Modern -- Oct 17
A lot had happened in the last week. Bo, Luke and Cooter were released from Rosco's '1880's jail'. Daisy and Cooter were married and had spent most of their time moving her into the Davenport farm. Then, it had came out to family only that Daisy Davenport, as well as Dixie and Beth, were pregnant. Luther and Bryan hadn't taken the news well, but everyone had lived and a double wedding was being planned for Nov. 2nd.
Everyone involved had been under stress, but tonight was Saturday night. Daisy had arranged the night off and promised the manager she would explain everything including why she had taken the last week off.
Enos had been away at training for the last two weeks and while patrolling his first night back decided to stop by the Boar's Nest to see Daisy. He thought it was strange when her car wasn't there on a Saturday night, as she always worked Saturday nights.
At the Duke farm, the girls were getting ready. Daisy put down her make up and said, "I'll be right back." As she headed to the bathroom again.
Dixie hooked her bra and put the straps up. It took several times to 'arrange' the bra to fit right. She had chosen a top of Daisy's that had spaghetti straps on it.
Beth looked at her as she put it on, "Ummmm, Dixie....." She shook her head and looked down at her cousin's chest, "You are about to come out of that top."
Dixie looked down not having noticed before. She smiled and shrugged, "I guess being pregnant ain't all bad."
Beth glared at her saying, "Dixie Davenport! you are going to get yourself arrested for indecent expose in that top!"
Dixie didn't see anything wrong with what she had on. It was a top that Daisy wore all the time and she had even borrowed it before, "I like it and so will Luke".
Beth sighed, "Dixie it is TWO weeks before we are supposed to get married. You can't plan a wedding behind bars."
Dixie still not really seeing what the fuss was about as Daisy came back from the rest room saying, "Remind me not to drink anything or I'll spend the night in the restroom."
"Beth you're being impossible. I just wore this top a couple weeks ago." Dixie was setting on the end of the bed when she bent over to get her shoes and 'everything' fell out!
"See I told you!" Beth said as 'everything' fell out of Dixie's shirt.
Dixie sat back up with a glare at Beth, yanking the top off, looking for something else to wear. After finally finding a top that fit as well as looked a bit inviting, she put on her jeans she had bought only a couple weeks ago. Well, she got them mostly on. "#%&_$&_%_%$*)" Dixie swore without thinking as the other girls were busy also getting dressed.
There was a knock on the door. Bo said, "Are ya'll ready yet?"
"Almost sugar!" Daisy called back through the door, both Daisy and Beth had managed to squeeze in their jeans, but it was definitely time for new ones as they watched Dixie still struggling with hers Beth said, "Just wear something else Dix. It's obvious we all need to go shopping again."
Dixie being ever bit as stubborn as a Duke shook her head 'no' as the button finally fastened and she sighed with relief only for it to pop off and go flying across the room. Dixie glared at Beth, "I would have already done so, but this happens to be the largest I bought. I didn't want jeans falling off me and I expected to be able to wear them a couple weeks at least!"
Daisy had felt better about everything especially after her and Cooter were married, "I got a pair that aren't jeans but are stretchy that should match that top."
Dixie shrugged and changed. She then walked over to the full length mirror and turn sideways. She wasn't 'showing' yet, but it was obvious she had picked up a few pounds and not all of it was in her chest.
Daisy bend down to put her high heels on and noticed the veins in her legs were showing even through the hose she wore.......
Beth gave herself one last look in the mirror heading from Daisy's bedroom door or rather what was now hers and Dixie's room since Daisy had moved in with Cooter and Luther. Jesse was adamant that they were not staying together because it weren't no broady house. "C'mon you two let's go." Beth said heading out the door.
Dixie was still looking in the mirror, "We're coming!" She wished she had put on a top that 'flowed' rather than one that tucked into the pants, but she was tired of changing and liked the way at least the top of the shirt fit.
Luke smiled with approval as she came into the living room.
That managed to help Dixie's nerves a bit. She had already started making an effort to keep her hand off her still 'flat tummy'. It may be flat, but that hadn't kept her hips from spreading.
Cooter kissed Daisy as she emerged from the bedroom.
Bo pulled Beth to him wrapping his arms around her waist. He wanted to do more than that but didn't want Jesse to see him 'feeling' Beth, "Ready darlin'?"
Beth nodded 'yes' taking his hand walking out the door with the others right behind them.
Cooter leaned over putting his head on Daisy's shoulder, "Hmm, ...... I ain't never noticed this before but you got good veins in your legs."
Daisy looked at Cooter, "Should I wear jeans? I just noticed them."
Behind the other two, Dixie was more than self conscious. Luke's look of approval helped but she was still worried. She knew the looks she would have gotten normally walking in the Boar's Nest with Luke.
At the Boar's Nest, all heads turned, well most did, as the Duke's and Davenports walked in. Daisy looked down at her legs, Dixie at her stomach then at Cooter and Luke prospectively, "Why are they staring at us?" Dixie asked self consciously.
Luke hugged her to his side and whispered in her ear, "Because your so beautiful."
Beth had felt good about the night when they left the house because she was having a pretty good day but now she felt like everyone was KNEW she was pregnant even though she knew that no one there but the six of them knew.
Daisy and Cooter followed them in. Now it was nothing unusually to see Daisy Duke walk in with Cooter Davenport, but they walked in arm in arm! And, Daisy didn't give him a peck on the cheek in thanks for a ride and then head off to work. No, she held on tight to him and they headed toward a large back table hoping the others would follow.
The others did follow, as the group made their way through the crowd eyes followed them especially the eyes of the Johnson twins and the McCrackin sisters who'd had their eyes on the Duke boys for a long time.
All of them set down, Beth and Dixie got to noticing they were getting some very hostile looks and Beth said something about it, "Boy if looks could kill I think we'd drop dead Dix."
Bo kissed her gently saying, "They are just jealous babe don't pay them no mind."
He now snuck a 'feel' of her breast to confirm what he'd thought back at the house, "They are bigger."
Beth's eyes were wide, "Bo! Behave we're in public."
Cooter chuckled at his cousin, the Boar's Nest wasn't what most people would term as 'public' where you had to act a certain way. That is unless it's the Boar's Nest of the 1880's.
Dixie added, "Yeah, ya'll just did sixty DAYS for less!"
None of the three needed reminded of that, but Bo's hand moved real quick! Everyone but Bo had a good laugh.
"Cute!" Bo replied.
Dixie looked at Luke, "You know if I didn't know better I'd think you had been going steady with most of these girls recently."
Luke looked Dixie in the eye and kissed her, "I ain't even dated any of them recently." He'd not even dated anyone else since before the snow storm and since then he'd only been seeing Dixie.
Enos stood propped up against the bar watching the back table, he like everyone else couldn't believe Daisy had come in on the arm of Cooter Davenport and was now sitting all cozy with him.
Daisy eyes had grown accustom to the dim light now that they were seated and she seen Enos giving them a strange look, "Ut - oh, I think we have a little problem."
"Oh, well we should be able to handle the little ones just fine after what we've been through the past few days. What's the little problem?" Cooter said unworried.
"It's standing at the bar looking right this way. You or me one is gonna have to tell him before you tell everyone else." Daisy replied with the sound of regret in her voice.
Cooter frowned sounding like getting married might not have been a good idea, "Maybe he'd take it better from you, you can explain it better." He had mistaken the sound of regret in Daisy's voice as regret for marrying him.
Daisy sighed getting up from her chair, "Maybe your right." She walked over to Enos and said, "Hey Enos."
He ran his fingers around the top of his chilled mug of buttermilk. Enos never even looked up, "Daisy."
"Sugar, can we talk?" Daisy asked. "Outside?"
Enos dropped his hand from his glass, pushing off the bar still he had not looked up at Daisy, "I guess so".
The two went outside, Daisy leading the way around the building away from the door so they would have a little privacy, stopping she looked at Enos and said that same sound of regret in her voice as before, "Enos, you know I'd never hurt you for anything in this world but what I'm gonna say may just do that."
Enos looked up at her waiting expectantly for what she would say, it couldn't be as bad as seeing her all hugged up to Cooter Davenport or any other man for that matter.
Daisy took a deep breath and began, "I know we've been close since second grade and I know you care about me, like I care about you. But, something has happened, ...... Recently, I opened my eyes and saw someone who has been right in front of them all my life, ....."
Enos stopped her, "Daisy, I ain't blind. I seen ya with Cooter. I figure you all are seein' each other."
Daisy shook her head 'no', "No, we aren't seein' each other, Enos." she paused, "We were married a week ago."
Enos being Enos and not one to get mad easily especially at Daisy, "Congratulations." he smiled giving Daisy a friendly hug.
Daisy smiled saying, "Thanks, Enos" she knew it must have hurt him but at least he had taken the news well. "I wanted to tell you before we told everyone else." She said laying her left hand on his arm.
Enos couldn't help but stare at the wedding band on her ring finger.
Daisy smiled, kissing him lightly on the cheek, "I'll always love you Enos, but as a friend."
Enos blushed as always when Daisy kissed him, "Daisy, you ought not do that, Cooter might not like it."
The two of them went back inside, Enos returning to the bar and Daisy returning to the table with the others, Cooter asked, "How'd he take it?"
Daisy turned back to the bar seeing the bartender give Enos another buttermilk. It was a double. "Better than I thought he would, but he just ordered a double buttermilk."
The waitress was just getting around to taking orders, "What will it be the usual everybody?"
Old habits would died hard as Luke replied, "Yes." before thinking.
Dixie said, "Not for me. I'll take a Diet."
The waitress didn't catch her meaning, "Ok a lite beer coming right up."
"No, I don't think so tonight. I wanted a diet pop." Dixie said.
The waitress looked confused but said, "Ok. Five beers, one Diet 'pop'." She couldn't figure why anyone came to a bar to drink pop.
"Make that two diet Cokes." Beth said to the waitresses amazed confusion.
"Ok so that's 4 beers and two diet Cokes." she scribbled on her pad.
"Uh, ...... make that 3 diet Cokes." Daisy added.
The waitress by now was so confused she didn't know what was what as she scribbled on her pad again saying, "Ok let me see if I got this right, 3 beers and 3 diet Cokes?"
The girls and guys all nodded 'yes' the waitress walked away shaking her head staring at the order, it was the strangest thing she'd ever seen they all usually got beers.
Luke looked at Dixie, "Sorry, this is gonna take some getting used to."
"You're telling me, .... a beer would be REAL good after the past few days, BUT,....." Dixie left the rest of the sentence hang. She knew Luke knew what she meant. "I need to get out a second."
Luke nodded letting her out he seen her head toward the restrooms.
When Beth seen the way Dixie was headed she said, "Bo honey, I need out a second too."
Bo moved and let her out.
Cooter looked at Daisy who nodded 'yes' so he moved and let her out also, both following Dixie to the restrooms.
In the restroom the girls were finishing up and touching up their hair when the Johnson twins and Beverly came in. Beverly and Cooter had seen quite a bit of each other but not too much of each other in about six months or so. She had tried to get him to take her to the Centennial but Cooter had opted to go alone but ended up going to jail over something to do with Daisy and now here he was with her. The boys had taken the Johnson twins out several times but nothing much had came of it at least from the boys point of view.
Beverly looked at Daisy hard, "What do you think you are doing all hugged up to Cooter?"
Daisy put her hands on her hips smiling sweetly, "Well Beverly, that's something a wife usually does."
Beverly nearly 'swallowed her tongue' hearing this. Dixie and Beth both patted her on the back until she stopped coughing, when she caught her breath she said, "Married!"
Daisy nodded 'yes' flashing the gold band on her left hand in front of Beverly's eyes with a satisfied grin.
Luke nudged Bo as he seen Beverly and the Johnson's follow the girls into the restroom. Luke, Bo and Cooter were making there way toward the restrooms, unsure exactly what they were gonna do once they got there if something was going on.
Even the Johnson twins were so shocked they hadn't even gotten out asking about Dixie and Beth being with Bo and Luke before they and Daisy left the restroom giggling and running right into the boys just outside the door.
They all asked simultaneously, "What's going on in there?"
Daisy shrugged answering, "Nothin' just had a little chat with Beverly that's all."
Beth was holding a wad of toilet paper to her nose with bright splotches of red on it.
Bo looked at Beth as he put his arm around her, "Are you OK?"
Beth nodded 'yes', "I just don't know why my nose decided to bleed. I never get nose bleeds."
Dixie caught Luke's attention. It was nearing ten o'clock, "Can we get a burger or something?"
They had just eaten around six. Luke had actually hoped to relax and enjoy having a few beers tonight for the first time in over two months, "Order what you want. I'm fine."
Dixie went over to the grill area of the Boar's Nest, as the others went to the table. She placed her order then joined them at the table.
Several minutes later the confused waitress from earlier delivered Dixie's order. A large cheeseburger, cheese logs and a large order of chili cheese fries.
Daisy and Beth hadn't been hungry until they saw Dixie's food! Daisy stopped the waitress before she walked away, "Can I get a chili cheese burger and a large order of those chili cheese fries please?"
Wondering what was going on with the Davenport girls and Daisy the waitress wrote it down on her pad then looked at Beth.
Beth bit her lip considering it, nodding she said, "I want two corn dogs, mozzarella sticks and stuffed jalapeno's please."
Writing it down the waitress turned and left.
The guys were all looking at the girls. Bo said, "Ya'll keep eating like that and you're not gonna fit in the General's windows!"
Daisy reached across the table slapping Bo on the arm at the same time Dixie kicked him in the shin under the table and Beth pinched him on the side.
Luke laughed at his pain, "Keep that up and you're gonna be on the couch before you get married."
The nosy waitress came back with part of the order and heard the last part of Luke's comment. "Married? Who's getting married?"
Luke smiled, "Well, we'll let everybody know here shortly. Ok Darlin'?" After she shrugged her shoulders and left Luke looked at Cooter, "Guess you want to do your thing first?"
Cooter said, "Yeah, but let them finish eating first." the three young women were scarfing down their food like it was their last meal.
Luke looked at the way they were eating and thought of saying something, but stopped himself, he didn't want any part of what Bo's mouth just got him.
When the girls finished Cooter took Daisy's hand standing up, he led her up to the stage, the band was on break so he decided to make good use of the mic, tapping it to make sure it was working he said, "Can we have ya'lls attention for just a minute." All sound stopped and everyone turned to the stage where Cooter Davenport stood holding Daisy Duke's hand, ..... "I'd like to introduce ya'll to someone....."
Ernie Ledbetter replied from near the stage, "Everyone here knows Daisy Duke, Cooter. How much you drank tonight?"
Cooter replied, "But do you know Daisy Davenport?" The small bar erupted with comments as Cooter added, "My wife!"
Well the noise level rose when Cooter said that Daisy was his wife, everyone was more than a little baffled at this strange turn of events in pairing. The Davenports and Dukes had been friends for years and everyone knew it but no one had ever expected this.
"I gotta get back on patrol, see ya Charlie." Enos said sitting his empty buttermilk glass on the bar, he just couldn't take anymore of this.
It wasn't that he wasn't happy for Daisy, he was, but he would have preferred it to be him making the announcement introducing her as his wife instead of Cooter. He just could not take the familiar ease that Cooter was touching Daisy with. Every time he seen Cooter's hands on Daisy it down right made his skin crawl.
Before Enos got out the door Cooter had handed the mic to Luke, "I also got a bit of an announcement."
Enos stopped by the door.
"On November 2 nd at 2 pm I'll be making, ......" He then helped Dixie up on the small stage, "Dixie Davenport my wife."
For an entire minute, you could have heard a pin DROP!
A low murmur started amongst the crowd as everyone digested Luke's news. But it was Ernie Ledbetter who stood up, saying with a sneer, "Let me be the first to congratulate you." His next comment brought another hush over the crowd, "Guess you got this one knocked up and she wouldn't put the kid in the orphanage like the others!"
Luke saw red and before anyone knew it he'd jumped off the stage tackling Ernie!
From where Dixie stood on stage there wasn't anything she could do as the two rivals since high school rolled around on the floor once again trying to get the best of each other.
Enos was near the door and moved forward trying to break this up as Bo and Cooter put both Beth and Daisy up on the stage with Dixie so that none of them would get caught in the melee before they too jumped into the fracas.
"Ya'll stop now, I don't want to arrest ya'll so quit it!" Enos said.
None of the guys was listening though as they continued to roll around in a tangle of arms and legs.
Then, Rosco stepped out of the back and seen the all out fight.
Dixie looked at the other two girls, "Oh, sh--!"
Rosco fired a shot in the ceiling sending a light fixture to the floor throwing glass all over the place. The four young men that had been rolling around on the floor when he stepped out of the back room stopped in their tracks and looked at Rosco.
He asked "Awright! What in tar nation's going on here?" All four combatants on the floor had stood up by now swearing by all that was holy. Luke still had Ernie by the collar. Bo was wiping blood from his busted lip as Cooter was trying to button his shirt back up. What most people hadn't seen was Ernie's brother and friend had also been involved which is why Bo and Cooter jumped in to make it a one on one fight not a three on one fight.
Rosco glared at them saying, "I got half a mind to put you in jail Ernie Ledbetter and you three BACK in jail!" He pointed his finger at Bo, Luke and Cooter.
At this point the three girls got down off the stage protesting that Rosco couldn't put the guys back in jail, Daisy said, "Ernie started it by shooting off his big mouth about Dixie. Luke was just defending her honor!"
Beth was nodding 'yes' as Daisy spoke then added, "He practically called her a ....." not wanting to say what the word was in mixed company Beth beckoned Rosco closer and whispered in his ear, "wh---!!!!"
Dixie added shyly, "Sheriff, give our guys another chance? It's been a bad few days and Luke just wasn't gonna take Ernie's sh-- tonight."
Enos was nearby and heard the girls pleas, "Sheriff, Ernie here was trying to push Luke's buttons."
Luke and Ernie had been here plenty of times since high school. Luke still was holding Ernie as he said, "Thanks Enos. You know Ernie here, needs reminded of his manners sometimes, but its fine now ain't it?" Luke hoped that Ernie wasn't in the mood to go back to jail tonight because he sure as heck wasn't. Besides Rosco sorta owed them all at least one break after nearly three months of difficulties at his hands.
Rosco looked at the young men and then the pleading faces of the three girls he would have normally sent them right back to jail but he in truth was tired of them as much as they were of him so said "Awright I'll let it go this time, so count yourselves lucky!"
"Thanks Rosco" Luke said.
Cooter and Bo both were nodding in agreement Bo saying, "Yeah, thanks Rosco." he was still worried about Beth's nose bleed earlier.
"Thanks." Cooter added he was glad Rosco wasn't putting them back in jail, Daisy nor his sister and cousin needed that stress right now.
They all started back to the table glad to have gotten out of Rosco's grip.
Luke caught the waitress, "Can we get another round of drinks back here?"
The waitress asked with a sigh, "The same?"
Luke replied like it was the most normal thing in the world, "Yeah, three diets, three beers."
The waitress just could not figure why ladies announcing their engagements were satisfied drinking soda pop not at least a few beers.
Dixie gave Luke a look of regret, "I'll be right back." and headed toward the restroom again.
Luke watched her go toward the restroom praying the rest of the pregnancy wasn't going to be like this.
Beth had started not feeling well while all the commotion with the fight was going on, but she wasn't worried recognizing the symptoms as the same one's Dixie had had at the garage the day she got heartburn. The waitress brought their drinks while Dixie was still in the restroom and Beth took a sip hoping it would make her feel better, unexpectedly she emitted a rather unladylike like burp, "Excuse me" she said cheeks aflame with embarrassment.
Bo and the other fellas had good enough sense not to say anything about it and just pretend it didn't happen as Beth continued to try and cover her embarrassment.
Before leaving the restroom, Dixie stopped and looked at her self for the first time in the full length mirror. She turned sideways and smoothed the shirt down flat. She knew she could see the slightest 'bump'. Dixie could only hope Ernie was just being Ernie and had no real reason for saying what he had to Luke.
When Dixie came back, Luke stood up and let her in asking, "Everything alright darlin'?"
Dixie nodded 'yes' then asked Luke, "Can you tell?"
Luke looked confused, "Tell what Sweetheart?"
Dixie sighed, men could be so dense sometimes even Luke who was supposed to be the smartest of them all, "Am I showing? Can you tell I'm pregnant?" she said again posing the question to everyone at the table not just Luke but it was Luke who answered, "No, honey ya can't".
Bo got up from the table just then now that things were quieted down after the fight, making his way to the stage with Beth by the hand he stepped up asking the singer of the band if he could use the mic a second before they started the next song. Glad for a couple more minutes to finish his drink the singer nodded 'yes', stepping up to the mic Bo said, "I had something to share with ya'll too before we was interrupted. I'll make it quick so the band can get back to playing."
Everyone in the Boar's Nest turned their attention to Bo who continued, "Luke ain't the only one that'll be getting hitched on Nov 2. I'll be joining him in the happy occasion, my wife to be is Miss Beth Davenport." Bo announced pulling Beth up on stage with him again the establishment went silent for a full minute, as Bo and Beth got off stage turning it back over to the band.
Now Hazzard being a small town and the Duke boys the biggest catches in town now announcing their engagements at the same time to girls no one really knew they were dating started more than one conversation among the bar patrons as the band picked the music back up.
Dixie looked at Luke, "Well, if Ernie's comment didn't get people to wondering it sure looks like Bo's is.
Daisy also knew that the same folks talking was also wondering why her and Cooter married so fast, but frankly she didn't care.
Neither did Dixie for that matter, in fact it was sort of nice knowing so many girls there would have given anything to have been on that stage with Luke awhile ago.
Bo as usual didn't give a hoot what anybody thought as he sipped his beer with his arm around Beth.
Beth however, had that feeling that all eyes were on her and the tongues wagging were about all of them too, she thought maybe it was just the leftover stress from telling her parents that was making her so self conscious.
Daisy looked at her watch, yawning it wasn't that late only about 11 o'clock but she was exhausted.
Cooter looked at her, "Getting tired?"
Daisy replied, "I shouldn't be. I'm used to closing this place at 2 am and not leaving to nearly 3 am."
The group hadn't noticed Luther come in, nor had he seen them. He went to the bar and ordered a beer, then turned to scan the crowd.
Luke asked Dixie to dance and they were on the dance floor dancing to a slow dance. Dancing very close to each other, Luke took a surprised deep breath as a unexplained feeling ran through his entire body. He may not be responding a hundred percent but at least he was able to feel something in the one part of him that had been on vacation. Maybe there was hope of a completely normal wedding night after all. He had been worried at scheduling the wedding on the 2nd when Doc had said about thirty days and the 2nd was day thirty on the dot.
Luther seen how close they were dancing and that pissed him off.
The bartender said as he set down the beer, "It's on the house. I understand congratulations are in order."
Luther took the beer mumbling a, "Thanks." He didn't think there was anything to be congratulating him about though.
The confused waitress from before came to the bar to pick up another order, and seeing Luther sitting there she commented, "Dixie and Beth must a worked hard at the garage today they sure ate a lot a while ago," everyone knew both girls sometimes helped out.
Luther glared at her, "No, they didn't, nor will they as long as they are hanging around the likes of them!"
This statement confused the waitress as much as the girls orders had earlier considering that Bo and Luke had announced their weddings, but she thought maybe Luther didn't know about the weddings and said, "Looks like they will be hanging around them a lot, both Luke and Bo announced they was gonna marry Beth and Dixie on Nov 2nd."
Luther replied, "That may be, but I'll be da-- if I'm gonna help support them all."
The bartender looked surprised also, "But, Luther isn't Luke one of your drivers?"
Luther set his beer mug down harder than intended, nearly breaking it, "He was." then he paused, "Seems I had a fox in the hen house Charlie."
Charlie asked, "You don't mean?......" leaving the question unfinished he went about wiping down the bar but he knew Luther would know what he meant most likely.
Sally, the waitress, asked, "Mean what?" she wasn't bad on the eyes but certainly was not the smartest tool in the shed.
Luther wasn't about to tell everything he knew, at least not until he'd had several more beers, "He used me and the 'job' at the garage to get close to my girl. So he betrayed any trust I ever had in him."
Charlie knew that trust had been a lot since Luke had keys to the garage as well as the impound lot and never used those keys to get the General Lee back even when Rosco had taken it illegally. Charlie set a refill on the bar in front of Luther, wondering just who was driving the wrecker tonight. If what Luther said was true, it wasn't Luke, and based on the way Luke and Cooter had been drinking all evening it surely wasn't them, but Luther usually never drank more than one if he was driving either.
Luther gulped down the beer and set his glass on the bar for another, Charlie filled it, watching as Luther stared a hole through Luke as he twirled Dixie around the dance floor.
When the next song came on Bo held out his hand and asked Beth, "Wanna dance Darlin?"
Beth smiled, taking his hand, "I'd love to." The couple went out onto the floor and as Bo turned Beth toward the bar she saw Luther watching the four of them, "Uh-oh there's Luther. I hope he ain't gonna start something."
"He won't" Bo said as he pulled her a little closer and kissed her gently.
Beth replied, "I don't know about that, I've seen that look before."
Returning to their table Beth said to Dixie, "We've got someone watching us real close."
Dixie took her seat and glanced toward the bar seeing the look Luther was giving her.
Luke was facing the bar and seen the look also.
Cooter looked at the bar to see what the others were looking at, "I think we might want to slide on outta here ya'll before he starts something."
Daisy had turned her attention to the bar as well, "You don't think he would do you? He knows that Rosco usually ain't far away on Saturday night."
Cooter shook his head saying, "That don't matter to him, I seen that look before and he's drinking a lot from the looks of it."
Luther had finished his beer and had started on another one, Charlie was watching him close though and wasn't going to let Luther drive if he didn't already have someone to drive him then Charlie planned to get Cooter to.
Dixie looked at Cooter, "He's got to have the wrecker." She knew that was a major issue with Luther and the guys. They were not to drink if they were driving it. She had never seen Luther drink more than a couple of beers in a night.
Unknown to Dixie, Cooter being older had seen Luther drink before and it usually wasn't good.
Cooter nodded 'yes', "I figure he does but hope I'm wrong."
Luther set down his empty mug saying, "Another one Charlie."
The bartender said gently, "I think you've had enough Luther. You got somebody to drive you home?"
Luther turned his attention away from Cooter and Luke momentarily to look hard at Charlie, "I'll tell you when I've had enough and further more, I've been driving since before you were born."
Charlie held his hands up and gave in. He served Luther one more beer and told the waitress to have Cooter come talk to him.
The waitress had thought she had seen everything in the short time she had worked at the Boar's Nest but there was sure something going on tonight that was different. She walked back to the table where Cooter was and said, "Cooter, Charlie wants to speak to you a second."
Cooter nodded 'ok', standing he gave Daisy a peck on the cheek, "I'll be right back Sweetheart."
"Ok." Daisy said watching Cooter walk toward the bar.
When he got there he leaned his elbows on the top of the bar, "Sally said you wanted to talk to me a minute Charlie?"
The bartender set down the glass he was wiping nodding 'yes' then moved a little further away from Luther motioning for Cooter to follow him down the bar which he did.
Charlie nodded, "What's up with Luther tonight?"
Cooter didn't really want to get into it and replied, "I don't rightly know, but I could likely guess. Why?"
Charlie said, "He's had more than I'm really supposed to serve him without someone to drive him. I tried to talk to him but, ....."
Cooter looked at Charlie and said, "Trust me, if he's not listening to you he danged well won't listen to me. Best I can do for you is maybe switch a few wires and hope he's too drunk to figure it out."
Charlie said, "What if he ain't that drunk and he figures it out?"
Cooter shrugged and said, "Don't worry about it Charlie, I'll make sure he gets home alright." Cooter just hoped that Luther would be too drunk to figure out anything had been done with the wrecker as he went out the door, opening the hood on the wrecker he reached in the motor fiddling with a few things before closing the hood going back inside to the table where the others were giving him questioning looks.
Daisy was the one to ask, "What'd Charlie want?"
Cooter sighed, "To see what was wrong with Dad tonight, cos he's drinking so much. Told him I wasn't sure but I could guess. I didn't want to get into it all but told him I couldn't get anywhere with Dad if he wasn't even listening to Charlie. I went out and messed around under the hood of the wrecker, switched a few wires hopefully Dad will be too drunk to figure out what I did."
Luke said, "You better be glad that he didn't come out and catch you under the hood."
"He's not going anywhere for awhile." Cooter said. "So what do you all think? Should we try to slide out of here or what?"
Dixie said, "Well, ya'll figure it out. I'll be back." She got up and hurried toward the restrooms again.
"Maybe we should wait." Daisy said, she and Cooter was living with Luther so in a way she felt like they were responsible for him whether he liked it or not.
Beth said, "I agree with Daisy, I'll be back in a minute, too." she had seen Luther watching Dixie as she went to the restroom and while Beth didn't think Luther would do anything she didn't like the looks he'd been giving them all either so she followed in Dixie's path to the restrooms, watching Luther as he watched her.
Dixie said to Beth as she came in the restroom, "I don't know what is going on tonight. I can't stay out of here."
"You're not drinking anymore than usual so that can't be it. I heard somewhere though that when your pregnant ya go a lot more often." Beth didn't really know what it was either but she had heard that but her mother hadn't ever talked to her about this sort of thing and wouldn't now she was certain.
"Well, something is sure up." Dixie said.
Beth added, "Maybe you should tell Doc when we go see him."
They had been planning to go see Doc a few days after the wedding. That was as long as Jesse was going to let any of them go without seeing a Doctor.
"Yeah, maybe. Are you ready?" Dixie noticed Beth had only came into talk to her.
"Yeah, I guess so." Beth's tone didn't sound ready at all, she was not looking forward to going back out to the table with Luther's eyes on them.
They started across the crowded bar and Dixie said, "Go ahead I'll be right there."
Before Beth knew what was going on Dixie had turned and was heading to the opposite end of the bar from where Luther was setting. She caught Charlie's attention, "Can I get one of those pickled pigs feet?"
Charlie looked a bit surprised. Normally, the only one to eat them and the reason they were there was for Boss Hogg. "Sure thing. Give me just a minute to get caught up."
"Take your time." Dixie said seeing the bar was unusually crowded.
Beth returned to the table alone as Luke looked up, "Where's Dix?"
"She said she'd be here in a minute." Beth said pointing to the bar where Dixie was waiting for something obviously.
Becky Mae Coggins, the granddaughter of Grannie Annie, as everyone knew her came up to the bar beside Dixie saying, "Well ain't you and Beth the lucky ones catching the two most eligible bachelors in Hazzard. Girls in three counties has tried but never been able to hold onto one of 'em."
To others the comment was as innocent and sweet as any but to Dixie it was anything but, "I guess we're just lucky like you said."
Luther was watching Dixie down at the other end of the bar from the corner of his eye, when Becky Mae sidled up to the bar. While the girls were talking and Dixie was waiting for her order, Tommy Watkins who was more than a little drunk passed by smacking Dixie on the rear, "It's a right shame to put you out of circulation sweet...thing." he drawled.
Luke had seen this and was up out of his seat headed for Tommy with murder in his eyes.
Bo jumped up to follow Luke, as Cooter stood up swearing, "SH--!!!"
Dixie had turned on Tommy and said, "Keep you're paws off me Tommy!"
Before Tommy could react he was being physically turned around to face Luke Duke. Luke was more than peeved.
Luther laughed behind Luke, "What's a matter can't take someone touching your whore?"
Luke let go of Tommy and turned on Luther grabbing him by the shirt yanking him around and shoving him against the bar saying between clenched teeth, "Don't call her that! You got no right!"
Luther shrugged saying, "If the shoe fits...or maybe a better saying is, .... she made her bed... "
Cooter had made his way over by this time and was about to stop Luke until he heard Luther's words, "Luther you got no call talkin' about Dixie like that, you and Mom did the same thing when ya had me!"
Bo hoped to eliminate part of the problem. He took Tommy's arm firmly in his hand and suggested, "I wouldn't be here when Luke gets done!"
An unsteady Luther stood up to show the Duke and his ungrateful son a thing or two. The swing he swung went wild hitting neither target even though Luke still held him by his shirt.
Tommy, drunk as he was, heeded Bo's warning and took off soon as Bo let him go.
Luke ducked again as Luther took another wild swing, not wanting to fight with Luther in public or in front of Dixie but if he kept it up that was exactly what could happen.
Cooter took hold of Luther's arm, "Dad stop it! C'mon I think you need to go home Daisy and I will take you."
Luther shook his arm free of Cooter, trying to push Luke away he slurred, "I...can...gesch....hom....jis....fine..wifout, da..helpsh....of you...or your whore...."
Luke was still standing pretty close and pounced back on Luther before he knew what hit him. Luke grabbed Luther again and put him against the nearby wall with his toes barely on the ground, "You'll not talk about any of the girls that way!!!" Luke had already opened a can of worms. He knew he had a tiger by the tail and they could be real dangerous if you just turned them loose but he heard a familiar voice in the back of his mind that he hadn't heard since he was about eighteen and knew it all. These were the few years that Luke had found himself in more trouble than a little bit with Rosco. The voice was now warning him that it was Saturday night at the Boar's Nest, Rosco had given them one break when Ernie was shooting off his mouth. Luke realized that there likely wouldn't be a second break if Rosco came back in. He just wasn't real sure how to get out of this because he knew if he let loose of Luther he'd surely come after him.
Bo and Cooter were close behind Luke weighed the options, seeing that Dixie was watching and eating what looked like pickled pigs feet! Slowly Luke let go of Luther's shirt but keeping him pinned against the wall saying in a cold steely voice. "I'll let it slide THIS time, but don't you ever talk about Dixie or any of the girls like that again or you'll regret it understand!"
Luther wasn't scared of Luke, drunk or sober and to be drunk he didn't do such a bad job at a running tackle taking both Luke and Cooter to the floor.
No matter how much Luke was trying not to fight the man it looked like it was unavoidable as he tried to get turned to gain some leverage.
No sooner had he swung at Luther than, than Rosco showed up again yelling, "Freeeeze!"
Of course Luke and Cooter were still trying to get untangled from Luther and subdue him with Luther fighting tooth and nail, Rosco hollered, "Hold it, I said freeze!" Trying to remove his pearl handled pistol from its holster, pulling the trigger in the process he sent a bullet into the floor. The racket stopping the fight instantly, "Oooh! Good gravy I shot the floor Boss is gonna be mad about that," Rosco was muttering noticing the fight had stopped he asked, "What's going on here? Luke Duke I done warned you once tonight about causing trouble!"
Luke had been here before and knew he was likely wasting his breath but began, "Rosco, Luther started it by talking about Dixie, then Daisy. He also tried to swing on me several times. I walked! Only to be tackled by him." He said trying to snap his shirt back up.
"Tiddly tuddly Luke Duke, your just causing trouble again and I done warned you!" Rosco babbled.
Luke sighed frustratedly, "Rosco listen carefully, I was trying to walk away and Luther tackled both me and Cooter."
Rosco wasn't having any of it though, "Lie, lie, lie that's all you Dukes do is lie." Rosco knew just as well as anyone though that this wasn't so but he wasn't going to miss the chance to arrest a Duke if he could help it. Rosco none too gently 'helped' Luke off Luther as he reached for his cuffs.
Dixie didn't think this was gonna help but she would try, "Rosco, please don't do this tonight. We just announced our engagement and my father isn't real happy about it."
By this time Luther was on his feet and took a swing at Luke as he slurred, "You're Da-- right I'm not happy about my baby being his whore!"
Charlie came out from behind the bar saying, "Sheriff I seen it all, Luke here didn't do anything but try to talk to Luther when he was bad mouthing Dixie and the other girls. It all actually started when Tommy Watkins over there got a little too friendly with Dixie."
Rosco had his cuffs out and open ready to cuff Luke as Charlie spoke but stopped listening to the bartender. "Alright I'll let you go again, Luke Duke, but only cos Charlie here stuck up for you. But you get out of here and go home or the next time I will arrest ya!"
Luke nodded 'ok', "We'll leave as soon as Dixie's finished and ready to go."
Rosco looked at Cooter, pointing at Luther, "Make sure he gets home I don't want him drivin' around in that state he'll kill himself or somebody else!"
Cooter wasn't looking forward to being cooped up in a vehicle with Luther and was actually thinking about letting Rosco take Luther to jail but nodded 'ok' instead, "Me and Daisy will see that he gets home."
Daisy and Beth had joined the others by now and all were more than ready to go, thinking that coming tonight hadn't been such a good idea after all.
Luther glared at Cooter, "You'll do no such thing! I got myself here and I'll get myself home!"
Luke like Cooter had seen Luther like this only a few times in his life. He knew it was only going to get worse. He wanted to stay to help Cooter but knew Rosco was likely to take his frustrations out on him. "Cooter we're out of here." He figured it would be better to get Dixie out of here in the event Rosco had heard enough from Luther.
Cooter knew what Luke was trying to do. "Can you drop Daisy off too?"
"Not a problem." Luke turned to take the girls outside, Luther making another lunge for him from behind only to be stopped by Cooter's hand on his shirt collar pulling him stumbling backwards and cursing.
Bo looked at Luther and Cooter debating whether he should stay and help Cooter or go with Luke and the girls, considering he was marrying and was the father of the child of Luther's one and only niece. "You want me to stay and help ya get him home Cooter?"
Luther yanked out of Cooter's grasp, "I told you I got here and I can get home!"
Rosco answered for Cooter, "That won't be necessary Bo." He reached for his cuffs again.
Cooter sighed and backed off and shook his head, "You just do that."
Luther started for the door barely able to stand up.
Rosco let him go outside and get in the wrecker where he attempted to start the wrecker. Rosco waited patiently seeing the vehicle wasn't going to start. When Luther got out of the wrecker to open the hood Rosco reached for his right wrist and placed it into a cuff and quickly did the same with the left before Luther had a chance to react. "Luther you're under arrest for Creating a Disturbance, Public Intoxication and Driving while Intoxicated."
Luther began trying to fight against the cuffs and Rosco while cursing a blue streak.
"Naughty naughty Luther that's not nice cursing at an officer of the law." Rosco led Luther a few cars down to the patrol car reading him his rights, "You have the right to remain quiet....." Once Rosco had Luther in the patrol car and was heading out toward the jail, Cooter opened the hood of the wrecker to 'fix' it.
Bo came up beside him, you want me to drive Daisy's car home for ya so you can take the wrecker?" Cooter said "I'd be much obliged Buddy Roe." Bo patted Cooter's shoulder going over to Daisy's roadrunner, climbing behind the wheel he pulled out behind Cooter in the wrecker following him to the Davenport farm where the General Lee was still parked.
Hearing the wrecker Luke swore, thinking that Luther would throw one more fit with him and Dixie being there. With luck Luther would be passed out long enough for him and Dixie to get gone. "Daisy we've got to go."
Daisy nodded.
Dixie nodded and picked up a couple things she had left behind when she quickly packed.
Stepping outside Luke seen Cooter driving the wrecker and Bo driving Daisy's car.
Cooter and Bo got out of the vehicles heading up on the porch.
"Where's Luther?" Luke asked.
"Rosco arrested him for creating a disturbance, public intoxication and driving while intoxicated," Cooter listed the charges chuckling on the last one saying, "He never even got the wrecker started. I switched some wires around so he couldn't."
Luke and Bo both chuckled, all of them going back inside to get Dixie and Beth and let all the girls know what had happened with Luther. Beth was upstairs helping Dixie get some more of her things, sighing she hadn't had a chance to get anything from home when she left with Bo.
Cooter said to Luke, "You know I think Rosco charged him with DUI just to get his attention. I think he'll drop it later since he didn't actually get the truck started."
Luke had to grin just a bit, "If not looks like you'll be busy driving the wreckers since he no longer needs me."
Upstairs Daisy had went to change into something a bit more comfortable as the guys were talking. Dixie seen Daisy come out of Cooter's room with a change of clothes and head to the bathroom. She said to Beth, "That's gonna take some getting used to."
Beth grinned, "Yeah, I bet it is."
Daisy joined the other two in Dixie's room, "I don't think any of us has to worry about Luther for tonight anyway he didn't come in with Cooter and Bo.
Dixie and Beth both looked at Daisy with wide eyes, Dixie saying, "He musta shot off his mouth to Rosco one too many times to get arrested."
Dixie wasn't sorry for Luther, but for Luke, "Ohhh, man! You know he's gonna blame Luke."
Daisy said, "And likely Cooter too, but we live here. Ya'll don't."
Dixie felt sorry that Cooter and Daisy were going to have to deal with Luther once he got out of jail but she was glad too that it wasn't her and Luke, "I know I'm sorry ya'll are gonna likely get crap from him over this but he'll get over it."
Daisy said, "Yeah, I suppose he will."
Dixie set back on her bed as they talked. Daisy and Beth were setting on the other twin bed in the room.
Daisy said, "So what all do we have to get together this week. We've only got a little more than two weeks."
Dixie reached for her pillow, "We've talked a little and are considering just going to Chickamohoney like you all did it would be less headache. We just haven't talked to Beth and Bo about it."
Beth was fiddling with the pillow sham of the pillow on the other bed and said, "Bo and I haven't really talked about it, so much has been going on but going to Chickamahoney would be fine with me."
There was no answer to Beth's comment from either Dixie or Daisy. Beth looked up and seen they were both sound asleep and found she was pretty comfortable herself.
01~~~~~~~~~~~01
Downstairs, Cooter replied to Luke's comment about the wrecker, "I sure hope he don't push it. I'd sort of looked forward to not being woke up during the night for at least awhile."
Luke nodded agreement with Cooter, "Yeah that will be nice I guess, but it's going to make having new wives hard if he don't pay either of us."
Cooter said, "Yeah, but we can always both get jobs somewhere's else."
Bo got to looking around noticing all the girls were missing and had been missing since Dixie had went upstairs to get some things, "Hey where's the girls, they didn't none of them come back down stairs."
Cooter shrugged.
Luke said, "Well, you won't be the only one working nights. I figure Jesse will have a lot of extra loads for us to haul." He got up and started up the stairs returning a couple minutes later very quietly he motioned the others to follow him upstairs. Where he pointed into Dixie's room at the three sleeping forms spread out on the two beds.
They all had a good laugh.
"Let's let them sleep awhile."
As the guys returned downstairs Cooter went to the refrigerator and came back with a couple of beers a piece. "I've wanted to do this for a couple months now. Just set down and relax and us drink a cold one." Cooter paused, "Fellas, I know I was mad about Dixie and Beth, but the reason I wasn't madder is because what had already happened with me and Daisy...." He held up his hand, "Wait. Just let me finish. I don't know how to explain it. It was like I didn't have any control over it, but I had to have her or die."
Bo and Luke both knowing only to well what Cooter had been feeling, took a drink of their beers, Luke finally said, "We know how ya felt Cooter. We didn't plan on doing what we did with Dixie and Beth either but there was just something inside of us that I can't explain but cooped up there in the cabin during the snow storm we...."
Bo said, "Yeah, it was like nothing I've ever felt before for no other girl, I know we've all done our share of tom cattin' but no woman has ever done to me what Beth does."
Upstairs the girls in question were snoozing right along unaware that they were now the topic of conversation as the fellas sat relaxing in the living room, having a couple of beers.
Being the first chance the three friends and cousin-in-laws had really had a chance to talk openly and alone, Luke told Cooter, "I got to agree with Bo. You know I've had my share when I was out to get only one thing, but none have been like Dixie. And to be honest, I have really missed just havin' one girl around. I was actually getting to know Dixie and wanted to date her before all this started. I just knew that Luther would give me grief with the age difference and all."
Cooter said, "Your probably right about that."
Luke nodded with a sigh it didn't matter now he would be Dixie's husband in a little over two weeks.
Bo stretched his long legs out in front of him, slouching in his seat it felt good to just relax with the guys for a while.
Luke shook his head nodding at Bo. He knew he'd likely be asleep where he sat before long. He finished the first beer Cooter had brought in and opened the second before saying in a very serious tone, "I'm not gonna hurt her or let anyone else do so as long as I'm around."
Cooter thought this conversation was getting far too serious, "The same goes for Daisy."
Luke nodded, reaching over he smacked Bo in the belly with the back of his hand making him jump and grunt, "Dang it Luke what'd ya do that for?"
Luke smirked at the glare Bo gave him answering, "Ya looked too comfortable like ya might be going to go to sleep."
Cooter chuckled, "Why don't ya'll just stay here tonight?"
Luke replied, "Do you think that such a good idea with Luther gonna be home sometime tomorrow?"
Cooter said, "Well, you know the Judge don't come in until after church on Sundays. Besides, he'll have to call for a ride."
In theory Cooter was right, but Luke wasn't so sure it was a good idea. "You know we are all expected in church tomorrow?"
Cooter had forgot about that part but, Jesse would have all their heads if they didn't make it to church. Nodding with a shrug he said, "Yeah, so? We'll probably all be awake in plenty of time, besides," Cooter gave Luke devilish grin, "If you stay here you can share a room with Dixie. I know Jesse ain't been lettin' ya cos his house ain't no broady house." Cooter quoted one of Jesse's favorite sayings.
Luke grinned and said, "Alright ya talked me into it." then, he looked at Cooter, "Why the sudden change of heart? Or are you setting me up to get killed?"
Cooter held up three fingers with a serious expression, "I am not setting you up to get killed scout's honor. As for change of heart...." Cooter shrugged continuing, "The damage is done and ya are going to marry her, so there's no reason not to." grinning evilly Cooter continued, "Beside, I know you ain't gonna do nothing, .... ya can't."
Luke frowned, "Thanks for reminding me of that." he sighed, "So, I take it you ain't been able to either?"
Cooter replied, "Never thought I'd say it, but even with Daisy. ....... Nothing."
"Yeah. I know. We've tried everything we know to try too." Luke admitted.
Bo, who was now awake sat up straight, "Ya'll ain't the only ones! I hope this is over before the weddings!"
Luke nodded in agreement, "It just wouldn't be much of a wedding night unless it did."
Cooter said without thinking about what he was saying about the night in question, "You'd be surprised. We were quiet 'creative'."
Bo and Luke both at Cooter with wide eyes, they were curious but neither one was curious enough to ask for details about their own cousin's wedding night!
"I don't think I even want to know what you mean by 'creative'." Luke said.
Bo said, "Me neither!"
Cooter raised an eyebrow, after all it was Bo and Luke he was talking to, ... some part of them had to be curious.
They truly didn't even want to try to picture Daisy and Cooter together like that. It was enough to try to get used to seeing them together. About that time the all heard the familiar sound of the toilet flushing.
Dixie came down the stairs very slowly she found that she had a lot of pressure in her lower stomach and her back felt like it was about to break. She felt like she was even walking funny.
Apparently she was walking funny because Luke was on his feet and meeting her at the bottom of the stairs. "Dix?"
Holding her back with one hand and her lower side with the other, Dixie replied, "I don't know. Something is 'different'." She had even unbuttoned the top button on her jeans and pulled the shirt over her jeans.
Luke frowned, "Maybe we should go to the hospital and get you checked out."
Dixie did not want to do that, "No, I'm ok, .... not in any pain just feels 'different' let's wait a little bit at least and see if it goes away."
"Ok, but if it don't go away I'm taking you to the hospital no arguments!" Luke led Dixie back over to the couch and sat her down.
Cooter had scooted up to the edge of his seat looking just as worried as Luke, Dixie was his baby sister and that was his niece or nephew she was carrying, "I agree with Luke."
She had asked Luke earlier if she was showing and wasn't. Luke put his hand on her tummy and looked up at her strangely. He moved closer and flattened her top down.
Dixie had her head back with her eyes closed not paying much attention to what Luke was doing.
Luke looked from Dixie to Bo and Cooter to see if he was imagining things. He wasn't as both looked a bit surprised. Luke said gently, "Dix you said something felt different, well it is."
She never moved, "What is different other than the pressure I'm feeling?"
"Remember you asked me if you were 'showing' earlier?"
"Uh huh." Dixie said.
"You weren't, but ummmm,.... now you are." Luke said slowly.
"Am what?" It was Dixie's turn not to catch on.
"Darlin' there ain't no way you can wear that outfit anywhere with out everyone in town knowing." Luke said.
Dixie frowned, "No, the baby just moved or something. I just feel different."
Luke said, "Well, you better hope 'he' moves back."
Dixie sat up and went to stand up but felt as if the couch she had grown up on had 'eaten' her. After three failed attempts she gave up, "I'm stuck. I could use a little help here."
Trying not to laugh both Cooter and Luke helped Dixie to her feet. She went straight to the mirror on the downstairs closet door. As she walked she felt like there were bones grating on bones as she walked. Before she even smoothed her top she could see what they were talking about, "Oh my God!" She did straighten her top, "How? In just a couple of hours? How in the world could I go from flat to this?" She knew her jeans weren't fitting her but it had been because her hips were getting wider.
Upstairs Beth had been trying to ignore the burning feeling in her chest that was rising up into her throat but Dixie's voice had floated up the stairs and she sounded like something was wrong, maybe she still had something for heartburn. Pushing herself off the bed Beth came down the stairs "Dix do you have?.....oh my gosh!" Beth's eyes were wide as saucers when she saw what Dixie was looking at in the hall mirror, hurrying to stand beside Dixie flattening her own shirt glad to see she hadn't 'grown' any in the few hours she'd been asleep, "How'd you get so big so quick? I'm still the same size."
Dixie shook her head in a 'don't know' way her expression was puzzled and upset at the same time.
Bo noticed Beth had a hand on her chest and asked, "Are you alright darling?"
"Yeah, just got heartburn from all that spicy food I had at the Boar's Nest earlier. Dix do you still have some Rolaids or something for it?" Beth asked.
Dixie wasn't paying attention however, and Beth had to tap her cousin's shoulder to get Dix's attention, "Huh, what'd you say Beth?"
Beth said, "I asked did you still have some Rolaids or something for heartburn in your purse maybe."
Dixie replied, "Yeah, there's something in my purse. I've got to go find something to wear. This top just is not gonna work even to go home."
Luke replied, "Well, why don't you go find something comfortable and we'll just stay here tonight?"
Dixie looked at Cooter who was shaking his head 'yes'. "Are you sure?"
Cooter said, "It is my house too and as long as I live here I'll have friends over. Besides, this is YOUR house too."
Dixie shook her head 'no', "I don't think he sees it that way."
"Well, I do." Cooter said hugging her. "Go get comfortable. Do you think a warm bath would help?"
Dixie's hand went to her now not so flat tummy, "Can't hurt." She looked at Luke, "I just may try it."
"Ok." Luke said kissing her forehead, Dixie left to go upstairs and change Beth was still looking in Dixie's purse for something for her heartburn when she found it she took some.
Luke looked at Cooter asking, "Where we all gonna sleep?"
Cooter replied, "Well, me and Daisy in my room, figured to let you and Dixie have her room and then Bo and Beth can stay in the guest room. Unless ya'll got a problem with those sleeping arrangements."
Bo was listening to all this and he had no objections at all to the sleeping arrangements, "I don't have a problem with them at all." he said.
Beth who had set down on the couch waiting for the medicine to take effect said, "Me neither."
Cooter clapped his hands together once and said, "Alright it's all settled then, Beth why don't you go put on something more comfortable too."
Beth sure didn't argue with this, pushing herself up off the couch in one try which surely would have irritated Dixie because they were both 9 weeks along and Beth seemed to be having a much easier time.
Dixie went upstairs and soaked in the tub awhile. Dixie set up in the tub and tried to get up. The way she was trying to get up wasn't working. She ended up turning over and getting on her knees to get up. Once she got out of the tub, she went to her dresser and began digging around for something to wear that she could be comfortable in and wouldn't mind being seen in by Bo and Cooter. It may not be real pretty but it would be comfy she thought as she pulled out an old flannel gown. Since it had always been big on her it fit and still had a lot of growing room in it.
Bo looked at Luke, "Do you think we should call Jesse and tell him we're staying here?
Luke replied, "Yeah we probably should, so he don't worry what happened to us."
Bo nodded and turned to Cooter to ask if he could use the phone but before he could say a word Cooter said, "You know where the phone is help yourself."
Bo nodded 'thanks' and went to call Jesse.
In the meantime Beth came back into Dixie's room looking for something to wear, digging around until she found her extra cotton night gown that she had left there last time she'd stayed with Dixie, it fit loose and would be appropriate to wear in front of Luke she wasn't worried about Cooter he'd seen her in less in the summer time when she'd stay the night. Looking at Daisy still sleeping on the bed Beth whispered to Dixie, "Daisy sure is sleeping good, she ain't even moved a muscle with us in here digging around."
Dixie replied, "Well, thanks to my big brother I sure hope to sleep good myself and hopefully, this little one will move or something. I know I'm gonna get bigger but I didn't expect to do it in a couple hours."
"Yeah....what made him agree to this anyway? I sure didn't expect Cooter to let Bo and Luke stay here with us and sleep in the same room, let alone the same bed!" Beth put a hand on her still very much flat tummy, the other one on Dixie's now noticeable 'bump', "I hope I don't wake up in the morning looking like that."
"Gheee! Thanks a bunch Cuz." Dixie knew the answer but hoped for a bit of support. "Is it really 'that' noticeable? I mean maybe if I'd had a different shirt on? Or something?"
Beth studied Dixie before answering, she knew what Dixie wanted to hear the same thing she would want to hear in Dixie's shoes but she had to be honest, "Yeah, Dix it is that noticeable." Beth said gently then added, "But maybe if you had worn something different it wouldn't be so noticeable it's not so bad in that gown cos its so loose."
Looking down at herself wondering if she was noticeable too but no one had said anything because it wasn't as much as Dixie.
Dixie stated the obvious, "I've been trying to wear clothes to show off my figure. I'm not really sure I have anything that will hide this." But she did have an idea and said with a grin, "I'll be right back."
Cooter heard his bedroom door open and thought it was surely Daisy awake with all the noise from Beth and Dixie upstairs. He called up stairs, "Daisy, Honey, are you coming down for awhile?"
Dixie stuck her head out of his room, "I'm not Daisy, but I'll be down in a bit." She went to his dresser and started digging.
Beth went back down the stairs in the night gown she had on was really not more than an over sized t-shirt that reached to about the middle of her knee.
Cooter asked her, "What's Dixie doing up there in my room?"
Beth shrugged her shoulders answering, "I don't know, she just said she'd be right back and went to your room and started rummaging around in the dresser."
Luke looked up and smirked at Cooter.
Cooter went to the stairway and yelled, forgetting Daisy was asleep, "Dixie Lee!!! Get out of my dresser!"
Dixie whined, "Awe, Cooter I just need a couple shirts."
Cooter looked at Luke, "This is your fault."
"Sorry." Luke said nearly dying laughing. He was actually glad it was Cooter's drawers not his.
Cooter rolled his eyes, Luke was no more sorry about it than he was about Daisy.
Bo looked down at Beth laying in his lap, brushing the hair off her face he said, "Remind me to take you to get into LB's drawers if you decide you need shirts."
Beth didn't find any humor in what Bo said though and said. "Daddy probably wouldn't let me back in the house to get anything."
Dixie took several of Cooter's shirts that he hardly wore into her room and shut the door so Daisy wouldn't be woke up by the noise downstairs. She made her way down the stairs still feeling a lot of pressure as she walked. She took a seat by Luke and curled toward him.
Luke wrapped his arms around her, "Feel better?"
"About the same." Dixie said.
Luke had his hand on her belly while he was holding her.
Cooter was setting back watching. It was hard to see his best friend in the world so familiar with his baby sister's body.
Luke said, "Maybe its time to get you checked out."
Dixie set up and looked him in the eye, "No way, I'm ok and the baby's ok s' just I haven't been feeling this way but I suppose I'm gonna experience a lot of changes before the baby comes."
Luke sighed wrapping his arms back around Dixie pulling her close saying, "Yeah, I reckon you are and its my fault."
Dixie looked up at Luke, putting a hand on his cheek as she replied, "Not all your fault, it takes two to do what we did and I didn't say no."
Beth piped up from Bo's lap, "I didn't hear nobody saying no at the time."
Bo laughed at what she said he couldn't help it 'no' had definitely not been a word that was heard in that cabin during the snow storm.
Cooter was giving them all nasty looks, he did NOT want to hear this, so far he'd taken everything pretty well concerning his best friend's and his sister and cousin because of what him and Daisy had done in the cave but he didn't want any reason to picture his sister and cousin that way!
Luke smirked at Dixie, "No, you didn't say 'no', in fact, ...."
Cooter cut him off, "Stop right there. I prefer not to have mental images of this, anymore than you'd want to hear what went on during the flood."
Luke put up his hands in surrender, "Ok...ok. "
Cooter nodded once satisfied this conversation was over. All three looked up the stairs as they heard Daisy moving around, soon she appeared downstairs with them noticing that Dixie and Beth both had on comfortable looking night gowns she said, "Ya'll look comfy."
Luke said, "Cooter said there was plenty of room for us all to stay here."
Daisy looked at Cooter raising an eyebrow knowing Luther would just love this if he knew about it.
Cooter was nodding 'yes' reading her mind he said, "It's my house and Dixie's as much as it is Dad's and he ain't here to object."
Daisy said, "I'm just here cause this is where you call home. That's up to you." She went over to the chair and slide over the arm onto Cooter's lap. She had gotten used to setting like this since they had lived there.
Cooter looked up and actually seen Luke clinch his teeth as Daisy set on Cooter's lap and he wrapped her in his arms. Then, he looked over at Bo, who was, giving him 'the look' it was going to take more than a little getting used to seeing Cooter like this with Daisy.
Daisy wasn't paying her cousins any attention as she rested her head against Cooter's shoulder with her eyes closed, "I feel like I could sleep for a week and still not be rested." she said.
Cooter kissed her head leaning his own against hers as they set in the chair together.
Dixie had changed her position a couple of times in the last few minutes, not finding a comfortable spot. She saw Luke finishing the beer he was drinking. "Luke, do you mind if we head to bed in a bit?"
Luke grinned, "Not at all."
"I'm not trying to rush you, but I can not get comfortable." Dixie explained.
Cooter clenched his teeth, Luke's grin and tone was just a little to eager for his liking, Luke helped Dixie to her feet after she shifted uncomfortably again, "C'mon let's go to bed."
Dixie said, "Are you sure your ready?"
Luke grinned again heading for the kitchen trash can with his beer cans, "Yeah, I'm ready.".....
Dixie had her hand on her showing tummy, "Night all. Ya'll please make sure we are up and gone before Luther gets here. I really don't need that."
Luke put his arm around Dixie, "You did call Jesse earlier, right?" He was looking at Bo.
Bo replied, "Yeah, I called him, he said we'd ALL better make it to church on time or we'd answer to him."
Luke nodded 'ok' dealing with Jesse he knew was something none of them wanted to do.
Cooter wasn't looking forward to dealing with Luther either if he got home before they all left.
Bo looked down at Beth asleep in his lap, standing up with her in his arms he said, "Guess we'll head to bed too, night ya'll"
"Night Bo." The others said as he carried Beth out of the room.
Dixie felt like she was waddling up the stairs. She turned to Luke, "I'm not real sure I have anything that will fit me that is appropriate for church."
"You'll be fine." Luke said.
"Luke! I can't go to church like this! Before we're married." Dixie said.
Luke smiled at her, "You aren't showing that bad. Just wear a skirt and a loose blouse."
"I'm not sure it will be that easy." Dixie replied.
Luke hugged her to him, kissing the top of her head, "It'll be fine, we won't hang around and socialize long enough for anyone to really get a chance to notice anything."
Dixie nodded 'ok' but still didn't think it was going to be that easy. Crawling in the bed Dixie layed on her left side which seemed to help the pressure somewhat, Luke rubbing her back helped too.
Dixie turned over to face Luke and said, "You know I never expected to be in any bed with you, but to be in this one with you is a bit strange."
"Would you rather I sleep over there?" He said pointing to the other twin bed in the room.
Dixie gave him a look, "No!"
Luke wrapped his arms around her, "Come here. You know I don't think the three of us will fit in here much longer."
"I guess its a good thing we'll be at Jesse's then?" Dixie said snuggling closer to Luke.
Luke gave a kiss and reminded, "My bed is the same size."
"We can get a bigger one, Bo won't be sharing the room anymore remember." Dixie replied.
Down the hall in the guest room Beth lay with her head on Bo's shoulder having woken up when he layed her down, "I can't believe in two weeks I get to hold you like this every night." Bo said hugging her closer.
Beth snuggled closer, "Well, you will. Sorry I fell asleep on you."
"Don't be. It's late and I should have taken you to bed earlier, but I was trying to see what Luke and Cooter was going to do." Bo said, then added, "I can't get over Cooter letting us all stay here and sleep in the same beds."
"Me either." Beth replied.
"No, you just don't know how mad he was about us being with you all. Especially Dixie and Luke."
Beth asked, "Do you think they will be Ok?"
Bo said as he hugged Beth, "Dixie may be just what Luke needs."
"I sure hope so. She wouldn't admit it for the longest but Luke is the reason she wanted to stay here. She's been head over heels for him since she walked into the garage when she arrived and he was there." Beth confided.
"They are a lot alike. After Luke and Robin broke up, he chased every skirt in at least five counties to see what he could get. But, if you hadn't noticed it's been awhile since he's went out with anyone. He'd dance with this one or that one but wasn't leavin' with any of them. He would be driving the wrecker, say they wasn't his type, he had several different reasons for not going out. I got to noticing this awhile back and he claimed he actually missed having someone steady in his life but that none of the girls was anyone he wanted around longer than a date or two. I've been thinking and watching, every time the wrecker moved with Luke in it, Dixie was behind him. She could care less if Cooter or Luther went out, but Luke, ..... she was there, which might have been only on her part. I've also known Luke to get a call at home from the garage about making part runs and seen him on more than one occasion call Dixie at home to go with him." Bo said.
Beth was catching on the what Bo was saying, "So, you're saying they have been seeing each other awhile now?"
"Not exactly, but Luke was laying ground work I think to see her. He just figured that with the age difference that Luther and Cooter would have a cow and I think he didn't want to loose their friendship." Bo said.
Beth replied, "I can see his reasons, especially knowing Luther and Cooter the way I do. When Cooter found us at the cabin he was more mad than I've seen him in a while."
Down the hall in Cooter's room Daisy was saying, "I hope we're all at church before Luther gets out of jail. He's going to be in a bad mood after a night in jail and would likely take it out on Bo and Luke's skulls, mostly Luke's."
Cooter rubbed Daisy's arm replying, "I wouldn't let him do that, and besides he'd be just as peeved at me for letting them stay as he would them for being here."
Daisy kissed Cooter turning her back to snuggle against his chest, soon the house was silent as all six young adults were dreaming of their futures.