Chapter Five

Matthew Wheeler had been surprised when his daughter called him, asking him questions about starting a business and the role of financiers. After answering her questions for several minutes, he got to the point.

“What’s this about Honey?” he asked. “Are you leaving the Marshals?”

Honey explained about Daisy’s sketchings of clothes. “She really talented Daddy. And I was thinking, instead of having to take another waitressing job, now that she’s healthy again, what about starting her own clothing line?”

“Well, Honey, that’s a big undertaking and you need a substantial amount of capital to get started in any adventure. Are you wanting me to arrange a loan for her?”

Honey laughed. “No. Actually, I just need to know which of your lawyers would be best at handling this. I want to be her investor. I’ll put up the money to back her, for a share in the company.”

Matt digested this. Interesting possibility. “Honey, that’s a lot of responsibility.”

“I know. I’ve already broached it with Trixie, and Di. With the three of us as her partners, Daisy can’t refuse. Di and I will put up the money, though Trixie’s insisting she can contribute too. I know I can find local seamstresses to help make the clothes, we can rent a small building here in Atlanta, and start local. I thought maybe a few well placed phone calls to some of the people you know in the business might bring her some attention. I’ve already researched the real estate value versus traffic flow and I’ll be faxing you everything this afternoon.”

Matthew smiled. He had so longed that Honey would someday want to join him in the family business. Jim was dedicated to his school, which Matthew fully supported, but he knew his son had a brilliant mind for business and would have liked to have had him at his side. Honey venturing even this far into the business world was a winning situation, he thought.

“Sounds like you’re definitely doing your research,” he answered.

“Will you help me then?” Honey asked.

“Of course, Princess. I’ll contact Harry as soon as we're off the phone.”

“Thank you Daddy! We decided to split the shares . . .”

Matthew made notes as his daughter talked. This would be an interesting business venture, he thought.

***

Honey smiled to herself as she lay on top of Luke on the sofa. He was so solid and strong that it was easy for her to lie on him without any discomfort, and Luke liked having her so close.

Luke wasn’t paying attention, lost in thought to a conversation with Dan two days before.

“Hey you ready for lunch?” Luke asked, hanging in the door of Dan’s office.

Dan looked up surprised. He knew something was bothering his friend.

“Sure. Bo joining us?”

“No, he’s with the girls. He’s getting some pretty heavy teasing about being Trixie’s man.”

“And you’re not about Honey?” Dan grinned, standing up and grabbing his jacket. “I’m just pleased they agreed to let me keep half the money from the betting pool! And that’s only because you and Bo insisted they weren’t really together when the pool started. Of course,” Dan added with a laugh, “having to split it with you two kinda cut the profit!”

Luke laughed.

While they waited for their lunch to be served, Luke toyed with his coffee as Dan took a sip of his.

“You gonna spill it?” Dan asked. The younger Marshal had never seen Luke so fidgety. Bo was the one who couldn’t sit still.

Luke grinned sheepishly. “Well, it’s kinda silly. It’s about Honey.”

Dan waited. As far as he could tell, Honey and Luke were quite happy together. Was there a problem he didn’t know about?

“I was thinkin’, since Honey ain’t go no kin around here, that you’re the go-to guy.”

Dan raised one dark eyebrow as he raised the coffee cup to his mouth.

“Well, you know the girls consider you another brother, and well, I was wonderin’ if I could ask you for her hand.”

Dan almost choked on his coffee. After a small coughing fit that left his face red, his dark eyes twinkled.

“Luke, the only person you need to ask permission from is Honey,” Dan asked.

Luke smiled. “I know, it’s just, I ain’t never asked a woman to marry me before, and I want to do it proper. And a phone call to her Daddy ain’t what I got in mind.”

Dan laughed. “If it makes you feel better, you have my permission, but I’m telling you, all you need is hers.”

Luke grinned.

Dan sipped his coffee, thinking.

“Does that mean I have to ask you for Daisy?”

Luke laughed. “Me and Bo joked about that. Figured we’d give you a while longer, than ask your intentions.”

Dan grinned as his sandwich was set in front of him, Dan wondered if and when Bo was going to get around to asking Trixie.

Now Luke lay with Honey, his fingers rubbing her arm lightly.

The hospital had released her with a prescription for a mild painkiller and several days off work after her rescue attempt of Trixie a couple days before.

"You asleep?" his deep voice reverberated in her ear and she giggled.

"Nope."

"Good, 'cause I gotta talk to you about something," Luke said.

Honey raised her head, hazel eyes worried.

"Luke, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Ain't nothin’ wrong, kitten, I promise," he kissed her gently. "But I been thinkin', since the other day."

She knew he was referring to her impulsive attempt to rescue Trixie.

"Dangerous thing to do, Duke," she teased.

Luke smiled. "I know. But you know, I call you Kitten cause you got claws under that soft, sweet appearance you give everyone, you know that?"

Honey nodded, confused.

"The other day, when I saw Trixie go through that window, I just knew you was goin' after her, and I tried to stop you, get there before you did. But you got there first, and you ignored every danger to rescue her. Your devotion to her just blew me away."

"You'd have done it for Bo," she said softly. "Trixie would have done it for me."

Luke nodded. "I know you’re scared of heights," he said as he brushed a piece of hair from her eyes, "but you faced it down to save her. And I never felt more proud, or scared, mind you, of bein’ your man, and I knew at that moment, you really are the woman for me."

Honey’s eyes began to look teary.

"I ain't got money to offer you Honey," Luke reached under the sofa and produced a small box, "and I ain't got a fancy business or nothin' like that, but I do love you, and I would be honored if you'd marry me."

Honey burst into a grin, throwing her arms around Luke's neck, which toppled them off the sofa.

"Luke of course I will! Yes! Yes!" she cried, tears falling over.

Luke kissed her gently and opened the ring box.

"It ain't fancy-" he started, but she cut him off with a kiss.

"It's perfect," she whispered, admiring the small, sparkling, marquis cut diamond, "and you're perfect for me."

Luke hugged her tightly, not believing his good fortune.

***

“You want to what?” Daisy stared at her friends.

“We want to finance Daisy Duke Designs,” Honey repeated.

Daisy’s big green eyes moved from Honey to Trixie and back to Honey.

“How?”

“It’s easy,” Honey replied. “We find seamstresses, get you a little shop somewhere, advertise like mad, and get your name out there.”

“But Honey-my designs aren’t that good!”

“Au contraire my friend,” Honey beamed. “I faxed some of them to my mother, who thought that while they were too risqué for her age, thought they would look smashing on a slightly younger woman who wants to look sexy but classy. She also showed them to some of her friends, including a couple in the fashion industry.”

Daisy’s mouth dropped open. “You did all this without talkin' to me?”

“Please don’t be angry, Daisy,” Trixie jumped in. “Even I like your designs and we all know I can’t go shopping without Honey to guide me. You have a real talent and it shouldn’t be hidden.”

“I ain’t mad sugar,” Daisy said softly, glancing down at her hands. “I’m just stunned.”

“Don’t be. I can’t think of anyone more deserving than you,” Honey beamed. “Daddy’s lawyers are working on the contracts, and I’ve already put in phone calls everywhere. If you’re interested, we can go look at a couple of places tomorrow.”

Daisy’s eyes filled with tears. “You guys are the best! I ain't never had friends like you!”

“Di wants in on it too,” Trixie added. “We’ll all be partners, but you’ll be the main share holder.”

“You’ve already done so much for me,” Daisy said quietly. “What if it fails?”

“It won’t,” Honey said with a smile as she put her arm around the slender Duke girl. Daisy was slowly filling out again, and on the road to being her former glamorous self.

“Not with us backing you,” Trixie enthusiastically.

Daisy hugged both girls tightly as tear spilled from her green eyes.

***

Since the secret was out about Bo and Trixie, it hadn’t taken the Marshals long to figure out Luke was dating Honey, and when she showed up with an engagement ring, Luke took some ribbing. They all took some teasing, but the boys club had accepted Trixie and Honey as equal members, especially after Trixie’s perilous flight through the window and Honey’s bold rescue. Stodge had even agreed to let them stay as a team. They were professional on the clock, and a damn fine team that always found their quarry.

Daisy’s slow weight gain continued with her friends support. The weather started to warm as spring crept in. Cozy nights near the fireplace turned into picnics in the park, and barbeques in the backyards of what had jokingly become the Duke/Bob-White Clan.

The Marshals were kept busy and all of them were putting in long hours chasing down criminals as spring rolled into summer.

***

Trixie squinted into the crowd. With the flashing lights and moving bodies, it was hard to see Bo. She knew he’d be by the bar and made her way in the right directions, dodging the cowboy hats and boots, big buckles, and cowboy wannabes wearing jeans that were too tight.

Garth Brooks’ voice twanging around her, she finally spotted him and smiled to herself. Honey, Luke, Daisy and Dan were a table nearby, she figured Bo was getting a new round of drinks.

She saw Bo flash his charming smile, and realized he was smiling at the woman next to him. She tall and thin and blonde, wearing a skimpy top and skirt that Trixie knew she would never have the courage to wear. The woman was just about leaning up against him, and placed one hand on his arm.

Trixie looked away, heart pounding, breath coming in short gasps. She wasn’t enough for him. While not looking, she didn’t see Bo remove the woman’s arm, and with a regretful smile and shaking of his head, turned her down.

Bo smiled as he moved the woman’s hand.

“Sorry sweetheart,” he told her. “But I’m waiting for my girlfriend.”

He glanced up as he saw Trixie whirl around and head for the door. With a frown, it took him a second to process what she had seen, ad he bolted after her.

She made it to the parking lot, walking quickly towards Honey’s car that she had borrowed. Her heels clicked on the pavement as tears blinded her eyes. Determined to get to the car before she burst into tears, she didn’t hear Bo calling her until he was right behind her.

Ignoring him, she tried to remember where the car was. His long legs made it easy for him to step in front of her and she ran smack into him.

“Bo, move,” she snapped. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Now, sweetheart, listen to me. I know what you thought you saw but it wasn’t. Just let me explain.”

Trixie stopped and glared at him as the tears spilled over. “When a man says ‘let me explain’ it’s usually because what was seen is exactly what it meant!”

Bo shook his head, grabbing her gently by the shoulders, nto sure he understood what she had just said.

“Obviously your skirt chasing days aren’t over,” Trixie said bitterly. “I guess I was foolish to think that I was enough for the great player Bo Duke.”

“Did you ignore the part where I turned her away?” he demanded, his own temper rising. “Did you not see me tell her no? I told her I was waitin’ on my girlfriend but you just saw what you wanted and ran out!”

“You did?” Trixie asked, startled. Bo put his hands on his hips.

“Yes!’ he said, exasperated. “Trix, I wish you would trust me a little more! This one woman thing ain’t normal for me, but I’m doing the best I can. Yes, I notice pretty girls, but you’re the only one I want to be with. I just need you to be a little patient with me!”

Trixie swallowed hard as the tears slid down her face. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I just-I just saw you with that girl and-you’re right, I should trust you.”

Bo pulled her into his arms and against his chest, kissing the top of her head. “You ain’t givin’ me enough credit Trix. I ain’t perfect, and I ain’t used to havin’ just one woman, but I think I’m doing pretty damn good with it.”

Trixie looked up at him. “I know that,” she said quietly. “And I’m sorry. I should trust you more. I’ve just never had someone like you be interested in me.”

Bo took her face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her gently. His thumbs wiped her tears lightly.

“I would never hurt you, Trix. I may be dumb sometimes, but I ain’t dumb enough to do somethin’ to hurt you, and lose you. I love you too much,” he said quietly.

“I love you too, Bo,” he whispered, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him.

***

Daisy giggled nervously as Dan led her outside, blindfolded. The warm June night air was heavy with honeysuckle and Daisy wore a sundress in a pretty pink that flattered her now healthier frame.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Sure," she said nervously. Trixie and Honey had been hinting at a surprise for days, giggling. Daisy was hoping Dan was going to propose. They had finally made love in March, right before Luke proposed to Honey, and Daisy had kept up her recovery, steadily gaining a pound here, and another there.

Taking off her blindfold, Dan stepped back as Daisy gasped.

The patio had been transformed. The white lights from their Christmas tree now hung twinkling at her, around the canopy of the patio. A small table with covered dishes and lit candles sat in the middle, and a stereo playing softly.

"Dan, what is this?" she asked.

"Dinner and dancing, but a little more private."

"It’s beautiful, sugar," she turned to him with a smile.

"Not as beautiful as my Daisy," he said softly, touching her cheek.

"I promise Trixie didn't do the cooking," he smiled as he held her chair for her to sit down.

As they ate, they chatted lightly, and Daisy felt shy around Dan for the first time ever. His dark eyes were almost unreadable but he was smiling, and one hand held hers gently across the table.

"Would you like to dance Ms. Duke?" Dan asked, standing up and bowing to her.

With a giggle, Daisy took his hand and they danced in the glow of the white lights to the soft music.

"Daisy," Dan said softly.

"Yes, Dan?"

Dan stopped dancing and stared down into her eyes, his finger tracing her delicate jaw.

"When you drove out of Sleepyside, all those years ago," he said quietly. "Part of me went with you. And it never came back until last summer, when we arrived in Atlanta. Watching you get healthy again, being with you, loving you, is what's made me feel alive and whole again, and I don't want it to stop. So what I'm asking," Dan knelt and held her hands, "is if you'll be my wife."

Daisy's jaw dropped open as her emerald eyes filled with tears. Her dream was coming true.

"Oh Dan," she whispered as the tears started, "Oh Dan, of course I will."

Leaping to his feet, Dan engulfed her in a tight embrace, then produced the ring from his pocket, and slid it over her slender figure. The round diamond twinkled merrily in the white lights as Dan kissed the woman he loved.

***

Honey glanced through the papers as she put her elegant signature to it. Diana Lynch’s signature was already on the paper, and she slid it over to Trixie.

“I really think I should have less shares,” Trixie grumbled. “You two are putting up the most money.”

“Nonsense. Di and I agreed on it already.”

Trixie scribbled her name on the line and handed it to Daisy. Honey and Di had decided Daisy should have 49 percent of the shares in the company, while Di, Trixie and Honey would split the next 49 percent. Matthew Wheeler would hold the final 2 percent. Matthew’s lawyer would serve as their legal counsel and was present at the table as they signed the paperwork. Madeleine Wheeler worked her connections so that Daisy’s name was well in the minds of influential people before the doors even opened.

Daisy stared at the contract. Bo was leaning against the kitchen sink, a thoughtful expression on his face as he watched Trixie. Dan stood next to him and Luke was leaning against the refrigerator.

Daisy stared at the contract. “I think I’m gonna cry!”

“Sign first,” Honey said dryly.

Daisy signed her name with a flourish. Harry signed as well and stamped it with his notary seal.

Daisy Duke Designs was officially in business.

***

Author’s Notes

-a huge YEEEHAAAW! To the ever lovely Dana, my editor for this Universe. I tamper a lot so any mistakes are mine!

-it is unusual for romantic partners to be allowed to work together so I bent the rules. You’ll see why later.

Word Count, 3,037