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 Four
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 FOUR
Later that same evening, Daisy arrived home to find Luke washing off The General Lee. She eagerly waved, “Heya, Luke!”
“Home from work so soon? I thought you were there ’til late?” Luke asked.
Daisy shrugged, “Boar’s Nest was slow so Boss told me to go home. Here I am!”
Luke inquired, “Was Caitlin all right when you dropped her off?”
Daisy nodded, “She was fine. Still in a little pain, but that’s to be expected. Where’s Bo?”
Luke grinned, “Getting ready to go see her.”
Uncle Jesse strolled out of the house and asked, “Would someone min’tellin’ me what is goin’ on with Bo?”
Daisy smiled, “What’s he doin’’?”
Uncle Jesse explained, “He’s been in the bathroom singing, shaving, and gettin’ all dressed up.”
Luke answered, “He’s got a date, Uncle Jesse?”
Uncle Jesse, “With that lady you all met this morning?”
Luke answered, “One and the same, Uncle Jesse. I think Bo has it bad for her.”
Uncle Jesse smiled, “Well I hope she feels the same for him.”
Daisy smiled, “Don’t worry about that, Uncle Jesse, Caitlin won’t hurt him.”
Bo stepped out of the kitchen door and stopped to say, “Well, what’d’yathink?”
Daisy whistled encouragingly at Bo’s tight black jeans, dark brown cowboy boots, button-down dress shirt with the top three buttons left undone, and a western-style sport coat. Daisy replied, admiringly, “Sugar, you’re gonna turn that girl’s head.”
Bo seemed a little self-conscience and nervous. He looked at his clothing remembering what Caitlin must be used to from her old life in the big city. He did not think he could compare to the wealthy, fancy-dressed, fancy mannered men she might have dated before. He shyly asked, “You think so, Daisy?”
Daisy came over to Bo and straighten out his collar. She hugged him and said, “I’m sure, Honey. I think Miss Caitlin Rose is already crazy about you. Just go sweep her off her feet. She needs to have a little fun.”
Luke took a towel to The General’s hood and announced, “I’ve got General Lee all sparkly for you, Bo. He’s ready to go.”
Bo smiled as he climbed into the driver’s side and sped away down the road. Jesse watched his nephew’s face light up the darkening skies at Daisy’s assurance that the girl like him. He commented aloud, “This girl must be something special.”
Luke pictured Caitlin’s laughing eyes and remarked, “Uncle Jesse, She really is a rose in a garden.”
Daisy wondered, “Ok, what are WE having for dinner? I’m starved.”
Jesse held out his hand toward the house, “Go into the kitchen. You’ll see what I’ve fixed waiting on the stove.” As He led his family into the kitchen, Jesse asked, “Now, Luke, tell me again about this girl?” Luke obliged Jesse by starting at the beginning.
In The General, Bo had been driving along when he came across a field of wild flowers that had caught the attention of the rising moon. Remembering how Caitlin had admired the ones surrounding the pond, he pulled over and grabbed himself a bouquet full. Then he was off again.
Caitlin walked around her kitchen making last minute preparations. She was glad that Luke and Bo had helped her to set up both the living room and most of the kitchen before her accident. After Daisy had left, Caitlin had taken one of the pain pills that the doctor prescribed and had fallen asleep. She came out of her nap with very little time to get ready for Bo. But as she surveyed all that she had accomplished, she was satisfied with it.
Caitlin opened the oven door and checked on dinner. When that was finished, she took two dishes, two sets of silverware, two glasses, and two napkins over to the dinette set that she had moved into the living room. When the table was set, she set out an ice bucket with a bottle of wine chilling inside. She heard a car pull up and grind the gravel as it parked. Caitlin smiled as she took out a book of matches from her apron pocket and laid them on the table between to brass candlesticks with long blood red candles in them. Caitlin removed her apron as she hurried through the kitchen to the porch door. Looking out the window, she found Bo getting ready to knock on her door. She did not wait for him to make a sound. She pulled the door open and greeted, “Hi There. Wanna come in?”
Bo produced the wild bouquet and said, “Ummm…These…are for you.”
Caitlin’s smile glowed with gratitude. She gently took the offering in her arms and cradled them as she admired, “They are beautiful, Bo. Thank you.” She breathed in their mixed fragrance as she carried them to the sink while telling Bo to make himself at home. She searched for and found a small glass vase in a box in the back of the kitchen while suggesting to Bo that he wait for her in the living room. She rinsed out the vase in the sink and then filled with water and the flowers. She brought the vase into the living room and set it in the center of table between the brass candlesticks. A smile of satisfaction came to her as she gazed at the table. She remarked, “Now its just perfect.” She turned to find Bo watching her. He was smiling then it faded to a look of concern and curiosity. She realized he was looking at her bandage and knew that he was going to ask about the accident.
Bo had been enchanted with Caitlin since entering her kitchen. She was not dressed very fancy, yet it was apparent that she had taken special care of her looks for him. A multi-rose colored broomstick skirt swirled around her calves. She was barefoot with her toenails manicured and painted dark red. Bo could not help but admire the way her off-white, linen peasant blouse showed off her breasts with its low-ribboned neckline that ran almost off the shoulder. The sleeves of the blouse tied just below her elbow. There were no buttons or zippers on the blouse, just a piece of ribbon criss-crossing up the front and tying off in a little bow between her breasts. She looked like a picture of a Gypsy Bo had seen at a circus once. She even wore a black, fragile thread shawl with stringy fringe around her waist as a belt with part of it hanging in a triangle along one side of the skirt. The only jewelry she wore was her pendant watch. Her hair was left unbound and surrounded her face in what Bo thought must be a million wavy curls.
Bo had made himself comfortable on a velvet loveseat and watched Caitlin take care of the flowers. He was pleased that Caitlin liked his simple token of affection. When she came into the room to put the flowers on the table, he was going to tell her so. She turned to smile at him and the bandage on her head brought the questions and worries from the afternoon. He could see that she was thinking the same thing, so he plunged in, “I need you to explain what happened this afternoon.”
Caitlin turned back to the table pretending to smooth out the tablecloth. She said, “Explain What? I hit my head riding Brianna.”
Bo gently pushed again, “Explain who those men were and why they were chasing you. I didn’t push you this morning when you asked me to get rid of the guy when he was chasing us. I figured it was none of my business. But things have changed. You’ve been hurt. If you are in some kind of trouble, you can trust me to understand.”
Caitlin breathed in deeply gathering her courage. She went over to him and sat down on the coffee table in front of him. She looked into his eyes and said, “Thank you for being concerned, Bo. But I can’t talk about this now. Just trust me and know that I’m not in trouble. At least not in the kind that you think I’m in and I am handling the situation. I can take care of myself.” She kissed his cheek hoping to drop the subject. She rose up and said, “Would you like a drink while I’m checking on the food?”
Bo held onto her hand and responded, “Please don’t go, Caiti, I’m not finished yet.”
Caitlin would have loved to hear her name from Bo’s lips any other time but at that moment. She knew he was going to press her for information. She pretended not to understand him and said, “You are so bad! I’ve got to get our dinner out of the oven before it burns. Now if you would like, there is a bottle of wine on the table. Would you like some?” She lightly danced away from him towards the kitchen.
Bo was surprised, “Wine? What’s the occasion?” He stood and went to the table to check out the bottle.
Caitlin looked around the door and responded, “No occasion. Just thought it would be a nice touch to my plain dinner.” She entered the living room wearing a pair of oven mitts and carrying a glass casserole which she set down on the table. She picked up a corkscrew, uncorked the bottle, and poured wine into Bo’s glass and then hers. She handed Bo his glass and lifted hers. She announced, “To a peaceful night and forgetting the troubles of the day.” She hoped Bo understood her message to leave the subject of her accident alone and let them enjoy the evening together.
Bo noticed Caitlin biting her lips anxiously awaiting his response. He raised his glass and clinked it with hers. He said, “To not spoiling dinner our first evening together.” The couple took their seats and dinner was served.
Hours later, Bo and Caitlin sat on the floor in front of the fireplace. Caitlin leaned against Bo as he wrapped an arm around her and held her hand. They were both leaning against the loveseat, using the cushions as pillows. Caitlin relaxed and asked, “Well? Whatchya think?”
Bo looked her over and commented, “I think you are very pretty.”
Caitlin blushed at the compliment. She said, “I meant my cooking?”
Bo laughed, “Oh. That was great too. Was it something special?”
Caitlin replied, “Not really. I just wanted to make sure you liked it.”
Bo assured, “Very much.”
Caitlin snuggled up closer in the warmth of the blazing fire that they had built together after dinner. She remarked, “I have found something special here in Hazzard though.”
Bo knew the answer, but asked anyway, “Yeah, what’s that?”
Caitlin turned to answer, “You.” Her nose bumped his chin and when he looked down at her, she could not resist the urge to taste his lips that were so close to her own.
Bo caressed her cheek and said, “If that’s true, Caitlin. Then you know you can trust me, right?” He was trying to reassure her, help her feel safe.
Caitlin, however, thought he was trying to probe her for information again. She pushed away from him and stood up. Walking to the window, she said tensely, “You are doing it again, Bo.”
Bo asked, “What? Did I say something wrong?”
Caitlin looked out the window, a silent tear dampening her cheek. She softly wept, “You just won’t leave that part of my life alone. I promise after tonight…Please let me have tonight…. it’s been…”
Bo felt bad for upsetting her. They had been getting along so well and getting to know one another more. He followed her to the window and wanted to comfort her. She was trembling. He wasn’t sure if it was anger at him or fear of having to tell him her secret. At the moment he didn’t care, he did not want to see her upset anymore. He stood behind her and gently held her shoulders. He whispered, “Quiet, Caiti.” He embraced her letting her lay her head back against his chest. He held one of her hands while the other brushed the tears from her cheeks.
Sniffling a little, Caitlin knew her feelings were growing stronger for Bo with each minute she spent with him. She felt too comfortable with him, even trusting him enough to let him see her cry and then hold her in his arms. She felt secure there, too secure. She tried to pull away, afraid of long dead emotions and desires reawakening knowing she would lose them again. She started to go for a tissue, saying, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be…”
Bo refused to let her go. He turned her to face him and then enfolded her into his arms, almost cradling her against his strong shoulders. He kissed her forehead saying, “Don’t be.” He kissed her tear stained cheeks, the salt tickling his tongue. Lifting her chin up, he followed the trail to her lips and tasted the salty water there also. His kisses were gentle, like a feather brushing a baby’s skin, light and quick.
Caitlin was torn between wanting to kiss back, to enjoy the heady feeling he caused in her brain and the knowledge that what they were doing was dangerous and should be stopped. She tried to protest, but Bo deepened his kiss muffling her voice. Again she felt the urge to give into her desires. She held him away from her and suggested, “We should go for a walk outside. Cool off and exercise some of that dinner we ate off.”
Bo agreed and followed her outside. The night air was warm with a cool breeze flowing every now and then. The air was fresh with the dew on the grass. The couple hooked arms and walked out to her fence. They walked down the driveway along the fence. Caitlin looked up at the heavens and praised excitedly, “Just look at that sky! It is so pretty here at night. Living in the city the only way you can see this many stars is to drive at least 100 miles or so away from all the lights. People who have penthouse apartments in the skyscrapers can’t even see this many stars.”
Bo replied, “Really. Sounds depressing.”
Caitlin shrugged, “It has its moments. There are things I adore about the city too. Like my pretzels and hot dogs from a street vendor and sandwiches with lots of dill pickles from a deli.”
Bo was glad that Caitlin’s mood had brightened. They took a rest from their walk near the rails of the fence. Bo offered, “Come On, Caitlin?” She smiled at his intentions and he picked her up and set her on the thick fence post. He leaned against her, encircling her waist in his arms to keep her from falling backwards. He suggested, “So tell me more about New York City. Would I like it?”
Caitlin liked the feel of him against her. She was having trouble concentrating on the conversation every time he got to close to her. At the moment all she could think of was continuing their kisses from the living room. She looked up for a second and saw a shooting star cross the night sky. She pointed, “Look up, Bo. See!” Bo looked up to see several shooting stars criss-crossing the sky. Caitlin informed, “Wow, we’re in the middle of a meteor shower. It is so cool.”
Bo kept watching the sky for more stars. He was now interested in seeing the light show in the sky. Caitlin’s attention had returned to him, however, and her eyes rested on his neck as it craned to look at the sky. Bo wondered, “How many do you think we’ve seen so far?”
Caitlin smiled, “Quite a few.” She leaned forward and breathed in the scent of his cologne by his ear as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She wanted his attention focused on her. She had tired of fighting her conflicting emotions, giving in to wanting to enjoy Bo for as long as she could. She nuzzled his neck, opening his collar up to kiss him there. Bo was about to speak, but Caitlin made him look at her in the moonlight. She challenged, “Ok, Stargazer, Do you want to keep looking at the sky or do you want me?” She pulled his lips to hers; pouring everything she felt into her kiss.
After a second or two, Caitlin released Bo’s lips, her eyes reflecting her growing affection for him. Bo pulled her back to him and said, “You win! I want you!”
Caitlin hugged him happily. Her happiness almost evaporated at the sight of Bronco and Will watching them from the BMW. She refused to let them spoil her evening and stuck her tongue out at them behind Bo’s back. Spitefully, she tangled her fingers in Bo’s hair and passionately kissed him again, pressing him against her tightly.
Bo found himself mesmerized by the new openness Caitlin was displaying. He knew if he did not get away from her that they would do something they would regret later. He whispered to her, “We should stop this. I should get going before it gets too late.”
Caitlin did not want him to leave. She was not sure whether it was because she really wanted him or because she was afraid of Will and Bronco coming after her for her behavior. Bo took her hand and looked into her eyes, as she asked, “Please don’t leave, Bo. The night is still young.”
Bo smiled, “Let’s go back inside, Caiti.” He helped her off the railing and held her hand as they walked back up the driveway.
In that moment, Caitlin knew the answer to her dilemma. She wanted Bo to stay because she was falling in love with him and she liked the feeling. It was the reason she was able to rebel against Will and stick her tongue out at him. It had been so long since she had allowed herself to feel anything again let alone love and affection. She sensed that Bo would not hurt her and she would rather die that see him hurt. She looked at him as they walked and confessed, “I think I am falling in love with you, Bo Duke. Did you know that?”
Her eyes met his and he knew she meant it. He stopped walking and crushed her against him in tender kiss under the moonlight. His blue eyes glowed with his feelings as he laughed, “Of Course.”
In the BMW, Will pounded the dashboard angrily. He spat, “Look at them! That boy is gonna regret meeting my Rose! How dare she do that to me.”
Bronco smiled at the opportunity and offered, “She needs to be punished, Will. I will teach her a lesson!”
Will replied thoughtfully, “That won’t be necessary. I do not want her escaping again. I think I’ll use a different approach. She needs a stronger warning sent to her.” He watched the couple reach the porch of the house.
Caitlin stumbled against Bo, her head swimming for a brief second. Bo caught her as she closed her eyes against the brewing headache she felt coming on. She looked at her watch and realized the medicine was wearing off. Bo asked, “Are you OK?”
Caitlin nodded, “I’ll be fine. I just need to take another pill for the headache.” She laid her head against Bo’s shoulder and a yawn escaped her lips.
Bo wondered jokingly, “Getting tired of me all ready?”
Caitlin admitted, “Just a little. It’ll get worse after I take the medicine.”
Bo insisted, “Then it is time for me to go, Miss Rose.”
They were stopped outside the porch’s door. Caitlin faced Bo and held his hands. She asked, “You are coming by in the morning, right?”
Bo smiled, “Yes”
Caitlin smiled shyly, “And tomorrow night?”
Bo laughed, “I can’t wait.”
Caitlin returned, “I had a lot of fun today. I should you push into the water more often.”
Bo refused the urge to ask her about it and replied reassuringly, “I had fun too.”
The accident came to Caitlin’s mind. She remarked seriously, apologetically, “You know I owe you a lot. More than I’ve been willing to tell you about.”
Bo caressed her cheek not wanting to see her tears fall again. He responded, “I can wait until you are ready to tell me.” He gathered her into his arms and kissed her, encouraging her to respond with great affection.
In the BMW both Will and Bronco squirmed in anger.
Caitlin brushed the hair out of Bo’s eyes and said, “I don’t want to have to give you up. But I don’t see any other way.” She buried her face in Bo’s shoulders trying to stop her tears from starting again.
Bo lifted her chin, gently making her look at him, “What do you mean? Talk to me.”
Caitlin waived away her words, “Nothing. I meant….” She did not want to hide from him all of her fears and worries. She confided, “I am just so afraid of losing you.”
Bo assured, “I’m not going any where. I promise.” He kissed her again and grinned, “Except home of course. But I can be back any time you need me.”
Caitlin nodded, “I know. You should go before we let this get out of hand.”
Kissing her hand, Bo smiled, “Until the morning.” He dried her tears with his bandana and said, “Good night, Caiti-girl.” He hurried over to the General before he changed his mind and waved good-bye. He watched Caitlin open her door and begin to go inside. He called out, “Caiti!”
Caitlin’s forehead wrinkled in question as she faced him and smiled, “What?”
Bo grinned, “Nothing! See Ya!” Caitlin rolled her eyes and blew him a kiss. She disappeared behind the porch door as Bo took off down the driveway.
Will watched Bo go tearing down the road away from them. He observed, “Looks like she is beginning to have feelings for this one. I can use that to my advantage, like the other one.”
Bronco asked, “How?”
Will snickered, “Wait and See, Bronco, wait and see. Let’s go. I have an early meeting in the morning that I don’t want to be late for.” They hustled away leaving the place peaceful for the time being.