Sorry Everyone, for the long silence, but here is a nice lengthy chapter to keep you interested I hope. My story is not done yet, and hopefully some good reviews will keep me going. I will be starting another one, to continue where I leave off. If you all want to see more, that is...
Thanks for reading and reviewing so far. Hope you are enjoying it.
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Daisy Duke was very nervous, why? She really was not sure, she knew that Enos would be able to handle this debate tonight, but she worried anyway. Grady Byrd was not really the trustworthy type; he was bought and sold by Boss Hogg. Not because he was a relative, like Rosco, but just because he had no scruples.
Daisy gave her hair a final fluff, and headed out to the living room, her cousins and her uncle were patiently waiting for her.
Bo had even agreed to attend the debate at the Boar's nest. Of course he had his hat and dark glasses at the ready.
They piled into the pickup and headed out. Arriving early at the Nest, Daisy opened the door, and found Enos nervously pacing inside.
She walked over to him and smoothed his hair. "Hey Daisy, how are ya doing honey?"
"Hey yourself Sugar, You are going to be just fine tonight Enos look at all you have done with this town, all the things that you and Rosco have done together. I am so proud of you honey!"
"Thanks ya Daisy! I needed that."
Soon everyone began to pile into waiting seats, Bo, Luke and Cooter sitting in the back in a corner booth, Andi and her sister Laura joining them. Daisy also joined them as Rosco took the stage.
"Evening Ladies and Gents, you all know me, Rosco P. Coltrane, and I am runnin for the office of County Commissioner, I have been doing just this job since Boss Hogg got sick, ao I am reminding you to vote for Rosco! Anyway ya'll we are here to have a debate between Acting Sheriff Enos Straite, and Grady Byrd. Here they are! Good Luck!" On the way off the stage Rosco patted Enos' shoulder and gave it a little squeeze.
Enos took a deep breath and stepped up to the podium.
Each man gave an opening speech and many were surprised how eloquent Enos was. Daisy's heart filled with pride. She was so proud!
Grady then took his turn. Instead of explaining what he wanted to do with Hazzard County, he spent his time attacking Enos, Grady who used to be basically a nice guy, turned into a very bitter person. He pointed out that Enos had deserted Hazzard to make it in the big city, that he left and only returned to take the job of Sheriff because he had a connection to Rosco. That it was all a plan to take advantage of Hazzard County, between Rosco and Enos.
Enos stepped up to the podium again and began his response. "You all know me. I grew up here in Hazzard; I have worked as a deputy for a long time. I wanted to get more experience in a bigger police department; it was always my intention to come back here to Hazzard County when I could. My home is here, my family is here, and my life is here in Hazzard. I have the experience, the knowledge and commitment that is needed to serve you all. I would have never accepted the job of Acting Sheriff if I did not think I could do it. Many of ya'll know me since I was a kid, have ya ever known me to lie?"
"You're nothing but a young'un you are not experienced enough to be Sheriff, ya got the job through your connection with Rosco, otherwise the job would have went to someone like me." Grady said.
"Someone like you? Grady, you were Sheriff for two weeks when Rosco went for extra training, and you were never a deputy, how could you have taken over the job permanently?"
The debate went on for over two hours, Grady getting more and more desperate. Finally over, Grady left in a huff. Enos made a final speech and thanked everyone for coming. The vote was the next day.
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The day dawned clear and sunny, Daisy prayed that it would be a good sign for Enos and even Rosco; he still had to be officially elected in, although there was no competition.
Daisy raced through cooking breakfast and cleaning up, she went to the school which was closed today to allow for elections, she had volunteered to work the election because she needed something to do to keep her occupied through the long day of waiting, Enos signed himself up for two shifts on duty for the same reason, to keep himself busy.
Bo, Luke, and Uncle Jesse finally came in after chores, and checking the crops, they were due to start the harvest any day now. It was a good summer for them, and they had a good crop waiting to be harvested. Uncle Jesse knew when it was just right to harvest, when each plant was at the peak of production, and each thing was fully bloomed. Daisy was so proud of them as she watched them help with the rest of the setup. She was surprised to see Bo and Luke volunteer, but then understood that they too wanted to be kept busy. They too saw Enos as part of the family and hoped he was elected.
She fixed a picnic lunch and the five of them ate in Hazzard park right in front of the courthouse. Enos gave Daisy a kiss before heading back out on patrol.
Finally it was 7pm, and all of Hazzard who wanted to vote was done voting. It turned out to be a really good turnout for this type of county-wide election.
At about 10pm, Emory Potter, with his crew and the town accountant, were ready to announce the winners.
The town had gathered at the Boar's nest for the evening to await the results. This was the first time in years that a county position had two candidates. Most citizens of Hazzard were content to live their lives without getting involved in politics.
"Evening everyone, the time has come to announce the winners of our Election here in Hazzard County. The new Commissioner is Rosco Coltrane, and the rest of the elected officials remain the same except for the Sheriff position. The new Sheriff of Hazzard County is……. Enos Strate. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you all for listening, a report of all the election results will also be in the Hazzard Gazette tomorrow morning.' Emory said, stammering and blushing though his whole speech.
After that long and agonizing speech Emory walked over to the bar, and gulped down a fortifying drink of cola.
Daisy and Enos stood in the corner for just a moment, hugging. "Sugar, I am so glad you got elected."
"Me too Daisy, now that I know I have a future for sure, I am able to ask you a very important question."
At that moment the crowd of well wishers grabbed Enos and surrounded him. Daisy was crushed, and of course wanted to know exactly what question the new Sheriff was going to ask…
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Laura had spent the day with her sister Andi, she had helped her in the kitchen of the Boar's Nest with extra prep work for the needs of the big crowd expected. Luckily there was plenty of food prepared for the large crowd.
Laura went back to Andi's new apartment with her. "Wow, have things changed for you sis, from a large house and lots of cars to this small place, why did you do it? Why did you leave?"
"Oh Laura, you know why! I didn't want any of Roger's money. I just wanted to get out of there, and the money Daddy left me is tucked away in investments, for my little girl's future. You know that!"
"I know sis, but things seem so hard for you. Life would be so much easier at home."
"Actually, my life is pretty good here; this is a great town with wonderful people, and a great life for my little girl. I couldn't ask for more."
"Could you have your eye on one of the Dukes perhaps sis?"
"Honestly, sis, I could fall for Bo I think. He is so sweet and considerate, he loves Missy already, and she loves him. He has such a fun, happy disposition when he is not thinking of the accident that caused that to happen to his face."
"Oh! We got so caught up the other night catching up, I never finished explaining what Uncle Ricky wanted to get in touch with you about."
Shortly after their talk, the Dukes received a very excited visitor.
Bo was working on the General, singing a country song. Andi stopped and listed to the timbre of his voice, and a shiver went up her arms. Then she heard another male voice joining Bo, and his was richer, and smokier, like brandy. She stood by for two songs, just enjoying the harmony the two cousins created. She believed she could hear no finer. Even in Nashville.
She cleared her throat and Bo turned to her and grinned broadly, when he noticed her. He greeted her with a wave and apologized that his hands were dirty. She just smiled and impulsively threw her arms around Bo and snuggled close for a moment. "I have great news for you Bo and I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out."
"What's the news Andi?"
"Let's go inside, is your Uncle and Daisy in?"
"Yes they are they are in the middle of canning some stuff from the garden, lets all go inside. Bo tapped on the door of the General and Luke came sliding out from underneath.
When everyone was seated… Andi cleared her throat, and bit her lip for a moment then she began to talk." Well I have some news for you all, actually two pieces of news. Daisy I am going to have to ask for a leave from the Nest for a few weeks. My daughter has been cleared for the last operation to lengthen her leg. I am so glad; she will not have to wear that brace much longer!"
"That's wonderful! Andi! Of course you can have a leave, we will find a temporary chef, when will you leave?"
"There is more, Daisy; I will need to leave the first week of November that gives us a couple of weeks to find a temporary chef, and then there is the other news I have for you… Bo, my Uncle Ricky sends his regards, and so does Cale Yarbourough. He and a bunch of the drivers from the NASCAR drivers association, got together and set up a fund for you to get fixed up with the hospital in Atlanta. What they did in your name is set up another fund to help former NASCAR drivers pay serious medical expenses. They heard about what happened to you and wanted to help. Up to date there is over $500,000.00 in the fund, donated by almost every driver, so not only will it help you but many others as well."
It took the family a little while to realize what Andi was saying…. And then bedlam broke out. The whole Duke clan converged on Andi and asked many questions. Andi explained that her uncle Ricky was Cale's head mechanic, and mentioned where Andi was, they got to talking and realized that they had known the Duke boys, when they were on the racing cirucuit and also when the Dukes had shared a few adventures with Cale. He had liked Bo and Luke and their family very much. Cale then went to the other drivers and each donated all they could to help the fund.
Bo decided that he would go at the same time that Andi was going to take her daughter so they could have company and he wouldn't have to be alone. He was both scared and excited, and hopeful!
They all sped through the harvest and before you knew it, October was coming to an end, and another costume party was planned. This time, Sherriff Strate was going to be prepared…..