A/N: Finally I update. I'm sorry this is so late, y'all. As usual, I don't own the Duke clan, just Emily and Desperado.
Previously: 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.
Again, Emily awoke at dawn. Quietly, as to not wake Daisy, she slipped out of the bed and dressed before making her way to the kitchen. Picking up a basket that she assumed was for eggs, Emily headed out to the barn. After mucking out both stalls, she fed Desperado and Maudine, scattered corn for the chickens, and collected eggs before going back to the house.
After she set the basket of eggs on the table, Emily rooted around quietly in the cupboards for a skillet and a frying pan. A search of the refrigerator found a package of bacon, and soon the aroma of scrambled eggs, bacon, and coffee filled the small kitchen. The first member of the Duke clan to appear in the doorway was Jesse, followed closely by Luke, who began to set the table. Daisy soon graced the kitchen with her presence, and by the time Bo wandered in the table was set, the bacon and eggs were ready to eat, and the coffee was hot. Quickly they all sat down, and Jesse said grace. Bo, the food-hound that he is, received a slap on the hand from his uncle when he tried to sneak a bit of bacon before Jesse finished. After the prayer, plates were soon filled and subsequently emptied. As Bo reached for seconds, he commented, "Boy, Daisy, you sure whipped up a mean breakfast this morning."
Daisy chuckled. "I'd say thanks, sugar, but I can't. I didn't make it this morning."
Bo shrugged and shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth. Swallowing, he said, "Well, it's still good."
Emily smiled behind her glass of milk. "Thanks, Bo," she said, placing a hand on his knee under the table. Luke caught the way Bo's face colored, and shook his head slightly. He still wasn't sure about Emily, but Jesse trusted her, and he trusted his uncle. He'd just keep an eye on her for a while.
Jesse leaned back in his chair and took another sip of coffee. "Well, boys, there's chores to be done. Maudine's stall needs to be mucked…"
"Ah, I did that when I cleaned Desperado's. Fed her, too," Emily interrupted softly. "And I fed the chickens when I gathered the eggs."
The Duke patriarch chuckled. "So what am I going to get my boys to do, Emily?" As she flushed, he leaned forward. "Don't worry your pretty head about it. There's plenty for them to do. Like milking the goats. And the tractor needs fixing again, too. Then I reckon you two can git to plowin' the back forty."
Luke chuckled at the sudden frown on Bo's face. "Uncle Jesse, we plowed that last week, before the tractor broke down."
Jesse blinked. "Oh, yes you did. That's right. Well then. You boys git to your chores, and then we'll see what's left." With that the boys headed outside, while Daisy faced the task of cleaning the kitchen. Jesse motioned for Emily to come with him into the living room. He took out a stack of letters from underneath his Bible and gave them to her, saying, "These were letters I got from your mama. I saved 'em for you, all these years."
Emily sank down on the couch, unable to speak momentarily. "Thank you," she whispered when she regained her speech ability. Jesse just smiled as he left her to read her mother's letters.
TBC...
I'll get Boss and Rosco back in here soon. And I haven't forgotten the thugs...they've still got something up their sleeves. But I think I'll let the boys enjoy the next couple of chapters without any worries. Please review!
