Don't push me away

Bo and Luke pulled back into the yard from spending the morning in the fields. The windows to the farm house were all open and they could hear loud music coming in from inside.

Bo looked towards the house puzzled. "Is Bobby home already?"

Luke smiled "That ain't Bobby" Bo looked at him even more puzzled as they got out of the truck "It's Jess" Luke explained with a grin. "It's her day off and Bobby wouldn't be listenin' to

that" Bo laughed as they went in.

Jess was ironing in the living room with her back to the door, singing and dancing along to the music. Luke put his finger to his lips to show Bo to be

quiet as he crept up behind her. He waited for her to put the iron down then he grabbed her round the waist making her scream.

"Luke Duke what d'you have to creep up on me like that for." She was silenced by his mouth on hers. She relaxed into his kiss as Bo went to turn of the music.

"What was that?" He grimaced turning the music off. He turned towards them with the CD In his hand "Would you two just cut it out" Luke just pulled Jess closer as Bo pouted. "I can

always just go home for lunch if y'all don't want me here"

Jess gave Luke one last kiss and grinned at Bo "Sorry, Bo. Of course we want you here" She hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"We do?" Luke said raising an eyebrow to Jess.

She pulled a face at him and Bo said "Well, ya did ask me to come for lunch" They walked into the kitchen, Jess and Bo with their arms round each other.

"I thought ya invited ya self when ya found out Gaby was goin' to Cindy's" Luke teased.

They sat down at the table and Jess served lunch.

"Oh by the way" she said "Coy called"

"How's he doin'. " Bo asked. "I ain't heard from him in a while"

"He's fine. They've been pretty busy getting the ranch running."

"Did he want anything particular? Should I call him back?" Luke asked.

"Not really , he was just letting us know that he's not coming down" Jess told them

"Was he supposed to be?" Bo asked and Luke shrugged.

"Yeah, apparently. But they can't come" Jess replied.

Bo and Luke looked confused. "So he called to tell us that he ain't comin', on a visit, that none of us knew that he was to start with" Bo asked.

Luke frowned at her "Babe, can ya just explain, what's going on?"

Jess sighed "It's simple. He had two tickets to take Casey to a rock concert in Atlanta, so he was going to call in here too. But now Casey can't go, his Mum wants him home for some family

thing, so he called to see if we wanted the tickets 'coz he thought I'd love it. But I told him we couldn't go"

"Why?" Bo asked "Gaby and me are here for a couple of weeks. We could take care of things here"

"Oh come on Bo, It'd be worse that what I was playing when you came in" Jess said ruffling Luke's hair. "Could you really see Luke at a rock concert? "

Bo smiled "I guess not"

After they'd cleaned up from lunch, Bo and Luke were heading back out when Luke stopped and turned to Jess "Why did you say no to Coy without even askin' me? I woulda gone."

Jess smiled and ran her hand down the side of his head, "I know you would have. But you'd have hated it"

"I guess" He sighed and kissed her.

Bo came back in and pulled Luke away "Come on Cuz. We got work to do"

Jess drove into the yard after work a couple of days later, to find a sports car she didn't recognise parked up. She looked at it and whistled as she got out of the jeep and walked towards

the house.

Luke came out accompanied by the visitor.

"Hey Sugar. How ya doin'?" The visitor grinned.

"Coy!" She squealed throwing herself at him as they hugged tightly. "What are you doing here?"

"It's Luke here's idea." He smiled.

Luke pulled a face "How come I don't get a hello like that?"

Jess smiled and kissed him as she wrapped her arms round him "Is this your car?" She asked Coy

"Sure is, 80's Fiero" He smiled proudly "I'll even take ya for a ride, if ya want"

"Do I ever! I thought you weren't coming" She said to Coy as they went inside to join Gaby and Bo.

"I wasn't. But Luke called me back about the concert" Coy explained.

Jess looked at Luke and he smiled at her."You were right, I'd hate it. So I called Coy and suggested that he come down and take you. Think of it as an early birthday present."

"But Mum's already had her birthday" Kait frowned.

"Then it can be early for next year" Luke smiled at her.

"That's brilliant" She said hugging Luke "But what about..."

"Everythin's taken care of. I'll be here to take care of the kids. You just go and have fun"

Jess looked at Luke seriously "You sure about this?"

He kissed her gently "I'm sure" .

He smiled as Jess squealed and hugged him.

"I guess ya don't mind goin' with me then" Coy grinned at her

"Of course I don't" Jess hugged him too.

"You can take the girl outta the rock but ya can't take the rock outta the girl" Bo smiled

"You two could have gone" Jess said patting his arm as she sat down opposite them.

"Not me" Bo frowned

"It's not my kinda music" Gaby said with a smile "too much punk not enough dance."

The following afternoon, Luke and Coy were in the lounge talking when Jess came through from the bedroom. Luke wolf whistled as she came in and twirled round.

"Wow" Coy exclaimed.

"Will I do?" She smiled at them sitting on Luke's lap.

"Sugar ya look great".

"You always do, Babe" Luke said as he kissed her. "What d'ya call this?" Luke looked bemused as he played with the ends of her hair.

Jess smiled "Cosmic black with electric blue streaks. D'ya like it?"

"It's great" Luke said unconvincingly as he frowned "Does it come out?"

"Luke!" Jess hit him playfully on the arm

He cowered and grinned "No I like it honest"

"It looks real good" Coy agreed "Maybe I shoulda had ya done mine too"

"Now I know you're both teasing" Jess wrinkled her nose

The door banged as Bobby and Danny came in and Jess went to see them.

"Hi Mum. What are you wearing and what did you do to your hair?"

"Hey Mrs. D. You look terrific" Danny said.

"Now you know why I won't go out with her" Bobby said pulling a face.

"I sure would" Danny said to him.

"You don't have to be nice to me, Danny. I'll feed you anyway. You know where the fridge is. And you don't have to call me Mrs D., Jess will do"

Luke and Coy came in "Hey Jess, we gotta get goin'. girl" Coy said.

"Yeah OK. You behave now Bobby."

"Yes Mum. Have fun" He said trying to disown her.

"See ya Mrs D....Jess."

"Don't forget to clean up after yourselves boys" Jess patted Bobby's arm and left

Luke had his arm round her as they walked to the car. Kait came out of the barn with Bo and hugged her "You be a good girl for Luke and I'll see you in the morning"

"Yes, Mummy"

Luke shook Coy's hand "You guys have fun"

"Sure. Thanks for this Cousin. I'll take care of her" and he got in the car.

"Be careful" Luke said turning to Jess and pushing her hair behind her ear.

"Yes Dad, we'll be fine" She teased sarcastically, before turning serious. "Thanks for this Luke"

They kissed each other and Coy beeped the horn. "If y'all don't put each other down, we ain't gonna get there" He grinned.

Jess and Luke smiled at him and kissed each other again. "I love you Jess Duke" Luke murmured into her hair as he hugged her.

Holding onto his collar she smiled "And I love you Luke Duke"

He kissed her quickly. "I'll wait up. Now go"

She grinned "I'll try not to turn into a pumpkin"

Luke closed the car door after her and kissed her hand, letting it go slowly as the car pulled away.

Bo put a hand on his shoulder "If y'aint happy about this, why d'ya suggest it?"

Luke looked at him surprised "What makes ya think that?"

"Instinct I guess. Ya can't hide it from me Luke"

Luke crossed his arms and looked down the drive after the car. "I can't tie her down Bo"

It was just after midnight when Luke was woken by the phone ringing. He realised he must have fallen asleep in the chair.

"Duke farm. Luke Duke speaking"

"Hey Babe, did I wake you"

"It's fine. Where are you?"

"We're out on the interstate. The car's broke down and we're kind of stuck"

"Ya want me to come and get ya?"

"No, it's OK We've found a place to stay out here but I just wanted to let you know so you didn't have to wait up. We'll be back in the morning as soon as the car's sorted."

"OK..........Hey Babe, I love you"

"Yeah I know. Love you too" There was a click and the phone went dead. Luke let out a big sigh as he put down the receiver. He went into the kitchen and poured himself more coffee and

sat at the table staring at the cup. He knew Jess loved him, so what was the problem. He trusted her. He even trusted Coy now. But something just didn't feel right. Jess loved it here but

there was something in her that needed a faster life, a buzz, an excitement that just didn't come with a country farm life. Something that he just couldn't give her. And she wouldn't tell him

if she wasn't happy. Maybe Coy could give her that, even if she didn't know she was looking for it. Relationships beyond Bo, Daisy and Uncle Jesse had always confused Luke, which is why

he'd always tried to stay clear. Women had been just fun, back when things had been easy and uncomplicated. He wished he had learned a lesson when he and Anita had gone their

separate ways. That had hurt, more than he'd ever admitted, even to Bo, but he suspected that Bo had guessed. Something had always stopped him taking that final leap into the

unknown. He had come close to following Anita but there was still something holding him back, a thought that it wouldn't work out. Maybe he was right. But then there was Jess. For some

reason this had been different from the start. It wasn't just fun. They'd had their share of problems, things to overcome to get where they were now. And not once had he thought of

walking away. He'd even thought of giving everything up for her, leaving his life and his family to follow her heaven knows where. But right now all he wanted was for Jess to be happy.

But to do that he had this horrible feeling that he was going to have to let her go. He hated the thought of life without her, without the kids, but he had to do what was best for them.

Luke spun the empty cup around in his hands. Could he really let Jess go?

He was still staring at the cup turning in his hand when Bo found him the following morning.

Luke rubbed his hands over his face wearily. "Hey Bo. You're early"

"Nah Cuz. You're late. I just come to see if you's OK"

"Yeah. I'm a-comin'" Luke stood up and stretched and took his cup to the sink.

"Did Coy and Jess have a good time? I didn't see his car, where'd he park it?" Bo asked helping himself to coffee.

"Out on the interstate"

Bo looked at him "What?!"

"It broke down out there and they had to find a place to stay over"

Realisation hit Bo as to Luke's depressed mood. "And you been sittin' up here all night wonderin' what's goin' on" Luke said nothing. "Luke, I thought ya had all this stuff with Coy worked out"

"I have"

"Then what's the problem. Would ya be worried if she'd stayed out all night with me or Enos or Cooter?" Bo asked.

"No. Course not" Luke looked shocked at the thought.

"So if ya trust them, ya do trust them right?"

"I guess"

"Then y'aint got nothin' to worry about."

"But it's different with Coy"

"She made one mistake. It don't mean nothin'..............Luke, Jess loves you, ya turkey, stop worryin' " Bo put his hand round the back of Luke's neck and half hugged him. "Now, come on,

we got chores to do"

Luke's face brightened a little "Drink ya coffee. I'll go get the kids"

.

It was still early when Coy and Jess crossed the county line.

"I don't believe this" Coy said looking in his rear view mirror.

Jess opened her eyes and sat up "What's up?" She turned at the sound of the sirens "Cletus?"

"Looks like it." Coy replied "Hang on" He floored the gas and took off.

Jess rolled her eyes "Here we go again"

Coy smiled across at her "We could just stop if ya want"

Jess sighed "No. Just drive"

"What's he tryin' to pin on us now?"

"He doesn't do that anymore now Cooter's in charge"

"Best find out then" Coy picked up the Cb "Breaker Breaker This is Coy Duke callin' the Sheriff. What we done now Cletus?"

"Coy Duke, Is that really you?"

"It's me, Cletus" Coy fishtailed round a bend sliding off round a side road.

"Well, I'll be a dodo's nest. I ain't tryin to trap ya or anythin'. I was just finishin' a night patrol when I saw y'all comin' and I wanted to warn y'all about the rock slide on Old Ridge Road"

"That's mighty kind of ya, but we're headin' straight back to the farm"

"OK. Good to see ya Coy. Well hear ya really"

"Ten - four sherriff" Coy chuckled as he put down the CB. "Good to see some things don't change around here" He slowed the car down as Cletus pulled off. "I just ain't sure I can handle

bein' chased by the law for them to be nice"

Jess smiled at him "You'll get used to it"

"If I'm ever here long enough"

"Well, just make sure you come and visit us more"

Coy smiled "And y'all had better come out to Oklahoma and visit us too"

"You bet.............I had a great time last night Coy. Thank you"

He picked up her hand and kissed it "So did I, Sugar" The car coughed and spluttered "But right now I gotta try and get ya home to that husband and kids of yours"

"You think this wreck'll make it that far" she teased.

"Yeah, it'll make it " He said indignantly "I hope" He added quietly with a grin.

Jess laughed as she playfully thumped his arm. "I ain't walkin' "

Coy laughed and teased her about her imitation of his accent.

.

Luke and he kids were just sitting down to breakfast, when Jess and Coy got back. They crossed the yard laughing and joking, with their arms round each other. Luke went out onto the

porch to meet them.

"Luke!" Jess threw herself at him "We had the most brilliant time. It was so loud that my ears are still ringing"

He gave her a half hearted hug in return and eyed Coy suspiciously "How's the car?"

"Dang fuel line came loose. Didn't see it in the dark" Coy explained "It still ain't runnin' right. I guess I'll have to run it down to Cooter later."

"Yeah I guess" Luke said blankly.

Jess frowned at him "Luke, is everything OK?"

He forced a smile "Everythin's fine. Have ya eaten? We were just about to start breakfast"

"I am starving" Jess said as they went in.

.

Bo Luke Daisy and Gaby were at the Boar's nest when Jess and Coy came in with Kait.

"Hey guys" She kissed Luke "Look who I found skulking about over at Cooter's"

Coy pouted "I was not skulking"

"Ya want a drink?" Luke asked. Bo was watching what was going on carefully.

"It's Ok. I'll go" Jess replied.

"I'll give ya a hand Sugar" Coy offered.

Luke kept his eyes fixed on them as the others continued to chat. Jess and Coy were messing around at the bar while they waited for their drinks and Jess was dancing to the juke box.

Coy laughed and grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.

Luke went to stand up and Bo grabbed his arm "Sit down Luke. They're just dancin' "

Daisy and Gaby looked over at them sensing something was going on. Daisy followed Luke's line of vision and putting it together with Luke's expression, guessed what was happening.

"Come on Luke" She pulled him up by the arm. She led him over to where Coy and Jess were dancing "Mind if we cut in here"

Coy smiled at her "Course not Sugar. But I think Jess has just plumb wore me out" He grinned and kissed Jess's hand as he let it go.

Luke made a move as if to leave. But Daisy held him back and pushed him towards Jess.

"Hey Cuz. Did y'all have a good time last night?" Daisy asked Coy as they danced.

"Yeah Dais', it was great. Jess sure knows how to have a good time"

"I heard that y'all didn't get home 'till this mornin' "

Coy laughed "Hazzard grapevine works as good as ever, I see. Yeah, the car broke down. That's why I was over at Cooter's"

"But it still kept ya out all night"

The penny dropped "Luke don't think......."

"I don't rightly know what Luke's thinking, right now, Sugar"

"Daisy, nothin' happened, I swear. Jess was frantic to call Luke last night and wouldn't settle 'till she did and she wouldn't even wait on breakfast this mornin' coz she was in such a hurry to get back to him"

Daisy smiled "I believe ya Honey. But I think ya may need to tell that thick headed cousin of ours"

"I will. Jess and I are just friends Daisy, I promise. I ain't about to make the same mistake twice. She loves Luke"

"I guess ya'd better tell Luke that too"

Jess rested her head on Luke's shoulder "I missed you"

"You was only away for one night" Luke said flatly.

"I know.................but sharing a room with Coy just isn't the same"

"What!?" Luke dropped his hold on her.

Jess looked up at him "They only had one room available. It was just a room Luke. It's not like we shared a bed or anything"

Luke glared at her and said nothing.

"Luke, is that what this is all about?" She said quietly pulling him to one side. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course, But.... But....." Luke was at a loss to describe what he was feeling.

"Luke we need to talk"

He nodded and followed her back to the table

"Bo, can you watch Kait for me for a bit" She asked.

"Sure Honey" He replied looking from one to the other, not even commenting about them sloping off.

Daisy and Coy came over as they left.

"What was all that about?" Gaby asked.

"I got a pretty good idea" Daisy answered

Jess and Luke walked in silence onto the square and up onto the gazebo. Luke leaned on the railings and looked out at Hazzard.

"What are you thinking?" Jess asked.

"I was just thinkin' about the day we met. When ya broke down and we ended up out here drinkin' coffee"

"Wished you'd just kept driving Huh?" Jess sighed.

Luke faced her "No, things were so much better after we met"

"But?"

"But you're like a bird Jess. I can't cage ya"

"You're not. It's because of you that I can fly again. I love you Luke."

"Ya think ya do. Ya can't stop yaself livin' 'coz of me. I wanted ya to be here 'coz it's what ya wanted."

"It is what I want. I want you" Jess bit her lip

"But ya love Coy" He stated.

Jess looked at him unable to answer not liking where this was going. Eventually, she found her voice. "Yes, I love him"

Luke dropped his head getting the answer he was expecting but didn't want to hear.

"I love him to bits" She continued "The same way I love Bo or Daisy or Cooter or any of your family, but not the same way I love you. I was stupid. I shouldn't have gone last night"

Luke faced her "Yeah ya should. It was my idea remember"

"But it wasn't worth this" She said looking down. "I do love you Luke and this is where I want to be" She looked up into his eyes.

"And I love you........That's why I gotta let ya fly" He kissed her lips slowly and walked away.

Jess stood and watched him go, before returning to the Boar's nest.

"Everythin' OK, darlin'?" Bo asked but knew from the look on her face it wasn't.

"I don't know Bo"

"Where's Luke?" Daisy asked putting a hand on her arm as Coy put his arm round her.

"I don't know" Jess said again biting her lip. "We were talking and he just took off"

Bo stood up and hugged her "Give him some space. He'll work it out"

Jess nodded against his shoulder "I'm gonna go back to the farm" She looked around for Kait. "Thanks for watching Kait"

"Leave her wth me, she can come play with Troy. Stop by after supper and get her"

"OK" Jess sighed "Thanks Daisy" Jess hugged them all, spoke to kait and left.

When she got back to the farm, Luke had gone back out to work and she didn't see him till supper time. He put on a good front of everything being OK, but Jess knew he wasn't and Bo

could see right through him.

They all gathered in the yard the following morning to say goodbye to Coy.

He hugged them all and kissed Jess's cheek. "Thanks for a great time, Sugar"

"Thanks for taking me" She smiled. "Come see us again soon and bring Casey"

"Sure thing. Bo, ya be careful in them there race cars." They shook hands and hugged each other.

"I'll try and you keep between them ditches, Cousin"

Coy held his hand out to Luke who shook it and hugged him. "Thanks for puttin' up with me partner. It's been great bein' back here"

"You're a Duke, you're welcome anytime" Luke smiled. But to those that really knew Luke, they could see that his eyes didn't mirror the smile on his lips. They were dull and lifeless.

As they stood and waved to Coy, Jess put her arm round Luke but he pulled away, unnoticed to everyone except Bo. As they all wandered off to do their own thing Jess called Luke. He

stopped with his hands on his hips but didn't turn to face her. "I got work to do" and without looking back he walked away. He skipped supper and by the time he came in later the kids

had already gone to bed. Jess went through to the kitchen to see him.

"Hi............." She said softly but Luke didn't acknowledge her

"I saved you some supper................." She tried again and again Luke didn't answer

I'll warm it for you"

Luke didn't even look at her as he got a glass from the cupboard. "I ain't hungry"

"You want to take drinks outside?" Jess tried again.

Luke filled the glass with water "I'm tired. I'm going to bed"

He started to walk out of the kitchen

"Luke....." Jess's voice held a sound of desperation and Luke hesitated. "Please talk to me" She said in almost a whisper.

There was silence and you could almost hear Luke's brain whirling. "I'm tired" He repeated and left.


This sounds serious. Will Jess work out why Luke changed his mind?