A/N: Only own Emily and Desperado. Enjoy!

Previously: Bo finished drying the last of the dishes, set down his towel, and left the farmhouse. Heading out to the barn, Bo struggled with his feelings. 'What am I going to say?' He wondered as he reached the door.

Bo eased the barn door open and stepped inside. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, Maudine the mule glanced his way, then continued grazing on her hay. Bo bypassed her stall and came to a stop at the entrance of the next stall. Emily, not noticing him, continued humming as she brushed Desperado's black coat; Bo recognized the hymn, Amazing Grace.

"What are we going to do, Dez?" Emily asked as she finished the song."I can tell that Mr. Hogg—I can't bring myself to call him Daddy—doesn't want anything to do with me, and from the vibes I pick up from Bo and Luke, I don't think I really want anything to do with him." She sighed as she picked up each hoof, checking for stones. "I need to find a place of my own. The Dukes are kind, but I don't want to be a burden to them." Bo frowned. He didn't think she was a burden to them. He listened as she continued. "And then there's Bo. Dez, it's a good thing we were nearby when they were attacked. When I woke up this morning and felt his arms around me, well, it just felt so right. And that kiss…Dez, I've never felt anything like that."The blackhorse tossed his head, as if agreeing. Emily chuckled as she rested her forehead against his neck. "It doesn't help that he's tall and handsome, either."

"Why not?" Bo didn't mean for that thought to come out of his mouth. Emily whirled around, startled, and met his eyes.

"Bo! What are you…did you…I mean…" she stammered as she flushed crimson, wondering if he had heard everything. "How long have you been standing there?" she finally managed to say.

"Since the middle of Amazing Grace. Why doesn't it help that I'm tall and handsome?" he asked, wanting to know.

Emily turned to face Desperado again. "I didn't mean for you to hear that," she said softly, before turning back to him. "Is there a bucket and some grain I could use for Dez?"

Bo nodded. "Sure, I'll show you." Emily followed him to where a couple bags of grain were stacked against the wall. He grabbed a bucket from nearby, brushing against Emily as he did so. Handing it to her, he watched as she scooped some grain into it before returning to Desperado's stall. "Emily, about that kiss…" he said before trailing off.

She set the bucket in the stall as the black horse thrust his nose into it. Turning back to Bo, she smiled slightly. "It was for luck. I reckon I was too bold, and I'm sorry."

Bo shook his head. "Don't be sorry," he said as he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against hers.

Time seemed to stop for Bo. Sure, he had kissed girls before, but those were nothing compared to this kiss. Everything else faded away as he wrapped his arms around Emily and held her close. Reality seeped back into his consciousness as Emily pulled back. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Bo, we can't," she said softly.

"Yes we can."

"No, we shouldn't."

"Yes, we should."

This drew a chuckle from the young woman. "Okay, why do you think we should? Besides the fact that it would be like a fly constantly in my father's BBQ ribs, that is."

Bo smiled at the thought. "I don't care that you're Boss's kin. You're nothing like him. If he had come by instead of you yesterday, he wouldn't have stopped. He wouldn't have done anything except try and arrest me and Luke on some bogus charge. But you? You chased the men away when me and Luke were down. You took care of me. I can't…I can't help but love you, Emily."

Emily's eyes widened. Love? "You love me?"

The blonde good ol' boy nodded. "Yep. Even if you don't love me right now, I'll wait until you do. I'll fight for you if I have to."

After a thoughtful moment, Emily smiled, a twinkle in her eye. "I don't think you have to wait that long," she whispered as she pulled Bo into a passionate kiss.

TBC...

Altogether now: Awwwww. Boss is going to be ornrier than a wet hen when he hears this news. What's going to happen to Bo and Emily? Cause remember, this is Hazzard! Review to find out!