Chapter Three

Once back at their hotel, the girls giggled and dished on the Duke boys while nibbling on chocolate Honey had purchased earlier.

Di laughed over the ‘climb Bo’ comment and Trixie turned red as she recounted Bo’s kisses.

“At least you got a kiss,” Honey grumbled, reaching for another piece of chocolate, “Luke might rival Jim for the Giver of Fond Looks title.”

Trixie snickered. “All I know is, he kissed me and I swear the world spun around. It was so . . .intense,” Trixie fell back on the double bed she was sharing with Honey.

Di grinned.

“It’s about time you two realize there are other men in the world!” she declared, sipping her drink.

“Well, I always knew there were other men . . .” Honey’s voice trailed off.

“Why don’t you kiss him first?” Trixie suggested, popping another piece of chocolate into her mouth.

Honey looked horrified.

“What? I can’t be that direct!”

Trixie rolled her eyes, and stretched out on her stomach.

“I had to kiss Mart first,” Di said suddenly. She was sprawled on the other bed, on her stomach, legs up, kicking the air absently.

“You did? You didn’t tell us that!” Trixie exclaimed. Di grinned.

“The Brother Ick factor, so you don’t get many details. But yeah, he got so nervous, I took pity on him, leaned over and smooched him.”

Honey laughed. Trixie shook her head.

“The Belden boys and their lack of nerve,” Trixie sighed.

“So is Bo a better kisser than Jim?” Honey asked slyly.

Trixie hesitated.

“They…they kiss differently,” she finally said. Both her friends laughed. That had to have been the most diplomatic answer Trixie had ever given.

“They’re so . . .different,” she said thoughtfully, “Jim is so solid, and predictable, and caring, Bo is . . .adventurous, spontaneous, and.. .passionate,” she finished.

“Sounds like,” Di grinned wickedly.

Trixie blushed.

“I adore Jim,” she said softly, “And I know I love him on some level but for the first time, I’m wondering . . .”

“What else is out there?” Di finished.

Trixie nodded.

“You know,” Honey said, swinging her feet over the edge of the bed, “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Luke is kind of like Brian, in that he’s quieter and dark haired, but Luke doesn’t hesitate to jump into things, or follow Bo into something crazy. Though granted, it sounds like he’s usually getting Bo out of something crazy.”

The three laughed.

“But Luke likes his adventure too. It’s almost like they're a male version of us, but Luke doesn’t hesitate where I do,” Honey concluded.

Trixie hugged her fiercely.

“You don’t hesitate. You’re nothing like that scared girl you used to be. You back me one hundred percent,” she declared loyally.

Honey smiled at her friend in thanks.

“I think you two are finally enjoying another guy’s company. Live it up,” Di said with a meaningful wiggling of her eyebrows.

***

Daisy swung by to pick up the girls the next morning. The boys had been up and out early to help with some renovations on the Tri-County orphanage. The dance that weekend was being held to raise money for the orphanage. Boss Hogg was to emcee the dance and announce the tallies of monies throughout the night that his sheriff and deputy would be collecting.

The Duke boys had no doubt that Rosco would be skimming the profits for Boss. Enos of course wouldn’t, but Enos also wasn’t sharp enough to watch Rosco, especially if Daisy was around.

Sweet Enos Strate had been in love with Daisy Duke since they were kids, and he was rumored to be the oldest virgin in Hazzard. Luke and Bo had tried to set him up over the years, but no luck. Enos was determined to wait for the right woman, preferably Daisy. Enos had always wanted to be a deputy, and after some training in Atlanta, he returned to Hazzard to serve and protect. Unfortunately he couldn’t protect Hazzard or the Dukes from Boss’s wicked schemes.

But that particular day, the girls were headed out to the orphanage to meet some of the Hazzard orphans and take Daisy’s cookies to them for the monthly birthday party. Every month the Dukes took goodies out to celebrate with the kids. Since the Bob Whites made such an effort with fundraisers for UNICEF, 4-H and other worthy groups, the girls were eager to meet the orphans. Not to mention Jim, Regan and Dan had all been orphans.

Bo and Luke were up on the roof of the orphanage when they saw Daisy’s jeep coming. Luke remembered a joke Bo had made a couple years before that at least two of the orphans could be his. Luke fervently wished Bo wouldn’t make that joke again in front of Honey, as he often found himself studying the orphans, looking for any family resemblance among them. His past wasn’t exactly clean and shiny, and his long time reputation as the One Night Stand Man hadn’t been undeserved.

Neither was Bo’s, and Luke felt a twinge of guilt over the dance. Bo was excited about taking Trixie to the dance, but last week, Bo had told him he was supposed to take Mary Sue, and a couple days before that, he mentioned Ann Marie. Both boys were always popular at the dances, but Bo had a tendency to forget that he had agreed to take more than one girl and Luke ended up running interference. Luke decided this time Bo was on his own. His cousin was going to have to learn the hard way.

“If we hadn’t had Uncle Jesse, we would have all ended up here,” Daisy said, as she whipped the jeep up next to the General, “so we all have a soft spot for this place.”

Only Di was able to answer, as they had just spotted the boys on the roof-shirtless. Bo was precariously standing near the edge where it slanted, his long leg holding down a shingle while Luke hammered. At the same time, he was half leaning forward, his other hand out of sight.

“Nice twister move,” Di murmured appreciatively.

Trixie just grunted and nodded. Honey’s eyes were glued Luke’s biceps. Both boys were tanned and glistening with sweat. Luke’s broad chest had a smattering of black hair, but Bo’s was as golden as the hair on his head, and ran in a thin line below his belt. His lean torso tapered down from broad shoulders to a narrow waist, where Luke was solid muscle and huskier.

Daisy took one look at Trixie and Honey’s shell-shocked expressions and burst out laughing. Di grinned and shook her head. In the yard were several small children playing a game of tag but they waved at the girls.

The boys waved from their place on the roof as the girls unloaded the containers of cookies. Most of the children seemed to range from two to twelve. The girls recognized a number of them from the basketball practices, and the shy girl who had been reading that first morning of the tryouts eyed Trixie unhappily once she realized Bo was taken with her.

The boys finished the roofing job and came down to meet the girls, still shirtless. They had brought their guitars and would play for the children later in the afternoon, when they were done with the repairs. The back porch needed a new rail and Luke had promised to make a swing in the big maple tree out front.

Trixie found she was having trouble formulating sentences with the half naked Bo so close to her. Honey, however, managed to be gracefully social, while forcing herself not to stare at Luke’s well-muscled chest.

Daisy and Di fought hard not to laugh at their friends. Daisy had confessed to Di that yes, both boys were notorious womanizers, and Bo especially knew how to charm the ladies. They had calmed down a bit in the last year, and they were good men, fighting the system and Boss Hogg, but Daisy didn’t want her friends to think her cousins were perfect. Or anywhere near it.

While the boys went back to work, the girls visited with Father Tom, who ran the orphanage, and his sister, Ellie, who helped him. The Bob White girls learned that some of the children had been left as babies, with no knowledge of who their parents were. Others were left after parents had run off or died, and no other relatives could be found. The girl they had seen reading Anne of Green Gables was Cindy Lou, and had been abandoned there when she was barely a year old. She looked up to Daisy as a role model and adored Bo.

The orphanage existed primarily on donations, as the county funds didn’t allocate much to them, and getting state assistance was like pulling teeth. A number of clubs in the area had used the proceeds from slot machines as donations to the orphanage, the machines having been provided by Sheriff Rosco (and at this point Bo and Luke smothered knowing laughs). There were several fundraisers through out the year, and a lot of private donations. Father Tom proudly told the girls how Bo and Duke had made a generous contribution one year after winning a $10,000 racing prize. They had given nearly all the money to the orphanage. Needless to say, the girls were impressed, especially after Honey had overheard Jesse fretting about the next mortgage payment.

Honey, Di and Trixie helped Daisy pass out cookies and lemonade as the boys returned, shirts on and guitars in hand. They knew a number of children songs and the kids enthusiastically joined in the singing, off key but loving it.

The afternoon gave way to evening and the Dukes and girls took their leave, heading back to the Duke farm. Uncle Jesse had supper waiting for them all, and they discussed the day’s events.

“Sleepyside doesn’t have an orphanage, but I think White Plains does,” Trixie said. Honey nodded.

“When Mother and Daddy adopted Jim, it was private, through Mr. Rainsford, but I think at one point he did say there was an orphanage there,” she confirmed.

“Seems to be a lot of orphans running around Sleepyside,” Luke said, handing a bowl of peas to Honey.

Trixie grinned as her leg brushed Bo’s under the table.

“Orphans and redheaded men,” she laughed. “On the Wheeler’s estate, there’s Jim, Regan and Honey’s Dad who all have bright red hair. Jim even looks a lot like Honey’s Dad, no one ever thinks he’s adopted unless they already know.”

“And for the orphans,” Di continued, “There’s Regan, who was never adopted but finally left the orphanage when he was seventeen. Our Dan, Regan’s long lost nephew was orphaned at fourteen-luckily Regan found him, my mother, and Jim, who I think still qualifies, even though he had Jonesy-his stepfather who beat him.”

“Stepfather beat him?” Bo asked.

Trixie nodded and Luke saw Honey’s eyes suddenly looked a little teary. He squeezed her hand under the table.

“That’s how we found him. He ran away from Jonesy’s truck farm and walked three days to Sleepyside, looking for his uncle,” Trixie began and recounted the adventure of meeting Jim, how he had pulled a shotgun on them at first, but then they became friends. How Jonesy’s cigarette had burned down the old Frayne mansion and Jim took off in the middle of the night, and the girls had tracked him down the following week, in the trailer with Miss Trask, Honey’s then-governess, now estate manager.

“At thirteen,” Luke said in admiration.

Honey blushed as Trixie grinned, feeling Bo’s arm slip around her waist.

That kicked off a night of storytelling, with the girls sharing the adventures of meeting Dan and how he rescued Bobby, Trixie’s little brother from a deep hole, finding the ghost fish of the ghost fish were at Trixie’s Uncle Andrew’s Ozarks cabin, helping Jim find his cousin Juliana, dodging jewel thieves in New York and other adventures.

Bo and Luke the regaled the girls with tales of Hazzard corruption, how they had turned the tables on Boss and Rosco with the slot machines, so that the orphans ended up with the money and everyone thought Rosco did it. This way, Rosco got reelected, so the Dukes knew how to fight the corrupt and not so bright sheriff. A new sheriff could have proved more difficult. It also infuriated Boss to think his deputy had betrayed him.

Then there were tales of how the boys had ended up driving a car full of shine without realizing, a direct violation of their parole-and the car belonged to Boss Hogg, so they had to get it back to him without getting caught. And Daisy had once written a song that some dirty dealing Nashville execs tried to swipe and claim as their own. Cooter once hotwired the President’s limo when he was in town and went for a joyride.

It was late into the night when the laughter finally wound down. Trixie and Bo were snuggled on the couch together, and Honey had been perched in Luke’s lap for several hours. They took the girls back to town to the hotel, where Bo managed to steal a quick kiss from Trixie.

Di turned and grinned as she saw Trixie’s eyes glowing with joy. Sleepyside was going to be awfully boring after this, she thought.

***

The next morning Honey slipped over to Cooter’s garage. The car was ready but with her sweet smile and a wink (and a promise for a dance that night), Cooter agreed to pretend he was still waiting on the parts. Honey paid the bill with a generous overage for Cooter’s help. She also sent a large check to the Hazzard orphanage, with a note asking Father Tom not to reveal whom the benefactor was.

“Hey, how ‘bout after dinner we take you girls out back and teach you how to shoot a bow and arrow?” Bo asked eagerly.

Trixie started to reply they already knew how when Di kicked her under the table.

“We’d love to,” Honey said sweetly. “Do you think we’re strong enough?”

Trixie almost choked on her coffee.

“Well, sure!” Bo grinned, unaware he was being set up. “We use the forty pounders but we got a thirty that Daisy is real comfy with.”

“Only because you’re afraid I’ll hurt myself on the forty pounder,” Daisy said darkly.

“That sure seems like a lot of weight,” Honey smiled prettily at Luke.

“Oh no, it’s the amount of pressure on the string, not the actually weight,” he replied with a smile.

Trixie was stuffing food in her mouth so she wouldn’t be tempted to laugh. Brian had taught her how to shoot a bow when she was seven, and Jim had taught Honey and Di. All three were better than fair shots.

“Trixie, swallow!” Honey hissed.

Trixie managed to get down half of her mouthful before she choked. Bo leapt to his feet to smack her on the back but Honey stopped him afraid the strong young man might hurt her instead of help.

“I’m ok!” Trixie gasped, grabbing her glass and sipping from it.

Di had covered her face with her napkin, presumably out of fright but really because she was choking back her laughter.

“I think I’ll pass on the bow and arrow lessons,” she said smoothly, “I just don’t think I have the strength in my arms.”

Trixie gave her a warning glance but Di’s big violet eyes just batted slightly at the boys. Di was every bit as good as she was with the bow!

***

Sure enough, after dinner, Bo and Luke led Trixie and Honey out to the back. Trixie knew she had to play along but she wasn’t near as good an actress.

“See, ya gotta hold it like so, yeah that’s it,” Bo was grinning and Trixie was really trying not to laugh.

It was just an excuse to get his arms around her but she didn’t mind. His lean body was pressed up against hers, his well-developed arms around her tighter than necessary. Anytime he got within a few inches of her, Trixie felt her heart race. It had been like that for Jim once, but not so much any more.

Luke found himself in a similar position with Honey, and the sweet lavender scent of her hair was more than distracting, not to mention her slender body so close to his, and the graceful curve of her neck just begging to be caressed.

Both girls let their shots go wild, taking advantage of having them so close. After a lot of laughter, Trixie poked Bo in the ribs.

“It might help if you gave me some arm room.”

Bo obligingly stepped back. Trixie let the shot get a little closer to the target.

“Oh, that’s it for now,” she feigned tired.

“You sure are cute when irate,” Bo grinned down at her, stealing a quick kiss.

They laid on the grass, watching Honey giggle as Luke patiently worked with her. His hand casually dropped to her waist and she would tilt her head up to look at him every so often.

“You know, if you lean against me like this,” Bo shifted Trixie so her back was against his stomach and chest, “you can get better back support to hold the bow.” Trixie almost snorted in laugher as she picked it up.

“How many times have you used that line on a girl?” she demanded.

Bo grinned. “Just once.”

“So what’s the point?” she asked, setting the bow down.

“Getting you on the ground, in my arms and on your back,” he laughed, locking his arms around her.

Trixie burst into laughter but smacked his chest lightly.

“Bo Duke, you’re incorrigible!”

“If that means good lookin’, charmin’ and funny, then sure,” he grinned back.

Trixie laughed again before planting a quick kiss on his lips. Bo’s arms caught her and held her as close as the kiss deepened. When they finally came up for air, Honey and Luke were nowhere to be found.

***

That evening the girls got ready for the dance. Trixie noted with envy the way Honey’s and Di’s pretty dresses showed off their slender forms. Trixie was oblivious to how she had developed over the years, and that Honey and Di often envied her curves.

Their three dresses were similar, having been purchased together for such an occasion. The skirts flared out, reaching just above knee length (Honey had shortened the dresses, unbeknownst to the girls’ mothers), but the tops were all slightly different. Trixie had a halter top, showing off her tan and just a hint of cleavage, Honey’s spaghetti straps showed off her delicate neck, and Di’s was off the shoulder, displaying her graceful shoulders. They were in their trademark colors, Honey in emerald green, Di in lavender, and Trixie in cobalt blue. All three wore heels to match.

Honey had swept the sides of hair up and pinned them back so her hair would stay out of her face. Di went for an elegant French twist, and Trixie wrestled with her blonde curls until Di took the brush and made them presentable.

“I hope I don’t ruin my stockings,” Trixie fretted. “I still can’t seem to go an hour or so without messing them up!”

“Stop worrying. Besides, it won’t your stockings Bo’s looking at,” Di smirked.

Trixie blushed.

“Remember how tall he is Trix,” Honey teased, “He’ll be able to see right down your front.”

Trixie felt her face redden even more but she quick to point out Luke had a good five inches on Honey as well.

“They’re here!” Di looked out the window.

“Oh my gosh, how are we going to get into the General in these skirts?” Honey demanded in horror.

“Daisy’s with them, with the jeep,” Di replied, waving to them from the window.

“Could be kinda romantic, being lifted into the General in these,” Di giggled.

A moment later there was a knock at their door. The girls had just finished their makeup and perfume, and Trixie was fidgety. She still felt like a little girl playing dress up next to her friends, but the look on Bo’s face wiped out her fears.

His dark blue eyes just took her in and he gave her a warm smile as he stepped over to her and hugged her.

“You look amazing,” he murmured in her ear, “Prettier than any picture.”

Trixie blushed.

“Thanks, so do you.”

Both boys wore ironed shirts, Bo in light blue, Luke in dark blue, and Luke even wore his sleeves rolled down.

Luke couldn’t find words to tell Honey how beautiful she looked but his eyes conveyed the message as he hugged her. Daisy wore a pretty white dress with a full skirt and a blue vest over it, and her trademark sparkly heels.

The girls rode in the jeep with Daisy, the boys following in the General. The dance was being held at the Boar’s Nest, and Daisy had the night off. The tables had been moved out of the way so everyone could dance, and it appeared most of Hazzard was there for the formalities. People were gathered outside drinking and chatting under festive balloons and lights, while the music floated outside. Inside people were dancing and drinking.

Bo was grinning happily, Trixie’s arm securely through his when a short, thin girl with a dark ponytail and a scowl stepped in front of them. Bo was just about to take Trixie out to dance when she accosted them.

“Ann Marie, how you doin’?” he gave his trademark grin but she wasn’t having it.

“Bo Duke, you promised you’d bring me to this dance! If I hadn’t heard through the Hazzard Net you were bringing some fancy New York girl, I’d still be sitting home waiting for you to arrive!” she accused.

Bo’s eyes widened slightly in panic as he remembered their conversation two weeks prior.

“Uh, well, Ann Marie, this is Trixie, and she’s visiting from New York. I sure am sorry I forgot to call you and tell you I’d be bringing her, but what kind of host would I be to not?” he smiled sweetly, trying to soothe her but her dark eyes just glared at him.

“I ain’t in the mood for your cute country boy shuck and jive,” she snapped.

Shuck and jive? Trixie mouthed to Honey, who shrugged.

“How ‘bout I save a dance, just for you?” Bo smiled winningly.

“I’ll think about it,” she said icily, storming off.

Luke smothered his laugh. Trixie was mildly amused.

“So I lose a dance to her?” she asked.

He grinned.

“Just one. You get the rest, especially the last,” he promised, his lips grazing the side of her cheek.

Daisy and Di were quickly claimed for dances and Luke and Honey were enjoying themselves on the dance floor. Bo and Trixie had just joined them for a lively number when another short, thin girl, this time with perfectly cut and teased light blond hair practically shoved Trixie aside. Luke had seen Mary Lou coming and tried to warn Bo. Instead he caught Trixie as she stumbled while Honey looked on in alarm.

“Bo Duke,” Mary Lou hissed through perfectly made up lips, “Where the heck have you been?”

“Mary Lou, I been right here. Now don’t make a scene, come over here with me,” he glanced at Trixie, who was freeing herself from Luke’s hold.

Trixie raised one eyebrow as he led Mary Sue off the dance floor. Around them people continued to have a good time and dance. Luke, Trixie and Honey followed Bo and Mary Lou.

“Mary Lou, what’s this about?” Bo asked, frowning. He had been enjoying holding Trixie as they danced, and her sparkling blue eyes and brilliant smile made his heart race like nothing ever had.

“You were supposed to pick me up for the dance. Ellen called me to say you were here with some uptown New York girl. We made plans two weeks ago-“

Bo groaned inwardly. He had not promised Mary Lou he’d go with her.

“Now Mary Lou, just hang on a second. We didn’t make no plans, we just talked-”

“I’m tired of your gallivanting ways, Bo Duke!” she snapped.

Bo’s temper started to flare.

“Now look here, I’ll keep a dance –“

“Not in this lifetime,” she said coldly, storming off.

This time Trixie wasn’t so amused. Luke sensed trouble and pulled Honey back to the dance floor. Bo turned to Trixie.

“I’m sorry about this Trix. I never thought-“

“Yeah you seem to have a problem with thinking things through,” Trixie said coolly, fully aware of how often she had been accused of this. Suddenly it seemed to hit home, how her impulsiveness caused so much trouble.

Bo clenched his teeth. This wasn’t supposed to be how the night was to go!

“Trix, I said I was sorry, can we just go back to dancing?” he asked, knowing better than to smile at her right now.

“You seem to have plenty of women to promise dances too, maybe you should fulfill your obligations,” she said quietly, hurting.

There were two more girls headed for Bo, both looking very angry. She slipped away before he could reach for her and he found himself facing two angry girls.

Trixie found she didn’t lack for dancing partners, and even Luke danced with her and Daisy and Di in turn. Cooter had cleaned up and shaved and looked quite nice as he danced with all the girls. A few times she glanced over at Bo, who looked miserable as he stood to the side, a beer in his hand.

For the first time he could remember, Bo Duke was on the sidelines at a dance. The Hazzard girls had seen Trixie walk away from Bo, and figured if his New York friend was going to ignore him, they should too. Every one of them turned Bo down and ignored him. Bo hung near the bar, talking Enos as the deputy collected money on home baked items that were auctioned off. Bo was also keeping an eye on Boss Hogg.

Boss Hogg, a short, fat man in a white suit with a cigar clenched between his teeth, was cheerily announcing the monies collected and auctioning off prizes in his gravelly voice. His beady eyes kept tabs on the Dukes boys, knowing they could ruin his plans like they always did if he wasn’t careful. Rosco was writing down the amounts he collected just a couple dollars short, so at the end of the night, Boss would be able to skim a fair amount off the top for his personal coffer.

Outside, two men lurked in the shadows, one kneeling down; his unusual height would be a giveaway. There were so many people here tonight no one would hopefully notice his brother. Cletus and Billy Joe Wankie would nab the fat little Hogg later in the evening.

Bo finally went outside for some air, depressed. He had never encountered this kind of trouble with women. Maybe he needed to be a little more careful with charm, he thought. Trixie looked madder than a wet hen and he couldn’t blame her.

Leaning against the General, he sipped his beer and sighed. Lost in thought he didn’t hear Trixie approach, until she slid her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she murmured.

“I’m awful sorry Trix,” he said unhappily, “I didn’t realize what a mess I made of things.”

He moved his arm to pull her close and she happily snuggled against his lean chest as he set his beer on the car and wrapped both arms around her.

“I always get to thinkin’ the world runs on my schedule and my way.”

“I shouldn’t have gotten so mad,” she sighed, “It just made me feel very awkward, all these women coming up to you.”

“It was kinda dumb of me,” he agreed. She looked at him. “Ok, very dumb. You forgive me?”

He looked so forlorn Trixie couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yes, on one condition,” she teased.

“Name it,” he said, relieved.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

Grinning Bo lowered his head to hers.

The Hazzard girls were none too pleased when Bo returned with Trixie at his side, both glowing, and they joined the others on the dance floor.

As the dance wore down and people trickled out, Bo and Luke tried to keep an eye on Hogg. They made sure they were some of the last to leave, and Daisy hung near Enos, trying to watch what was happening.

Boss excused himself to take some money to his car. When he hadn’t returned after ten minutes, Enos got worried and wanted to go outside and look for him. Roscoe protested.

“Now I’m the senior officer and I will take charge of this here investigation! I’ll be the one to go check on my little fat buddy!” he declared.

Bo rolled his eyes and nodded to Luke.

“Why don’t I go with you Rosco?” Luke was holding the door open to him.

“Why are you Dukes still hangin’ around here? It’s time for everyone to leave!” Rosco declared, heading out the door.

Luke rolled his eyes and followed. A minute later, Luke shouted for Bo.

Bo and Trixie burst out the door, followed by the others.

“Hogg’s gone,” Luke said.

Rosco was spinning around.

“His car is here! Where could he have gone? Fat buddy! Where you little fat buddy?” he was calling.

Trixie walked around the car.

“Look, there are two other sets of footprints,” she pointed to the dirt, “and it looks kind of scuffled going that way.”

“And the car that was there took off pretty quick. Look at the tire tracks,” Luke added.

“I think he’s been kidnapped,” Bo murmured.

“JD! JD Hogg, you get back in here!” Lulu, Boss’ wife and Rosco’s sister, burst outside. She was a kindly woman, unlike her husband, and obese, like her husband. Tonight she wore a pretty pink dress with a flower to match in her dark hair. “JD!”

“Miss Lulu,” Bo turned to her quickly, “Miss Lulu, didn’t Boss already come back inside?”

“He sure didn’t Bo, and I’m gonna have words for him! Expecting me to do all this cleanup!”

“Now, Miss Lulu, I need you to calm down just a minute, ok?” Daisy stepped over to her. Daisy and Lulu were good friends, and the boys knew Daisy would handle her best. “We got something to tell you.”

“About JD?” Lulu asked. Daisy asked.

“Bo,” Trixie murmured, “look at that footprint.”

Bo glanced down and sighed. “Luke, who do we know that would have feet that big?”

Luke grimaced as Bo held his foot over the print. It looked tiny compared to one in the dirt.

“Well, we know who’s got him,” Luke sighed.

***

Because the kidnappers had left in the dark, while so many other cars were leaving, there was no way to track them. The Dukes, Bob White girls and lawmen convened at Hogg and Lulu’s house, where the grieving wife wouldn’t even touch the chocolates Daisy offered in comfort.

“My poor JD,” Lulu sobbed, “at the hands of mercenaries!”

“Now Lulu, just stay calm, we’ll get him back,” Daisy soothed.

Enos arrived shortly after.

“I ran some checks on those men you told me about Bo and Luke,” Enos said, looking nervous, “they match the descriptions of Cletus and Billy Joe Wankie. They just got released from the state pen last week, and Mr. Hogg testified against them a few years ago to put ‘em away. I think they’re out for revenge,” he couldn’t stop his nervous, high-pitched giggle.

“Well if they are, then Lulu should be getting’ a call right soon,” Luke said.

“Why would they have waited two days to snatch Boss?” Di asked.

“Because that dance has been advertised all over town. With the note that Boss would be in charge,” Trixie replied, looking out the window into darkness, “By waiting, they could grab some cash too.”

“If they got that cash, they may not ransom Boss,” Bo murmured.

Trixie shook her head.

“I think they will. What they took won’t last them long, which means they’re going to want more.”

“In their defense trial, they insisted Boss double crossed them and made off with fifty thousand,” Enos offered.

“That settles it. They’re gonna want that fifty thousand back, plus some extra no doubt, for the time they did in jail,” Luke said.

The others nodded in agreement.

About that time, the phone rang. Bo grabbed the second phone and nodded to Lulu, who answered.

“Hel-hello?” she asked tearfully, “JD?”

“We got your husband,” came a growling voice, “and we want a hundred thousand, cash. You got till noon. I’ll call you back tomorrow to tell you where to drop it off.”

They hung up. Lulu burst into tears.

***

The following morning found them all back at Hogg’s, awaiting the phone call. When they called, Lulu listened carefully, with Bo and Luke listening on the other phone.

“You drop it by the old sawmill bridge, just drive by and toss it. I see one cop, fat man here bites it, and we blow the town to smithereens. Understand?”

“I’m to nervous to drive!” Lulu wailed.

“Then have someone drive you, but no cops. You got one hour.”

“I understand,” Lulu looked up at the Dukes fearfully, who nodded. The caller hung up.

“You think they really got him out by the Mill?” Bo asked. Trixie and Luke both shook their heads.

“No, that’s just the drop off point,” Trixie mused.

“You know, Luke, there’s that old barn near the sawmill, off route 7. Pretty convenient for a hiding spot.”

“Especially if they really have enough explosives to blow Hazzard off the map,” Luke agreed.

“So we need to find a way to follow them,” Trixie said, her mind racing, “without being seen.”

“That’s easy enough,” Bo said. “Daisy, you drive Lulu out there. Luke and I can hide and slip off to the side. We’ll follow them and snatch Boss.”

“Wait a minute-what about us?” Trixie demanded. Bo looked surprised.

“I ain’t lettin’ you get girls get messed up in this. Luke and me’ll get Boss.”

“You won’t let me?” Trixie’s eyes narrowed as she placed her hands on her hips.

Honey and Di sighed. Luke, sensing his cousin had said the wrong thing as usual, took a seat as Daisy shook her head. This was going to take a few minutes. Lulu, Rosco and Enos seemed oblivious to the scene, as Rosco hadn’t heard a word the Dukes said, and was trying to figure out his own rescue plan, talking to himself out loud.

“If’n I go this route then I can head them off-“ he was mumbling, waving his hands around.

“Heck no I ain’t gonna let girl do this. It’s too dangerous,” Bo, unaware he was digging himself into a deeper hole, wondered why Trixie suddenly looked furious.

“Let me tell you a of couple things Beauregard Duke,” she growled. Bo winced. Full dreaded name, not a good sign. “First off, no one and I mean no one, tells me what I can and cannot do. Secondly, no man tells me he won’t let me do something. I have faced down jewel thieves, poachers, kidnappers, wild animals, sheep thieves and had guns pulled on me more times than I care to remember. If there’s going to be a rescue mission, you bet your butt I’m going to be in on it!”

Bo was about to protest but saw a headshake from Luke, and wisely shut his mouth.

***

Author’s Notes:

- a big yee-haa to Dana, for editing and encouragement!

-The line about Bo’s joke to Luke that some of the orphans could be Luke’s refers to a conversation between them in the first episode, One Arm Bandits, the same episode mentioned with slot machines.

-Other episodes referred to were Daisy’s Song, Limo One Is Missing, and Mary Kaye’s Baby.

-The Trixie episodes referred to were #9, Happy Valley Farm, #1, Secret of the Mansion, #12 Blinking Eye, and Missing Heiress.

- “Shuck and jive” refers to the boys smooth talking a situation, usually involving trying to smooth over a situation or hoodwink someone.

-Rosco really did call Boss 'little fat buddy'.

word count, 5985

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