Chapter Two

The Colors of the Mountains

Jesse and Bo rode in comfortable silence content in each other's company. Both were tired but feeling good after spending the day together at the Expo. Bo knew this had been one of the best days he ever had. Jesse would agree. The only thing they were sorry about was that most of the day was behind them. They were on their way home.

It was late afternoon but there was still plenty of sunlight. Bo didn't want to see the day end. He gazed out the window at the Blue Ridge Mountains amazed at how blue they appeared in the distance. It was never more obvious how they got their name. Luke had told him that Uncle Jesse took him to a special place up in the mountains last year on their way home from Atlanta. It was at the end of a dirt road that wound up the side of the mountain. Jesse used to go camping there with his brothers. Luke told Bo there was a view of the valley that took your breath away. But more important, Luke also told him that it made him feel connected to his own father knowing that his father had spent time there camping out with Uncle Jesse. Bo figured the day would be perfect if they could go there.

Jesse looked over at his nephew. "You've been awful quiet, Bo. Everything okay?"

Bo smiled at his uncle. "Couldn't be any better." He paused and shyly added, "Except maybe we could…"

"We could what?" Jesse prompted when Bo didn't continue.

"Well…"

"Spit it out, boy. I ain't gonna bite," Jesse said giving his nephew a reassuring smile.

"I was just thinking, Uncle Jesse. Luke told me about a place you took him last year on your way home. He said it was up in the mountains where you used to go camping with our fathers."

Jesse nodded. "What'd Luke have to say about it?" he asked curiously.

"He said it was really beautiful. He said it made him feel close to his father somehow. It made him feel good."

"Luke said that?" Jesse asked.

"Yup, he did. He said it was a real special place. He liked being with you somewhere that was special between you and his father."

Jesse knew Bo inside out. He knew where this was heading. He knew what Bo was trying to ask him and decided to beat him to it.

"It sure would be nice to go up there again. Wanna go?"

Bo's face lit up, rewarding his uncle. He said, "Could we? I'd really love to."

"We could," Jesse said. "We still got enough sunlight to make it up there and back if we don't linger too long on the mountain."

Bo didn't hide his enthusiasm. "That'd be great, Uncle Jesse. I've been thinking about it ever since Luke told me how it made him feel. It would make the day perfect."

Jesse wanted nothing more than to make his kids happy. If the Dukes didn't have much of anything else, they had family. Family meant everything. He wanted all three of them to remember their parents. What memories they had faded over the years but he wanted them to carry their parents in their hearts. He loved his brothers dearly and he loved their children even more. He knew Bo couldn't have any real memories of his parents since he was so young when they died. He hoped Bo might experience the same feeling of connection that Luke did last year.

"The road's a little rough at spots but this old truck can handle it. We'll reach the turn off in about half an hour," Jesse said.

Bo grinned back at him with a smile that lit up his face. Jesse would do anything for his boy and that smile. He should've thought about doing this earlier so they could've had a little more time on the mountain. He hadn't realized how much Luke had taken away from the experience. He decided that he'd surprise his kids and come back later in the summer with all three of them to do a little camping and reminiscing. Meanwhile, this quick trip would have to do.

Jesse and Bo carefully began their ascent up the mountain. The forest became thicker as they made the slow climb on the dirt road. As they bounced along, shards of light penetrated the trees giving an ethereal effect to the road, which narrowed at spots barely allowing them to pass through the trees. After an hour, the road evened off as they reached the top of the mountain.

"Here we are," Jesse said as he parked the truck. "We got about a ten walk to the overlook."

Bo jumped out of the truck. "Lead the way, Uncle Jesse."

Jesse and Bo followed the path that all but disappeared in the overgrowth of plants in a few places. Unexpectedly for Bo, they finally stepped out on a clearing. The scene unveiled before them was breathtaking. They were on top of the mountain looking out at the valley below and the distant mountains. The nearest mountain was a deep blue-green and thickly covered in a forest of trees. The deep blue of the mountains became lighter as they receded into the distance until the furthest one became hazy and almost faded into the sky. The tops of trees peaked at them as they reached up from the side of the mountain.

Bo carefully walked to the edge of clearing, careful not to get too close to the edge. The drop was steep. For once in his life, he was speechless, not that words were necessary. He looked back at his uncle and smiled at him warmly. Jesse took the unspoken invitation and walked over to Bo to stand beside him. He placed a supportive arm around his nephew's shoulder.

"It's even more beautiful than Luke described. I guess he was right. You got to see it for yourself. Thanks for taking me here, Uncle Jesse. Thanks for taking me to Atlanta. Thanks…for everything," Bo said as his voice choked.

Jesse noticed the moisture in Bo's eyes and knew how much this meant to him. He was the most emotional of his three kids and an open book. He wore his heart on his sleeve.

"You don't have to keep thanking me, Bo. It's your time. You're growing up. It really is my pleasure."

Bo nodded before saying quietly, "Growing up but not grown up yet. Sometimes, I don't think I'll ever grow up no matter how much I want to or how hard I try."

Jesse squeezed Bo's shoulder. "Don't be in such a hurry. You don't have to try, son. It'll happen whether you want it to or not. You should enjoy the journey. Believe me, you'll be all grown up before you know it. Don't wish the time away. Don't ever wish the time away no matter where you are in life. Take each day as it comes."

Jesse ruffled Bo's hair and winked. "Besides, I enjoy still having a boy."

Bo cringed at the word. "I don't like it much when anyone else calls me that but I guess I don't mind when you do."

Jesse laughed. "You'll always be my boy no matter how old you get. Luke is still my boy and Daisy will always be my little girl. I'm in no hurry for you to grow up."

"Even with all the trouble I get into?" Bo asked innocently.

"Yes, even with all the trouble you get into. It's just a part of growing up. It's part of finding your way." Jesse smiled before adding, "Besides, I have a feeling you'll find trouble even when you are all grown up."

Bo laughed at the teasing. He said, "I suppose you're right but sometimes I wonder if I'll ever find my way."

"You will, son. And I'll be there to help and guide you every step of the way. Just like the North Star. You'll always know where I am and you'll always be able to find me whenever you need me. You'll be able to find your way back home no matter where your journey in life takes you."

Bo placed his arm around his uncle's waist. "I know that, Uncle Jesse. As long as you're there, I'll always find my way home."

"You hold tight to your cousins, too. You know Daisy and Luke will always be your home, too."

"I ain't never gone lose either one of them no matter where life takes us," Bo answered with conviction as he looked around the clearing. "You always told us that we carry those we love in our hearts forever but Luke was right about this place. I can feel close to my father up here. I can imagine him standing right here with you looking out of those same blue mountains."

"We did stand here, Bo" Jesse said. "I feel close to him up here, too. And to Luke and Daisy's fathers. It was a special place for us. It still is a special place."

Bo looked deeply into his uncle's light blue eyes and smiled. That was something he shared with his uncle and cousins. They all had the Dukes' blue eyes. Each one had a different blue hue like the distant mountains. Bo thought this was fitting. The family had lived in this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains for three generation. It was right that they carried with them the colors of the mountains in their eyes.

Bo and Jesse stood in silence enjoying each other's company and the panoramic view. The pale blue sky had been slowly fading to light gray with a few dark clouds drifting across the horizon. The sky just above the mountain shimmered with hints of yellow light.

Jesse sighed, hating to end the moment but it was getting late. They had stayed on the mountain a little longer than he planned. They had to get going before sunset.

"I'm sorry, Bo, but we gotta get going before we lose the light. We don't wanna be traveling on these dirt roads in the dark."

"Okay, Uncle Jesse. I hate to go but I guess we gotta. Thanks again for bringing me here."

Jesse pulled his nephew into a hug. "Thanks for coming with me."

Taking one last look, Bo and Jesse turned away and headed back to the old pickup truck. They had just enough space to turn the truck around and begin their drive home.