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 Five
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 FIVE
Early the next morning The Duke kitchen was a mess of activity with Uncle Jesse flipping pancakes in an iron skillet and turning sausage patties in another pan next to it. Daisy was pouring orange juice and setting the table. Luke came to the table in his blue jeans and carrying a T-shirt. He reached into the refrigerator, pulled out a milk jug, and set it on the table. He popped a kiss to
Daisy and said, “G’Morning.”
Uncle Jesse wiped his flour stained hands on the hand-towel hanging from his overall’s pocket and said, “Mornin’. Is Bo up yet?”
Luke snickered, “No. I ‘spect he won’t be anytime soon.”
Daisy joined Luke’s amusement, “He got home pretty late last night.”
Uncle Jesse shook his head and laughed, “That’s my Bo. Always losin’ all track a time when he’s with a pretty girl.” He came to the table carrying a platter full of flapjacks and sausages. Luke saw what breakfast was and reached into the refrigerator for the syrup and butter. The three Dukes began breakfast with a short prayer of thanksgiving and then piled their plates with food. There was a short pause when they heard the shower turn on letting them know that Bo was awake.
Luke had finally finished buttering and putting syrup on his stack of pancakes when Bo came into the kitchen freshly showered, shaven, and dressed in blue jeans and his best light blue T-shirt. He grabbed a pancake and rolled a couple of pieces of sausage in it. He wished everyone a good morning and stuffed the pigs-in-a-blanket in his mouth. Washing his breakfast down with a swig of orange juice, he smacked Luke on the back and said, “Ready to go?”
Shocked at his nephew’s behavior, Jesse commented, “Are you in that much of a hurry, Bo?”
Daisy smiled, “You’re not even gonna sit down and tell me how last night went, Sugar?”
Bo’s face brightened as his ears pinked up in a blush. He remembered everything about the night before: from the coconut scent in her hair and cinnamon mixing in on her neck, to the feel of her linen blouse softly brushing against his chest as she put her arms around him; from the sound of her singing while they walked, to the sight of her skirt swirling around her feet; and best of all the sweet taste of wine still staining her full rose-colored lips. Before he could comment, Uncle Jesse observed, “You came in pretty late last night.”
Bo explained, “Sorry, Uncle Jesse. Caiti and I….”
Luke laughed, “So now it’s ‘Caiti’?”
Bo grinned, “Yeah. Caiti and I went for a walk after dinner and talked for a long time.”
Luke remarked, “Bet that’s not all you did,” just before taking a sip of his milk. His amusement ended, however, when Bo again smacked his back. He looked at his cousin and said, “Where do we gotta go so early? I’m still eating!”
Bo reminded, “We are suppose to go back to Caiti’s. There’s lotsa work that we promised we’d help her with today.”
Uncle Jesse smiled approvingly, “Since when did you become so interested in working?” Luke rolled his eyes and Jesse nodded, “This young lady might be good for y’all.”
Luke reluctantly watched Bo hurry outside; and then, he looked back at his half-full plate. The butter and syrup were still dripping into a pool underneath his steaming pancakes. He was about to take another quick bite, but Bo’s voice shouting at him to “Come On!” forced him to push his chair back. Daisy laughed, “Do you believe him!”
Luke grimaced in amusement, “I don’t even wanna be around him when he gets more serious about her. He’ll be unbearable!”
Daisy thought about her conversation with Caiti the night before and wondered aloud, “I just hope he doesn’t get himself into trouble because of her.”
Luke agreed and replied, “I’d better get outta here.”
Luke picked up his T-shirt and began to slip it over his head when the sound of a car driving up to the house was heard outside. The three Dukes looked out the kitchen window to see Enos parking behind The General. The three Dukes left the kitchen to see what Enos had dropped by for.
Outside, Enos emerged from his patrol car and walked over to The General where Bo was waiting for Luke. He greeted, “Hey Y’all.” But his usual cheerfulness was absent from his voice. He just stared at Bo in unbelief and sadness.
Bo’s mind was lost to his desire to see Caitlin again. He missed Enos’s tone and cheerfully responded, “Hey, Enos. See ya later.” Bo’s voice hardened to impatience, “Luke! Can we get outta here already!”
Luke had just jumped from the porch from the kitchen door followed by Daisy and Jesse. He replied calmly, “Hold On, Bo. I’m coming!”
Enos walked up to Bo and put his hand on Bo’s shoulder. He warned, “Not so fast, Bo. You hav’ta hear why I’m here first.”
Jesse asked, “Why are you here, Enos?”
Enos replied, “I’ve come to arrest Bo, Jesse.”
Bo responded in shock, “Arrest me! For what?”
Enos did not want to have to repeat the charges. He could not believe them himself. But he knew his duty and he was going to carry it out, unless Bo and Luke escaped him to clear it up themselves. He swallowed, “Ummmm…” Seeing Daisy, Enos said, “I don’t want to have to say in front of you, Daisy. Please, Bo. Just come with me. I’m sure you can explain this to Rosco.”
Daisy stepped forward and prodded, “Enos! Why are you arresting Bo?”
Jesse warned, “So help me, Enos! If this is one of JD’s tricks, so help me I’ll clobber you.”
Enos sighed in resignation. He said, “This isn’t Boss’s doing, Jesse. Bo’s been charged with assaulting a woman last night.”
That statement stopped everyone cold. Bo tried to pretend to laugh it off, “Come on, Enos. That is crazy…. Who….”
Enos confessed, “I didn’t believe it either. I wish it was a trick of Boss’s. But this feller, Will Sharp, came into the station early this morning yelling for your arrest.” Enos pulled out a piece of paper and read, “According to the report he filed, he said he went to see his friend, Caitlin Rose late last night. He watched you speed away from her place. When he went to see her, he found her lying on the floor unconscious and beat up. He said he took her to an emergency room and then came to us to have you arrested.” Enos looked at Bo worriedly, “Bo, you didn’t do the things this feller said. You did not ra…rape her, Did you?” Enos did not want to read the rest of the report aloud.
Bo lunged for Enos’s throat, his fist loading up towards Enos’s jaw. He wasn’t sure who to be mad at. His ears were still ringing with the words “Assault and unconscious” His temper exploded as Enos looked at him with an accusation in his eyes. Luke responded faster than Bo, grabbing for his cousin’s arm and holding him from attacking Enos. Luke yelled, “Bo! Bo! Hold on!”
Bo shouted back, “I’m not gonna hold on!”
Luke pushed Bo to The General and said, “Yes you are!”
Bo looked at Enos and then at Uncle Jesse. He protested, “But NOTHING HAPPENED! I swear! Who is this Sharp guy?”
Daisy reluctantly and worriedly answered, “A dangerous man in Caitlin’s past, Bo. Enos, you need to arrest that man! Not Bo! You know he wouldn’t do a thing like that!”
Enos agreed, “Just the same, Daisy, I hav’ta take him in.”
Jesse intervened, “Just wait a few minutes, Enos. Why don’t you come into the house? I made some really dandy flapjacks.”
Enos smiled, “With sausages?”
Daisy looped her arm around Enos’s, “And Orange Juice, Enos. Just like you like it.”
Enos was not in any hurry to see his friend go to jail. He allowed himself to be distracted hoping that Bo and Luke would get away to clear the matter up. He followed Daisy and Jesse into the kitchen. Daisy emerged back outside and announced, “Don’t worry about Enos, Bo. He’s chin deep in flapjacks.” She bit her lip in worry for Caitlin, knowing what Will Sharp and his friends were capable of. Her mind pictured him attacking Caitlin so that he could pin on Bo. She said, “You guys should get over there. Caitlin maybe in danger or worse.”
Bo’s temper had only increased to a slow boil. He said, “She’s only in danger from me. She has a lot of explaining to do.”
Daisy made Bo look at her and said, “Don’t go over there like a charging bull.”
Luke agreed, “Don’t do anything you’ll regret, Bo. Find out more from her first.”
Bo swallowed some of his anger and said, “I didn’t hurt her last night and I’m not about to now! I just want her to tell me what is going on. I want the truth!”
“Then listen to her patiently, Bo.” Daisy reassured, “Believe me when I tell you that this is not her fault. I’m sure she doesn’t even know what this guy did to you.”
Bo and Luke climbed into The General and Bo, in the driver’s seat, took his anger out on the road to Caitlin’s.
As they approached Caitlin’s driveway, they found the area quiet and peaceful. There were pieces of broken fence still lying around in different areas of surrounding fields from the day before, but other than that it was just as Bo had left it the night before. Bo threw the gearshift into park and scrambled out of the window. He ran to the porch door with Luke following behind. Luke caught up to him and suggested, “You need to calm down, Bo, before you go barging in there.”
Bo nearly shouted, “Calm! I am Calm! Ok!” as he began pounding on the wood door and pressing the doorbell. He yelled, “Caitlin! Are you there! Open the door!” He repeated the sequence repeatedly, not even stopping to listen if she was coming to the door.
Within the confines of her new bedroom, Caitlin had heard the sound of a car speeding to a halt outside her upstairs’ window. It forced her away from a very pleasant dream of being safe and satisfied in Bo’s arms. Groggily ignoring the sounds, she rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. The incessant ringing bell brought her upright. She shook off the remaining sleepiness and looked irritatingly around her room for her robe. She knew only one person who would be insane and impolite enough to make so much racket and wake her up. Feeling rebellious, Caitlin refused to rush to get to the door. She slipped on a pair of slippers; lightly tied the sash of her robe around her waist; looked in the mirror and ran her fingers through her slightly knotted curls; and then, allowing her own anger to rise, threw open her bedroom door. Stomping down the stairs, she walked to the kitchen door.
Throwing it open, she spat, “Will, What the hell do you…” Her voice trailed off as Bo got in her face.
Bo grumbled back, “I want to talk to you!”
The anger had drained from her body the moment Caitlin looked into Bo’s dark blue eyes. She pleasantly enjoyed the way they had changed to such a dark color until his grumbling let her know that it was anger making them that way. Hearing the anger in his voice stunned her for a second; yet she stepped away from the door and yawned a welcome, “Make yourself at home.”
Bo roughly brushed past Caitlin and went to stand on the opposite side of her kitchen table. Luke followed a little more calmly and greeted, “Are you OK, Caitlin?”
Caitlin was perplexed by the question and Bo’s attitude. She chose to ignore it for the present and replied to Luke, “G’Mornin, Luke. Would you like some coffee?”
Luke was about to respond in the affirmative, but Bo answered, “No. We need to talk!”
Luke could see Caitlin trying to curb her own temper. He tried to help defuse the situation, “Sure, Caitlin, I’ll have some.”
Caitlin returned, “Comin’ up, Luke, and please call me Caiti.” She continued to ignore Bo’s rude behavior, closing the kitchen door and going over to the cupboard. She pulled down a bag of ground coffee and a filter. While measuring scoops of grounds into the filter, she commented, “Luke, What is wrong with Bo this morning? He seems a little edgy.” She dropped the filter into the top of the coffeemaker. She took the glass pot, filled it with water and then poured the water into the top of the machine. She put the top on the pot and replaced inside the machine to catch the brewing brown liquid. Within minutes, the kitchen was filled with the smell of dark roasted coffee, chocolate, and mints.
Bo watched her moving around her kitchen. He became torn between wanting to shake her into explaining what was going on and wanting to kiss her. Her response to Luke and ignoring of him pushed him to plunge a head angrily, “Don’t you think I should be mad about what happened last night?”
Caitlin had walked over to the Frig and was about to get the milk out. She faced Bo, confusion in her eyes, “Wait a minute. I thought you had a good time last night?” Her own mind filled with images of them kissing in the moonlight and the feel of him holding her. A light redness spread from her cheeks down to her neck. She smiled, “At least I enjoyed it.”
Bo replied, “I’m talking about AFTER I LEFT. What happened then?”
Caitlin looked to Luke for an explanation, “What is HE talking about?” Puzzled by Bo’s reaction, she looked back, “Bo, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?” She realized she was being accused of something and he didn’t have the decency to tell her exactly what he wanted to know. She turned back to the refrigerator and retrieved the milk. Going back to the coffee maker, she began looking in the cupboard overhead for coffee mugs.
Bo watched her trying to reach for a bowl of sugar as he accused, “I’m talking about you going to the sheriff an’ havin’ me arrested for RAPING you!”
Caitlin’s hand hung in mid air. She knew instantly what Will had done. Not wanting to believe her thoughts, she uneasily laughed, “Bo, where did you get such a stupid idea?” She gently laid the sugar bowl next to the coffee maker. She saw her favorite coffee cup on a high shelf and stood on tiptoe to reach for it.
Luke watched her reaction to Bo’s inquisition. He thought for sure the sugar bowl she was holding was going to be lying broken in the sink and on the floor. He was thankful when it made it to the counter safe and sound. His worry returned when Caitlin’s heel left the floor so she could reach the top shelf of the cabinet. He offered, “Caiti, would you like me to get that for you?”
Caitlin bit her lip as her fingers gripped the cup’s delicate handle. She was slightly out of breath, as she said, “No thank you I’ve got it.”
Bo waited until he was sure that she had the cup and then he asked, “From a guy called Will Sharp. Do you kn….”
The sound of Will’s name coming from Bo’s voice broke Caitlin’s composure. The cup she had reached for dropped from her hand and crashed into a million pieces on the counter and sink below. Silence exploded when the sound of the cup shattering faded. Luke and Bo jumped to attention as Caitlin’s hand slammed on the counter angrily. She held on to the counter, refusing to face them, and unsteadily asked, “W..w…wh..y?”
Bo’s anger at her disappeared as he saw her surrounded by bits of broken china. He asked, “Caiti, Are you all right?”
Her whole body was shaking in that moment and she tried to concentrate on picking up the pieces of the cup. She nodded her head. Luke asked, “Are you sure, Caiti?”
Caitlin responded uneasily, “I’m…I’m fine. Ummm…. please excuse me.” She wiped her hand on a towel and said, “I need to get dressed.” She practically ran away from them and the sound her footsteps on the stairs reached the kitchen. That was followed by the sound of a slamming door.
Bo followed her, but was stopped by a locked door. He knocked and half-ordered, “Caitlin, please open up.”
She threw open the door and said, “I’m trying to get dressed!” She tried to close the door, but Bo held it back. When she could not get it to budge, she walked away from him over to her dresser. She hurriedly and angrily went through her drawers pulling out the clothes she wanted to wear. She started to pull her bed together, hoping Bo would get the message and leave her alone. Bo could see her eyes glassy with tears and he pulled the blankets away from her. He took hold of her hands and made her face him. Gently stroking her cheek, he said, “Please tell me what’s wrong, Caitlin. Daisy told me that this Sharp guy is from your past.”
Resignation enveloped Caitlin as she looked into Bo’s eyes. She pulled away from him and dropped down into a chair facing the window. She knew that he needed to know everything. She also knew that it was time to pack back up and move on. It had only been 24 hours and she was going to be on the run again. Her tears were flowing freely at that thought. She was tired of running, tired of moving. She wanted to be able to love again. She missed having someone in her life, someone to love. Bo came to kneel next to her and she looked at him. Her mind swam with images of Drew being beaten in front of her and she just could not go through that again. She knew that she needed to get away from Bo to protect him and his family. She hated seeing the anger he felt towards her and knew that there would be more when she rejected him. She asked quietly, “Did Daisy tell you anything else about him?”
Bo indicated “No” with a shake of his head, “She didn’t tell me anything else. I’m hoping you will.”
Caitlin looked at him and said, “But how can I, when what you already know has made you so…. so angry. I’ve caused you and Luke so much trouble. I can’t do that to you all.”
Bo tried to lighten the situation, “I’m sorry I was angry like that, Caitlin. Don’t worry about trouble. We’re used to it.” He pulled her against him within the safety of his arms and caressed her hair to help calm her.
Caitlin’s tears soaked Bo’s shirt as she sobbed, “I can’t let that happen, Bo. I just can’t go through it again. I am so scared! Don’t you understand!”
Bo wanted to shake her into talking to him. Instead, he gathered more patience and asked, “Scared? Of What?”
Caitlin looked into Bo’s eyes and admitted, “Of Will. He killed my…I was married, Bo. Two years ago…. and Will…You just don’t know….” The sound of a car grinding the gravel interrupted Caitlin’s explanation. She looked out to see the BMW and the Cadillac surrounding her front door. She grit her teeth in irritation, “DAMN! If it isn’t the devil himself.”
Bo followed her eyes and asked, “What? Who?”
Caitlin did not want to feel anything anymore but anger. It would help her confront Will and get Bo out of trouble — she hoped. She knew how far she could push Will and not be in too much danger…she knew she was still too valuable to him…to much of a liability should something happen to her. But she also wanted Bo to know how delicate and precarious the situation was. She chose her words carefully to explain, “That is Will Sharp and his thugs. He has probably come here to gloat or to see if he’s punished me enough. It will get very ugly if I do not go out there. But it’s the only way to get you out of the mess I’ve gotten you into.” She forgot that she was still in her nightgown and robe as she stood to leave.
Bo grabbed her arm and demanded, “What are you doing? Where are you going?”
Caitlin squared her shoulders and said, “Outside, Bo. But you have to promise me that you will stay right here! Please! Will is very dangerous!”
Bo kissed her to persuade her to let him follow. Caitlin resisted his lips at first, trying to push him away from her. But he felt too good against her and she relaxed, kissing him back. She held his face and said, “I can not let you die for me, Bo. Please just trust me, for both our sakes.” She extracted herself from his embrace and fled out of the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind her. Down the stairs, she ran through the kitchen ordering, “Luke! Do Not let Bo follow me outside!” She went through the porch door as Bo bounded down the stairs and came into the kitchen.
Luke wondered at the commotion and asked, “What….?”
Bo opened the porch door and said, “That Sharp guy is outside.”
Luke forgot about Caitlin’s warning and followed Bo outside. They were not pleased to find several tough looking men spread out in different directions around the lawn and driveway. It was obvious that they were there to prevent them from escaping or intervening for Caitlin.
Caitlin roughly pushed past one of the men and paced nervously and angrily in front of the Cadillac. She held her arms akimbo to calm herself down so that she would not say anything wrong. She scolded, “Will, how dare you get Bo charged with that! What is your problem!”
Will loved seeing the fire in her eyes. It was a challenge for him to cool it. He goaded, “Calm down, Caitlin. I was only protecting my fiancée.”
She halted her pacing and glared at him. She spat, “For the zillionth time, I am NOT YOUR FIANCEE.”
Will relaxed against door of the Cadillac and offered, “I’m willing to make you a deal, My Rose. I’ll have the charges dropped if you agree to stop seeing him. And if you promise not to runaway again, I won’t even punish him or his family. I’ll even let you stay here until I clear away the mess you made in New York.”
“MESS I MADE!” Caitlin’s temper exploded and she yelled, “You idiot! My life has become HELL because of your mess!” She lunged for him, trying to slap him; but Will acted just as quickly grabbing her by her arms. Grunting in frustration, Caitlin pushed him away and voiced, “AARGHH! I hate You! I Hate You! Stay away from me!”
Will forced her back into his arms. He held her hair, making her look at him as he said calmly but forcefully, “Oh, my dear, you know how much I want you…love you. I cannot ever give up! You belong to me!”
Bo could not watch anymore. He wanted to rescue Caitlin; he could see her struggling against the man. Luke grabbed on to Bo’s arm and held him back. Luke made Bo look at one of the men standing by them with a threatening view of his gun inside his suit jacket. Caitlin’s voice turned their heads back to her.
Caitlin wrenched herself away from Will again, and then danced a few steps back, laughing, “Love me? You have got to be kidding. You only want me because I’m rich and I don’t want you!”
Will closed in on her again without putting his hands on her. He threatened her with his height over her and said seductively; “I’ve told you before, Caitlin, you need me. We were very good together. I remember even if you don’t.”
Caitlin wildly responded, taunting in return, “Oh, Will. You are so stupid! We both know I only tolerated you until I got what I needed and then found away to get as far away as I could from you!”
He gently caressed the open neckline of her robe, “Yes, my darling. I was deeply hurt by your betrayal. But I’m willing to forgive you. I will make you see that your little boy is no match for me.”
Without thinking of the consequences, Caitlin laughed, “You were watching us last night. Bo was quite good. He pleased me a great deal more than you ever did. He was quite good.” Her eyes reflected the venom in her words.
Will eyed Caitlin evilly, took her by her shoulders, and bruised her lips with a rough, passionate kiss. He let her back to her feet and said, “Are you sure about that?”
Caitlin let her hand fly against Will’s face, the sound of skin hitting skin echoing over the yard. Will’s hand went to his face as it stung for a second while his men took Caitlin by her arms and pinned them behind her back. Will ordered, “Rick, Bronco, hold my little flower. She needs to have her thorns pruned again.” He got in her face and scowled, “You should not have done that, my Rose. I see you need another lesson in respecting me.” He brought his hand back to strike her.
A voice from the porch shouted, “Don’t you dare lay one hand on her!” Bo broke away from Luke’s grip and stalked towards Will and Caitlin.
Treating Bo like a nuisance, Will barked, “Just keep out of this and stay where you are, Duke. Gentlemen!”
Bronco responded, tightening his grip around Caitlin’s arm, pushing it further into her back, “Yes, Will, what do you want done?”
Will backed away from Caitlin and ordered, “The man needs a demonstration of what happens to men who steal my property.”
Intense fear replaced Caitlin’s anger, as she knew what Will was talking about. Her eyes blurred with tears as her husband’s battered face ran through her mind. Her arms were burning in their twisted position and she knew there was more pain to come if she did not do something. She looked at Bo, begging with her eyes, “Bo. Do not do this. Will…. he killed my…. husband!”
Bo again heard the word husband from her lips mingled with the words killed. He understood the danger and didn’t want to cause her anymore trouble, but he couldn’t stand watching this evil man hurting her anymore. He knew he could protect her. He argued, “I will not let him hurt you anymore, Caiti, I promise.”
Will threatened, “You’d risk your life for her then?”
Luke came up behind Bo and said, “Bo! Look at the guy now standing in front of Caitlin!”
With pleasure on his face, Bronco held Caitlin by her hair, forcing her to look in Bo’s direction. He pulled his pistol from its holster and laughed as her eyes watched his hand raise to point the barrel at Bo’s head. When Caitlin became desperate to pull away from her tormentors, trying to dislodge the weapon from Bronco’s hand; Bronco threw her at Rick who pinnioned her arms behind her as Bronco reinforced his aim at Bo. She sobbed, “Bo, please….please go back in the house and stay there!” She looked to Luke for help, “Luke, make him go! I cannot watch him die! Not again!”
Luke was thinking calmly, though he knew if the situation were reversed, Bo would have a hard time making him go away. He tried to talk to Bo, but Bo refused, “No! Caitlin!” But she had turned away from him. Watching her anguish, he followed Luke back to the porch.
As soon as Bo and Luke were near the porch steps, Will ordered, “Ray, keep them there. If one of them moves again, shoot to kill!” Will’s man aimed his gun at Bo’s head. Will turned to Caitlin and said, “Good Girl, my darling. Now come over here. I want to demonstrate to your new friends what happens to people who come between us.” Rick twisted her arms cruelly and forced her over to Will’s side.
Biting her lip against the pain, Caitlin challenged, “Will! Remember our deal. I’ve kept my end…now let them go. They have no idea who you are.”
Will laughed, “You mean you haven’t told them about us? Our Past?” Before Caitlin could respond, he pulled her away from Rick and held her tightly against him, keeping her arms pinned behind her back. He looked into her eyes, an unveiled threat in his, “I’ll kill you before I let him have you!” He crushed her lips against his.
Caitlin gathered saliva into her mouth and spit into his face. She whispered, “We both know you can’t kill me! I’m too valuable to you…my death would mean the end to you…your father!
Will gritted his teeth, “BITCH!” He raised his hand to hit her as Bronco stepped behind her to prevent her from moving. He looked at Bronco and threw his hands in the air. He got into her face and said, “I won’t kill you, My Rose…but there are worse things than death.” With disgust in his voice, he ordered, “Do what you want with her.”
Caitlin felt hysteria over taking her and she fought it off. She saw the revenge in Bronco’s face and knew she had to stop it. She announced, “Will! Before you go punishing Me for Bo, I think you better get your own thug’s desires under control. You better not give me to Bronco! He betrayed you yesterday!”
Will knew his most trusted friend and employee had a thing for Caitlin. He also knew that he had warned Bronco several times to control his lust for the girl, that she belonged to him. Will looked from Bronco to Caitlin and then back to Bronco as he asked, “Tell me!”
Caitlin looked at Bronco who was now squeezing her upper arms so tight that she thought the skin was going to come off. She swallowed her urge to cry out and said, “He kissed me…wanted to force me to do more. Threatened to do more if I told you!”
Will did not like what he had just heard. He knew that he could not let his men take care of Caitlin. He needed to make sure Bronco understood the rules. He looked at Bronco and said, “We will talk about this later.” Looking to his other friends, he ordered, “Let’s get out of here.”
Rick shielded his gun and opened the rear door of the Cadillac for Will. Will climbed into the back seat as Ray backed away from the house while warning Bo and Luke to stay put, and then he got into the BMW. Scott got into the driver’s seat of the Cadillac and Rick seated himself on the passenger side. Bronco held onto Caitlin in front of him for several very long minutes, torturing her by his mere presence. Finally, he shoved her roughly to the ground and said, “Don’t move!” He was about to walk away, but he liked the sight of Caitlin at his feet. He grinned, “Since I’m already in trouble, Luv, I mise well make it worth it.” He bent down, pulled her up to his mouth by a handful of her hair, and added his own set of bruises to her lips alongside Will’s.
Caitlin tried to twist away, but only managed to whisper coldly in return, “I hope he kills you!”
Bronco smiled, “You know he won’t. And my memory is long. I will get you for this!” He dropped her back into the dirt and walked away. He blew her a kiss from the driver’s side of the BMW and then both cars disappeared down the drive.
As soon as Luke felt it was safe, he released Bo and followed him over to Caitlin’s shaking body still sitting on the ground where Bronco had left her. She was watching the dust settle from where Will and Bronco’s cars had sped away. The tears she had been holding back flowed down her cheeks and she was breathing very fast and short. Bo reached for her, bending to help her up. He softly touched her shoulder drawing her emotion filled eyes to him. She whispered weakly, “I’m sorry! I am so sorry!”
Bo drew his arms around her in a comforting embrace, letting her know by the fierceness of his hold on her that she was safe again. He spoke gently in her ear, “Shhhh….” He lifted her whole body off the ground and into his arms. He could feel her quivering as she held onto him. He tried to hold her tighter, but a small “Ouch” was heard from her and she tried to pull away. He saw what had caused her to flinch. Her upper arms and wrists were turning several shades of gray, purple, blue, black, and red where her tormentors had roughly held her only moments before. Luke opened the porch door and allowed Bo past him into the kitchen.
Once inside, Bo passed through the kitchen into the living room and laid Caitlin on the loveseat. He knelt beside her and held her hand. He could sense her calming down and her tears subsiding. Caitlin looked around her and reached for the box of tissues on the nearest endtable. She dried her face off and tried to keep herself from crying anymore. Her breathing slowly returned to normal allowing her to speak clearly. She was embarrassed by her frailty and her disheveled appearance. She swallowed roughly and said, “This is such a mess. I should not have let you all become involved. I am sorry.”
Bo brushed the hair out of her face and said, “I’m just glad you are OK.”
Caitlin nodded weakly, “This time. I got lucky.”
Luke came toward her with a glass of water, questions pouring out of his eyes. He asked, “Are you hurt anywhere?”
Caitlin responded, taking the water from him, “Not much. I will survive. I always do.” Gratefully drinking down the cool water,
Caitlin gathered her courage to tell her new friends her story. She sighed, a tinge of bitter amusement in her voice, “I suppose I should explain what that was all about.”
Bo’s eyes never left her, insuring that Caitlin was going to be fine. She still wore the bandage on her forehead from the accident the day before and now new injuries were added. He pushed, “Are you sure you are all right?”
Bo’s concern reached into Caitlin’s heart. She absorbed the feeling of security she was getting from him and from Luke. She caressed his cheek and assured, “Yes, Bo. I am fine. Just a little shakin’ up and very scared. I knew this would happen eventually. It always does, just when I get comfortable.” She offered chairs to The Duke Boys, telling them that her story was a long one and would take some time to tell. She kidded, “Now keep quiet before I lose my nerve.” Then the words of the story she had told Daisy the day before spilled out piece-by-piece and bit-by-bit.
While Caitlin told Bo and Luke about how Will and his friends had screwed up her life, Will sat in the back of his Cadillac fuming about Bronco’s invasion of his property. He ordered, “Scott, find a quiet place for me to talk to Bronco and then radio him that we are stopping.”
Scott replied, “Yes, Sir.” Scott spied the same path that Bo had taken the day before. It led to the pond where the couple had had their picnic.
The two cars parked next to each other. Rick exited the front seat and opened Will’s door as Bronco exited the BMW and met them between the cars. Will motioned Bronco to come with him and said, “You have some explaining to do Bronco. Your actions made this morning so difficult for me. Why did you do take such liberties with my woman?”
Will had asked the question so calmly, but Bronco heard the under toned threat and braced for whatever Will wanted to do to him. Bronco defended, “She needed to be reminded who was boss, Will. She was so cocky and smart assed when I tried to give her your message.”
Will signaled his other friends to surround Bronco. He replied in a scolding tone, “I am the boss here, Bronco. You need to remember that and not do anything without my permission.” Will played with a ring on his left hand. It was a large gold band with a diamond encrusted lions head.
Bronco knew the power Will had over him. He had been in Will’s employ for many years and knew the danger in crossing the man. Bronco was Will’s second in command because of their friendship, but friendship would be cast aside if Will was crossed and the other members of the gang jealously sought after his position. Bronco raised his hand and replied in argument, “Don’t do this, Will. Don’t let her make a fool of me! It will never happen again! I swear! She provoked me! You know how she is! You know she only told you to save her own neck from me!”
Will got in Bronco’s face and spoke through gritted teeth, “You need to control yourself with her, My Friend!” Stepping back, feeling that Bronco got his point, Will replied, “But maybe you’re right. She’d get too much satisfaction knowing what I did to you.”
Breathing easier at the prospect of being let off the hook, Bronco remarked off-handedly, “I know that, Will. You would have never met Caitlin if I had not brought her to that party.”
Will remembered the party and Caitlin fighting off Bronco’s lustful hands while they danced. His anger was rekindled and heused his ringed hand to backhand Bronco’s face, the ring leaving a trail of scrapes across his cheek. Will remarked, “Which only reminds me how much you desire the girl too, MY Friend! I have all ready rewarded you for that! I shared her with you! I had thought that would have satisfied you! But you still go behind my back and play in my Rose garden!” Getting into Bronco’s face, he warned, “Now get this message! Don’t ever disobey me and kiss her again!” He punctuated the statement with a solid hit to Bronco’s waist, causing Bronco to double over. Will waved over the other men and ordered, “Gentlemen, see that Bronco learns his lesson! I never want repeat of this incident!”
Rick and Ray twisted Bronco’s arms behind allowing Scott to use him as a punching bag. Bronco tried to shout out to Will. But Will laughed cruelly from the edge of the pond, “Save your breath, my friend, you’re going to need it.” He got Rick’s attention and pointed at the pond. He withdrew a piece of gum from his suit pocket and unwrapped it calmly.
Scott grabbed onto Bronco’s hair while Rick and Ray half-lifted, half-dragged Bronco into the middle of the pond. Rick laughed, “Have a good swim, Bronco!” He pounded on the back of Bronco’s neck while Ray kicked at his knees until Bronco knelt in the water and then was pushed underneath it. Bronco’s arms flayed about as he tried to grab his captor’s arms and pull himself up. He was pulled out and his stomach again belted with Scott’s fists before being submerged again. Will allowed the torture to go on for a few more minutes. He leaned against a tree and watched until he was satisfied. He whistled and Bronco was dragged out of the water and dropped in the grass. Bronco was dripping from head to toe and coughing up the entire contents of his stomach. His breath was coming out in labored gasps, his belly on fire. Will waved his men away from Bronco as he stepped forward. Will grabbed Bronco by his hair and made him look at him. Will warned, “I could have had them kill you! You do realize that of course! You are right, though. She can be tough to handle. She will be even more afraid of you now knowing that you owe her, which means I need you. But don’t betray me again, Bronco! You will not see another tomorrow if you do!” Will dropped his hold on Bronco and straightened his suit coat, brushing away the water stains. He walked up the grassy field towards the Cadillac. Getting in the back, he felt his anger drain away, Will ordered, “Let’s go get you cleaned up, my friend. We need to pay a visit to Mr. Duke’s family. Maybe that will convince both he and my Caiti-girl to stay away from each other.”
While Bronco was being taken back to the hotel to be cleaned up, Bo and Luke sat comfortably listening to Caitlin tell the tale she had told to Daisy the day before. As Bo listened, he watched his beautiful Caitlin experience love for husband; horror at having to watch him die at the hands of Will and his friends; anger and shame from having her body abused; grief for the loss of her husband so soon after taking vows to be married to him forever, yet not being able to say good bye with the burial of his body; irritation at having to leave the love and security of her family to escape her predator; hate at having to pretend to accept Will’s proposals after all inorder to protect herself; and fear which has driven her into hiding over and over again. Then as she described her life in hiding he understood the reasons she was wary of loving and trusting others again. Bo wanted so much to comfort her, but knew that if he did, she would not be able to tell the whole story. Even as she wound down to the end, she had risen from her chair and gave the last details while looking forlornly out a window. One hand lovingly played with and held onto the wedding rings suspended on the pendant watch she wore around her neck. She wiped her face of the flowing tears several times as she said, “I am so tired. I thought for sure that my uncle, Agent Brooks and I had found a place to hide me for a long time.” She laughed bitterly, “As I’ve said before, I only Hazzard existed because of a friend. It’s on very few maps and is so out of the way. I wish…”
Her voice trailed off and Bo went to stand behind her. He laid a hand on her shoulder and lightly caressed her hair. He asked, “What do you wish, Caitlin?”
She turned around to face him, “That I could make this all go away; that I could forget and find peace with the awful things that have happened. But Will has been relentless. He is not gonna give up until I give in to him or I’m dead.”
Bo squeezed her shoulder a little rougher than he should have and swore, “We will just have to make him give up.”
Caitlin looked up at him and said, “No, Bo. I cannot fight him anymore! I need to contact my uncle and arrange to get out of Hazzard as soon as possible! My father was right, I should never have sent for all of this stuff and my horses.”
Luke asked, “Where do you think you’ll go now?”
Caitlin shrugged, “I don’t know. My mother wants me to go to Ireland or England. We have property there. It was successful for a while the last time I was there. For almost two months I felt safe.”
Bo argued, “You mean you’re just gonna keep running?”
Caitlin half-sobbed back, “What else can I do?”
Bo replied, “Stay here and we can fight him together?”
Caitlin pushed herself away from Bo and walked away from him saying, “No! I cannot do that! Not to you, Bo. Not to Luke or to your family. Will is capable of real cruelty! I know I cannot be made to watch again…like Drew…. I’m just not that strong anymore.” She bit her lip to keep herself from letting new tears break out.
Luke suggested, “If you leave, Caitlin, won’t he just follow you — even to Ireland? Will you be protected over there?”
Caitlin replied, “Yes he would follow as soon as he found out. But being able to find me would be a different matter. This time I would have to establish a whole new identity and get lost. But if it protects you and your family, then going would be worth the heartache and sacrifice.”
Bo shot back, “Don’t do this, Caitlin! We want to help! We can protect you! If you go than I won’t be able to find you either!”
Luke suggested, “You know, Caitlin, there are places in these here hills of Hazzard that you can get lost in too. Places that have been used for a hun’erd years or so to hide stills and other illegal stuff.”
Bo went over to Caitlin and made her look at him. He said, “Are you really ready to give up what we’ve started? We can fight him!”
Caitlin looked from Luke to Bo and realized how safe she felt when with them. She was so tired of running away from Will. She smiled, knowing that there was no point arguing anymore because it was getting her nowhere. She smiled through her glassy eyes, “Do I have a Choice?”
Bo hugged her hard against his chest and said, “Not really!”
Caitlin reached out for Luke’s hand and said, “You’ve convinced me. I will give it a try. But hear this…” She looked at both Duke Boys and promised, “…if he even attempts to hurt anyone of you in anyway, I’ll be outta here without a word.” She snapped her fingers, “I’ll just disappear!”
Bo nuzzled her chin and promised, “I’d steal you away to them hills that Luke was talkin’ ’bout faster than a fox being chased by a hound dog.”
Caitlin felt the heat of Bo’s hands against her skin and realized that she was still in her robe and nightgown. While she loved the feel of his hands rubbing the silk against her body, she knew it was time to get dressed. She caressed his cheek and then Luke’s and said, “Thank you.” She wiggled away from them and said, “Now if y’all will excuse me. I need to get dressed.” She disappeared up the stairs and into her bedroom.
As soon as Luke heard the door close, He commented, “She sure has seen her share of rough times.”
Bo replied, “I know, Cuz. What a story.”
Luke added, “She is in a lot of danger.”
Bo nodded, “I can handle it.”
Luke promised, “We can handle it. But I think there is something else she hasn’t told us. I know why she’s in hiding, but why haven’t the police arrested Sharp and his men? Why hasn’t she handed over the evidence she told us about?”
Bo answered, “She’s probably been to scared, hoping the police will find it on their own.”
Luke replied, “Or Will has threatened her with something else. Something Big.”
Bo agreed, “Well, you saw how protective she was of us. Willing to run away just to get Sharp off our backs. Maybe he threatened her family or something. Whatever it is, Luke, I don’t care. I will make sure she is safe from now on.”
Before Luke could respond, a door was heard opening at the top of the stairs. Caitlin descended to the living room. She stopped besides the landing to look in a mirror on the wall. She tightened the small ponytail that cascaded in a waterfall of curls from the top of her head to her back. It was held in place by a ruby colored band of cloth and a ruby colored scarf. She was simply dressed in her usual gypsy-ish style. A pair of black tight fitting jeans hugged her legs. She wore a soft, linen ruby-colored tank top with a soft yellow poets shirt as a jacket. The Poets shirt had sleeve the slightly billowed and tied just below her elbow. The shirttail ends hung down to her thighs, just above her knees. She wore very little make-up and as she approached Bo and Luke, a light scent of cinnamon and roses preceded her. The only jewelry she wore was the pendant watch around her neck. Caitlin made her way over to an end table and picked up her purse and her car keys. She turned to Luke and asked, “Would you mind sticking around her for the morning, Luke? I need to go into town on a couple of errands and I never know when Will will show up and try something.”
Luke agreed, “I don’ mind at all. Just a don’ take as long as yesterday.”
Caitlin and Bo smiled at each other as Caitlin answered, “We will try to get back as fast as possible.” She waved a “Good-bye” and walked through the kitchen to the porch door, “Bo, are you coming?” before disappearing outside.
Bo quickly followed with Luke laughing at the both of them. Outside, Bo found Caitlin waiting for him in between the General and Her Viper. Before he could say anything, she reached for his hand and pulled him into a long, passionate kiss. He responded fiercely and protectively enfolding her in his arms, pressing her to him tightly. To soon, the passion smoldered.
Caitlin looked into his eyes, her awakening love pouring over him. She offered, “Thank you!”
Bo responded with another kiss. Then he asked, “So where are we going?”
Disengaging herself from Bo’s arms, Caitlin smiled mischievously, “Well, I need to get some groceries and one other special thing.” She opened the driver’s side of her car.
Bo asked, “You’re going to drive? What if we run into Will?”
Caitlin ordered, “Just get in, Bo.” The moment Bo was safely seat belted in the passenger seat, Caitlin revved up her engine and with expert driving skills, sped down her driveway toward town. Bo held on at first in fear and then in pleasure and then in awe.
In town, Caitlin squealed into a parking space in front of the courthouse. Bo ducked down in his seat as Enos passed by toward his squad car. Bo protested, “What are we doing here? Are you trying to get me thrown in jail?”
Caitlin laughed, “No, Silly, I’m gonna get you out.”
Bo was unsure of her intentions and mocked, “And how are you going to do that?”
Caitlin rolled her eyes in irritation, “I don’t have time to explain everything to you. Just stay here and I’ll be right back.” She quickly exited the car, her soft canvas sandals hitting the pavement.
Bo jumped out of the car in reply, “Oh, No. I’m going with you.”
Smiling, Caitlin offered her hand, “Come on then.”
Inside the courthouse, Boss Hogg’s voice could be heard booming through out the jail, “Rosco! You better catch that no good Bo Duke! He has become a danger to this community.”
Rosco snickered, “OH, yes, Boss. I’m gonna get to that right away!”
Caitlin strode up to Rosco’s desk, Bo waiting a few paces behind her. She cleared her throat to get Boss’s and Rosco’s attention, “Sheriff, ummm, Mr. Hogg, can I, I mean, may we speak to you a moment.”
Upon seeing Bo, Boss Hogg jumped behind Rosco and said, “There he is! Rosco! Arrest that no-account Duke Boy!”
Rosco pulled his revolver out of its holster and ordered, “Flash! Sick ‘im!” The basset hound looked up at Bo, who reached down and pat the dog between the ears. Flash let out one loud bark and then laid his head down to go back to sleep. Rosco stomped over to Bo and ordered, “All right, You! Just Freeze, Freeze! Thank you, Miss Rose. You have done me a great kindness bringing in this, this criminal!”
Caitlin stepped in between Rosco and Bo and said, “But, Sheriff, I did not come to turn him in. I came to drop the charges. Bo is innocent.”
Reholstering his weapon, Rosco turned to Boss while saying, “OH, that’s different. Boss, Miss Rose is dropping the charges against Bo.”
Boss semi-politely said, “Excuse me, MISS ROSE.” He grabbed Rosco and pulled him aside, smacking his arms, “You idiot! We can’t let her drop the charges!”
Rosco asked, confused, “Why?”
Boss whispered something in Rosco’s ear and then ordered, “Got it!”
Caitlin faced Bo and whispered, “Bet Will gave Boss enough money to keep the charges on you no matter what. But I bet I can outbid him.”
Bo warned, “Don’t do this. Let’s just get out of here!”
Caitlin ignored Bo’s warning and turned back to Boss Hogg. Boss Hogg waddled back over to Caitlin and Bo. He offered, “Miss Rose, if you want the charges dropped, it will cost you $100,000.”
Caitlin smiled like she was smiling at a naughty child, “Oh, Mr. Hogg, I don’t think it will take that much. See if you don’t drop the charges I will see that you end up in jail with a huge fine attached.”
Bo and Boss chorused, “For what?”
Caitlin’s face turned to stone as she answered, “Fraud, Mr. Hogg, and for false arrest, harassment, and a couple of other things I know a lawyer can come up with.”
Boss Hogg challenged, “You don’t know what you are talking about.”
Caitlin replied, “Yes, I do. I minored in Law in college and I have worked as a secretary for one of my father’s lawyers in New York and for another Lawyer when I lived in Virginia last year.”
Rosco frowned and reluctantly informed, “She’s right, Boss.”
While Boss threw Rosco a dirty look to get him to shut-up, Bo was throwing the same look to Caitlin. Bo warned, “Don’t do this!”
Caitlin waved him back and whispered, “Let me handle this, Bo!” To Boss, she said, “Now, Mr. Hogg, do I look beat up! I know you really don’t believe that this gentle young man could assault a woman.” She sat on the edge of Rosco’s desk, taking several pieces of paper from the top. She took a pen and said, “I have an alternate proposition. I will pay you $50,000 for your troubles. I will send my Uncle a telegram and get the money to you before noon today.” Looking at Boss, her face becoming rigid and threatening, “If however, you insist on arresting Bo, I will telegram my uncle and he will send several lawyers here to defend Bo and they will intern have to bring the FBI here who will then bring the IRS. Now I ask you. Is what you got paid to bring these charges worth that much trouble to you, Mr. Hogg.”
Boss did not like the sound of that at all, but Will had offered to make a few moneymaking schemes with him and he did not want that to be ruined. He looked at Caitlin Rose and said, “I need some time to think on it! In the meantime, your Duke friend here will have to go to jail! Rosco! Lock him up!”
Rosco again took out his revolver and ordered, “You heard Boss! No tricks! Put your hands in the air!” Bo shook his head in frustration, an “I told you so!” look being thrown at Caitlin. Rosco took Bo’s arm and started to go to the cell area.
Caitlin was angry. Her plan should have worked. She needed to find out what Will did to get Boss’s complete cooperation. Boss just needed to see that she was not bluffing! She pulled on Bo’s arm and said, “You are not going anywhere!”
Bo felt his arms being pulled in two different directions. He yelled, “Hey, I am not the rope in a game of tug of war!”
Caitlin looked at him and said, “I am going with you.”
Bo, Rosco, and Boss questioned together, “To jail?”
Bo scolded, “A jail cell isn’t a place for you!”
Caitlin asked in disgust at his chauvinistic remark, “And why not! I’ve been in them before!” That remark silenced all three men in the room. Caitlin’s eyes softened, “Besides, Bo, where is the last place Will will look for me? Where is there a safer place for me to be than right here with you.”
Bo was beginning to hate when she was right, but he conceded, “I see what you mean.”
Caitlin looked back at Boss Hogg and said, “Now, I have some telegrams and letters to write. I think my first one will be to that IRS agent that my father is friends with.” Turning to Rosco she demanded, “Well, what are you waiting for, Sheriff. Lead the way.” She held Bo’s hands and laughed, “I wonder how Mr. Hogg will look in his prison clothes.” She waved sassily at Boss Hogg.
Rosco was amused by Caitlin’s comments, but knew better than to laugh. He ordered, “That’s enough! Now I don’t want any funny stuff from you two! And none of that mushy stuff either!” He opened the cell door and allowed Caitlin to go in first.
Caitlin hesitated for a second, her nose wrinkling in disgust. She commented as she went over to one of the cots anchored to the back stone wall of the cell, “This place is nothing like the county lock-up in Virginia City.”
Bo followed her in and said, discouragingly, “That is why you shouldn’t be here.”
Caitlin waved him away, “Not now, Bo.”
Rosco found himself being ignored as he closed and locked the cell doors. He was about to say good-bye, but instead just left them alone.
Caitlin got comfortable on the cot and used her purse for a writing table. Bo paced a little and it unnerved her. She tried to sound cheerful as she offered, “Come On, Bo. Why don’t you come over here and lie down for awhile.”
Bo still could not believe where he was and yet he was amazed at Caitlin’s spunk. He stood above her and said in exasperation, “You are crazy! You drink Whiskey like water, get yourself shot at and almost killed. Now you have got us both thrown in here and let me know in the process that you have been in a jail cell before. You stand up to Boss. And now you want me to lie down as if I don’t have anything better to do.”
Caitlin smiled back and sassily said, “Anything else?”
Bo shrugged, “No, that about covers it. Wait, just warn me, is there anything else I should know about you? What’s next?”
Caitlin responded, “Just wait and see. At least we won’t be bored. Now come here!” She held her arms out for him.
Bo stood his ground and returned, “No you come here.”
Stamping her foot and pounding on the spot next to her, she ordered, “Bo Duke! You come over here! No…www….” Her words were stifled by Bo’s mouth descending on hers as he joined her on the cot and pulled her to him in a crushing hug. Caitlin threw her arms around him and said, “Very good!” Letting him go, she turned back to the paper and pen in her hands while Bo lay down with his head in her lap. He watched her begin to write and she heard a question in his thoughts. She responded, “One of the telegrams will be to my father. I want him to know all about you.”