Chapter 10

Despite the fact that Jesse insisted on him and the boys keeping Dawn to give daisy and Enos a break, it did nothing for Daisy having a calm night. She'd worried most of the night before when they turned in.

The next morning Jesse sighed as he made his way to Dawn's room so he could help her. The thought of it however, made him smile as it reminded him of those years ago when he'd taken in his niece and nephews that had and still did mean more to him than life.

"Hey baby." he whispered, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Dawn looked up at him, a shocked expression on her face. She winced after an attempt to quickly get up from the bed.

"Whoa! Hang on there." Jesse, gasped laying hand on her shoulder when he realized she was about to fall from the bed.

Despite the kindness in his eyes Dawn's eyes pooled with threatening tears "Don't hit me! I'm coming!"

Jesse stared, shocked as Bo and Luke came to the doorway.

All three men looked at the sobbing girl and one thing came to mind.

"Dick Slugger." they whispered together.

Luke sighed, shaking his head "Man that jerk has the poor thing terrified."

Jess nodded "Yeah. Why don't you boys go see what you can whip up for breakfast while I get her dressed?"

The two nodded and went to do as he told them.

Meanwhile Jesse managed to get Dawn out of the shirt and back into the dress she had on the day before. He noted in his mind to remember that he needed to get some of Daisy's old clothes from the attic so he could wash them as well as the dress she had on.

When he finished dressing her, he carried the small girl into the kitchen where Bo and Luke sat waiting for them.

The boys watched as he scooped some scrambled eggs and some sausage onto a plate for her. After that he said a prayer and the boys dug in. However, Dawn, he noticed only sat and stared into space.

Jesse, as gently as he knew how laid a hand on her shoulder still managing to make her jump "Honey, you can eat with us. I promise nothing will happen to you."

Dawn looked at him and then slowly reached out to grab the sausage in her hand and took a small bite. She waited a few minutes, but then, slightly satisfied she slowly finished it before finishing the rest. By then Bo and Luke were already outside, but somehow the fact seemed to calm her just a little.

Jesse sighed and took her into his arms "Well let's see what I can do for you." his eyes twinkled as he thought "Think you'd like to sit on the porch for awhile? You could watch Bo and Luke."

He could see her slightly hesitant smile and said "Come on. I'll sit with you." and walked to the screened in porch and set her down in one of the longer seats and handed her the stuffed lamb that Bo and Luke had given her when she was in the hospital.

"Hang here for a minute and I'll be right back." he said and went into the house for a moment before returning with the box he'd mentioned the night before.

"Wha tha?" Dawn asked in her shaky, meek voice.

Jesse looked her way, grinning as he pulled over the soap-filled wash bin "Well baby I'm hoping these will be your new clothes."

She smiled "Mine?" she asked hardly believeing it "That dress all I wore."

Jesse looked her way, shaking his head then attempted a happy face "Don't worry, I'll take care of that."

She nodded as a smile came over her "Wha I 'pose call you?" Dawn somehow seemed to like being alone with him as well as Daisy, but it still worried him. Especially since she seemed so scared of Bo, Luke and Enos who every other kid in Hazzard loved. He gently patted her small forearm "You can just call me Uncle Jesse. Everyone else for the most part calls me that."

She nodded.

For the nest hour Jesse looked through and washed clothes. Suddenly he looked up, surprised as the screen door opened and Daisy stood, grinning at the two.

"Hey baby, what you doing home?" Jesse asked thinking she'd be working or rather about to leave for it.

"Well Lulu convinced Boss to let me off for a couple days. I was trying to get the house straight. Enos did a little, but I still have a lot left. He left for work thirty minutes ago."

Jesse nodded "Well I just been goin' through your old clothes. Find something she can wear."

"Oh I'll take ca-" Daisy started when Jesse cut her off.

He looked her way "No baby, I can handle it." He smiled "Why don't you head home and come back around lunch time?"

Daisy sighed, but did as he told her.

After she left Jesse shook his head thinking to himself "That girl needs to spend a little time for herself. She's been lookin' after me most-or least half her life."

The morning wore on and with the strong breeze drying the laundry, Dawn soon had quite a few clothes she would be able to wear. After that Jesse sat back, to relax and told Dawn a few fun stores. He then went to start on lunch in addition to calling Daisy to come over so she could keep an eye on Dawn until it was time to eat.

The three ate and afterward Daisy insisted on doing the dishes since her Uncle had done the work earlier. However, after about five minutes she heard a few screams breaking the silence. She quickly put the dried plate on the counter, grateful she hadn't dropped it in her rush to the porch.

She opened the door and gasped seeing her Uncle lying on the floor as well as noticing that Dawn was missing.

She rushed over to her jeep, Dixie and grabbed the C.B. handle "Enos! Enos!" she gasped hoping he'd hear.

"Yes, Daisy. What's wrong?" he asnwered to her relief."

"Come over here quick! That jerk showed up, knocked out Uncle Jesse and kidnapped Dawn!"

Enos half choked hearing this "Don't worry honey. I'll be over soon as I can."

"Thanks Enos."

"I'm gone."

And with that Daisy rushed back to the porch.