Chapter 14

Bo and Luke watched as the girls were again put in the cell across from them.

Luther Davenport had seen the wagon come into town. He stormed through the jail door and seen the four in question locked in respective cells. Without so much as looking at any of the four directly he looked to Cooter and the Sheriff and asked, "So how bad is it?"

"We were too late," Cooter said, knowing he was in deep sh-t for the locks on the belts.

"Too late? How could you be too late with locks that can't be picked?"

Cooter hung his head and added, "I didn't find the belts so I don't know if the locks failed or how they got them out."

Luther looked at the Sheriff, "You are sure or do I need to get Doc back over here for an examine?" Being a father he could hope.

Rosco shook his head and tried to be tactful, "Luther it would be a waste of time. I saw the sheets."

Luther eyes went orange, "I want the Marshal's Office notified so they can pick them up!" Then, he turned to the cells.

Bo stood up, and with words that he didn't recognize as his own said, "Mr. Davenport, me and Luke ARE the Marshals"

"Marshal's biggest problems, ..... is what Bo is trying to say. You just make real sure you tell Marshal Sam Freeman that it is us he's picking up and it won't take long to get us out of your hair." Luke said as he'd stepped hard on Bo's toe!

Bo held back the urge to yell, and glared at Luke, as Luther said, "I don't know what the HE-- you two were thinking, but when a man locks something up, it ain't right to go unlockin' it and takin' what you want."

Due to the pain from his toe Bo wasn't able to reply just then. Luke looked the man dead in the eyes and said, "Nor is it right for a man to beat his daughters and lock them in cruel devices. I see you are having the Marshal's office wired before a trial, ..... Does that mean there won't be one?"

Luther said smugly, "The paperwork from the trial will be started as soon as I give the judge the go ahead. We ALL already know the out come, don't we boy? I warned you to leave my girls alone!"

Bo was dying to get the chance to ask Luke who this Sam Freeman was and what he knew that Bo hadn't put together but he figured to wait until Luther was out of there. Luke looked a little busy trying to save their hides at the moment.

Luke raised his eyebrows. "Mr. Davenport, I don't think you have much right to point fingers. Maybe if you'd been good to them girls, we wouldn't have this situation right now."

If Luther could have gotten his hands on Luke at that moment there wouldn't be any need for a trial, the marshals or anything else but the coffin maker, but Luke and Bo were wisely standing out of his reach. "Don't tell me how to raise my girls!!!" he turned toward the girls in question and spit as he stormed out the door.

Cooter went out the door after his father, hoping to keep him from doing something stupid. He was actually surprised that his father hadn't reached for his gun the way the Duke talked to him.

Rosco looked at the Deputy, "I'm gonna go send that telegram."

Luke reminded, "Remember Sheriff, Marshal Sam Freeman and tell him it is us he's picking up."

Rosco replied, "So you two have had dealin's with him before??"

"You could say that." Luke replied.

Bo looked at Luke and as Rosco walked out the door, said, "Luke, who on earth is Marshal Sam Freeman? and are we really Marshals?" He wasn't sure what was going on, but he didn't like it. "Now, Luke," he added. "I been called a lot of things, but a lawman ain't one of 'em.

Luke sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "Bo I don't know, but I do have a feeling the part about me saying we were his biggest problems and have had dealings with him are the truth. I don't know how I know that, but I do. I also have a feeling the only way for us to get out of here and maybe have a chance at being with the girls is for Sam Freeman himself to arrive here and I got the feeling, he don't do many transports to prison."

Dixie looked at Luke, "Are they really going to take you all to prison for this?"

Luke replied, "Not if I can help it Darlin'."

Bo wasn't 100% comfortable with Luke's idea just yet. As far as he knew, you could never trust a lawman, and he sure hoped this Sam Freeman was the exception. He gave Beth a comforting look, hoping he looked more convincing than he felt.

Beth sighed. "I sure hope you're right, Luke," she said.

"Yeah, me too." Luke sighed heavily.

Rosco, being Rosco sent the telegram just as Luke instructed. Right to Sam Freeman himself.

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

A carrier delivered the telegram to Marshal Freeman awhile later. He opened it and read:

Marshal Sam Freeman Stop

I have 2 prisoners for you to transport to state prison STOP

Understand you have had dealings with them before STOP

Names are Bo and Luke Duke Stop

Sheriff Rosco Coltrane Hazzard Stop

Sam re read the telegram before he cursed, "What have they done now?" He looked at the other Marshal in the office. "Get a crew together and head to Hazzard first light." He picked up his saddle bag and said, "I'm going now. Just ride into Hazzard one or two at a time, get rooms and be ready for anything."

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Back at Hazzard County Jail, Bo and Luke were trying their best to pace holes in the floor of the jail. This wasn't helping Beth and Dixie at all, as both girls kept looking at each other. Beth whispered to Dixie, "What happens if it don't work? What if we're expectin? What if..." She didn't even know all the questions she wanted to ask in this moment

"I don't know, Beth, but Luke seems to know more than he's tellin'. I think he has something figured out." Dixie tried to convince herself as well as Beth.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Meanwhile, Luther stormed in to the Judges office, "Judge, I was right. My girls were with those two no accounts. I want them under the state prison!"

The judge paused. "Now, Luther, don't be unreasonable..." He looked at the blacksmith and said, "What if the girls are with child? Then you'd have a mess on your hands." He paused. "I don't know about you, Luther, but I'd not have my daughters bearing children by men who are in prison if I could help it."

It was something Luther hadn't considered as possible until now. He looked at the judge like he had three arms. "I'll be back. Get the order ready."

He stormed out the door and headed to see Doc. "Doc those blame girls left with those no accounts again. I know they have been deflowered. I need to find out if they are with child."

Doc looked at Luther with surprise. "Now, Luther, I wish I could help you, but seems doctors haven't quite developed the ability to see into the future." Of all the things, asking him to be able to tell if his daughters were with child.

Luther was fuming, but the doctor was right. There was nothing he could do about it.

The doctor said, "We just have to wait and see if their cycles come normal or not."

Luther went back to the judge and said, "Doc says he can't tell if they are with child or not for awhile now. I'd like them to be contained until we know for sure. I know those two will run off or get with another man to try to get with child if they are released from the jail."

The judge nodded. At this point, the girls were minor children, and he had little choice but to listen to Luther. Besides, he figured the girls would actually be safer in jail than at home. "All right, Luther, whatever you say. I'll keep 'em here until we find out."

"Thank you, judge," Luther replied. "Good day." Luther headed off to the saloon, figuring there was nothing he could do at the moment.

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

Jesse Duke had taken the boys horses to them the day the snow storm hit, but it had been clear long enough they should have made it home. "Daisy I'm going to town looking for the boys."

Daisy asked, "Can I go too? I have a couple things I need to take care of."

Jesse nodded. "Sure... just be careful. I've already misplaced two young'uns... Don't need to lose another one."

Daisy smiled. "Of course, Uncle Jesse." She hugged him, and went inside to get her little money pouch and a hat.

Jesse shook his head and smiled just a little. Daisy was the sweetest little thing, and he was glad she'd come to the Duke farm to bring a woman's touch. He'd missed having a lady around after losing his Martha. He thought as he hooked the team up to the wagon.

01~~~~~~~~~~01

Once in town Jesse left the wagon at the mercantile and helped Daisy down. He wasn't sure why but he was heading to the jail to see the Sheriff and make sure the boys had been released as scheduled.

Daisy started to the mercantile when she seen Cooter coming down the street.

She looked away, not quite knowing what to say. After their last talk, she'd not known how to feel about the situation. But Cooter tipped his hat. "Howdy, Miss Daisy," he said with a smile.

Daisy nodded politely. "Mr. Davenport."

"Can we talk?" Cooter said.

Daisy replied, "I thought that was what we were doing."

Cooter took her hand and walked between the two buildings out of site of most of Hazzard.

"Daisy, I planned to come talk to your Uncle about courting you, but my sisters, ...... " He paused not sure how to tell her the rest of this mess.

Daisy looked him in the eye. "Go on..." she prodded, waiting to see what he had to say for himself.

Cooter shrugged. "My sisters are in a bit of trouble, and I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to get them out of it." He sighed. "My daddy ain't a man to be messed with when it comes to them."

Daisy actually understood how a man's family problems could get in the way of courting, "I can understand that, but you could have at least told me something. I've been thinking this whole time that you weren't going to follow through, and..." She sighed, looking him in the eye. "I don't know what I'd do if you changed your mind."

Cooter was holding both her hands as he said, "I could not have told you. My sisters ran off with a couple of men. I went with the Sheriff to find them and we were caught in the snow. I have just gotten back a few hours ago." He was momentarily forgetting the men his sister ran off with were Daisy's cousins.

Daisy gasped. "That's awful, honey... I'm so sorry to hear it... Are they OK?"

Cooter looked at his boots and said, "Yes, but no."

Daisy sighed. "I'm sorry," she said, putting her arms around Cooter and giving him a friendly hug.

"Ain't no reason for you to be sorry," he said. "Ain't got anything to do with you." Cooter felt his body reacting to her, he knew they shouldn't be in this alley, and he shouldn't be taking her in his arms but he was.

Daisy said, "My Uncle is looking for the boys too. They got into some trouble a couple weeks ago and haven't been home yet, so I know how family trouble can be."

Cooter only then remembered that he knew where her cousins were and why....... He looked at Daisy, a look of shock on his face. "Daisy... Honey, we..." He didn't know how to phrase this. "Um, I think we might have a little bit of a problem." He took her hand, trying to figure out his best course of action.

"What sort of problem Sugar?" Daisy replied. Though she was concerned they had a problem of another type, but wasn't ready to talk about that right now.

Cooter shook his head. "I believe that we both might have some people in the same kinda trouble." He wasn't sure how else to say this, so he started walking toward the jail. "Come on."

Daisy saw where he was heading and stopped, causing him to stop, "Cooter my Uncle wouldn't let me go see the boys while they were there. Said it wasn't a place for a lady."

"Daisy, this ain't no time for that. I think you need to see what's going on." Cooter insisted.

Daisy shook her head, but followed Cooter, somehow trusting him that this was important.

By this time Jesse had just arrived at the jail as Cooter and Daisy came in behind him. They heard him say, "What have you two done this time?"

Daisy saw two girls in one cell of the jail and her cousins in the other.

Luke tried, "Uncle Jesse it's not what it looks like......"

Jesse couldn't stand that answer. "Lukas Keith Duke, if it ain't what it looks like, then just exactly WHAT is it?"

Daisy looked from her uncle to her cousins, not sure exactly how this was going to go down, but pretty sure that it would end in Bo and Luke being tanned, and not from the sun.

"I won't stand by and let a man abuse his daughters. We did the only thing we could do to try to get them out of that situation." Luke hoped it sounded an explaination, not a smart comment.

Jesse was too mad to listen right now. "By takin' their virtue, Luke? THAT'S how you planned to get 'em away from their father?"

Luke could only hang his head and hope like he-- that Bo didn't decide to add his brilliant outlook to this conversation.

Bo, for once, kept his mouth shut, much to Luke's relief, but couldn't stop his head from nodding just a bit.

Luke added, "Jesse if anyone would give us a chance to explain, ...... we also want to marry them." Seeing Cooter behind Jesse, Luke added, "Did I not tell you that?"

Jesse turned for the first time seeing Cooter the man who had been on the stage with Daisy AND Daisy, whom he'd made it clear that the jail was no place for her, especially with this conversation going on. He looked hard at the man and, ......

Daisy looked at her Uncle. "Uncle Jesse..." she said softly. "Don't be angry."

Jesse looked at the girl. It was pretty hard to be mad at that sweet face, but he had been explicit about the rules of jail. Jesse did what he thought best, "Daisy, go to the diner, now. I'll be there as soon as I get this mess straightened out. He turned to Cooter, "Did Luke tell you that?"

Daisy didn't let go of Cooter's hand just yet. She looked at her Uncle. "Uncle Jesse, we're family. If Bo and Luke are in trouble, I got as much right as anyone else to know why, don't I?" She looked at him for a moment before saying, "Besides... I'd rather be here and see the truth then hear the gossip in town."

Jesse supposed that made sense. He didn't like it, but he didn't like the situation the boys were putting him in either. He gave her a nod approving her to stay and waited for Cooter to answer.

"Yes, Sir, he did at that, but I told him that was something I couldn't answer and he'd have to take that up with my father." Cooter said.

Daisy for the first time was making the connection between Cooter and the girls that were in the cell across from Bo and Luke.

Jesse nodded. "That's fine, then... I'll have the boys talk to your father soon." He hoped that it would work out for the boys to settle this mess.

Luke looked at Jesse in disbelief. Didn't he think that he would have told Luther that already if the man would have just given him a chance. But before he could form respectable words to say this, Bo opened his big mouth. "Uncle Jesse, if you think we wouldn't try talkin' to Mr. Davenport, you must not know us as good as I thought you did. We both woulda told him if he'd listen to us."

Luke hoped to cut off Jesse's temper for Bo's attitude, "He means that Mr. Davenport was so intent on putting us under the prison he never even asked us our intentions."

Daisy looked at the girls in the cell across from Bo and Luke. She could see the resemblance. She said quietly behind Jesse and the boys conversation, "Cooter they are your sisters that you were talking about? Then that means you went out looking for, ......."

Cooter nodded in confirmation, "Your cousins."

Daisy knew that meant that he was at least in part responsible for them being in jail.

She abruptly pulled her hand away from his and went to stand by Uncle Jesse, looking at the boys.

Cooter watched her walk away, but didn't feel that he really had any right to try to get her to come back at this moment. He'd deal with that later.

"Uncle Jesse," she said, after a pause. "If you don't mind, I'll wait in the wagon."

Jesse nodded, and Daisy left the jail.

Bo and Luke didn't miss the look between Daisy and Cooter before their cousin left the building, but they didn't mention it.

Beth looked through the bars at Cooter and Jesse. "If the boys want to marry us, can't we get out of here?"

Jesse said, "That's something I guess I need to go talk to your father about. And likely the Sheriff and Mayor Hogg. Boys I trust you can stay out of trouble that long in here." Jesse walked out of the jail leaving Cooter the only non-prisoner there.

Cooter was pretty sure the boys had seen him holding Daisy's hand. He asked, "You saw?"

Bo, quite angry with Cooter, was the one to speak up, as usual. "You're dang right we saw! Who do you think you are, holdin' hands with our cousin? You ain't asked Uncle Jesse's permission to court her... And somehow me and Luke is the bad guys!"

Luke shook his head, wishing Bo could hold his tongue for just ten minutes sometimes.

Cooter glared at Bo, but didn't know what to say. He was no better than either of them, but he couldn't let them know that just yet. So he said, "I saw her up town the day they brought ya'lls horses to you. We talked and I asked her permission to talk to your uncle about courting her. So when I seen her today, as you can imagine she was pretty mad that I hadn't followed through. I tried to explain that, " he turned and looked at Beth and Dixie, "My sisters were giving my father some trouble and that I'd had to go find them,....... She told me your uncle was looking for you two. She was obviously worried about your safety. I wasn't sure exactly how to explain how I knew where you were and that you were alright. ......... So, ........ I took her hand to show her, ....... when she seen where I was going she stopped. Said she wasn't allowed here. I told her she needed to come with me and I kept a hold of her hand to reassure her that it would be OK. But, as you two have seen, sometimes intending to talk to a father or uncle in this case just doesn't go as planned. Your uncle is far to concerned about you two at the moment for me to bother him with this." He took a breath and sighed, "But, when Daisy figured out that I'm at least in part responsible for ya'lls being here. You saw. She left. She may no longer wish me to have that conversation with your uncle."

Luke listened an took in everything the man had to say, then said, quietly to Bo, "Don't you know tickin' off the girls' brother ain't the best way for us to get out of here?"

Bo was too mad to think about it right now, so he sat down on his bunk.

Luke turned to Cooter again, and before he could say anything, Dixie beat him to it, "Cooter? You are interested in Bo and Luke's cousin? Wait, a minute, what happened to those plans of being an established blacksmith and getting a home of your own before you even considered a wife. At least that's what you said before you left for that training you took."

Cooter looked at his sister. "Sometimes things change, Dixie," he said, his tone flat and annoyed. "But I ain't askin' Daisy to be my wife yet anyway. I just want to see her is all."

Beth piped up then. "Well, Cooter, don't you reckon gettin' Bo and Luke out of jail'd be a dang good way to get in Daisy and Mr. Duke's good graces?"

Luke liked the way the girls were trying to box in their brother but things were adding up against him in Luke's mind and he didn't like it one bit.

Cooter said to his sisters as well as the men in the other cell, "You know against Father I don't stand a chance. I didn't want to go looking for ya'll in the first place." He wasn't sure to look embarrassed or proud before he whispered looking at Bo and Luke, "I don't agree with how father treats them. That's why those locks were so easily gotten by." he knew if Luther ever found that out he'd regret it.

Bo and Luke raised their eyebrows, shocked at Cooter's confession. That was good to know. But still, they hoped Cooter wouldn't pay for it badly. Beth looked at her brother. "Cooter, you could get us out. We could go far away and Father'd never have to know you got us out..."

Cooter looked at the lock his father had used. He nodded 'yes' that he could get them out, "Look, the only way I got out of being beat to death is that I told him I couldn't find the belts and had NO idea how ya'll got out of them. I open these doors and I'm as good as dead and you two know that."

That's about the time a Deputy stepped from out of the back room, "Mr. Davenport I think it's time you to be leavin'. I'll also be speaking to the Sheriff about you being a security risk."

All three men swore under their breath. Beth and Dixie shook their heads. Could this get any worse?

The Dukes tried to comfort the girls with calm looks, but neither of them felt calm.

Cooter nodded. "I guess I'll go then," he said, giving all of them a look that said that it wasn't over, and he'd be back.

The girls watched their brother go, and with him, any hope of freedom for the time being.

Bo looked at Luke, "Now what?"

Luke gave them all a discouraged answer as he seen the Deputy took a seat at the back desk, "We wait, ..... and hope Jesse has better luck."

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

A couple hours after Cooter left the jail, Marshal Sam Freeman re-read the telegram from the Sheriff a top a hill over looking Hazzard. He couldn't remember the last time he got a telegram to transport prisoners, let alone did the transport. He made sure his vest covered the Marshal badge before riding into town. He had lived this long by not showing that badge until need be. Sam tied his horse to the hitchin' rail outside the jail, then went into the jail. At first glance he saw two young maidens in a cell and as he stepped on in the door he saw two of his best Marshals in the next cell. In a serious dry tone, Sam asked, "Women trouble, boys?"

Luke knew that voice before he turned around and seen the familiar face of the older man he now knew to be his boss and said, "Funny."

Bo was up and looking at the man. Something told him also that he knew the man and was very close friends with him.

Sam asked, "Bo hasn't been swimming nude in any more horse troughs has he?"

Bo blushed at a sudden memory.

As Luke replied, "Not this time."

Sam asked, "How bad?"

Luke winced at the mans directness.

That wince set off bells in Sams' head. "So where is the Sheriff?"

Luke pointed to the back room. Luke and Bo watched him go and whistled lowly.

Dixie asked, "Friend of yours?"

Luke replied, "I sure hope. Shhh, listen, this should be good."

Sam smiled and walked toward the closed door. He didn't bother to knock.

Sheriff Coltrane was on his feet and blabbering, "You can't just walk into my office uninvited."

Sam replied, "I was invited."

"You were not. I know who I invite in here!" Rosco said.

Sam said smuggly, "Then you should remember telegraphing me."

Rosco said, "I ain't telegraphed, ...... And you are?"

Sam moved his vest to show his badge.

"Mar, ...... Marshal, ...... Freeman?" Rosco asked, he had now put the face and the name together and knew he was talking to the senior top dog of the Atlanta office of the Marshal service.

"Yes, it has been some years since I've received a telegraph such as yours and many more since I did a prisoner transport, but since you wrote me specifically I figured I'd come see why." Sam replied.

Rosco was back pedaling, "I usually just telegraph your office, but them no accounts out there said they have had dealings with you and said to tell you specifically that it was them you would be picking up."

"They did, did they? Sheriff do you always do what your prisoners want?" Sam asked.

"Yes, well NO!" Rosco stuttered. "They said you'd be right down if you knew it was them, ..... and it looks like you were."

Sam said cooly, "I have had dealings with them on all too many occasions....."

Rosco cut him off asking hopefully, "They aren't 'wanted' anywhere else, like have a reward out for them."

Sam smiled, " 'Wanted'? Oh yes, they are 'wanted' alright, but no reward." He paused, "Sheriff I'm going to go get me a hot bath and a good meal, I'll be back sometime this evening to talk about the particulars of this transport." He tipped his hat and walked back to the cells.

Bo asked eagerly, "You getting us out of here?"

Sam grinned, "No. I'm off to have a nice hot bath and a good meal. Then, I'll be back to see exactly what you two have gotten into."

Luke said, "What about us?"

Sam replied, "Your meals are free here, besides I know where you two are, ... and surely even you two can't cause much trouble here." He walked out the door whistling a tune. He stopped out side the door where he heard Bo ask, "Do you believe he did THAT?"

Luke sighed, "Yeah. Yeah I do. After some of the things we've put him through, he's probably right!"

Beth asked Bo, "You really went skinny dipping in the horse tough?"

Bo replied, "Well... It was kind of a long story..." He shrugged. "It gets real hot in the summertime." He didn't know how much to explain, so he just let it go.

Beth raised her eyebrows before laughing outright at Bo. "Why am I not surprised?"

Dixie seen Luke's expression and knew that was not what had happened.

Luke was grinning at the memory of his cousin jumping out the brothel window in broad daylight, drunk as a monkey and landing in the horse trough. It had taken him and Sam to get him released from that Sheriff, with a promise Bo would not come back to his town.

Beth noticed Luke's grin, but figured it was just funny in general. She watched Bo, who looked very uncomfortable, and laughed out loud again.

Luke grinned ear to ear and said, "Cousin, you ever get them boots back lookin' good after that?" He laughed again, remembering Bo coming out of the water, wearing nothing but his boots, and handcuffs.

Bo glared, now suddenly seeing images of the incident, "Don't start with me Luke." He knew it had been something Luke and Sam had threw up to him often in the past, "It wasn't funny."

Luke grinned, "From where I stood it was." Luke had been sizing up the Deputy that had made the girls brother leave the jail. He hoped that he'd just over heard them or got lucky. The man didn't seem that smart and hoped he could get away with what he was about to try.

Bo was still steaming over the horse trough thing and didn't expect to hear Luke try something so soon. He nearly choked when he heard Luke say.

"Deputy, since it looks like we're going to be here awhile can we get our saddle bags in here? I'd hate for them to walk off or anything like that and we also have some paper in there. I'd like to write a letter or two if that's not a problem."

The Deputy saw no harm in them writing letters and did do a quick check for gun or knives before he said with his hand on his pistol, "Ok, ya'll just step back from the door and I'll put them in there for ya."

Luke motioned for Bo to follow his lead.

Dixie and Beth tried to act uninterested but were holding their breath thinking that Luke had a plan to get them all out of the cell.

Luke nudged Bo, as he, himself moved to the far back of the cell.

Once satisfied, the Deputy put the two saddle bags on the cell.

The cell door locked with an all too familiar 'clink'. Luke walked over and picked up his saddle bag and layed in on his bunk. He sat down and made it obvious that he was taking out the writing materials that he'd asked for.

Bo was watching, not sure what Luke was up to but not about to mess up his plan so he stayed looking out the window awhile longer.

Dixie didn't think Luke really wanted the writing materials but had no idea what he was up to as she watched him appear to be reading an old letter and starting a reply to it.

The Deputy got up and walked into the back room of the jail a bit later.

That's when Luke slowly set up and began looking through the contents of the saddle bag. He was looking for something but not sure what. That is until he found it. A very neatly folded hankerchief. He picked it up and knew by its weight that it had something inside it. He slowly unfolded the handkerchief and saw inside it a very familiar silver circle with a star in it, reading US Marshal. Luke almost could not believe what he was seeing. He knew that given the situation this could be very good or very bad. Luke folded up the hankerchief and handed it to Bo.

Bo couldn't image what was so heavy that Luke had wrapped in up in a handkerchief.

Luke wasn't sure what Bo's reaction was but he was trying to be ready to shut him up if need be.

When Luke handed Bo the handkerchief and he unwrapped it to reveal the marshal's badge he looked at Luke triumphantly and said, "I knew it!"

Luke slapped his hand over Bo's mouth glaring at him "shhh!" looking around Luke was glad to see the deputy nor the sheriff had heard Bo's loud mouth. "That's how Sam knows us so well. He's our boss." Luke thought out loud only loud enough for Bo to hear. "Which also explains the feelings I get of not staying any place long and traveling a lot."

Bo nodded silently listening to Luke, it still bothered him that they were lawmen that was just too weird a Duke being a lawman then he thought to himself everything that was happening in these dreams was weird, like the sudden snow storm in August that had been the reason for them being in that cabin with the Davenport girls to be caught by their brother Cooter and the Sheriff.

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

Once Daisy had left the jail, she had went to the wagon, like she said she was. Her only reason for coming to town had been to try to see Cooter, so she didn't have anything else to do now but wait on Jesse.

Cooter seen her by the wagon when he left the jail. He knew he probably shouldn't, but he made his way over to the wagon. "Miss Daisy," he said softly.

But Daisy was having none of that. She turned her head to the other side so as to avoid looking at him.

It was uncommonly cold from such a warm, sweet girl, and Cooter didn't much like it. "Miss Daisy, let me say my piece," he said. "And if it ain't enough for ya, I won't try to talk to ya again."

Daisy on one hand she now hated the man for helping arrest her cousins for something, as she had heard, could get them sent to prison, but she also knew what had happened between them and knew her cycle should be soon. Possibly should have already came. She wasn't sure she could risk him leaving and never talking to her at this point, so against her stubborn Duke pride she replied coldly, "I'll listen."

Cooter wasn't sure he'd expected that response, and he wasn't sure what to say to her. "Miss Daisy, I'm gonna do whatever I need to do to get your cousins out of jail. I just don't know what that's gonna take right now."

Daisy turned to Cooter. THAT had certainly gotten her attention. But she said, "But you helped find them? You knew they could go to prison? Yet, you intend to help them get out?"

"Believe you me, if it had been up to me, I wouldn't have gone looking for 'em at all, but my daddy ain't a man you say no to." If he thought about the last time he'd said no to his father, his rear still hurt. It wasn't a good memory.

Women of that era were largely kept in the dark on a lot of subjects, so Daisy asked a bit confused, "What is the difference in the boys situation and um,......." she blushed crimson, "What happened, ..........." She knew that he would know she meant after the stage wrecked.

Cooter wasn't sure what to say to that. "Um... well... They ain't of age..." he said, not thinking about the fact that he didn't know if Daisy was or not. "And in the long run, it ain't my call no way."

Daisy said, "I understand your father having say so over them, but Cooter you never asked me how old I was, ......."

Cooter got a real bad sinking feeling as he said, "Um... How old are you, Miss Daisy?"

She gave him an apologetic look before saying, "Twenty."

Cooter suddenly went pale.

Daisy asked, "So if I understand the laws correctly, YOU could be in as much trouble as my cousins?"

Cooter nodded slowly.

Daisy raised her eyebrows, a Duke shuck and jive in the makings. "And what do you think your daddy would think if that information got leaked out?"

Cooter blinked. "Um... Miss Daisy..."

She smiled sweetly. "Course, that wouldn't have to happen if you got my cousins out of jail."

Cooter paused for a minute. "Well, I'll do what I can, Daisy, but I just got banned from being in the jail alone with your cousins and the girls."

"You did?" Daisy asked, "Why?"

"We were discussing whether or not it was possible for me to get them out. I'm not sure how much the Deputy heard, but he told me to leave and said he'd tell the Sheriff I was a security risk." Cooter explained. "What do you say we find you uncle, see what he's found out and if I can I'll try to talk to him about courting you." Cooter suggested.

Daisy nodded in agreement.

Finding Jesse talking to Sam Freeman, Cooter respectfully waited to the side until Jesse looked at him. "What do you need?" he asked the younger man. Cooter felt like his collar was getting tight and he couldn't breath.

"Mr. Duke, I need to talk to you," he said. "I've talked to your boys. Have you found out how long they and my sisters will be there?"

Sam replied, "I've worked the best deal I can for them. Your father has asked your sisters be detained until he knows if they are with child. The boys will plead guilty to violating the Moral Decency Code and be sentenced to sixty days. By that time, your sisters will have been released or it will be confirmed they are with child. At that point, I have no further power but to suggest to your father what the boys have told you, that they are more than prepared to make amends by marrying your sisters."

Cooter nodded. That seems acceptable to him and hoped it was to Dasiy.

Daisy nodded in agreement. She looked at Cooter, wondering if he'd go ahead and ask Jesse's permission to see her. She sure hoped he would.

Jesse looked at Cooter who was still standing there. "Something else, son?" he asked.

Cooter nodded, 'yes', and began a bit hoarsely, "Sir, .......... I know this is a bad time for both our families, ............. and I apologize for my families part in causing your family distress at a time like this. I understand you just lost your wife and I am sorry for your loss." He paused taking a deep breath, "Sir, I have thought on this since meeting your niece on the stage, and though I may not be worthy of her attentions, I would like your permission to court her and get to know her better."

Jesse raised his eyebrows as Daisy looked at Cooter in admiration. "Mr. Davenport, I've seen you my whole life... From the time you was a little boy, and I don't know if you're worthy of our Daisy or not." He paused. "But it took a lot to come ask me that given the circumstances, and if Daisy's willing, I'll give my permission."

Daisy smiled. "I'm more than willin', Uncle Jesse," she said with a smile, hugging her uncle with a smile. "I love you!" she added, kissing his cheek.

Jesse reached to shake Cooter's hand, but something about Daisy's tone when she said she was 'more than willin' bothered him. "Good luck, Mr. Davenport. I'll expect you to be on your best behavior around my niece. My brother let her come stay with me to help me out, I'd not like for him to be upset with me because I allowed her to court someone who'd hurt her reputation."

Cooter swollowed hard hearing Jesse's warning loud and clear, before before Daisy interrupted. "Don't you worry, Uncle Jesse."

Cooter was hopeful that Jesse had no reason to worry. He didn't intend to touch Daisy again until they were married, but if the damage was already done, there'd be hell to pay. "Thank you, Mr. Duke," he said.

The two older men started walking toward the jail, leaving Cooter and Daisy standing side by side, Daisy gently sliding her hand back into Cooter's with a smile.

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

Meanwhile, back at the jail, the boys were getting a talkin' to from Sam. Sam had asked Jesse to let him talk to the boys. Jesse still didn't know the boys worked for Sam and their personal relationship, but being a Marshal he conceded the point. Sam entered the jail and seen the hopeful look in the eyes of his best Marshals. Being nearly Jesse's age he began, "Boys, I've worked the best, ... most reasonable deal I can for you all. First, at this point, you WILLbe charged with violating the Moral Decency Code here." His tone left no room for argument. "You WILL BE sentenced to sixty days HERE, not in prison." Then he turned to the ladies, "You father wishes you be detained, securely, until it is known whether or not either of you are with child. You'll remain here the sixty days or until it is determined you are not with child."

The "jailbirds" all looked at each other. "Surely he's bluffing," Beth said to Dixie quietly. What she didn't know was how good Sam's hearing was even for his age.

Luke cringed as Sam turned to look at the girls. "Which one of you was that?"

Beth and Dixie looked at each other.

Sam seen all eye's pointing to the girl in the yellow dress. "Surely, Miss I am not. It is the best and only deal I could come up with to keep these two out of prison at least temporarily." Sam didn't indicate how them spending that much time so close to the Sheriff's office would help him get a 'handle' on the illegal goings' on here in Hazzard, that the boys were supposed to be investigating on their 'off' time while they helped their uncle at his farm. So now they could do it from a bit closer, less comfortable surroundings. That was fine with him as long as they got the job done. He laughed to himself, those two never done things the simple way.

Jesse was nearly ah struck as he watched Sam Freeman 'handle' his boys and heard Luke say, "Thanks Sam, appreciate all you did."

Bo was chomping at the bit to say something, "Sam, ain't there some way you could get us outta here?" Bo asked, a bit of a whine in his tone. But the glares he received from everyone else in the room shut him right up.

Beth was hopeful that this wouldn't turn out as bad as she feared it might, but with the mouth Bo had, she had to admit she was worried.

Sam gave Bo a slight grin and said for only the boys to hear, "Boys, you know what I can get done if I have to but I don't like having to play trump cards if I don't have to." Then, he said to the ladies, "I'm sorry that you are being inconvienced but from what I hear you two will be much safer here."

Bo nodded, knowing Sam was right, and settled back into his bunk. It sure was gonna be a long 60 days with Beth so close, and yet just out of reach. Not that getting close to her would be in his best interest right now.

Dixie replied to Sam, "Thank you for doing what you could. You are correct in assuming that we are safer here. I still have bruises from the last whipping over two weeks ago."

Sam looked at Bo and Luke.

Luke confirmed what she said as the truth, by nodding, 'yes'.

Sam acknowledged, Luke. He laughed to himself as he thought, 'these two girls may be just what his best Marshal's needed to settle them down a bit which could only make his job easier. He said without givin' away that the boys worked for him. At the moment the fewer townsfolk who knew this the better for all concerned. "Well, I've done all I can do here. I'm off to the hotel. Boys, keep your eyes and ears open."

There was something in Sam's tone that got Luke's attention. After thinking a few minutes he knew they were in Hazzard for more than one reason. They were supposed to be getting information on the illegal goings on of Hazzard. Luke looked at the back door of the jail that lead to the offices in the back. It was no wonder Sam wasn't in a hurry to get them out. They were in the 'catbird' seat.