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 Eight
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 EIGHT
The next few weeks were like a dream to Caitlin. She felt so free and easy. Her strength and spirit to live life to its fullest returned in leaps and bounds. She adored Hazzard County and the Duke family who had welcomed her so warmly and lovingly. She reported on her new life through letters and telegrams as often as she could to her father and Uncle Charles. Her letters glowed with love and tales about Bo and his family. She wondered how soon they would need her to come home and when she should send Agent Brooks the evidence that she had. The only response she got was a quick telegram telling her to be patient and wait until they contacted her. They advised her that Will’s father was trying to obtain bail for his son and that it was safer for her to remain in Hazzard. That suited Caitlin well. She had no desire to return to New York very quickly. Instead, she enjoyed the happiness and peaceful atmosphere she had with Bo.
The first week after Will’s arrest Caitlin busied herself with putting together her new home and getting to know Bo. He was there every day helping her to move furniture, clean up the barn, and play. They developed a habit of just disappearing on horseback or in a car for a long ride over the countryside that usually included a romantic picnic. On one of those drives, they happened across an abandoned horseracing track. Caitlin then cleverly managed to convince Boss Hogg to tell her about local horse races that she could enter Aidan into.
With Bo and Luke’s help, Caitlin set about to prepare Aidan for the next race which unluckily was only two weeks away. On the second day of training Aidan, Daisy and Uncle Jesse joined the trio at the track. They found Luke by the fence surrounding the track. Uncle Jesse and Daisy look to see Bo and Caitlin arguing with each other. Caitlin sat on Aidan’s back, her legs tucked under her into racing saddle. Her long hair pulled into a French braid down her back, and covered with a horseman’s cap. She was dressed in black denim jeans, leather boots, a white linen blouse that billowed in the wind and around her wrists. Luke had an odd expression on his face and he was nodding in agreement every time it appeared that Bo spoke. Daisy asked, “What is wrong?”
Luke hit the fence in frustration and said, “That crazy lady wants to race Aidan herself. Bo’s trying to talk her out of it now.”
Uncle Jesse replied with concern, “She can’t do that. Not at the race she’s entered. Those boys will kill her.”
The trio watched Caitlin smack Bo’s hand away from her reigns and take off toward their side of the fence. She came to a halt and dismounted from Aidan’s back. She was spouting curses and calling Bo a male chauvinist pig. She was mumbling, “I’ve been racing all my life and he’s gonna tell me how dangerous it is.”
Caitlin was pulling off her gloves as Bo finally made it back over to the fence. He repeated his argument, “Why can’t we find a jockey to ride Aidan.”
Clinching her teeth and breathing angrily through her nose, Caitlin said, “There isn’t time. No time to let Aidan get to know someone new, no time to even find and pay the right jockey. I can’t even send home for one.” Caitlin was trying to understand. She realized Bo had never seen her race before. That realization gave her an idea. Turning to Luke, Caitlin asked, “Luke, I’ve seen you ride. Is there any way you could help me train Aidan by racing me around this track? That way I can prove I am safe and experienced enough to race.”
Daisy almost laughed at Caitlin’s frustration in dealing with her over protective family, she too had often butted heads with them. She spoke up cheerfully, “That sounds like a good idea to me.”
Luke protested, “But where are we going to get another horse like Aidan? We can’t use Brianna. No one else can ride her but you, Caitlin.”
Running up from behind a set of trees with Rosco in tow, Boss Hogg began shouting that he could help. He pushed his way past Luke and Uncle Jesse to the fence. He announced to Caitlin that he had a horse that he was training for future races. He said he would be glad to let Luke race against Aidan. Although the idea appealed to Caitlin, she wondered what Boss was up to and what it might cost her. She said as much to him. Boss Hogg grinned widely with his cigar stuck in his mouth and promised, “No charge. No charge. Just let me bet on Aidan. If he’s as good as you say, honey, you’re gonna make me a lot of money. Heh…Heh…Heh.”
Caitlin looked to Uncle Jesse for help. Jesse got Boss Hogg to look at him and said, “You won’t hold it against her if she loses? No plans to confiscate her horse? JD, that animal is her pride-‘n’-joy. This better not be some scam to take her horse or anything else away from her.”
“I swear, I swear.” Boss Hogg held up his hand as if he was swearing on the Bible.
Jesse spit in his hand and held it out for Boss Hogg, “Shake on it, JD.”
Caitlin watched the two men shake hands. However to insure the deal was ironclad, Caitlin walked over to the fence and demanded, “Thank you, Jesse, but I think Mr. Hogg needs to deal with me.”
Boss Hogg grumbled, “Geez, try to do lady a favor an’ have to go through all this trouble.” He reassured in an indignant voice, “Miss Rose, I have never gone back on my word after a spit shake.”
Smiling wickedly and knowingly, Caitlin challenged, “But Mr. Hogg your deal was with Jesse. How do I know that you won’t use that as the loophole? No, you need to deal with me.”
When Boss hesitated both Jesse and Caitlin knew the truth. Jesse scolded, “JD, you rotten, no good, cheatin’ chicken hawk.”
Caitlin spit into the palm of her hand and held it out for Boss Hogg. Boss knew he had been beaten but he still needed to train the horse he’d bought the year before that now was only costing him money. Underneath he knew he had a sure thing after having witnessed Caitlin training her horse on her own. He knew, even if Bo and Luke were too stupid to see her talent with animals that she was a good rider and could easily beat any of the local yokels that would be racing the next week. As rough and greedy as Boss could be, he was gaining respect and a liking for Caitlin Rose. Maintaining a challenging eye contact with the bit of sassy girl, JD spit into his hand and the two bargainers firmly shook each other’s hand. The deal was sealed.
Around them, Bo, Luke, and Daisy were astounded with what they had just witnessed. Bo shook his head in frustration knowing he had lost the argument. Luke and Daisy laughed as Bo gruffly pulled Caitlin to him and said, “You win!” He kissed her soundly and masterfully.
Caitlin turned to Luke and said, “It’s all settled, we’ll come here tomorrow and meet with Boss’s trainer and then get to work.” Turning to Daisy, Caitlin smiled and suggested, “Sugar, I’ve had enough of all this testosterone! Let’s go shopping.” Before the boys could protest, Caitlin and Daisy escaped to Caitlin’s Viper and drove off.
Bo and Luke were left to take care of bringing Aidan back to The Rose Barn and seeing to it that the horse was fed, brushed, water, and put down for the night. When that was accomplished, Luke and Bo drove back to the Duke farm. During the drive, Bo mulled over an idea in his head. The idea would not go away, sticking in his brain or his heart every minute of the day, every time he heard Caitlin’s voice, touched her skin, or simply thought of her smile. The rest of the afternoon ticked by as he waited for Daisy and Caitlin to return from their shopping trip. He recalled that over the last week the two women had grown close together almost like sisters finding that they have a lot in common. Daisy had discovered Caitlin’s favorite pastime – shopping. After a few trips together, it was apparent that love was being passed on to Daisy. There was even a plan to go to Atlanta over the weekend. Uncle Jesse had seen Bo’s restlessness and threw more chores at him to keep him busy. Intuition told Uncle Jesse that Bo was contemplating a very serious decision.
The chores were all finished. Luke and Jesse were busy setting the table for dinner. Bo came into the kitchen; took a deep breath gathering courage; and requested, “Uncle Jesse, Luke would y’all mind takin’ a little ride with me.”
Although Jesse already an idea where Bo wanted to go and what he was after, he asked, “Where?”
Luke asked, “Now? Caitlin’s going to be dropping off Daisy soon. Don’t you have a dinner date with Caitlin tonight?”
Bo replied, “I wanted to wait for Daisy. It’s important to me that we’re all together when I pick this out. But I need to do it before I see Caitlin.”
Luke wondered, “What do you have brewing in that brain of yours?”
Although Bo wanted it to be a surprise for everyone, he knew he needed to explain if he was going to get them to come along. He said, “If you must know, I want to take y’all into Capital City to get Caitlin an engagement ring.”
Luke was shocked but Jesse was not. Luke offered an argument, “You can’t ask her to marry you. You have only known each other for a week. And though Sharp and his men are in New York, there is no telling if they’re going to escape and come looking for, for revenge!”
Bo said, “I thought of all of that. I know that she’s still in some danger but as long as she is here and with me, she’s safe, I’m safe. I can protect her better.”
Jesse brought the point, “And when the trouble’s all through an’ she has to go back to New York; what will you do then?”
Bo replied, “I don’t know, Uncle Jesse. All I do know is I can’t live without her. I love her. I’d follow her all over the world just to be with her. And in my heart I know she feels the same way.”
Luke argued, “How can you be sure? You’ve said that about so many girls and look where you are.”
Bo was puzzled and stated his confusion at Luke’s objection, “I know you like Caitlin, Luke. What is wrong? Do you think she just put up with me to get rid of Sharp? Well just stop, she is too much of a lady to do that to someone. If you remember right we had to talk her out of running away several times because she didn’t want to hurt us or get us involved with Sharp.”
Jesse defused situation, “Bo, we are just concerned that’s all. I happen to know for a fact that she cares for you too.”
Daisy’s entrance into the kitchen interrupted the tense argument and she inquired as to what was wrong. Bo asked, “Is Caitlin gone?”
Daisy nodded, “She said she will meet you later.” Daisy laid the shopping bag on a chair and putting her hands on her hips demanded, “So what’s going on here?”
Bo hoped to have an ally in Daisy. He put his arms around her shoulders and informed, “I want to ask Caitlin to marry me. I was hoping y’all would go with me to pick out her engagement ring.”
Daisy’s only comment, “Are you sure, sugar?”
Bo nodded, “The surest I’ve been about any decision I’ve made so far. I adore her. She amazes me every day and I have a feeling she will be surprising me when we’re old and gray together.” He laughed.
Seeing the raw emotion on his cousin’s face, Luke knew Bo was serious. In reality, he was happy for his cousin, but was also aware of the possible danger they all still faced. He had spoken his objections out of concern for both Bo and Caitlin. His memory of the anger he felt and sadness he watched in Caitlin’s eyes as she related the story of her first husband’s death at the hands of Will Sharp and his men caused him to fear what would happen if she were put through that kind of trauma again. He spoke as much to Bo and his family, apologizing if it seemed as if he didn’t like Caitlin. He was actually excited to have such a beautiful woman for a sister-in-law and slightly jealous that Bo had captured her heart first.
Bo understood Luke’s motives and appreciated his concern for his and Caitlin’s welfare. With his support now assured and Daisy’s obvious approval, the only person left that really mattered to Bo was Uncle Jesse. Bo stood up tall and proud. He asked, “Do I have your blessing, Uncle Jesse?”
Closing the distance between himself and Bo, Uncle Jesse gave Bo a great big bear hug. He said, “You already knew that little girl would be welcome in our family. But we don’t have to go off to Capital City for you to get a ring.” Without another word, Jesse disappeared into his room leaving Bo, Luke, and Daisy to wait in the kitchen. When Jesse returned, he motioned his three “children” to have a seat a round the table. In his hand, he carried a very old metal box that had to be unlocked with a key. Quickly but gently, Jesse unlocked the box and opened it wide for the three cousins to see inside. There were three small ring boxes, each wrapped in white linen, set inside. After inspecting each one, Jesse lifted one out of the box and handed it to Bo. He explained, “In this box, Bo, are your parent’s wedding ring set.” Looking at both Luke and Daisy, Jesse added,
“There’s a set for each of you.”
Gingerly, Bo took the linen covered box and unwrapped it to find gray velvet underneath the linen cloth. Inside there were two sets of rings. One was an engagement combination wedding ring set that intertwined with each other. The other was the man’s wedding band. The set was made of gold. The engagement ring was very simple with a solitary diamond set inside strong gold prongs with what looked to be like a musical note surrounding the diamond and hooking into the wedding band. The size of the diamond astonished Bo. He had to know if the stone was real. Uncle Jesse laughed and said that it was. He explained to Bo that was the most expensive thing his brother had ever bought Bo’s mother. It was also the most dangerous thing he had ever gotten her. Jesse promised to tell that story some other time.
After thanking Uncle Jesse, Bo slipped the linen wrapped box into his pocket and went to have dinner with his favorite Rose. Within a few minutes, Bo found himself standing just outside Caitlin’s front door. Turning the handle and tapping on the glass of the window, he called out for Caitlin announcing that he was there. She came running into the kitchen very excited and stopped dead center to twirl a round in her clothes. She asked,
“Well, what do you think? Do like it?”
Yes, he thought, she did look appetizing in what he gathered was a new soft suede skirt. The skirt was a forest green in color and again as was her style hung loosely about her ankles and swirled when she walked. Her blouse pulled over her head and tied at the wrists causing the full loose sleeves to drape provocatively over her hands. The blouse was white linen almost sheer to the eyes with thin strips of satin decorating the sleeves just above her elbow and around the edges of the hem of the blouse. The neckline was broad and left her shoulders and upper chest bare to the eye. She had left her hair in the same French braid she had worn that afternoon. Bo tortured her with his silence as he appraised her looks. Then without a word, he pulled her into his arms and joined her in a passionate greeting. Caitlin pulled away from Bo and with a huge smile and a cheery voice, informed him, “I am so excited about tomorrow! I haven’t gotten to race Aidan in over two years.” She went to the refrigerator and quickly pulled out a bottle of sparkling wine. She continued to talk about being able to race Aidan while pouring each of them a glass of the golden sparkling liquid. She approached Bo with a glass in each hand but instead of giving him one; her smile widened as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him again. “I love you!” she said as she handed him a glass. “A toast! To running with the wind!” Then she laughed.
Bo obliged to her with a toast then took the glasses out of their hands. He took Caitlin’s face in his strong hands and asked, “I have something I want to tell you. Can we go into living room and sit down?”
Looking into Bo’s face, Caitlin suddenly knew what he wanted to ask her. She was nervous and unsure. But she followed Bo as he led her into her living room and set her down on her couch. When he had finally sat beside her, he turned toward her holding out the linen covered ring box. As quick as he could, he enclosed her hands around the box and said, “I brought this for you.”
Caitlin looked up at him and smiled, “Bo? What…? Are you…? ”
Bo still held her hands and explained, “This is my mother’s engagement ring, Caitlin. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!”
Bo’s face fell, “Wait, don’t say no, just hear me out.”
Caitlin smiled. The answer that had come from her own mouth had shocked her too. Even though she was not sure only moments before, as she sat near him and felt her heart soaring with freedom, she knew the only place for her to be was in his arms for the rest of her life. It was funny that Bo thought she said no. She repeated, “Bo, I will marry you! I said yes!”
Bo laughed with her and happily crushed her in his big arms kissing her with all the love he felt in his heart. Taking the ring from the box, Bo slipped it onto Caitlin’s left hand; picked up one of the wine glasses from the table and toasted to her, “I love you, my Caiti-Girl.” Together they each took a sip from the same glass. The couple giggled at their corny behavior.
The next morning was very busy with preparations for the race between Caitlin and Luke. True to his word, Boss Hogg met the Dukes, Caitlin, and Rosco at the old racetrack. Aidan caught on to the excitement of his owner, had to be calmed down, and coaxed out of the horse trailer by Caitlin, Luke, and Bo. Boss Hogg watched and yelled instructions at his trainer who was unloading his horse, a beautiful bronze thoroughbred, down to the racetrack. Boss’s horse matched Aidan in size and gait. Caitlin quickly surmised that this horse was truly on opponent worthy of Aidan. Caitlin could feel herself already becoming attuned to Aidan in preparation for the race. Her adrenaline flowed and she was impatient to get started. The same could be said of the horse. Aidan stomped at the ground in excitement and impatience. Yet, he did not fight them as they led him over to the racetrack. Caitlin soothingly rubbed down the twitching muscles of Aidan’s strong bulk of a body.
Boss Hogg noticed with curiosity that Caitlin’s concentration was only interrupted when Bo was near her. The couple made loving eye contact with each other often as Caitlin cinched her saddle and Bo checked to make sure Aidan’s hooves were free of debris. Boss and Rosco joined Luke by Boss’s horse. Rosco smiled cheerfully at Caitlin and Bo and remarked, “Those two sure look like two peas in a pod.”
Luke remarked in return, “Yeah, that’s with love looks like.” Luke rolled his eyes as he laughed with Rosco.
It didn’t take long for Luke and Caitlin to get out onto the racetrack. Caitlin mounted Aidan’s back and then walked the animal for a few minutes to allow him to adjust to her weight. She stretched out, warming up both of their muscles by walking around in circles for a few minutes. In her head, she heard the instructions of her trainer long ago. Again she felt herself becoming one with the horse almost being able to read Aidan’s mind, anticipating what the animal was thinking and doing. She engrossed herself in petting Aidan’s mane and speaking words of love and encouragement into the horse’s ear. The horse responded in return with a nod of his head; a gentle rumble from his throat; and a light stomp of his foot on the ground. Caitlin felt Bo’s hand on her calf. She looked to see that Luke was ready to race and then back at Bo to see his love and pride for her written all over his face. She grinned, “Now, baby, let me show you what I can do.”
Caitlin and Luke nudged their horses next to each other in preparation to start the race. Boss’s horse trainer set off to the side with a stopwatch in one hand and a popgun in the other. Raising the gun in the air, he counted down from ten, fired a shot in the air, and clicked on a stopwatch to begin. When he looked, he saw that Caitlin and Aidan had shot past Luke leaving only a large cloud of yellow sand behind her. Luke however did not take long to catch up allowing the mount under him the freedom to run unhindered. Luke and Caitlin agreed the race would be a mile and a half long which was two and a half laps a round the oval track. In order to prepare Caitlin for the race she was about to enter, Luke was merciless in his attempts to slow her down. He made sure he got close enough to almost ride on top of her, to push her into the railing, and finally to nudge his horse up against Aidan. But Caitlin expertly defended or averted his every move. Then Luke even tried to talk to her as they rode side by side, but Caitlin was very engrossed in her mount and the race at hand.
Though she carried a riding crop in her hand, she never had to use it. Instead, Luke watched her squeeze her thighs just a little tighter against Aidan sides, which pushed them a head of Luke and his horse. Not about to give up, Luke put his concentration back into his horse and tried to catch up, to overtake Caitlin.
Bo watched the race with Boss Hogg and Rosco alongside him. When he saw Luke trying to pull some dirty tricks on Caitlin, Bo yelled at him to stop to no avail. He cheered loudly for both his cousin and Caitlin; but when he saw Caitlin finally pull away of Luke, he began “whoopin'” and “Hollering'” for joy. The whole race was over in a matter of minutes. Boss’s trainer double clicked the stopwatch and announced that Caitlin had run the race in a minute and a half. Caitlin jumped off Aidan and into Bo’s arms yelling happily her success and defeat of Luke. She relished, “God! That felt so fantastic! We were flying!”
Bo joined in her excitement with comments and encouragement of his own. Luke joined the group. Panting and out of breath, he shook his head in disbelief, “I can’t believe you did that. I mean I knew you said you had raced before but…”
Caitlin smiled in understanding, “You sure did impressed me, Luke. I had to really work to get ahead of you. Thank you for not going easy on me and pushing me along. Do you think you’d be willing to race with me every day until the big one?”
Both Caitlin and Luke looked at Boss Hogg and his trainer to see if they would cooperate. But Boss was already mentally tabulating the amount of the bet he planned to lay on Caitlin and her horse. He laughed greedily, “Not at all!”
Boss Hogg was feeling so good that he invited Caitlin and the Duke Boys back to the Boar’s Nest to celebrate. The bar was filled with many of Hazzard County’s local citizens and friends to the Duke Family. The jukebox played one country song after another enticing Bo and Caitlin to enjoy a dance or two. The laughter and merriment filled the entire room as Daisy made sure everyone’s beer-mug was kept full. To Caitlin’s delight, Boss Hogg decided to bring out a couple of bottles of his finest whiskey to share between himself, Caitlin, and Uncle Jesse. His action however would in the end cause Caitlin more grief. Upon entering his office in the back of the Boar’s Nest, Boss Hogg found a gentleman waiting for him. He was roughly dressed in black jeans, black T-shirt, and a dark leather jacket with leather gloves to match. The man introduced himself as Jack Dannon, a friend and employee of William Sharp. He advised Boss that he had intercepted another telegram from Caitlin to her Uncle and that Will needed to talk to Boss about it.
While Boss was setting out two bottles of whiskey from his private collection, Jack Dannon watched the scene in the bar through a small opening in the door. He watched Caitlin dancing with a tall blond young man. Her face was bright with her smile and flushed with the flame of new love. The jukebox began to play, “Feels So Right” by Alabama. As soon as the music slowed, Caitlin became one with her dance partner. She never took her eyes off him as he continued to stare deeply into hers. Her hand reached out to caress his cheek and Jack Dannon saw the ring on her finger twinkling in the dimly lit barroom. Jack Dannon pointed the ring out to Boss Hogg and demanded that Boss found out where Caitlin got the ring and what it was for. Jack Dannon already had an idea and knew the news would not make William Sharp very happy. Jack Dannon reminded Boss about the deal he had made with Will and about the money Boss would lose if he didn’t get the information they needed. Boss promised to come see Will later that evening with the supplies he’d ask for and the news he wanted.
Boss brought out the bottles of whiskey and motioned for Bo and Caitlin to join him. His efforts to get their attention were ignored. Boss looked at Uncle Jesse for help only to find Jesse laughing at him and at the couple dancing. Uncle Jesse replied, “Pour me some of that whiskey, JD, let’s start celebratin’ without them.”
Boss smiled, “Yep, Jesse, that little girl Bo’s got wrapped around him is something to celebrate especially the money she’s gonna make for me.”
The song ended finally and Bo held on to Caitlin as they walked over to the table. He nuzzled her ear causing her to laugh. Boss held out a glass of whiskey toward Caitlin’s left hand. He made sure to watch her reach for the glass and saw a ring he recognized immediately on her finger. He looked over at Uncle Jesse and said, “Jesse, is Miss Rose wearing what I think she’s wearing?” Uncle Jesse followed Boss’s stare and smiled at the ring. Upon confirmation, Boss Hogg had to stop himself from becoming anxious. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Will Sharp’s man spying on the room from the door of his office. Boss stood up out of his chair and smiled broadly at both Caitlin and Bo. He said with a fake gruffness in his voice, “Bo Duke, what’s the big idea giving your mama’s ring to this bit of a city girl.” Before Bo or anyone else could comment, Boss laughed heartedly. Then Boss pounded on the table for everyone’s attention. He called out, “Daisy, make sure everyone’s glass is full. I want to make an announcement.”
Bo and Caitlin looked at each other not sure what Boss was up too or if they were ready to tell everyone about their engagement. They both looked at Uncle Jesse for his take on the situation and found him smiling proudly. Daisy announced that everyone had a drink. Boss raised his glass and said, “I want you all to welcome the girl Bo Duke is going to marry.”
With the announcement out, instead of raising his glass in the toast, Bo raised Caitlin up into his arms for everyone to see. She giggled and was unable to drink down her whiskey. In the next few moments, she was passed from Luke to Cooter to Cletus to Uncle Jesse for great big welcoming hugs and kisses to her cheek until she found herself back in Bo’s arms. Enos approached but was pushed aside by Rosco who bear-hugged both Bo and Caitlin together. He laughed at the couple and then complained about having one more Duke to chase for speeding. Enos again tried to approach and Caitlin pressed a kiss to his cheek in thanks for his welcoming her. The rest of the evening was spent accepting sentiments of congratulations from the people of Hazzard County. Caitlin felt very accepted and warmly welcomed into Bo’s world. She hoped that the same would be done for Bo when she took him to New York. Boss Hogg returned to his office to find it empty. A note had been left for him instructing that he was to come see Will the next day.
Deep in the secluded woods, a trail of smoke came from the chimney a large cabin. Will Sharp slowly strolled out onto the porch feeling relaxed and refreshed. He had spent the last two weeks fishing, hunting, and planning what to do about Caitlin. He had been reading the telegrams that his men had intercepted for him before sending them on to Caitlin’s Uncle. They were very careful to edit out any reference to their capture and the evidence she was holding to give them. They did the same to all telegrams coming to her. It was costing Will a lot of money to control the telegraph office. Mr. Hogg had forced him to send the usual person working at the office on a much needed vacation before Will could put one of his own people in their. Will had made sure that it was someone from within his father’s organization that Caitlin had never met. He knew his time was indeed running short. He had just intercepted a telegram telling Caitlin that the FBI were very close to finding her husband’s body. Will put all of that out of his mind. He knew Caitlin would not go anywhere and that he had time to deal with her when she wasn’t expecting it. His plan to convince her that they had been arrested was a good one. His men needed a vacation and the hideout that Mr. Hogg had provided at a very high price was well worth every dime. Will had even heard about Caitlin’s plan to enter the local horse race. He was going to attend and place a bet on Caitlin to win.
The noise of a motorcycle engine revving in the distance caught Will’s attention. He looked to see his friend Jack Dannon riding along the worn out road toward the cabin. Jack Dannon left his motorcycle standing nearby as he joined Will on the cabin’s porch. The two men shook hands and Will invited Jack to go fishing with him. Jack declined, “You may not want to go fishing when you’ve heard my news, Will.” Jack proceeded to tell Will about the events he’d witness the night before, including details about the very alive romance between Bo and Caitlin.
In a matter of seconds the restful feeling, Will had, evaporated. He screamed his rage to the thick woods surrounding him. He began calling for his men, Bronco being the first to answer him. Very gruffly Will ordered, “Bronco, get the boys together now!”
Bronco nodded agreement, “Sure, Will.” It didn’t take a genius to see that Will was angry about something and that any delay in following his orders would bring hell on the person who disobeyed him. Bronco hurried his partners together.
When his friends were all gathered around the porch, Will fumed, “Gentlemen, my Caitlin has ended our vacation. We will need to speed up the plan we’ve been putting together before she gets away from us again.” He held out a copy of the telegram Jack Dannon had just handed him and described, “Our FBI friend will be here any day to arrest us for real. So we will need to put all of our energy into putting the plan into action.” Will proceeded to give each of his men on assignment to follow.
At the Rose Barn, Caitlin opened the door to a beautiful morning sunshine. Unaware of the approaching danger, she stretched leisurely and yawned. She had another wonderful night’s sleep; dreaming of the time to come when she would no longer be waking up alone. Shaking her feeling of laziness from her mind and body, she left the door open to allow the warm spring breezes of the morning flow through her kitchen. She began her morning task of making coffee, getting breakfast ready for Bo and Luke, and then doing the dishes. Her eyes caressed lightly Bo’s engagement ring. But the chain she still wore around her neck beckoned her attention. She felt for, and then looked at the gold wedding ring set that she had shared with Drew at their wedding. She put Drew’s wedding band on the same finger as her new engagement ring and watched the two mingle together. She felt a quiet sadness, a tug at her heart.
She spoke to the ring, “I will always love you, my Poet Drew. You made me grow up. You turned a spoiled brat into a caring, giving woman. I know you are with me, watching from heaven, my love.” Her question of would he approve of Bo came again to her thoughts. As she lifted Drew’s ring from her finger and let it settle back against her neck, a feeling of peace replaced her sadness as she somehow felt his approval of her new relationship with Bo.
Her thoughts drifted more to Bo and the newfound love she was experiencing in new depths each day. Their love affair had been unmarred with argument until now. After leaving the Boar’s Nest, Bo had driven her home. She invited him for a glass of wine and had excused herself to freshen up. She had changed into her favorite mini-nightgown and matching robe. She returned to the kitchen to find Bo already setting out two glasses filled with wine on the floor next to the fireplace. But Caitlin knew that the conversation she needed to have with Bo could not take place in their favorite cuddle spot. She had picked up the wine glasses and led him back to the kitchen table. She had discussed the possibility of Bo going to New York with her to meet her family and friends. She tried to subtly prepare him with the probability of them having to live in New York part of the time. She mentioned off hand her coming inheritance and her position within her father’s company. The fact was that she would not only own it, but also have to run its day-to-day operations as CEO. She had been trying to feel him out on the situation and its possibilities. The conversation did not go very well. Bo had thought that because of her owning the Rose Barn and wanting to make a go of it as a stable, that she would want to live in Hazzard forever.
Caitlin did love Hazzard and her new home, but she missed her family’s sprawling country estate. She also loved the hustle and bustle of New York City. The brownstone she owned along Central Park had been unlived in for nearly two years. She had not been to a Broadway Opening or concert at the Metropolitan Opera House in too long of a time. She had friends she needed to get back in touch with, not to mention her family. The long walks with her beloved father, drinking and gambling with her Uncle Charles, arguing with her sister, and helping her mother plan one of the many parties were treasured parts of her life that she desired to do again.
She adored traveling and seeing the world. When she had been sent to her father’s family in Ireland after Drew’s death, she had been to traumatized and depressed to enjoy the richness of the land around her. She wanted to go again and thank her cousins and new friends for the care and love they showed her. She wanted to race Aidan in England, enter Brianna in horseshows all over the world. She also wanted to explore business opportunities for her father and get involved with helping the poor and needy of the world. With her father’s companies and contacts she could do that. She needed to get to know all of her father’s business acquaintances now before something happened to him and she was thrown to the wolves like Will Sharp and his Father. She had already proven to be a fair but shrewd business woman for her father while hiding out in Europe…though it allowed Will to find her, it prevented a whole factory from being shut down and a thousand people from losing their jobs.
Caitlin tried to get Bo excited about seeing and doing those things. She wanted him to experience them with her. She saw his look of amazement, pride, and then awkwardness towards her. She realized he did not fully understand all her life was about before she had driven into Hazzard. He had grown shy with her at that moment and uncertain of her love for him. Caitlin reassured him just how much she did love him. She kissed him with everything she was feeling. It then became her fear that Bo would decide they were too different to make it together and not want to be with her. In that moment, she had contemplated all she was planning, all she missed about her past life and realized that none of it would mean much if she did not have Bo there. She said as much to him and reassured him that she was willing to make a home with him anywhere he wanted to be. She ended the conversation by kissing him passionately.
Caitlin smiled at the memory. They had still been in the kitchen talking and had enjoyed a little too much wine. Within seconds of her being in his arms, she found herself lifted out of her chair and laid gently onto the tiled floor. They had not taken that step yet, but in that moment it felt so right and so wanted, that they could not deny each other any longer. There were no words anymore between them just the communication of touch, kiss, and body meeting body. Caitlin felt no hesitation; no bad memories interrupted her thoughts to push her away from Bo or the feelings he aroused in her. It was like becoming a new woman again. They continued loving each other into the early morning hours. Bo had even carried up to her room at one point and she didn’t even remember him leaving until she awoke with the sun. One side of her bed was now empty from where he had been only hours before.
In the morning light of reverie, Caitlin smiled. But in thinking about their conversation, Caitlin realized that although Bo had seen some of the country through the racing circuit, he was still a small town boy. He was insecure about venturing outside what he knew into the uncertainty of what he didn’t. She did understand that. From her experiences while being on the run for most of two years, she discovered that a lot of people outside of Hazzard County could be very mean and inhospitable.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of The General pulling into her driveway. Caitlin reached into the warm soapy water to wipe off several coffee cups with her sponge just as Bo and Luke came into the kitchen. Bo greeted Caitlin, coming to stand behind her, wrapping her within his embrace, and kissing on her neck. He breathed, “Good morning, Darlin” in her ear. He had pulled her wet hands out of the water and they dripped onto the floor.
Caitlin laughed and scolded, “Bo, I’m doing dishes here.”
Bo was too comfortable standing behind her and while apologizing for being in the way, he refused to move. Even after Caitlin threatened him with her soapy, wet hands, he just took her ear between his teeth and nibbled softly on it until he felt her stop fighting. Their banter would have gone on longer but Luke made himself comfortable at the table very loudly. Luke greeted, “Mornin’ Caitlin. How are you feeling today?” Luke knew that neither Bo nor Caitlin could have gotten much sleep. He had heard Bo trying to come home as quietly as possible but failing miserably at close to 3:00 AM. He exchanged teasing glances with Caitlin as she threw him a look that said, “Are we that obvious!” She felt her face become flushed.
Trying not to smile, Caitlin responded, “A little on the wonderful but exhausted side.” She turned around with her sponge in hand, only to bump into Bo meeting him lip to lip. Their eyes met and she teased, “Well this is so nice. I turn around and get swept up off my feet. Very very convenient.”
Bo answered her with a very long and tender kiss. When he finally let her go, Caitlin had to steady herself and remember to breathe. Feeling very light headed, Caitlin cleared her throat and repeated, “Good morning to you too, Luv. What in the world has gotten into you?” She escaped under his arm to go to the refrigerator for some milk. The couple kept exchanging teasing and provocative glances at each other. She offered coffee to both Luke and Bo. She was about to offer to put milk in but read the expiration date. She tested the milk by taking off the cap and sniffing the contents. It was indeed spoiled. She announced the problem and joked about needing to get some groceries while they were out running Aidan. With that, she handed out the coffee and said she would back in a few minutes. She disappeared upstairs into her bedroom to change.
Bo watched Caitlin leave wanting to follow her. From the moment he had come in the door that morning he ached to hold her. She had been wearing the same silk spaghetti strapped mini-skirted nightgown and matching robe that he had left her in only hours before. The material felt so good against his skin he couldn’t help but need to touch her, to feel it in his fingers again. Admittedly, if it had not been for Luke sitting at the table, Bo knew he and Caitlin would have ended up on the floor like they had done that night. Bo smiled at the memory of tasting Caitlin’s passionate nature. As the memories of her ordeal with Will Sharp faded into the distance, Caitlin opened herself up to him more and more. She didn’t jump or instantly freeze when he surprised her with a kiss or a hug. Bo mused into his coffee, “Isn’t she terrific!”
Luke teased, “Bo, you have been repeating yourself over and over again for the last two weeks and yes she is very terrific! You are very lucky, cousin.”
Before another word could be said Caitlin re-entered the kitchen now dressed in a simple pair of jeans, of black tank top, and a yellow blouse for a jacket. The sleeves of the blouse had been rolled to her elbows. Her hair had been drawn back and covered with a soft yellow bandana. She came into the kitchen and took out two apples from the refrigerator. She let the Duke Boys know that she would meet them outside. She asked Luke if he would get the horse trailer ready and then Bo to meet her in the barn as soon as possible. She smiled at him suggestively and then disappeared outside.
Bo quickly stood and announced, “I’m finished.” He looked at the full cup of coffee and then commented as he dumped it down the drain, “I think I’d rather have a drink of something else. Meet you outside, Luke.”
Luke laughed, “Just let me know when you’re done with your breakfast, Bo.”
Bo returned the laughter as he strolled out toward the barn. There he found Caitlin putting a bridal On Brianna. She was feeding the mare one of the apples and talking to the horse softly, lovingly. Caitlin saw him coming and smiled, “I wish I had the time to exercise Bri before taking Aidan to the track.”
Bo suggested, “There’s room in the trailer to take her with us and at least she can run free for little while.”
Caitlin smiled at the idea and they made it part of plan. Caitlin led Brianna over to the cross ties to the barn.After securing the horse Caitlin retrieved the horse brush from one of the shelves and began to rub down Bri’s back until she was sure the horse’s coat was shiny and clean. As soon as she was finished with a Brianna, she took her back to her stall while Bo brought Aidan over to the cross ties and then both he and Caitlin gave the horse a good rub down.
Later that morning, Luke, Caitlin, and now Bo raced each other. To Bo’s surprise and Caitlin’s delight, Brianna did not fight when Bo mounted her and coaxed her into an easy cantor across the track. When the practice was finished, Brianna even displayed some affection to Bo as he cooled her off and prepared her to be boarded back into the trailer. Bo commented on this and Caitlin smiled. She held her lip as she confessed that she had lined Bo’s pocket with sugar cubes to insure Brianna’s cooperation. Luke laughed that now he understood why the mare kept trying to rip Bo’s jeans from his body.
With their practice out of the way and the horses safely back at home; Bo wanted to get away from everyone. As had become their practice, Caitlin and Bo loaded a small picnic into her Viper and returned to the secluded pond. As they enjoyed their newfound passion for each other in the water and along the grassy field, a pair of eyes watched from a distance. He held a video camera to take back to his employer. His own jealous feelings coming out in quick releases of breath. Bronco had to watch what he did while keeping an eye on Caitlin. Will had instructed Jack to accompany Bronco until they were ready to strike. For the next several days, Bronco was forced to watch the couple play together, race the general against the Viper, ride the horses together both in practice for the upcoming race and for fun, and finally during their escapes to the pond; all the while stirring up the atmosphere to brew a very dark, dangerous approaching storm.