by: Tara

Photo and Spark Word
November Challenge
Due: February 1st, 2004

Daisy debated for several moments after observing the wildlife activity. The free lance reporter went to the Dodge’s open passenger window. Carefully, she leaned in and grabbed the camera from a satchel on the floorboard. A misfiring engine caught her attention. She peeked over her shoulder in time to view the birds take flight and animals scamper in all directions.

The image she had planned for the front page gone.

The camera slipped from her hands back into the bag. “Reprobate,” She muttered.

“I am not.” A voice protested over the cb. “That means abandoned to punishment, lost and rejected.”

“How’d you hear me?” Daisy paused and realized her hand must have hit the mike.

“You know the General’s cb doesn’t work half the time,” the person replied. “Aren’t you supposed to be in town at a meetin’ with the publisher?”

“Thought you went on the monthly shoppin’ trip?” Daisy answered the question with one of her own.

“Had to drop somethin’ off at the post office,” the voice faded for a moment. “Then some paperwork-Damn!”

Daisy glanced out the back window to see Hunter almost crash into the General’s backend. “Daney Hannah Duke!” She exclaimed. She dropped the cb and ran to the dark green Plymouth’s driver’s side. She repeated the exclamation.

“Hmmm,” Daney said sheepishly. She wasn’t sure if Daisy’s cheeks were sunburned or flushed from anger. She brought her hands up and covered her face. “Did he break down?” She peeked at her cousin.

Daisy shook her head. “Finish your research?”

“Yeah,” Daney’s hands ran through her hair and came to rest on the steering wheel. “Need a ride?” She inquired with a mischievous grin.

Daisy laughed and tapped her fingers on the roof. “Only if I leave the General here.”

“Somehow I don’t think the boys would like that too much.”

“Do we always need their approval?”

“No,” Daney took a deep breath. “Ready for tomorrow?”

“I think so.” Daisy admitted with a gleam in her hazel eyes.

* * *

“You girls ready to go?” Jesse called to his nieces. He was dressed in a formal black suit.

“Almost,” came a muffled voice from the kitchen.

His attention turned to his nephews. Bo was fidgeting with the collar of a white dress shirt. The silk material neatly tucked into a pair of brown trousers. The shirt covered by a vest and cut away coat. Luke’s outfit was navy blue. Jesse watched the boys dust off their dress shoes with a handkerchief.

Swishing of long hoop dresses and knee-high stiletto heel lace up boot steps sounded just then.

“Careful or you’re gonna fall.” Luke advised.

“Hang on, your hat is gonna slip and get dirty.” Daisy warned.

The younger female glanced over her left shoulder. “Remind me again whose idea it was to have an old fashioned theme.” She requested quietly.

“I thought a Queen Anne summer cottage visit in Macon clinched it.” Daisy skipped the other details. She reached a hand up and touched the cameo pin on her dress.

Daney tapped the white satin and Battenburg lace parasol in her gloved right hand on the floor. She touched the fan in her left gloved hand to her right cheek. “So we gotta look like Scarlet O’ Hara and Melanie Hamilton-”

“Rhett Butler and Ashley Wilkes,” Bo retorted with a smirkish grin. He grabbed a black velvet top hat off the coffee table.

“Alright, we’re gonna be late if we don’t get going.” Luke turned and headed for the front door. Jesse put his pocket watch in the vest pocket. He nodded in agreement, as the other cousins strolled over.

Half hour later, the girls picked up orange blossom, magnolia, lily and baby’s breath bouquets. The hunting club looked more an afternoon tea garden setting with potted ferns and palms. The Queen Victoria wedding colors were ivory, pink, and gold. Classical music played as they took their places. The chandeliers dimmed to a soft glow.

“Are the photos gonna be black and white or sepia?” Daney whispered.

“Maybe both,” Rosco paused. “Nothin’ fancy, khee.” He smiled and quietly stepped away to take his place. Blue eyes watched the other attendants take their spots. He snapped a photo, then another.

Daisy and Daney waved to the Sheriff before turning their attention where it was needed…

Boss and Lulu renewing their vows.

The End