trying to hold on in their seats to pay attention as the jeep job down a hill into a thicket of trees.

The jeep finally came to a halt to inside that thicket near a very old and very small shack. Caitlin’s heart finally slowed to a regular beat allowing her to look at her surroundings. She did not see a road only a very narrow path going back into the darkness. The shack looked to be about 100 or more years old and about ready to collapse inside itself. Its only redeeming quality was a small porch that surrounded the entire house. Three rusty metal lawn chairs and a long beaten up metal swing late toppled over on the front of the porch. Will stepped out of the Jeep and faced Bo. Clearing his throat, Will said, “Mr. Duke,” as Bo’s eyes focused on Will, Will forced Caitlin to look up at him, her chin held within the vice grip of his hand. His voice became hard and cruel, his eyes the commanding Caitlin’s complete attention, “look around here. There is no way for car to get down here. I planned this very carefully. So remember who’s in charge and you both won’t have to be tied up.”

Will pulled Caitlin from her seat and pushed her to stand in front of the headlights. He made Caitlin faced Bo while he examined the ropes cutting into her wrists. He sighed in mock sympathy at the angry welts tinged with blood. He called, “bronco, give me your knife and that special package I got just for Caitlin the other day.”

Too eager to comply, bronco unhooked the hunting knife from its holster on his belt and tossed to Will. He looked at Bo with a self-satisfied smile as he reached across Bo to retrieve what looked like a doctor’s leather medical bag. He tossed that to Will as well. Forcing Bo to stand out of the jeep bronco hissed for Bo to watch Will give his Rose the first of her many surprises they had planned for her that night. Bo looked to see Caitlin again facing Will their expression hidden in the shadows but their movements glowing within the light from the jeep.

Caitlin watched in terrified fascination. Will made a show of taking the knife out of the case and running the tip across the neckline of her swimsuit. He teased, “My beautiful rose, I just realized how much fun we are going to have tonight.”

Sickened by his behavior and not wanting to show him her fear she spat “you always did have a sick sense of what fun is and a bad sense of humor too.” Instead of the fear will was hoping to see, he found her look of disgust irritating.

In retaliation, he used the knife to cut apart one of her shoulder straps to bathing suit. Caitlin bit her lip instead of reacting grateful that she still wore her yellow blouse as a jacket. It was not preventing the top of her bathing suit from falling down and exposing her breasts. Before she could say anything else Will forced her to turn around and pushed her face first against the hood of the car. He picked her legs apart to prevent her from moving. Caitlin closed her eyes in preparation for the attack she thought was coming her ears listening to Bo yelling against the gag in his mouth and bronco having to keep Bo still. Will leaned over her and replied sarcastically, “just another example of my sick sense of fun my Rose.”

Caitlin felt the knife’s tip lifting her skirt up to her hips. Instead of attacking her, Will simply cut away the ropes binding her wrists and elbows together. She heard him open the bag on the hood behind her head…out of her line of vision. She Knew that bag very well…and braced herself for its contents. She wanted to fight Will…tried to squirm, but with his body pinning her legs apart and against the jeep…his hands holding her wrists together and pushing them against her back to keep her from moving it was futile. She was about to bang her head against the hood in frustration when she felt Will lift slightly and turn her over on her back. He then pulled her to a sitting position while encasing her hands in a pair of leather-banded cuffs linked together by a very short chain with another longer chain hanging from it. When the leather bands were securely fastened about her wrists, Will looped the long chain around her waist and pulled until her hands were trapped against her waist. He secured a second lock to one of the links on the belt and the chain between her hands…leaving the rest of the belt’s length to dangle in front of her. He warned her, “Now, MY Rose, you can remain in this comfortable position and I will keep you to myself until this is over. If you behave, I will even let your lover live to see his new jail cell. Do you understand me!”

While promising to escape as soon as she could to herself, Caitlin nodded in mock resignation…thankful for the cover of darkness to hide the truth. She knew he was lying to her. She knew Bo’s life was finished as soon as her Uncle paid the ransom…and she would disappear from the face of the earth never to see her father…her family again. Will eased up on his prisoner and called out to Bronco, “How soon will Jack and the others be here?”

Bronco lead Bo to the shack as he replied, “Jack and Rick will be here soon…they can follow the path on the bikes. Ray and Scott will need us to get them from the road. They’ve hidden the car and are waiting for us.” Pushing Bo a little too hard to get him to walk, Bronco asked, “What do we do with him until they get here?”

Will helped Caitlin stand up and guided her towards the shack too. He said, “Set Mr. Duke in one of those chairs…you can secure his hands to it with this.” Will tossed a short chain with a clip on each end to Bronco. Bronco set Bo down, hooking his hands still cuffed behind him to the chair. Bo’s eyes reflected his hate as he fought until he lost that battle and heard the lock clamp shut. Will handed Bronco the chain linked to Caitlin and instructed, “Secure this to the railing along the steps of the porch…make sure our guest is comfortable, Bronco.” Bronco and Caitlin’s eyes met…Bronco silently reminding her of the revenge he owed her…the lust he still felt for her. Bronco barely heard Will saying, “I’ll go and get Scott and Ray. I need to go back into town to make sure our message got to Brooks.” Will caught the interactions between Caitlin and Bronco…the fear and disgust in Caitlin’s and the evil in Bronco’s.

Bronco set Caitlin on the steps of the shack and then looped the end of her “leash” around the railing. He knelt down next to her as he promised, “I’ve got everything under control, Will. Miss Rose is very safe in my care. Unless of course she does something stupid.” He looked at her with expectation of her doing exactly that which would give him license to do anything he wanted to her…he would get his revenge one way or another. To Caitlin he said, “My memory is very long, Miss Rose….”

Before he could say more, Will called out, “Bronco, I’d like to have a word with you!”

Bronco felt himself being picked up from his kneeling position in front of Caitlin. Will dragged him away from the porch…he wanted to make sure Bronco knew his place out of earshot of Caitlin. He got in Bronco’s face and asked, “Can I trust you to handle them by yourself, My friend!”

Bronco said, “Of course, Will! I want this as much as you do!”

Will instructed, “Then I don’t want you touching or threatening, My Rose anymore…. do you get me!”

Bronco argued, “But you promised…you…she owes me for….”

Will said, “For what…reminding me of how you once lusted for her…how you took advantage of my trust and kissed her!” Will played with the ring on his finger…. making sure to show it to Bronco. He said, “I think once Jack gets down here, Bronco…I want him to become my second in command until we’re done here.”

Bronco’s anger rose in his eyes. He had been waiting for his chance to get to Caitlin…he bided his time…took the abuse Will heaped on him…hoping Will would share her with him as before…if only for one last time…maybe even get her to himself once Will was busy and away. He was offended that Will was not only preventing him from getting his revenge…but putting Jack ahead of him…taking away the power he had worked for within Will’s organization. He said these things to Will and without thinking yelled, “You said we were friends, Sharp…you promised me a reward for her…”
Caitlin watched the argument between them in disinterest at first. She had been a witness to them before; even purposely caused a few. She remarked…her eyes looking back to Bo, “They are at it again. Bronco will never learn….” She looked back and was reminded that Bo could not respond. Angrily She turned back toward the arguing pair and then smiled, “I’ve got an idea!” She saw Bo’s eyes question her and she said, “I mean…now is our chance…. trust me!” She inspected the wood railing and almost laughed at the decayed and rotting stick Bronco had tied her to. She inched her way still she could grasp the wood within her hands and then leaned against the rail…using her hands to push until she heard the wood crack. She looked around making sure her captors had not heard her…but they were still fighting…Bronco reminding Will that he owed him. Her heart jumped and she smiled when Will’s fist slammed backwards against bronco’s face. She could imagine the new cut mingling with the old one on Bronco’s cheek. She watched for Will to hit Bronco again and then pulled hard on the wood causing it to break in her hands. Within the next second, she crawled over to Bo and broke off the chain from his handcuffs. She pulled him down to the floor of the porch into the darkness and pushed him ahead of her toward the back of the shack. They jumped off the porch into a clump of bushes and waited for chance to make a clean break into darkness of the woods beyond the thicket.

Will picked Bronco up from the ground where he had knocked him to just as they heard motorcycles coming down the path towards them. Jack dismounted his bike and removed his helmet. He looked around for their prisoners…instead, he found his boss and accomplice fighting each other. Disgusted, he accused, “At each other’s throats again over that woman! Where is she?”

Both Bronco and Will pointed toward the shack as they looked to see the spots they left them in empty. Bronco announced in frustration, “They’re gone!”

Jack replied sarcastically, “Ya think! Luckily they could not have gone too far.”

Will became furious with himself and with Bronco…. but he held his temper, “I’m going for Scott and Ray…you too look for them! This time…you know what I want done. Jack…you are in charge now! Get her!”

Bronco was not happy…but he knew that if he found Caitlin first then he could regain his position. He suggested, “They’ve probably gone up to the main road…Caitlin wouldn’t go up into the woods…not in the dark anyway.”

Jack agreed, “Right…” And he got back on his bike and took off.

Will ordered, “Bronco, stay here and keep looking on foot. I’ll be back. If you see them, shoot Bo Duke…but do not kill him! Caitlin needs stronger measures to remind her who is in control here. This time she will be begging at my feet to keep that boy alive. She’ll sign our marriage license…away her inheritance…then we’ll kill them both.”
Caitlin watched for them to desert the area. When it was all clear, she removed the bandana from Bo’s mouth and kissed him. She said, “I don’t know what I’m doing! I’ve put us in so much danger! This is so crazy and stupid to try to escape! But what’s the worst they can do…Kill us…right!”

Bo replied, “You know what! You talk too much! Let’s get out of here!”

Caitlin checked to see if it was safe. Then she helped Bo the best she could to his feet and pulled him out of the bushes. “Do you know where we are?”

Bo nodded, “Yup. Will made a huge mistake picking this place. This was one of Boss’s favorite storage places for his stills.” Bo directed with his eyes and a nod of his head into the dark forest away from the road, “If we head that way, I know of a small cabin where we can hide out for the night. We can get back into Hazzard tomorrow.”

Caitlin said, “But what about your parole and that sheriff?”

Bo laughed, “Sharp lied. We’re no more than a mile or so from Hazzard County. Are you ready?”

Caitlin said reluctantly, “Yes, I’m ready. We need to talk soon about the meaning of that telegram.”

“You mean the one about your father?” He wanted to hold her in sympathy, “I am sorry about him, Caiti-girl…but let’s talk about that when we’re safe!”

They heard motorcycles in the distance and Caitlin followed Bo…helping him not to fall as best as she could into the dark woods. Carefully they made their way through the deep forest…seeing flashlights and hearing engines behind them. There was a point where Bo used his body to knock Caitlin down into the talk grass just as the area was flooded with lights. They lay there holding their breath until the lights died down and disappeared. Bo pushed himself to his knees and let his eyes adjust enough to the darkness to see past the line of trees into the next clearing. At first he thought his memory had failed him…he could not find the cabin he was looking for. Then a flash of light came behind him toward the field and he vaguely made out the shape of a house deep within another thicket. The house was very well hidden…a person would not know it was there unless they knew to look for it. Very large Weeping Willows, George Pines, Apple trees, and Pecan trees surrounded it. Caitlin rose up beside him and asked if he had found it. Bo looked back at his ladylove and the stars overhead glowed heavenly on her face…but they too revealed something he had not noticed before. It was then he asked, “Is what Jack said true? Are you afraid of the dark?”

Caitlin bit her lip and said, “Not the dark especially, but what I fear is inside that darkness…especially outside…like bugs, spiders, wild animals…ghosts….” Then she smiled, “But that was before I experienced something to really be afraid of! I’d rather face a whole nest of spiders than let Will, Bronco, and Jack catch us again!” She looked at Bo’s cuffed wrists.

Bo tried to stand and said, “We need to get going,” just as gunshots were heard being fired in the distance.

Caitlin pulled him back down beside her. She instructed, “Wait!” She produced a silver key in the moonlight for him to see then used the key to set his hands free. As soon as his hands were free, Bo wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. His eyes questioned her gift and she said, “I stole them from Bronco while he was tying my chain to the rail. I’d hoped there would be a chance to use them to free you…even if…well”

Bo kissed her again, “We’re both free…now lets get to safety! Let me free your hands.”

Caitlin bowed her head and said, “You can’t. These were specially made for me two years ago…they even still carry the blood stains from my hands when Will used them on me then…that night…” Her voice trailed off and she continued without further explanation, “Will has the only key to the special locks…we’ll have to find something to cut them off with.”

Bo kissed her forehead…not wanting her to see his anger at Will’s cruelty to her. He promised he would find something to use in the cabin. He asked, “Can you make it to the house?”

Caitlin nodded vigorously and they each took a deep breath and then ran towards the house. Just as they reached the entrance to the thicket the sound of the Jeep and other footsteps reached their ears coming out of the woods and into the field again. Bo pushed Caitlin causing her to fall face down into the long grass. He held his hands over her mouth and whispered, “Stay here and don’t move or even breath.” He crouched next to her as they listened for a break.

Bronco shined his flashlight around every inch of the field as Will barked orders to him of where to look. In frustration, Bronco tried to persuade, “We’ve searched everywhere, Will.”

Jack’s motorcycle came into the field behind the Jeep. He added, “It’s too dark to keep looking. We will never be able to find them tonight.”

Will agreed, “You both are right. Let’s get out of here. Ray told me that Brooks is in Hazzard and talking with The Dukes now. He radioed that O’Toole will be here by morning. I want Brooks to have our ransom demands before he gets here! Jack…find that pilot that my father sent here. I want that plane at that small airfield we found before sunrise. I want us out of here the moment we have Caitlin back in our possession and the ransom is paid in full.”

Bronco agreed, “Those two are too smart to come out of hiding and contact Duke’s family. That gives us time to find them!”

Jack added, “I’m gonna go watch the Rose’s place just in case. If they do come out of hiding, Will….”

Will concluded, “We’ll be waiting for her. Just don’t let them know we’ve lost them… keep the search as quiet as possible.” Will waved Bronco to the jeep and soon the clearing was quiet and empty of the intruders.

Bo made Caitlin stay down until he was sure Sharp and his thugs were not coming back or tricking them. When he finally picked himself up off the ground, Bo helped Caitlin to rise up. Bo led her the rest of the way to the cabin. He broke the lock on the door and forced it to open. It was clear the door had not been used in a long time. The hinges screamed from being used without being cleaned of their rust or oiled. He tried to look into the room through the darkness to make sure everything was fine and safe. He turned to Caitlin and said, “Stay here, I’m gonna make sure we aren’t disturbing a family of squirrels or something. Make sure we can walk in the dark without killing ourselves.”

Before she could stop him, Bo disappeared through the door inside the darkness. She pulled on the chain between her hands in nervousness and bit her lip. Seconds became hours long as she waited for him to return. She called out quietly, “Bo!”….”Bo! where are you?”….She poked her head through the door to see if she could hear or see something. She called again, “Bo! Are you there! Answer me!” Impatiently, She stepped through the door just as Bo was coming back to get her.

They collided, Bo announcing, “Everything seems to be OK…but…”

Bo was forced to cover Caitlin’s mouth with his hand at the first sound of her scream burst from her throat. She beat him back with her hands and scolded, “Why did you do that! Where were you! You frightened me!”

“Caitlin…I’m here now….”

“But what took you so long!” She almost shouted.

Bo again smothered her words saying, “Caiti-girl…please quiet down!”

But Caitlin’s nerves had been on edge for too long, she was about to burst from the stress of it all. She rounded on him…trying to whisper but failing…”Quiet Down! Quiet Down! How dare you! Don’t do that any more!”

Instead of arguing with her, Bo pulled her against him and after he looked at her sternly and said, “I know one way to get you to shut up!” He kissed her long and deeply. He molded her against him until he felt her stop struggling against him and her begin to return the kiss eagerly. He let her go…leaving her breathless. He teased, “Are you going to keep quiet now!”

Caitlin’s amusement only showed in her eyes. She promised, “I’m going to get you back for that, Bo Duke!” She turned away from him and tried to explore her new surroundings in the dark. She could have sworn she saw a raccoon under one of the windows, so she pushed Bo to go ahead of her as they bumped into a chair, then a rickety table, a rocking chair, and finally a small bed with a thread bare blanket tossed across it and a mattress that slightly sagged in the middle. She pushed Bo towards the rocking chair and claimed the cot for herself.

Bo pouted, “OK, Miss Rose, where am I supposed to sleep?”

Caitlin replied politely, “I pointed you in the direction of those chairs…they should do the trick for you.”

Bo grabbed Caitlin’s hand only to be reminded that they were still attached to each other and to her waist. He told her to stay on the cot and when he returned he held a pair of thick, heavy-duty metal shears in his hand and a fishing knife in the other. With a few cuts to the chain and cuts to the leather bands, Caitlin was soon free of her bonds completely. She hugged Bo very close in thanksgiving. Bo made himself comfortable by pulling the rocking chair as close to the bed as possible. Caitlin watched him get comfortable…as she rolled the blanket into a pillow and then propped herself up on it. She needed to talk to Bo about their situation…the one they were going to face when they were rescued. Bo leaned back in the rocking chair and propped his foot next to Caitlin’s waist on the bed. He commented, “This is great! The girl I’m gonna be marrying soon just stuck me with sleeping in this chair!” He leaned over and kissed her.

He leaned back and thinking the matter was over closed his eyes to go to sleep. Instead he heard Caitlin’s soft voice say, “About getting married, Bo…I think we should go to New York…like we talked about the other day before we make any concrete plans. I also want you to think about making a home there for a little while…”

Bo said, “I thought we settled all this the other day? I told you then I want us to stay here…to live here.”

Caitlin looked at her engagement ring and almost cried. She reached for her pendant watch the rings around it only to find they were not there. She recalled putting them up in safe keeping while she started a new life. She pondered out loud, “Do you think you’d be willing to make a sacrifice for me…especially now with my father so close to dying? I want so much for my family to meet you…before we begin the wedding arrangements.”

Bo shrugged, “We can go I promise, but I want you to be my wife when we go…so no one can break us up again. Even if that means we get married tomorrow.”

Caitlin was happy to be clouded in darkness. She did not want to see Bo’s face when she told him about a problem she knew was coming as a result of her father’s shooting and possible death. Before she lost her nerve, she plunged in, “There is a problem with that, my love. I am not suppose to marry anyone until my father has met him and approved him first. That condition was added to my father’s will to try to protect me from anymore Will’s. Will knows I will inherit everything…including the right to marry whom I choose should my father die…but I must be single when he dies to have that freedom of choice. Otherwise, if I married or eloped without his approval or knowledge, then I would be blocked from inheriting anything from my father. He knew that I would never pay a ransom on myself, but that my Uncle Charles who is my father’s executor and co-owner of their company would pay it. Are you understanding what I am trying to tell you?”

Bo understood exactly what she meant…he asked, “So why didn’t you mention this before…why did you lead me to believe you were free to marry me…without having to pass some test of your family’s.”

Caitlin lowered her eyes, “Because I thought we had time to work things out as soon as Will was jailed forever and I could go home again without fear. I also knew, that despite what you fear, my father will/would adore you…as would my mother! I thought I was getting his approval when I received those telegrams from him…turns out they were all just lies…and he still hasn’t received word from me since I’ve been living here. Will saw to that when he prevented my letters from going through. And now my father may be dieing and he needs me…and all my plans….” Her tears silently fell down her cheeks as she contemplated the eventual outcome of the situation. She waited for him to say something to her. When he did not, She offered, “I know I must sound like a horrible person and that it’s wrong, but I love you and I don’t want to lose you. I was counting on a dream that Will’s lies allowed me to create. I wanted to believe that Will’s arrest let me free to choose because now I had all the time in the world to convince my father to come down here to meet you. You must believe me, My Love, when I tell you that you are the best thing that has happened to me in a very long time.” She sat up and looked away from Bo…out the window. She whispered, “Now Will will get his way even if we are rescued and he goes to jail forever. My father may never get to know you…he may never get see me be happy again….”

Bo heard the desperation and sadness in her voice…the hesitation she felt of what she should do next…the choices she needed to make…what to sacrifice what to hold on to. He rose from his rocking chair and set down behind her on the bed. He stroked her hair and consoled, “Don’t worry about it my love. Just go to sleep. It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow.”

He gathered her into his arms and they leaned back against the wall. Caitlin sighed, “Remember, my love, whatever happens, I do love you!”

Bo kissed her forehead and said, “I know. I will always love you too!” There were no more words to be said…the couple resigned themselves to their exhaustion and fell asleep.
The Couple slept while across into Hazzard County the rest of the Duke Family gathered at the courthouse. Luke carried the box Daisy had found in the barn inside. A 5’6”, thick-shouldered gentleman with blonde hair, and a friendly smile met him. The gentleman wore tight fitting dark blue jeans, dark brown, copper tipped leather boots and a leather sport coat to match. His true age was reflected in the experience that showed in his eyes. There was a quiet air of authority and assertiveness about him. Enos stepped around the crowd to greet the man with a handshake and a smile. Enos asked, “Are you finding everything you need, Agent Brooks?”

“Yes, Deputy Enos. Your offices have provided me with everything I need to run this operation effectively. Now please introduce me to the folks that are with you.”

Enos first indicated Daisy as he began to introduce Special Agent Lt. Jim Brooks to the Duke Family. As he took Jesse Duke’s hand in greeting, Jim Brooks asked, “Are you relatives of Bo Dukes?”

Jesse replied, “I’m his Uncle…this is his cousin Daisy.” Daisy and Jim shook hands…Jim’s eyes became concerned from the nervousness he felt in Daisy’s handshake and the worry in her eyes.

Daisy asked, “How do you know about Bo?”

Jim held up the newspaper with the picture of Bo kissing Caitlin. “From this,” he said, “And from several e-mails we intercepted between Sharp and his father in New York. On my way here, I received this in my e-mail.” Jim produced a printed out E-mailed ransom note with Bo’s name printed at the bottom.

Daisy defended, “Bo did not send that! You have to believe that Bo and Caitlin have been engaged…Bo tried to prevent…he would have died if Caitlin had not….”

Jim rested a comforting hand on Daisy’s shoulder and said, “Don’t worry, Miss Duke. I know all about your cousin. I would not have let Caitlin come here to hide in the first place if I knew it would have dangerous for her. I have also been getting to know you all from the e-mails we have been tracking between Will and his family.

Enos finally turned to Luke but they were not able to shake hands due to the heavy box Luke carried. That brought a small bit of comic relief as Luke tried to maneuver the box around. Jim Brooks offered, “Let me help you find a place for that. What is this?”

Enos and Daisy cleared a spot on a nearby worktable allowing Luke to rest the box there. Finally, Luke was able to extend his hand, “So you are the man Caitlin told us to find.”

Jim Brooks smiled, “Yes, I am. I had told her that one of the agents on my team or I would be close by should she need help. I’ve been staying in Atlanta since she moved here. It concerned me when we stopped getting her daily reports that she was safe and sound about two weeks ago. William stopped E-mailing his father then too. I wanted to come here to warn Caitlin but did not want to reveal her whereabouts. I was not aware that Will had already tracked her down. Then Jack Dannon skipped out on his bail about a week ago and was followed here. It was through him that we found that Will had changed e-mail accounts…which led to us finding him hiding out here and the plan he was hatching. I tried to send Caitlin several telegrams…didn’t she get them?” He looked at Enos and Rosco.

Boss Hogg tried to sidestep his part in this. He admitted, “No, Sir. That Sharp character fooled me into helping him. He took over my telegraph office without me knowing.”

Both Enos and Luke coughed out, “Bull!” And Boss stuttered, “All that is besides the point now…water under the bridge. We got to find Miss Rose! That’s what ya all should be doin’.”

Jim Brooks was not here to get rid of Boss Hogg or to arrest him for his part in Will’s plan. He needed Boss’s complete cooperation if they were going to find Caitlin and Bo alive and unharmed. Jim replied, “Quite right, Mr. Hogg.”

Luke asked, “So why are you here now?”

Jim Brooks answered, “You know that Caitlin’s father was shot two days ago. He’s been in the hospital, in intensive care waiting for us to bring Caitlin home. He was shot because we arrested Will’s Father. We found the remains of Caitlin’s husband. Mr. O’Toole refuses to let the doctors operate to save his life until he sees Caitlin standing in front of him. So I’m here to arrest Will and his thugs for good this time.” Jim looked at the box on the table and repeated, “Now what is this?”

Though Daisy was very worried for her cousin and friend, she felt better with each moment spent with Jim Brooks. She understood why Caitlin leaned on him so much. Daisy replied, “Caitlin made me promise to give you this just before Sharp took her away from me.”

Jim opened the box and began pulling out its contents. He scanned several pages of her journal, leafed through the folders of print outs and documents. His smile widened with each page. He commented…talking to himself out loud, “You little brat! Why didn’t you give these to me when I asked you for them!” Upon retrieving the two videotapes and one audiocassette, Jim muttered, “I wonder what she has here?”

Rosco offered, “Agent Brooks, There is one of them VCR’s in Boss’s office.”

Jim smiled, “Well then let’s go see what this little girl found on Will Sharp that kept him chasing after her but not killing her!”

At that moment, he realized just what might be on the tapes and he said, “I will need to view these alone. What is on here will not be enjoyable to watch…”

Luke stopped Brooks from taking the tape from the box. He said, “I want to go with you! That is my cousin that Will has! I want to know what kind of monster we’re dealing with!”

Jim replied, “Trust me…you don’t need to see this to know how dangerous Will is and what he did to Caitlin! She’s already told you what happened to her…yes?”

Luke replied, “Yes…she did.”

Daisy shot out, “Luke, I’ve already witnessed Will’s cruelty…you don’t want to see what is on that tape.”

Jesse said, “Luke is right…I want to know what this Will character is capable of…best way to know how to stop him!”

Since he was not going to convince them to let him view the tapes alone, Jim said, “Let’s go…but this is police evidence…that is what I’m going to be looking for!”

Luke and Jesse followed Jim into Boss’s office, leaving Daisy, Enos, and the others alone. Inside Boss’s office, Jim found and loaded one of the tapes into the videotape machine and turned on the television. Will’s voice was heard telling whoever was behind the camera to make them look innocent…and that Caitlin wanted them to do this to her…to kill her husband. Then in fast forward motion, the three men watched in silence as Scott and Ray grabbed a man dressed in a thick bathrobe and began hitting him with their guns. Will held a screaming Caitlin against him. He forced her to watch as her husband’s beaten and broken body was dragged away and out of the cabin. His voice was heard calling out his love for her in a desperate, defiant, and fighting tone. Then an eerie silence came over the video. Muffled voices and a deep sorrowful weeping were then heard. Caitlin’s body was seen landing on a glass table, it breaking underneath her…her face and arms becoming sliced and bloody. Jack pulled her out of view of the camera as the camera recorded Jack and Ray taking her husband’s limp body out of the cabin a gun held to his head…

Jim turned off that tape…remarking, “We’ve seen enough…there it is…Jack was the one who fired the shot that killed Drew…not Caitlin as Will tried to convince the prosecutor…. this tape proves she was attacked as she said to us two years ago!” Jim changed video’s and the three men watched Caitlin seducing Will and getting him to talk about his crimes…where evidence was hidden…where the gun was…names of people in His and His father’s organization…names of Judges, Police officers, FBI Agents in their pocket. Will even bragged about the agent that kept revealing Caitlin’s hiding places to him every time she escaped. The next scene was Caitlin standing in front of the camera talking to Jim…she was rigid and crying. She spat, “I hope you’ve got what you need to put this ass behind bars, Jim. I got everything!”

Jim spoke back to the TV, “Yes, you did…little Caitlin. You got more than I thought you would get. Hold on! I’m coming to get you!”

Jim Brooks looked to see the horrified and stunned faces of Luke and Jesse. He admonished, “I told you it was going to bad.”

Luke slammed his fist into the door and then left the room. Jesse said, “Let’s get this animal!”

Back inside the main office, Jim placed the videotapes with the other evidence on the table. He searched the box again and pulled out a large locked jewelry box. With a pair of metal cutters supplied by Cooter, Jim opened the box…there was nothing inside. That is until Jim turned the box over and discovered a false bottom to the box. He broke open the bottom door to find a 57 magnum wrapped in brown paper. A note inside read, “Bo, if you are reading this…that means Will has returned and I’m dead! Take this to Atlanta…” She had written a phone number and address. A second piece of paper was address to Jim. It was a list of all the evidence she had on Will…including everything on the computer disks that lay under the gun. She had written angrily, “Don’t wait to use this in a court of law, Jim…kill him! Like you promised me!”

The door of the courthouse burst open and Cletus rushed in to announce, “I think something is wrong…something’s happened. I just saw that Ray character hiding his motorcycle behind Cooter’s garage in the alley. I followed him …”

Jim Brooks motioned Cletus to be quiet. He called everyone in the room into a tight circle and said quietly, “I’ll bet they’ve escaped from Will. He’s hoping we’ll lead him right to them.”

Luke said, “But they could be anywhere! I told Caitlin long ago that there are places in those hills she and Bo could go where no one could find them…Bo knows some that I don’t know about.”

Jim replied, “That’s actually a good thing, Luke. Gives me time to get more of my people down here. By morning, I want to have rounded up all of Will’s thugs and get them here. We’ll see to finding Caitlin and Bo when they are completely safe from harm.”

Daisy volunteered, “I know a way to find them. Brie escaped from us today…I’ll bet if we find and follow her…we’ll find Caitlin.”

Jim nodded, “Good…then in the morning we’ll meet at Caitlin’s house. Luke, you will look on horseback…and don’t worry about breaking your parole…I will take care of everything. If you need to cross county lines…do so!”

Luke laughed, “I was planning to do that anyway.”
No one slept the rest of the night. Will learned from Ray that Jim Brooks had arrived in Hazzard and that Caitlin’s evidence was in his possession. Will was furious…becoming out of control with anger and determined to get Caitlin. One by one, Will’s thugs began to desert him. None of them wanted to be arrested. But as each tried to get out of the area, they were stopped by a newly arrived FBI agent until only Will, Bronco, and Jack were left. Jack and Bronco promised to remain loyal to Will no matter what. Bronco did because he wanted to be the one to kill Caitlin to get revenge for humiliating him. Jack because he had been loyal to Will’s father first and wanted to prevent Caitlin from testifying and putting them in jail no matter what the cost. He swore that if he was going to jail for murder…he might as well go for killing her and her new boyfriend too.

The last of Will’s thugs to be caught was Ray. He was found by Luke still trying to get information to pass on to Will outside of the courthouse the next morning. Luke didn’t even bother to call for assistance, but grabbed Ray by the collar and pummeled him into the ground. Luke unleashed his anger and frustrations out on Ray’s face. He called him a “Bastard” for touching his Cousin Daisy! Luke would have killed Ray…as his temper got hotter each time he threw another punch, but Daisy had seen him and went to get one of the many new FBI agents that swarmed around Hazzard County Courthouse…their new base of operations until Will was found and brought in. Daisy ran into the office and warned Brooks about what Luke was doing. Brooks grabbed three of his best men and headed outside. It took them all to separate Luke from Ray…Brooks yelling at Luke to calm down and stop. Brooks instructed one of the agents to call an ambulance then told Daisy to get Luke over to Caitlin’s and back on Aidan. He told Luke to stay away from Hazzard until Bo and Caitlin were found.

Instead, Luke watched Ray being treated by some paramedics. When Ray was handcuffed to a stretcher and carted away in the ambulance, Luke made his way back into the courthouse. There he found Jim Brooks and another Agent interrogating Scott. They were trying to find out where Will was…where had they taken Caitlin and Bo before they escaped. Brooks used every trick to pull what he needed out of Scott. But Scott refused to speak…he kept repeating that he had the right to remain silent…that he wanted a lawyer and he wasn’t saying anything until his got there. Brooks said that they did not have time to wait for Scott’s attorney to arrive from New York. Scott shrugged and gloated that Brooks would just have to wait then. Luke lunged for Scott who had been partially handcuffed to the chair he was sitting in…Rick watching from the nearby jail cell. Luke got in Scott’s face and said, “You better tell me what you know! I am no cop! I don’t have to listen to their rules!”

Brooks told Luke to shut up…that if he got Scott to say anything it would be unusable in a court of law. Luke shouted that he didn’t care…he was going to make Scott point out the spot they had taken Bo to on a map if he had to smash his face into table to do it. Brooks motioned to two of his officers…the same two who had pulled Luke off Ray only moments before. They held him back…as Brooks got in Scott’s face. He said, “Now, Scott! You have a choice…you can accept that local public defender sitting in the corner over there doing nothing and tell me what I need to know. Or I’m going to drop all charges and have my deputies take you out of the police station. I will not be able to protect you from Mr. Duke here, or his family, or the rest of this town! I can’t arrest them all.”

Another agent knelt down next to Scott’s other ear and said, “You know if we let you go, and you survive the beating Duke and his kin give you…you’ll have to worry about what your friend over there will tell Sharp and Dannon. Do you think you’ll be alive much longer after they learn you betrayed them?”

Scott was about to tell Brooks to go to hell, but Luke shook off his guards and again lunged for Scott’s neck. Brooks and the agent beside Scott blocked Luke but let him get close enough for Scott to see the hatred and determination on Luke’s face. Brooks instructed his officers, “Cuff him if he fights you again! Now HOLD HIM!” To Scott, Brooks said, “Well…I’m waiting!”

Scott pretended to hold his breath calling on Brooks bluff. Brooks nodded and his assistant took the handcuff linking Scott to his chair from his wrist. Brooks announced loudly so Rick could hear, “I don’t need him anymore…get him out of my sight!” To Scott he said, “You are free, Mr. Scott. I am dropping all charges. You better leave Hazzard while you are still breathing…if you can.”

Brooks assistant chided, “Good Luck!” They turned as if to ignore him. Scott started to stand up to leave…he was going to escape while he could…didn’t want to take a chance on Brooks changing his mind. Scott walked past Daisy who stuck her foot out to trip him. She threatened him, “You should be more careful where you walk. Lots of accidents happen in this part of the country.”

Upon passing Boss Hogg, he heard Boss remark off-handed to Rosco, “Do you remember where we stashed that last stranger that came into Hazzard?”

Rosco replied, “You mean the one who wouldn’t pay their speeding ticket! I don’t remember…but no one’s heard from him and no one ever came looking for him here.” Rosco then grabbed Scott’s neck and shoved him towards the door, “You better get, Son! I’m not in the mood to clean up after Luke again!”

Scott was about to exit the room when Uncle Jesse came through with his double barrel shot gun announcing that he was ready to kill any of Will’s Thugs that hurt his new “Daughter-in-law”. Scott’s eyes bulged and he pushed his way back to Brooks. He came up against Luke still struggling to get away from the agents keeping him in line. Luke got in Scott’s face and said, “Ready to take this outside!”

Scott sat down in the interrogation chair, cuffed himself to it, and said, “You win, Brooks…I confess…I sent one of the bullets into Caitlin’s husband! I helped kidnap her!”

Brooks retrieved a piece of paper and said, “Wait, Scott. Are you sure you don’t want an attorney…your lawyer…you have the right to remain silent! Remember anything you say now I will use against you in a court of law!”

Scott grabbed the paper and quickly signed the waiver to an attorney. He said, “What I got to say I don’t need no lawyer! Just keep those people away from me and get me home to New York!”

Brooks thrust a map in front of Scott’s face and said, “Show me where you last saw Caitlin and Bo!” Scott quickly pointed everything out to them…and freely answered every question Brooks put to him. Brooks let his assistant continue the interrogation while he went over to Luke and Daisy and said, “Here’s where Will’s hideout was…where Caitlin and Bo escaped from them last night. Scott assured me that Will has no idea where they are and is still looking for them too. So go…get those horses and find them!”

Luke’s temper did calm a bit and he realized that he almost killed Ray and Scott with his bare hands. He was frustrated at not being able to find Bo and Caitlin though he had looked the entire night. With the new information provided by Scott, Daisy convinced Luke to try again and the two of them found The General and headed back to Rose Ranch. Brooks and several of his agents followed them out of the courthouse and into the countryside.
In their small cabin hideaway, the lovers slept…resting before having to face the chaos around them again. A streak of sunshine cut a trail through the window to Caitlin’s face. She squinted, even in sleep, at the invasion coming through her eyelids. She knocked Bo in the face as she reached up to try to brush away the offending light. Bo only stirred a moment to curl up away from her. During the night they had lay within the safety of each others arms…Caitlin resting her back against Bo’s chest…Bo’s head nestled against Caitlin’s…his arms clamping her to him like a child holding his favorite teddy bear. When Caitlin tried to rub her eyes, she broke his hold on her and he turned away from her in his sleep.

Caitlin tried to go back to sleep but the sun refused to move. She sat up suddenly realizing where she was and how she got there. Looking about the small cabin…she realized it was not a run down shack like the one Will wanted to keep her in last night. This had been used often by she guessed were hunters or fisherman. Several sizes of fishing poles and tackle boxes lined the shelves of one wall. There was a rifle rack, but it was empty. The furnishings were simple. She smiled as she saw a wood-burning stove at the back of the cabin…a fireplace next to it. There was a refrigerator, but she could tell that it had been unplugged. Her stomach lurched a bit and she knew she was hungry. As she stood up though, she remembered her broken bathing suit. She buttoned the blouse she wore to make sure she did not lose her top.

Caitlin stood up from the bed and stretched out the kinks of sleeping in such a cramped position within Bo’s arms. She smiled at the discomfort…realizing how much she would miss it. She gently brushed the hair away from Bo’s eyes and said, “I love you!” She added, “Stay and sleep my love. I’m going to find us breakfast.”

She exited the cabin as quiet as possible. Once outside, she took a good look of her surroundings. She smiled, “Bo was right. This place is very well hidden. I can’t even see past the trees to the field outside this thicket.” She scanned the area and found a sturdy reed basket. Then she went for a walk.

Inside the cabin, the empty spot he felt next to him disturbed Bo’s sleep. He rolled back over to take Caitlin back into his arms. His eyes opened with a start and he jumped up when he realized Caitlin was not with him anymore. He called out, “Caitlin!” He rose out of the bed and looked around the cabin, “Caitlin! Where…?” The cabin had been deserted and Bo ran out the door calling her name.

Caitlin had heard him calling her as she made her way back to the cabin. She didn’t want to shout back to him, so she hurried back to the door. It opened and he crashed outside, yelling for her as she approached. When he stopped screaming her name, she tapped his shoulder and said, “I’m right here, Darlin’. You don’t have to shout.” Bo pulled her into his arms and gazed into her very satisfied smile.

He scolded, “Where did you go!”

Caitlin explained very innocently, “Just to get these! I didn’t want to wake you. I hope you are hungry.”

He staggered, “You mean you scared me to death because you are hungry! You took off without me to get food! What if someone had seen you!”

Caitlin shrugged, “I was careful. I made sure to stay within the trees…no one saw me…I promise.” She pushed him out of her way with the basket and said, “Come see what I found!” She set the basket on the table and produced several handfuls of strawberries. She said, “These were growing in a huge wild patch just beyond the house. But as I was picking them, the aroma of frying bacon came steaming past my nose! I had to follow the scent. I found a small hen house with a smoke house nearby. So I got us breakfast!”

She pulled out several eggs and a small smoked ham bone from the basket. Bo shook his head in disbelief, “Did you steal that. You know I am friends with the guy that owns that house!”

Caitlin remarked, “Really! Is that how you knew to come here?”

Bo said, “Yes. Luke and I used this place a long time ago to go fishing…there is a lake on the other side of this thicket. Now, Luv…did you steal these?”

Caitlin huffed indignantly, “What kind of person do you think I am! Of course I didn’t steal them…wasn’t able to ask for them…so I left the few dollars I had in my blouse’s pocket stuffed inside on the owner’s hams inside the smoke house. Was that all right, MY Luv! Are you Happy with me?” She was teasing him, her eyes twinkling.

He gruffly took her chin in his and kissed her mouth. “You know I am, Silly Caiti-girl!”

Caitlin held herself from falling the moment Bo let her go. She like that breathless feeling he left her after they kissed. She grinned, “Keep that up, Mr. Duke, and there won’t be any breakfast!”

Bo laughed, “Sure there will…just not food!”

Caitlin went over to the stove and her face became tense and worried. Bo asked her what was wrong. She again bit her lip and asked, “Do you think it will be safe to make a fire…to cook? What if someone sees the smoke and decides to take a closer look?”

Bo soothed, “I think it will be all right. There is some firewood out back…I’ll get it.” He added, “This place is so well hidden…no one but Luke or Uncle Jesse would be able to find us for days or weeks.”

That thought caused Caitlin to think about being found and the consequences to that. She wished allowed, “If only that were true…if we could stay here…like this forever… without the real world intruding on us…”

Bo brought the wood through the door and noticed Caitlin staring off into space, her eyes in that far away place he had seen before. It was a sadness he could not reach no matter how hard he tried. He took the wood to the stove, set it down, and reached out to hold her. He asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Caitlin tried to smile. She replied, “My father…being found…rescued.”

Bo didn’t have to hear anymore. He let his love do the talking for him…hoping it would cheer her up again. He offered, “Let’s get this breakfast you found for us done. We have a lot of walking to do.”

Caitlin mused, “And Will thought he was so clever bringing us here,” and began preparing the ham to be cooked as Bo got the fire going inside the stove. He helped Caitlin locate an iron skillet and spatula. As she cooked, she asked who the cabin belonged to and Bo told her that it was an abandoned cabin used by everyone. It used to be a hideout for stills, but not since Jesse promised not to make the stuff anymore. Within a few minutes, Caitlin had breakfast on the table…a slice of ham and eggs surrounded by cut fresh strawberries for dessert covered each of the metal plates Bo pulled out from one of the cabinets and washed off. Bo had also brought them back some ice-cold water from a well he knew was near by.

The couple sat down together to enjoy the food. Midway through her eggs, Caitlin heard a familiar sound just outside the cabin. She went to the door to find Brianna waiting for her in the center of the field eating grass. The horse looked up at her and waved her head in greeting. She whinnied loudly at Caitlin…as if saying, “I’m here…let’s go home!”

Caitlin smiled, “We’ve been rescued, Bo…I don’t think we’ll have to walk after all.”

Bo held her back. He warned, “How do you know she isn’t a trap set by Will…that he didn’t bring her here to smoke you out?”

Caitlin argued, “Because, Bo, Brie trusts no one…as you well know! Brie would not let Will or any of his other thugs within 20 feet of her. You remember how long it took her to even tolerate you!”

Bo returned, “But what if he followed her…let her escape from your barn and then just followed her!”

Caitlin nodded, “You might be right, Bo…but We can’t just leave her out there if that is the case! And now we have a way home! Are you coming or not!” Caitlin didn’t wait for him to answer. She ran out of the cabin…emerged from the thicket to meet her beloved Brianna with Bo hurrying after her.

The barreling of The General through the trees interrupted Caitlin’s approach toward Brianna. The sound of another car engine coming towards them pulled their attention to a jeep easily speeding past the General, blocking his way to the Cabin. Behind the General, Jim Brooks and two of his assistants rode in one of the Hazzard County police cars. Immediately one of the agents jumped from the car and opened fire on the jeep causing Will to slam on his breaks. Now it was Will’s jeep that was blocked by the General and the police car. Will held Brooks at bay with an automatic rifle waving at them. He held that pointed at Brooks and his pistol pointed at Caitlin. He said, “Brooks! Get out of here! I’m not going down without making sure Caitlin or her boy dies first!”

Brooks returned, “Give up, Sharp. You know we have your father in custody in New York and the rest of your men locked up in a jail cell in Hazzard. I will not hesitate to shoot to kill you! Sharp…not after all you’ve put me through!”

Will looked to the other edge of the field…he was waiting for Bronco to act. Bronco had dropped from the jeep to crawl over to get Caitlin. They knew if they could just get to her, they would be able to get away. Bo, however, estimated his intent and as soon as Bronco was close enough to strike Caitlin, Bo pushed Caitlin to the ground and lunged for Bronco’s waist…landing him to the ground…his fist into his face. Luke ran past Brooks to help his cousin…they started to take turns at Bronco. Jack rode into the field on his motorcycle tearing past The General, Brooks, and Will’s jeep. He slowed long enough to pull Caitlin onto his bike and force her to ride with him back to Will’s jeep.

Bo and Luke stopped their attack on Bronco in shock. Will fired a shot into the air to gain control of the situation. He ordered, “Brooks! Back off! You want to this beautiful creature to suffer!” Will turned to Jack who had Caitlin by her arm pulling her off his bike. Will said, “Bring her to me, Jack!”

While Bronco retrieved his gun, Jack held Caitlin as a shield against himself tightly around her waist. She was kicking him hard and trying to make him fall. But he held her arms to her sides and dragged her with him. Bo tried to intervene, but Bronco turned his gun on Bo and said, “Come on, Pretty Boy, give me a reason to kill you! Make Caitlin watch you die!”

From behind the police car’s door, Brooks called out, “Will! Stop this! Let Caitlin Go! I will hunt you down! Dead or Alive I will get you!”

Will laughed…Jack forcing Caitlin to get into the jeep. As soon as she was within arms reach, Will took her by her waist and made her stay in front of him. He said, “Oh I think as long as I have My Rose with me my luck will be good. Remember Brooks…If you don’t let me leave and get to that plane waiting for me…I’ll kill her…slowly! Piece by Piece…you wouldn’t want her to suffer because you were stupid would you!”

Brooks temper was smoldering. He tried to tire Will out…keep him busy until more of his agents arrived to help. It was a stand off and he knew it. He raised his weapon willing to take any opportunity to get a shot off. But Will caught him and ordered, “Don’t take another step, Brooks! I mean it!”

Caitlin tried to squirm against him. She mashed her foot into his unsuccessfully. He just grabbed her hair and told her to be still. A rustling of the trees distracted everyone as Daisy came charging through on Aidan. Jack took the opportunity to force Caitlin’s hands together and bound them over her head to the back bar on the jeep. He warned her, “You won’t be escaping from Will this time, Our Rose! I’m not as clumsy as Bronco is!”

Will ignited the jeep’s engine and punched the accelerator. Bronco was about to jump aboard, but Daisy raced past him knocking his gun to the ground again. In Will’s desire to get away, he turned the jeep sharply around almost tipping the thing over. Jack was knocked out to the ground as Will sped away. Bo did not hesitate and used the opportunity given him to jump into the back of the jeep. Will tried to see him, and demanded, “What happened to Jack?”

Caitlin accused, “Your bad driving knocked him out. The cops are surrounding him right now!” Her tone was joyful. She turned to see Jack and Bronco being handcuffed while Daisy and Luke scrambled to get into the General, and Brooks got behind the wheel of his borrowed Police car to go after Will.

Will watched that too through his rearview mirror. He looked at Caitlin and ordered, “Keep quiet, My Rose! The end is almost here…we’re leaving this place!” He turned and looked at Bo trying to hide behind the driver’s seat out of Will’s sight. Will ordered, “Mr. Duke. Please join me up here!”
In the General, Luke radioed Brooks and told him of a plan to stop them. He also told Brooks that they needed to get to them soon because he knew the road they had turned down after leaving the field was dangerous. If they did not stop them than Caitlin, Bo, and Will would be dead.

Again Will ordered Bo to come to the passenger seat of the jeep. Bo sighed in frustration, but took the opportunity to slip Caitlin his pocketknife. He helped her bring her hands down the bar to a place where she could reach it easier. He jumped in the passenger seat and tried to distract Will from Caitlin’s attempts to free her hands. Bo looked at the road they were on and warned, “Sharp…you need to change course…stop this! You don’t know where you are Going and you’re going to get us all killed!”

Will lashed out, “You are lying!”

Bo said, “No, I’m not. There is a large gorge ahead…too large to jump…and the bridge is out…has been for months.”

Will accused, “You are willing to say anything to take Caitlin away from me…to make me go to jail! If the bridge was out there would be a sign!”

Bo said…his frustration mounting…his eyes watching as Caitlin cut into the first rope, freeing one of her hands, “There was a sign you idiot. A drunk driver knocked it out! That same drunk driver ended up dead after his car went over the side!”
Will stuck to his heels…he knew his world was ending. He did not want to face his father…did not want to go to jail. He also knew that he would get the death penalty anyway…and he decided he would choose the way he was going to die…not the law. He looked at Bo and then at Caitlin. He wanted to take them with him…if he had to die, then Caitlin would too! He remarked, “Then Mr. Duke, My Rose, We die together!”

Caitlin remarked, “You are Crazy!”

Behind them Rosco came up with Jesse and Enos; Cooter in his truck; Brooks; and Luke with Daisy beside him coming up fast. Luke sped past them all and got directly behind the speeding jeep. Jesse radioed, “Luke, Can you stop them?”

Luke replied, “I hope so!” Luke looked at Daisy and said, “Let’s do it!”

Daisy nodded and pulled herself out the side window of the General to sit on the door. She held on for her life…Luke trying to drive and make sure she didn’t fall out at the same time. Luke handed her a bow and one of the arrows with the explosive attached. Daisy fitted the arrow into the bow, aimed at the rear wheel well of the jeep, and with a “Wish me Luck!” She fired at the jeep. The arrow flew directly to its target, sank deep into the tire and then exploded causing the whole tire to break off…causing the jeep to twist and turn as Will struggled to remain in control.

Caitlin saw the approaching edge and screamed as she pulled the last of the rope from her wrist. She was finally free. She put the knife to Will’s throat and ordered him to stop the car. Will ignored her…the jeep rumbling along on the rim. Daisy was preparing to fire another arrow. Caitlin tried again to get Will to stop, but he yelled that he wanted to die and was going to take her with him. Bo grabbed Caitlin and without waiting, jumped with her from the jeep. He used his body to protect her as they rolled to the ground and then stopped. They landed just in time to see the jeep with Will still inside go crashing over the edge…a fiery explosion evaporating into the air. Caitlin ran towards the edge, Bo making sure she did not go over too. She buried her face in his shoulder in horror over where she would have gone had he not pushed her out. She was very thankful to be breathing at that moment. Her tears flowed down her cheeks as the adrenaline she’d been using to keep herself calm drained away. She felt herself going limp in Bo’s arms. He held her up repeating, “I’ve got you, Caiti-Girl. You are Safe! You are free! We’ve won!”

Caitlin’s brain screamed, “Have I won?” just as they were joined by Daisy, Luke, and Jesse. Caitlin hugged Daisy, “I am so sorry about yesterday! You saved my life just now!”

The hugs and the questions about their well-being and safety went on and on until Bo shouted for everyone to quiet down and assured, “We’re fine! We’re fine!”

From the sidelines, Jim Brooks waited for Caitlin to finish being loved by her friends. She noticed him and immediately sought his hug. He had become like a father to her…a knight in shining armor to her in the last two years. She asked, “Is he really dead! Is this really over?”

Jim Brooks hugged her letting himself cry in relief. He assured, “You saw what I did, Sweetheart. Your Uncle and Father are going to be so proud of you when they hear about all of this.”

Caitlin blushed and replied guiltily, “Well not all. They will not be pleased with how I got that evidence. Did you see it all?” Her skin became very red with extreme embarrassment. She realized if he did see the evidence…then he watched her being raped.

Jim said, “I saw only what I needed to make my case. Now introduce me to the guy Atlanta called your “country lucky charm.”

Caitlin blushed again, “Jim, this is Bo Duke. Bo this is Jim Brooks.”

The two men shook hands. Jesse interrupted their introductions and called for a celebration. Caitlin and Bo’s eyes locked in sadness. Jim gave Caitlin a stern look and said, “You Uncle is waiting for you at your place now.”

Caitlin nodded, “I thought he might be. Have you heard anything about my father?”

Jim replied, “Not me, too busy here. Charley will be able to fill you in on that.”

Caitlin tried to laugh; “I thought Uncle Charles forbade you from ever calling him that after that last poker pot you won from him.”

Jim extracted Caitlin from The Dukes and led her to his borrowed police car. “He did,” Jim replied, “but you know I never listen. Now let’s get you home.”

Caitlin’s eyes met Bo’s in a silent good-bye. She pleaded with him to follow her before getting into the car and Jim Brooks drove her home.

Jesse came up behind Bo and questioned, “What was that all about…why did she just leave like that?”

Bo responded, “It’s is complicated, Uncle Jesse. But she needs to go take care of her father and mother right now…he’s got to go into surgery and she needs to go home.” Bo refused to talk about it anymore. All he wanted now was a shower and clean clothes, but first he wanted to meet Caitlin’s Uncle…to make sure the man did not blame him for Caitlin’s capture! He wanted to make his intentions to marry Caitlin to him. Jesse could see that Bo did not want to talk, as did Luke and Daisy. There needed to be some explaining to do from Caitlin. The Dukes were soon settling into their vehicles and on their way to The Rose Ranch.

The trail of cars following Jim Brooks halted along Caitlin’s driveway. There was a mass of confusion going on as movers and horse handlers worked to pack Caitlin’s things and get her ready to leave. Bo noticed a truck being loaded with Caitlin’s Viper. His eyes rested on a long black limousine resting in the parking spot the Viper once occupied. Caitlin threw herself from the police car and a launched herself into the arms of the gentlemen who emerged from the back of the limousine. It was obvious that he was Caitlin’s Uncle. They shared the same shape and shade of green eyes. This man looked to a kind man. He held Caitlin for a long time without even speaking to her. Bo pulled himself out of The General listening to Caitlin sob her sentiments of Missing her family and being thankful that Will was dead.

The man turned to Brooks and asked, “So will this finally get Sharp Sr. behind bars for good, Jim?” His voice carried a faint hint of Irish brogue.

Brooks said, “You know I can’t make any guarantees, Charles. Anything can happen. Sharp has some very good attorneys working for him, that was why I was forced to move so slowly. But this time I made sure to cross every “T” and dot every “I”.”

Caitlin’s Uncle Charles asked, “I know that. Just tell me that our Caitlin can come home. That her tormentors are going away for a very long time!”

Brooks nodded happily, “That I say with certainty. Bronco and Jack should each get a needle. Caitlin will have to testify, but the video tapes she gave me, the gun that I’ve already locked up for transport back to New York…all of that will not be overlooked by any jury.” Upon seeing the accusing look in Caitlin’s eyes…and remembering the last time he had said that to her and several key files she had stolen for him had disappeared in transport…he assured, “I am personally taking that box of yours with me. It has not left my side…go look…it’s in the backseat of that police car right now!”

Caitlin smiled as Bo joined the group. Brooks also noticed him and said, “Charles, I want you to meet the man who kept Will from doing any more harm to Our Caiti-girl.”

Charles warmly grabbed Bo in a big bear hug, saying, “Come here, Lad! I am so grateful my wee-Caitlin found you here, Mr. Duke! You can bet my family will reward you and yours very well. Did Brooks tell you about the reward that has been out on Will and his thugs for two years now! You’ll have to come to New York to testify at their trial…but don’a worry about a thing my boy!” He was about to offer it to Bo…but the look of offense that crept across Bo’s face disturbed Charles.

Bo retorted, “I didn’t save her for any reward, Sir.”

Caitlin knew Bo had misunderstood her Uncle. Charles saw the hurt in both Caitlin and Bo’s eyes…and the mixture of love and sadness they exchanged every time they looked at each other. He looked at Caitlin and asked, “Is this yer lad in the newspaper picture then?”

Caitlin nodded, “Yes, Uncle Charles.”

Charles replied, “I see. Mr. Duke, I apologize for my rudeness. I did not mean to imply you were doing this for money. My desire was truly to thank you for giving back to my family this precious jewel of ours. Her Papa and Mama would give all they had and more just to see her again safe and sound.”

Caitlin touched her Uncle’s shoulder until he looked at her. She asked, “How is Papa? Mama? What have the doctors said?”

Charles informed while the rest of the Duke family listened in…Bo holding Caitlin’s hand in comfort, “Tis bad, Child. I’ll not lie to you. The doctor wants to do surgery to remove a bit of bullet from his heart.”

Caitlin asked, “How many times was he shot, Uncle?” Charles hesitated and Caitlin demanded, “How many times?”

Charles replied, “Three, My Lass. One grazed his face, the secon’ went clean through his neck, and da’ third exploded into his chest…some found the way to his spine and one piece went to his heart. But the stubborn fool won’t let them get that one until he sees you! Your mother is doing her usual ordering everyone around and organizing things! But she needs her daughter, Lass. You remind me so much of her…strong and determined. But the strain of these last few years has taken a lot out of her. You know she was with Collin when he was shot. She was fired on too, but your father pushed her down and shielded her. Now she just sits beside his hospital bed talking about how much she loves him…reading all their love letters to each other from their youth. She believes he’s listening even when he slips in and out sleep.”

Caitlin gasped, “Oh my god!” Her heart burst with new shed tears and she closed herself within Charles’ arms. Charles soothed her hair, “Don’t, My Wee Caiti-Girl, I can’t handle it when you cry! You know until your cousins marry you’re the only daughter I’ll ever have…so I’m not lying to ya when I tell you she is all right…everything is going to be all right.”

Caitlin challenged, “Then you think Papa will come out of this alive? He’s not going to die?”

Charles replied, “Now I didn’t say that. That is why we must hurry, Lass. We need to get to Atlanta and catch the first plane home. Your things will be back at your brownstone in no time and the horses will be at O’Toole Stables in a few days.”

That was not a pleasant thought either for her. She was torn between wanting to go to her parents and wanting to stay…torn between taking her place as head of her father’s company and wanting to come back to Hazzard…to her Bo! Caitlin looked around at the dismantling of her home. She asked, “I don’t suppose…”

Charles saw the wheels turning in his niece’s head and he replied, “Lass, Don’t even go there with me. You’ve known your duty to your family all your life and what was going to be expected of you! It’s a shame you can’t go on with your plans just yet…but patience!” To Bo, Charles said, “It won’t be that long, Man! Can you wait for her!”

Caitlin saw Bo’s hurt and confusion. She made him look at her and took him aside. She said, “Remember what we talked about last night! I tried to explain last night!”

Bo said, “I understand that, Caitlin. I just don’t understand why all your possessions are being taken out of this house like you are never coming back! I don’t understand why you can’t go be with your father and then come back to me!”

Caitlin replied, “I want to! Don’t you understand that! I Love you! But…I have work to do now…people that are counting on me…I can’t be selfish!” Unable to face her future and its uncertainty with Bo, She looked back at her Uncle, Daisy, Luke, and Jesse. She saw the confused expressions from her Hazzard family…there was mess she was going to be leaving behind and she had not time to clean it up.

Charles nudged, “Caiti, please go get changed. We do have a plane to catch.”

Caitlin waited for Bo to tell her he loved her…to say he would wait…to say “Good-bye” Anything. But he refused to even look at her. He ran back to the General and started the engine. Caitlin turned and escaped into her house, fighting her way past the workman to her room. She was amazed to find the furniture covered again…her suitcases sitting at the bottom of the stairs. When she entered her bedroom, she found a large dress box wrapped in gold ribbon waiting for her. She opened it and realized it was from her mother. Beneath the tissue paper laid everything she would need to dress in to go home. Her mother did not miss a thing, including jewelry. There was a full flowing Sundress made of a very light crepe material. The colors were her favorites…a strong burgundy mixing with dusty rose pinks and forest greens on an ivory background. The bolero jacket was Ivory linen and Irish Lace. She found an antique-ivory slip that was the matched the dress’s length. The hem, bodice, and thin shoulder straps were made of Irish Lace to accent the dress on the outside. Caitlin found it breathtaking. Caitlin, however, once showered and dressed, only retrieved the pair of diamond earrings from the box and added it to her usual pendant watch and the engagement ring Bo had given her. She piled some of her loose curls into a Grecian style twist…several strands escaping all over her neck and down her back in wisps of waves. She looked in the mirror to find a girl she had not seen in years…then again she no longer saw a girl, but a sophisticated woman who was expected to join her father’s world.

Outside, Jesse and Charles talked about O’Toole’s Whiskey, sharing a bit of their knowledge with each other. Charles had explained the difficulties with Caitlin’s engagement to Bo to Jesse, Luke, and Daisy. He added, “If it was just a matter of her being cut out of his will and my brother was being a jerk, Jesse. Caiti would be fighting to stay here…she would not even be getting dressed right now. But there is more at stake here and she knows it.”

Jesse nodded, “It something she has to do. She’s been prepared for it all her life. It is just unfortunate that what she thought was perfect circumstances was a lie.”

Daisy suggested, “But all is not lost forever, Is It?”

Caitlin had come from her house hearing Daisy’s remark. She looked past The Dukes to the General where Bo sat brooding. Sadly she said, “I don’t know, Daisy. Bo’s hurt very bad. But no matter what happens between Bo and I, Daisy, you and I are friends!”

Daisy smiled, “You bet, Sugar!”

Caitlin returned, “And you will come to visit me soon in New York…won’t you?”

Jim Brooks interjected, “She’ll have to, Caitlin. She’s going to be one of our star witnesses against Jack and Bronco.”

Charles offered, “In that case, Jesse. You and your family must all stay with my family during the trial. It would be a pleasure to welcome you.”

Jesse agreed.

Daisy sighed, “Oh my! The two of us in New York!”

Luke stepped forward. He had been silently listening to everything…trying to understand yet seeing Bo’s side too. He knew he did not have a lot of time. Caitlin felt Luke come to her. Her eyes misted as she felt him squeeze her tightly to him in a brotherly hug. She thanked him for being there for her, for taking care of Ray. He let her go and she told him that she was jealous that he got to do what she had been longing to do for two years…send any one of Will’s thugs to the hospital! Their laughter was interrupted by “Dixie” being blasted from The General.

From inside the General, Bo did not like or understand everyone just accepting Caitlin’s decision to leave him, to leave Hazzard. He knew it might be forever. He feared that once she was back in Her beloved New York that she would lose her love for him and find someone else. His insecurities prevented him from enjoying the last few moments with his lover. Instead, he pouted in his car letting his family savor their last moments together.

Caitlin’s eyes filled with tears and she made Luke promise to watch out for Bo, to protect him. She kissed Jesse’s cheek then and he admonished her to stay out of trouble. She smiled at that and joked, “Well, Jesse, you know how they spell trouble, D U K E, here in Hazzard. My family spells it…C A I T …you get the picture.” Her joke lightened the mood a bit.

Charles indicated to his driver that they were ready to go. Caitlin almost allowed her uncle to help her into the back but instead she told him she would be right back. She hurried over to the General and knelt in the dirt to talk to Bo. She pleaded, “Look at me, Bo Duke! Please don’t look so sad. This is so hard for both of us. I cannot even bring myself to say ‘Good-bye’ you have to know I did not want this to happen this way! You’ve got to tell me you understand…Please smile for me!”

Bo looked at his beautiful Caiti-Girl. He was awed how she was able to be more incredible each time he saw her. But This woman who knelt before him was not his Caitlin. Gone were the riding boots, the loose bandana tying back her hair as she cleaned…the bare feet under her gypsy skirt and the revealing blouses that billowed over her hands. He was dying to pull her into the house and love her into staying. Underneath he knew she was doing the right thing. She needed to take care of her family…her father and mother, the work her father did, the business he built that made Caitlin’s life comfortable. He did understand, but his heart did not and he was angry with her for that! He started to speak but shook his head at her and remained silent. His arm had been resting along the open window of the car door. Caitlin knew it was a lost cause to get him to give up his pride and hurt to say good-bye to her. She hung her head and whispered, “You don’t have to say anything, Bo Duke. You’ve said enough as it is.” She took his hand in hers and very slowly and lovingly reverenced his skin with her lips. Her tears wet his skin, her eyelashes tickling his fingers. He couldn’t even look at her and then she was gone, her voice reaching out to his ears with words of how much she loved him and would miss him till the day she died.

Caitlin entered her Uncle’s embrace and Bo watched her knees buckle in her grief. Charles gently put her into the limousine’s backseat and then he too entered the vehicle. The Duke family waved them and Jim Brooks off staying to see that the workman took good care of packing Caitlin’s belongings. Daisy charged over to the General and hit Bo. “What is your problem, Bo Duke! All she wanted to hear from you was that you loved her! Her father is dying and all you can think about is yourself! I’m ashamed of you.” Daisy did not wait for Bo to defend himself; she turned away from him and found a place to wait inside Jesse’s truck.
An hour or so later, The Duke family were settling in and relaxing after their recent adventure and its not-so-happy ending. Bo sulked outside, viciously attacking several tree limbs with his pocketknife and muttering that Caitlin did not even say “good-bye” to him. His mind was filled with memories, his senses filled with every nuance of the woman he loved. The image of her clinging to her Uncle as she tried to get into the limousine stung his conscience. He wished he could go back and comfort her for facing the possible loss of her father. Their circumstances were not of her making and he just gave up. He knew he was being spiteful and selfish, thinking of his own pain. He just did not know how to react to losing her in the midst of finally being truly rid of Will Sharp and out of danger. Bo grabbed another thick stick to bury his knife into. He contemplated getting into the General and chasing after her…even if it meant driving all the way to New York. A new determination to get her back into his life entrenched itself inside him with each stroke of the knife. He promised that he would fight for her to come back to him even if it meant waiting for her forever. If only he could tell her.

The noise of an engine coming toward the house caught Bo’s attention. It was Jim Brooks, Boss Hogg, and Boss Hogg’s Lawyer. Bo ignored them…not concerned with whatever they had to say. He rose from the porch and went into the house. He announced without emotion, “Uncle Jesse, You have company.”

Jesse wanted to ask who it was, but Bo dismissed him and went to hide in his bedroom. Daisy rose to go after him, but Jesse put a hand on her shoulder, “Leave him alone, Daisy. He’s got to work this thing out by himself.”

Luke suggested, “Let’s go find out whose here.”

Outside they met Brooks and Boss Hogg coming towards their door. Jim Brooks extended his hand to Uncle Jesse and then Luke. He informed, “Mr. Hogg and I have some business to discuss with you on behalf of Caitlin and Charles. Do you have a few moments?”

Jesse welcomed, “Come in.” He led the group into the kitchen. They gathered around the kitchen table.

Boss shoved his lawyer toward a chair and instructed, “Get the papers ready to sign! I want this over now! You hear!”

Jesse questioned suspiciously, “What’s your angle, JD?”

Boss quibbled, “Ain’t my doin! That little ungrateful bit of girl…she did this! She double-crossed me!”

Brooks laughed, “What he means, Jesse, is that Caitlin knew that you would not take the reward money for yourself, so she paid off the mortgages of Hazzard’s Orphanage and Cooter’s Garage. She’s also signed over some funds to several churches in this area to be used as they see fit and it’s all courtesy of the Duke Family.”

Luke sat down in shock. He knew Caitlin could be generous, but he had not expected her to let them take the credit for her gifts. Jesse smiled, “That precious Rose. I am going to scold her when I see her!”

Daisy asked, “But would that make you mad at her, Boss?”

Boss Hogg replied, “That ain’t what I’m mad about! Bo’s Rose refused to sell me back her land! Instead she hired herself someone to look after the place.”

Brooks interrupted, “What our friend here is trying to say, Jesse, Luke, is that Caitlin has named you and your family the custodian of her Ranch. She has plans to return here to open a horse ranch, like the one she owns up north.”

Daisy said, “She didn’t have to do that! Why didn’t she tell us?”

Brooks explained, “She didn’t want to offend you and she didn’t want to put you on the spot. She has left the offer totally up to you, though. She will not force you, but she will be grateful. She wanted me to give you this letter explaining.” Brooks handed Jesse an envelope with a pre-printed letterhead: “O’Toole Inc.”

With Luke and Daisy looking over his shoulder, Jesse opened the envelope and read, “I am sorry for the way things ended the way they did. Please understand that I am grateful for everything and I do love you all! I could have been selfish and talked Bo into coming home with me, into moving to New York. But I am not sure how long this mess will take to unravel. I know how Bo loves you all and living here in Hazzard. He would not be happy away from here and would eventually blame me and we would lose it all in the end. I am only sorry Bo did not try to understand. Maybe in time, he will forgive me. Maybe he will even want to marry me again.

“Forgive me. By now, Jim and JD have told you about my desire for you all to take care of my home. Rent it out or let it be used as a free safe place to stay for some other runaway until she can get her head together and is out of danger. I know you all will make sure the land and all that is on it are well cared for and used generously and properly. I have arranged for you to be paid a monthly salary plus allow you to keep any rents gained from its use. I would be so honored if you would do me this favor, but I will understand if you pass. Again, I Love you and I promise one day…when you least expect it…you will see me riding my beloved Brianna over those fields. I will see you when you come for the trial to New York. Please know that all of your travel arrangements will be taken care of when the time comes. Daisy, I can’t wait to shop with you! Please tell Bo…Never mind. I love you, Caitlin Rose O’Toole!”

JD grumbled, “Jacob here has the papers you all will need to sign. And here…” He reluctantly handed them a card with numbers on it, “This is the account for expenses that Caitlin started before she left.”

Jesse, Luke, and Daisy were astounded by their good fortune. They were not as shocked as Bo who had been listening from his room at the door. He now stood just beyond the kitchen as Jesse quietly accepted, “That little girl can count on me, Mr. Brooks.” He was handed several sheets of paper and a pen.

Luke asked, “When did Caitlin have time to do all of this? I thought she and her uncle were already long gone.”

Jim Brooks responded, “Actually they left the courthouse just a few minutes before we did. Caitlin wanted to be able to take care of this. She drew up that letter as Mr. Hogg’s Lawyer here was putting together this paperwork. I heard her tell her Uncle there was just one more stop she wanted to make before driving on.”

That was all Bo needed to hear. He knew what he had to do; he hoped it wasn’t too late. He barged through the people standing around his kitchen and announced, “Uncle Jesse, don’t wait up for me. I don’t know when I’ll be back.” The General’s engine was heard igniting.

The next few minutes found Bo driving to His and Caitlin’s favorite pond. His heart jumped at the sight of a limousine parked across from the entrance to the road that dead-ended at the pond. He knew Caitlin must have wanted to be by herself and had walked from the car. He too chose a spot near the entrance. He ran down the remainder of the road until he came to the clearing and saw the edge of the pond. Bo scanned the area to find Caitlin looking out in deep thought from her position on the log over the water. Her feet dangled into the water, the skirt of her sundress hiked up to her hips so she didn’t get it wet. From his vantage point, he could tell she had been crying from the way her cheeks sparkled in the sun. He stood very silent to watch her for a long time. He was rewarded with a small smile and wondered what she was remembering about this spot. Bo could remember the many naps in sun, their favorite blanket spot when they ate, running through the water trying to catch each other, making love in the sun-filled field of wild flowers and tall grass, and finally the playful dunking that made them fall in love. He could not stand just watching her anymore. He needed, wanted to touch her again, hear her voice, smell her skin, and taste her lips. He called out, “Caiti-Girl!”

As if awakening out of a wonderful daydream, Caitlin raised her eyes to meet his. Without hesitation, she jumped from the log to the sandy shore and ran bare foot across the field towards him. At first there were no words, just the sound of sobs coming from her buried face in his chest and his voice soothing against her ear. He tried to meld her into him…to hug her as hard as he could. They began to speak at the same time, “I’m so sorry, Bo (Caitlin), I have made such a mess of this whole thing!”

Bo kissed her to keep her quiet. He said, his eyes capturing hers, “No! I am sorry for being so hard on you! You are so precious to me! I was scared and angry….”

Caitlin returned his kiss and they held on to each other for a very long time with no words. She smiled, “I’m glad you are here. We don’t have much time.”

Bo replied, “Let’s not waist any of it.” He fiercely pulled her against him trying to feel the silk of her dress against his own skin. There was a longing, desperation to the way he touched her and kissed her.

Caitlin returned those feelings until she heard a horn blowing in the distance. She cautioned, “My Uncle is waiting.”

Bo replied, “And?”

Caitlin laughed, “We can’t leave him alone!”

Bo remarked, “He’s a big boy. We’ll only be a few more minutes.”

Before she could argue more, Bo let her know what he wanted from her within the fire of his mouth. Caitlin felt giddy and breathless at the same time. Her brain was turning to mush and she could not breathe. Bo pulled the pins holding her hair up until he felt her soft curls flowing into his fingers. Her cheeks tasted of salt, but he savored every moment, every touch. The couple’s passion took over their efforts to talk about their troubles, to say good-bye. They soon found themselves on the ground not caring about getting dirty or being seen. No words were spoken, just the sounds of loving satisfaction and tearful remorse for having to be separated. Bo tried to be soft with his delicate rose, but she would have none of that. Caitlin wanted to experience the full force of their love for each other since she knew she might not feel again for a very long time…if ever. She felt their bodies rising to a beautiful powerful climax and she pulled his head to hers and made him lock eyes with hers. She whispered, “I will love you forever, Bo Duke. Don’t Forget me!”

A few moments later, the couple had collapsed against the soft earth still wrapped around each other. Caitlin tenderly kissed Bo’s hands…wanting to burn to her memory every inch of his skin. She wished she could give him something…something that he could look at that would bring them together in spirit…to keep them connected. She smiled and rose to a sitting position. She looked at him and said, “I have something to give to you. Wait here.”

Bo took the opportunity to clean up a bit as he watched Caitlin rise and run towards the tree stump near the pond. He smiled at the condition she presented to him…it was his Caiti-girl again. Her hair fell wildly about her shoulders with bits of grass clinging to her curls; her feet bare against the earth and now slightly dirty; and her sundress a mass of wrinkles. He swore to himself that when she returned to him he would keep her that way all the time.

Caitlin found and picked up her purse. She returned to see Bo watching her every move. She could tell that his love for her was rising to a lustful level again. But there was also something more. He loved her as much as she loved him. Bo rose to meet her. Caitlin withdrew an emerald green wrapped package from her purse. She said, “I’ve been meaning to give this too you since the day you proposed to me. Daisy helped me pick it out when we went shopping that day. We had that fight about me riding Aidan. You were so against it to protect me from hurting myself. I wanted to throttle you. Then I realized how much you loved me and were just afraid for me. Anyway…Well…here.” She presented the package to him and said, “Now, I hope this will be a way for us to be together…for you to know I love you whenever you look at it. Think of me. I know I will be thinking of you.”

Bo opened the package to discover a leather-banded watch inside. Caitlin took the wrapping and box and stuffed them back in her purse as Bo quickly slipped the band around his wrist. He asked, “How did you know I needed one?”

Caitlin laughed, “Because I am the one who lost your old one. This one has been inscribed, but don’t read it until I’m gone.”

Bo kissed her gratefully. He said, “I am sorry I don’t have anything to give to you.”

Caitlin pulled her locket watch from around her neck to show him the engagement ring he had given her. Gone were the rings from her first marriage. His ring nestled alone against her chest. She smiled, “I’ve got all I want right here. And I promise to have you explained to my father and the will changed by the time you come to testify at the trials. Now you have to promise you won’t let some other wayward, lost woman to worm her way into your heart!”

She had said the words teasingly, but Bo could see it was something she feared. He too was afraid that once she returned to her city life that some fancy, wealthy businessman would steal her heart away from him. Instead of admitting his fears too, he joked, “Don’t worry. Daisy will be like a watchdog every time some pretty girl even says hello.”

The sound of several horn blasts reverberated down from the main road. The time had come for them to part company. Caitlin took Bo’s hand in hers and said, “Walk with me. I will be forced to sit in that car all the way to Atlanta and then on a plane.”

Bo walked along side His Rose up towards the main road where he knew he would have to say good-bye. Each step was like walking to their deaths…but each one was cherished and savored. They became silent with each other. They were each afraid and unsure of what to say. Bo finally asked, “So when I come to New York, will you take me to one of those pretzel vendors you’ve told me about?”

Caitlin laughed, “Oh yes! And so much else. Then we’ll go out of the city to stay at our farm. If you come this winter, there will be sleighrides, snow skiing, snowmobiling…and lots of space to get lost in. I think you will like that part a lot. I know my family will adore you once they meet you.” Caitlin had babbled to keep from crying again. As they saw the main road coming up on them, Caitlin stopped walking and said, “Bo, let’s say…well…what we have to say right here. In private.” She didn’t give him a chance to speak first; instead, she held his face in hers and searched his eyes. She said, revealing to him everything she felt, “I want to love you for the rest of my life, Bo Duke! I hate leaving you! I wish… I will find a way back to you; I will be your wife! I will stay with you forever no matter where we live…”

Bo didn’t want her to have to go on anymore…it felt like she was begging him for something. Instead He said, “I know, My Caiti-Girl.” Bo kissed her, pouring everything he felt and wanted to say into his lips.

Caitlin’s eyes were still closed when another horn blast came at them. Caitlin sighed and said, “Write to me? Often!”

Bo replied, “Of course, I promise.”

Caitlin lightly kissed his cheek, remarked, “Don’t follow me or I won’t be able to get into the car. I’ll see you soon, My Beau!” She turned away from him feeling her tears threatening to spill on to her cheeks again. She reached the back door of the limousine, turned back once to blow him a kiss; then she entered the car and closed the door.

The limousine’s engine was heard revving up and Bo watched it begin to drive away. He watched until it disappeared from sight down the highway. He saw his Caiti-girl watching him, her hand slightly raised in “Good-bye” until he couldn’t see her or the car anymore. With a heaviness of heart, he removed the watch from his wrist to look at the back. The letters were very tiny, but he was able to read…

I will Love U 4Ever!
Your Million Dollar Rose
Your Caiti-Girl!
The End!

Or Is It?

Email: Debbie