Ch. 4

Daisy was wiping down the counter as she cleaned the kitchen and let her mind wonder back a few days ago when she had finally called Uncle Jesse and Bo into the front room so she could talk to them. As always Luke was silently standing in the corner giving her much needed support.

Daisy was sitting on her bed as she stared out of her window. It always made her happy hearing the animals and not being able to see a neighbor in sight; but today it didn't give her the comfort she sought from it. Luke was right and she knew it. It was high time she let them help her and stop hiding it. Okay, chances were she'd still hide from the town folks; they mean well but she didn't need them constantly asking if she was okay. However, Uncle Jesse, Bo and Cooter wouldn't do that and it has been so unfair to them for her to lump them all together. Standing up, she went to find where Luke had gone.

Walking out of the house and down the steps she looked around and listened. Sure enough she heard voices from the barn and made her way toward them. As she entered the barn she found herself laughing as she watched Luke dump hay on Bo for some remark about his latest girl.

Bo stopped mid-step towards Luke when he heard Daisy laughing. Sure she had never stopped laughing, but it always felt forced. This was different, more carefree then it had been. Turning around he smiled and started laughing; soon all three of them were laughing. Uncle Jesse walked upon that scene and found himself shaking his head.

"What is so funny?" Jesse asked.

Luke stopped laughing and explained what happened as Bo and Daisy got themselves under control.

"I need to speak to you both in the house." Daisy said as she looked between her uncle and cousin; behind Bo she saw Luke nod his head.

"Sure thing, Daisy." Uncle Jesse answered as he put his arm around Daisy. Chores could wait until they heard what she needed to say.

"Daisy." Bo waved his hand in front of his cousin's face. He kept saying her name and wasn't getting any response. She was just staring out the kitchen window, so finally he put his mouth near her ear and raised his voice just a little as he called her name once again. He got a swat against his arm causing him to laugh.

"Stop that."

"Well…. you were not answering" Bo replied back with a smile.

"What do you want?" Daisy asked.

"Lunch."

Laughing she told him she would make lunch and for him to get out.

Bo walked out of the house glad his cousin was back on the mend. It might take awhile but at least she let them in and letting them help her out. Who knows maybe someday he would come back or the good lord would send someone else to take his place.

~/~

Rick leaned back in an old rocking chair that Cooter brought him in the latest trip out here. They both agreed that until he knew what he was doing it would be for the best he didn't go into town so he didn't chance running into the dukes. So, if he needed anything he would call Cooter on the CB he had.

He couldn't believe he had been here for a week and feeling so refreshed. Knowing that the break was almost over he knew he had to give his boss an answer to either or not he was coming back or not; until last night he couldn't make up his mind. Having made the decision he knew he couldn't put it off and knowing he had to make a trip into town he got up to call Cooter on the CB.

"Calling Crazy Cooter. Got your ears on?"

"Crazy Cooter, I might be crazy but I ain't dumb. What ya need?"

"It's Rick. I'm coming into town. Need you keep an eye out. Need to make a call to the man."

Cooter felt a little uneasy as he answered, "Okay, will do. Be careful." As he put down the mic he prayed that this trip meant he had made his decision and maybe now Luke and he could tell the family what was going on.

It hadn't been easy to keep his mouth shut when he was around the Dukes and he could only image how tough it was for Luke being around his folks all the time with this big of a secret. He started grinning as he thought on Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco having another one in town to fight the system if Rick stayed that is. Oh, that was one meeting he didn't want to miss out on as he started laughing.