Coming home
Enos' car had slid through the back roads as the Dukes had sat around talking. Creeping up on the farm without them realising.
"We really appreciate the ride, Enos" Luke spoke in the darkness as they drove.
"Any ol' time, Luke. You know I'm more 'n happy to help" Enos replied.
"Yeah we know" Jess patted his shoulder wearily from the back seat.
"Did ya tell 'em we were comin'? " Luke asked.
"Not as ya told me y'all wanted it to be a surprise now. Daisy just thinks I'm workin' late"
"I hope the kids are still up" Jess pondered as they pulled up in the yard.
Luke smiled as they got out. "I'm guessin' they'll still be up, seein' as how Daisy and Cooter are still here" He knew Jess couldn't wait to see them. He couldn't wait to see them either.
Luke and Enos went to get their bags from the boot and Jess just stood in the middle of the yard looking up at the stars and breathing deeply.
"Pleased to be home" Luke asked her as he came over and she took her bag from him.
Jess smiled "It's just so nice to be able to breath fresh air and not smell burning, to look up and be able to see a clear Georgia sky with no smoke."
Luke smiled "No matter how many fires I've been to, that's still gotta be the best part" He put his arm round her as they all turned at the sound of a scream from the porch.
"Mummy! Pa!" Kait, Bobby and Troy were racing towards them, with the others right behind.
Jess and Luke hugged the kids tight, not even Bo could hardly get to them.
"How come ya didn't tell us you were comin'? " Bo said as he hugged Luke and shook his shoulders, grinning from ear to ear.
"We wanted to surprise ya" Luke grinned back as he hugged the others.
"Enos Strate, did you know about this?" Daisy folded her arms pretending to be cross, but the glint in her eye gave her away.
"I'm sorry Daisy I sure did. They called me earlier this afternoon and asked that I pick 'em up at the airfield" Enos replied.
"As it was such a nice surprise, I forgive you" Daisy gave him a big kiss in her excitement, making Enos blush and the others laugh.
Troy tugged on Enos' sleeve and Enos picked him up.
Troy pulled a face at Luke standing next to them. "Whew! You sure smell bad, Uncle Luke" He screwed up his face and waved his hand in front of his nose.
Luke smiled "Yeah, I guess I do Buddy"
"We haven't had chance to change" Jess added.
"Did you get a chance to eat?" Gaby asked.
"Only pack food up at Anna Ruby, and that was hours ago" Luke replied
"Well we'd better go get ya somethin'. And get ya cleaned up" Daisy said linking arms with Luke.
Bo was still hugging him and ruffling the back of his hair as they walked across the yard all talking at once.
Jess and Luke stood in the kitchen with Kait clinging on to them tightly, as they spoke to Gaby and Bo, who were busy rustling up some food.
Luke grinned as he put his arm round Jess "Notice how we've only been away for a week and they's all moved back in already" His eyes, sunken with tiredness, had already started to get
their glint back. Gaby looked round at them worried.
Bo recognised his teasing and grinned "Well we all knew how much ya missed us."
"And we thought you'd be pleased to have us back" Daisy added joining in as she walked in and overhearing them. "And if you two are gonna eat y'all had better go get cleaned up first"
she added.
"Yeah, that would be good. These clothes are startin' to feel like a second skin" Luke grimaced. He hugged Daisy and went to go.
"Hey Lu." Jess called him back "Bags the new bathroom"
Luke smirked "If I get there first, you'll have to share"
Jess pulled a face at him. "I'm not sharing with you in that state"
The others laughed as Luke winked and shot off.
Jess tried to take Kait off of her waist so she could go shower and change too, but Kait just clung on tighter.
"I want you to stay here" She whined.
"I just want to get cleaned up, sweetheart. I won't be long. Unless you like the smell of bar-be-cued bushes" Jess said gently stroking her hair.
Kait wrinkled her nose "Not really" But she didn't let go.
Gaby left the stirring of the pot on the stove to Daisy and came over. She gently, but firmly took hold of Kait's arms and peeled them off. "Why don't you come with me Chica. You can help
me cook for your Mum and Luke. They'd like it even better if you made it"
Kait whined but eventually reluctantly went with Gaby and Daisy.
"Thank you" Jess mouthed to Gaby and peeped into the lounge.
Bo patted her arm "You go. I'll check on Bobby"
"Thanks" She kissed his cheek and left.
By the time she returned, Kait was sitting curled up on Luke's lap as he sat in the lounge talking to the rest of them. Jess turned and went into the kitchen to join Gaby.
"Thanks for taking Kait before" She said.
"No problem" Gaby looked up. "You feel better now"
"A bit" Jess pulled a face. "It'll probably take a while to get back to normal"
Gaby turned away from the plates of food she was dishing up "Jess, what Luke said before.......about us being here" She said with concern.
"Take no notice of him. He was just teasing" Jess went over to her "Gaby, we are just really greatful that you and Bo were here to take care of the kids let alone everything else. We
couldn't have gone without you being here for them."
"It was just easier" Gaby added
"And it's fine. Really. Gaby, thank you for taking such good care of them" They hugged each other just as Bo and Luke came in, arms round each other and Kait clinging onto Luke's free
hand.
Bo smiled "If this is a private moment, we can just go away again"
Gaby pulled a face at him as Jess left her and went to hug Bo
"You know I'd never send you away" Jess grinned and kissed him.
Luke pulled a face at their overly familiar attitude, but he wasn't worried. He knew that was just how they were together. And leaving Kait with Jess, he went over to Gaby,put an arm
round her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "We really appreciate everythin' y'all's done here while we were gone.
Gaby smiled and rested her head on his shoulder a moment before saying "You two had better sit and eat before Bo gets to this"
Bo pouted as he sat at the table with them. Kait sitting on Jess' lap as they ate and talked. Gaby made coffee for the others and cut up a pie and when Luke and Jess had eaten they went
to join them. Luke had noticed that Jess hadn't eaten much, but he guessed that she was just as tired as he was and needed to sleep.
As they all sat talking and catching up on the last few days, Kait went to sleep on Jess's lap and Daisy sat on the arm of the sofa with her arm round Luke.
Luke rested his head back and stifled a yawn.
"Sugar, y'all are beat. It's time we left and let ya get some sleep" Daisy said patting his shoulder.
"Yeah, we can catch up some more tomorrow" Cooter added standing up. "But it's sure good to see ya both home safe"
They all started to move "Y'all know where we are if ya need anythin' " Enos said "Come on, Little Buddy" He scooped Troy up from the chair where he was curled up asleep. Daisy hugged
Luke and Jess where they were and Cooter shook Luke's hand and kissed Jess on the cheek. They all said their goodbye's and Bo and Gaby went to see them all off.
Jess looked at Bobby who had been quite quiet all evening. "You OK, Bobby D?"
He sighed "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just been quite a week."
Luke let out a sarcastic laugh "Ya can say that again"
Bo and Gaby came back in.
"He's worked real hard this week. at school and here on the farm" Bo said.
Luke reached out and patted Bobby's knee, which was the nearest place he could reach, "Ya did good Kiddo. I'm proud of ya" He said wearily.
"And ya better get some rest coz I'm gonna need ya again tomorrow" Bo added.
"I'm back now, he don't have to" Luke replied.
Bo looked at Luke fighting to stay awake "Cousin, you're bushed. You ain't gonna be doin' anythin' tomorrow."
"We can manage" Bobby added standing up.
Kait wriggled on Jess's lap. "We can talk about this tomorrow, I'd better get this one into bed" Jess shifted slightly.
Bo came over "Here, darlin'. Let me take her for ya." He said picking Kait up. "Ya look as if ya can hardly hold up yourself"
Jess gave him a smile. "Thanks Bo." And he took Kait off to put her into bed.
"Bobby, are you going to go to bed too?" Gaby asked. "You still have school tomorrow"
"I'm not going tomorrow" Bobby said defiantly.
"Come on Kiddo." Luke hauled himself out of the chair with a struggle "Ain't nothin' you're gonna miss around here and school's important." He patted Bobby's shoulder.
Bo came back in. "Yeah, and ya can't miss all that work that's waitin' on you" He smiled.
Bobby pulled a face "OK"
"Gaby and I are gonna be right across the yard, Kid. Ya need anythin' tonight ya come get us and can ya listen out for Kait?"
Bobby nodded
"and I need ya to get Kait up for chores in the mornin' too. Gaby and I will do breakfast and get ya to school"
"We're back now. We can do that" Jess frowned.
Bo grinned at her "You can take the day off"
"Who put you in charge, Bo?" Luke said in bemusement.
Bo put his arm round Luke and rested on him, not too heavily as Luke probably couldn't hold his weight right now, "You did, Cuz. When ya went away and let me with the kids"
Luke pulled a face and then smiled "I guess I did"
"Now will you two get, coz I ain't puttin' you to bed too" Bo grinned.
"Come on Babe" Luke pulled Jess to her feet "We got our orders"
Jess let Luke drag her up "Sounds like it " They hugged Bobby, Gaby and Bo and went to bed.
.
Bobby rubbed his hand through his hair and yawned as he went to wake Kait. Her door was open and her bed was empty. He hadn't heard her get up. He walked back passed Jess and
Luke's partly open door pushing it open slightly more as he heard Bo come into the kitchen. Bobby went through to meet him.
"Mornin' Kid. Good you're up already" Bo greeted him.
"Yeah I'm up" Bobby replied.
"Is Kait comin'?" Bo asked.
"I went to wake her but she wasn't there" Bobby told him.
"Where is she?" Bo looked concerned
But Bobby smiled "It's OK. I found her" He beckoned Bo to follow him. He went back to Luke and Jess's room and pushed open the door completely.
Bo smiled at what he saw. Kait was curled up in bed with Jess and Luke and they were all still fast asleep. Bobby crept in and shook her gently. As she opened her eyes, he put his finger
to his lips indicating to her to stay quiet and he motioned her to get up. As they left the room Bo closed the door. Kait yawned and rubbed her eyes.
Bo ran his hand over her head. "You OK, Darlin'?"
She nodded still half asleep.
"Ya gonna come get the eggs for breakfast?"
She nodded again.
Bo smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Go get ya boots and ya jacket then" and Kait padded of to her room still in her clothes from the night before.
.
It was quiet. Too quiet. The sort of silence that put Luke on edge. He opened his eyes and glanced around not moving. His arm was numb and his chest felt heavy. He looked down as
consciousness took control and he realised where he was. Home. Safe. The weight on his chest and reason for his dead arm was Jess, laid out across him, using him like a pillow.
Luke smiled as he ran his free hand across her head and tried to wriggle the other one out from underneath her. She moved slightly as he rubbed his arm, the feeling coming back slowly,
before putting both arms round her shoulders, playing with the ends of her hair. She moved again, her hand taking hold of his as she opened her eyes.
She looked up and smiled at him "Hi"
He smiled back "Hi"
Jess wriggled up to kiss him. "What time is it?"
"I got no idea" Luke answered and moved around until he could see the clock beside the bed "Oh Lord, it's ten o'clock"
Jess sat up "I should have been up ages ago to see the kids"
Luke put his arm round her waist and pulled her back "Bo and Gaby are takin' care of them, but I did mean to get up and help too." He picked up a note leaning on the clock "Bo left this"
He read it out as Jess settled back down next to him "Mornin' guys. Kids are in school, chores are done and there ain't nothin' for y'all to do 'till lunch. Fresh coffee in the kitchen when
you're ready for it and we're doin' lunch for ya at one thirty, if y'alls awake by then. Enjoy the rest. Bo. PS spoke to Jess's folks and they send their love."
"Sounds like Bo's got everything under control" Jess yawned snuggling closer "We've got hours before lunch"
Luke grinned as he put the note on the bed and turned her head up towards him so that he could kiss her. "Just what I was thinking"
Jess pushed him off slightly. "I was thinking of more sleep" She said pulling a face at him.
"But I'm awake now" Luke pouted.
.
By lunch time they had managed to get another couple of hours sleep as well as showered and dressed. Luke poured himself a coffee while he was waiting for Jess.
"Does that coffee taste as bad as it smells?" She asked wrinkling her nose as she joined him.
"It ain't too bad. Ya want one?" Luke replied.
Jess pulled a face "No thanks. It's already turning my stomach"
Luke looked at her slightly concerned "Jess, are ya sick?"
"I'll be OK. The past week has just shot my nerves to pieces, I suppose and I'm probably just hungry"
Luke wrapped his arms round her "We'd better go get ya some lunch then" and he kissed her forehead.
When they got to Bo's, he and Gaby were in the kitchen preparing lunch.
"Well hey there" Bo grinned hugging them both "Ya made it then"
"You feeling better?" Gaby asked as she hugged them too.
Luke glanced at Jess "Yeah I guess"
"Ya both still look beat" Bo commented "Did ya get any sleep at all while you were away?"
"A little" Jess replied. "How were the kids this morning?"
"Fine. Kait was a little whingy but she was OK" Gaby told them.
"Sounds like Kait" Luke rolled his eyes
"She gets like that when she'd upset" Jess explained "All whiney and clingy"
"Bobby's been really good with her" Gaby said
Bo pulled a face "Yeah most of the time, when he weren't yellin' at her or pushing her around."
"That's Bobby" Luke shook his head looking displeased.
"He always kicks off when something's bugging him" Jess added.
"How come Kait was in your bed this mornin'?" Bo enquired as they sat down to eat.
"She was?" Luke was surprised. "I didn't notice"
Jess smiled "Neither did I but I'm not surprised"
"So when d'yall go back to work" Bo asked.
"A week" Jess replied as they ate.
"We gotta get checked by the Doc in a week before Jess can work and I can back on call" Luke explained "It's normal practise after a major fire"
They cotinued to chat over lunch and afterwards Luke went off to ride shotgun, as Bo ran an errand and Jess stayed with Gaby to chat and play with Lacey.
"Jess, are you and Luke really OK?" Gaby asked looking worried.
Jess sighed "Yeah, I'm worried about Luke though"
"Why? What's wrong?"
"I watched him up there. He is so completely focussed when he's working, he hardly eats or sleeps. And he still feels guilty about the guys that got hurt, like it was his fault"
"That's silly"
Jess smiled at her "You try telling Luke"
Gaby smiled back "Stubborn as mules these Dukes when they get something in their heads"
Jess chuckled "And don't we know it"
"And what about you?" Gaby turned serious. "You still look exhausted"
"Oh I'll be fine in a day or two, when I've had a chance to get back to normal"
"Well, we'll have to make sure that happens soon, even if it means keeping an eye on Luke"
After spending a quiet afternoon with Bo and Gaby, Jess and Luke were out by the barn when Gaby got back from school with the kids. Kait ran over to join them hanging round Jess's
waist after she had hugged them both.
"How's school?" she asked them.
"OK I suppose " Kait moaned. "I've got a whole story to write for homework"
"And you Bob?" Luke asked
"It's hard work" Bobby complained.
Luke smiled "Well it is senior year Kiddo"
"Yeah and don't they want to keep reminding us" He pouted.
"Ya get your homework done and we might have time to put Jackson up against General Lee before supper" Luke grinned at him.
Bobby dropped his head "Ah, about that" He glanced up quickly trying to avoid their gaze.
Jess frowned "Where is Jackson?" she asked realising she hadn't see it about the farm and Bobby evidently hadn't driven it to school.
"Well,........er..........."
"Bobby" Luke had a tone of 'you had better just tell us'.
"What happened?" Jess asked.
"Kait, come on we can go give some apple to the horses" Gaby took her by the shoulders and guided her away not giving her a chance to complain.
"Well.......... Jed and I were racing back from town a couple of days ago............and we were up along Old Oak Road and forgot the bridge was out............and.."
"Ya jumped the dang creek" Luke sighed guessing the rest.
"Er.........yeah" Bobby glanced up not sure whether to look apologetic or pleased with himself.
"Bobby!" Jess exploded "What have you been told about racing that car round like a lunatic and how many times have you benn told to keep it on the ground"
Luke put a steadying hand on her arm "So what's the damage?"
"When I landed I hit a rock and ..........took a chunk out of the bottom of the engine" He looked down, suddenly very concerned with how dirty his trainers were.
Luke winced "How much?"
"Cooter came and towed it in and had a look at it and...."
"Bobby, how much" Jess repeated.
Bobby screwed up his face "Three hundred dollars" He flinched waiting for the explosion that he knew was coming.
"Three hundred dollars!" Jess yelled first.
"And how in the heck are ya gonna pay for that?" Luke followed.
"I have a bit saved up and I thought you might lend me the rest"
"No way, Bob. You wrecked the car being cocky and now you have to put it right. You've been told time and time again about the way you drive that car, so now you have no car and only
yourself to blame" Jess was not happy.
"But I only need a hundred dollars" Bobby pouted "I have the rest and Cooter said I could work off the labour charge"
"Then it looks like you need to go get yaself a job, coz ya Mum's right. You did it, you pay for it" Luke agreed.
Bo had come out part way through the conversation. "Rhubottom's needs a delivery driver. Ya can do that." He suggested "Ya can't jump the truck" He winked at Bobby.
"Can I borrow the jeep and go find out about it?" Bobby asked eager to escape.
"Yes you can find out about it but the jeep's still up in Nacoochee" Jess replied.
"Oh yeah, I forgot"
"Take the General" Bo smiled tossing the keys to Bobby.
Luke took them back off him. "Ya can take the pick up and that's all ya get to drive until you can be more responsible"
Bo shrugged "I tried for ya kid"
"But that thing's ancient and it doesn't go faster than a crawl" Bobby complained.
"That's too bad" Jess responded "If you had done as you were told you wouldn't have to drive it"
"Yeah, yeah, I know" Bobby groaned "Whatever" He waved a hand and walked away.
Luke yelled after him. "Bobby D., you get your hind end back here this minute."
Bobby came back. "What now? It was you that taught me how to jump the stupid car after all"
"Bobby, you loose the attitude right now and apologise" Jess reprimanded.
"You are treadin' very dangerous ground here." Luke glared at him folding his arms across his chest "You don't need to be sassin' ya Mum like that. So unless ya wanna be grounded till
you're outta high school, ya need buck your ideas up "
Bobby glared back at him deciding whether or not to answer back. Eventually, he thought better of it. "Yes Sir." His tone more compliant He looked form Luke to his Mum "I'm sorry"
"OK" Jess patted his arm.
Luke's look softened "Go on get outta here. But I expect ya back here in an hour for chores and homework"
Bobby gave a quick grin "Yes Dad" and he turned and raced for the pick up.
Luke put his arm round Jess as they watched him go and Bo leaned on his other shoulder.
"Did ya have to be so hard on him? He did have a point there Luke. We did teach him to jump the creek" Bo said with a grin.
Luke pulled the 'Bo face' "That's as maybe, but how many times did we get into trouble with Uncle Jesse for doin' it?"
"And since when did you turn into Uncle Jesse?" Bo kept grinning as he wound Luke up.
"Since I got me a teenage boy, that's just like we was."
Bo patted Luke's shoulder "Well seein' as how you've turned into Uncle Jesse, there's a goat in here needs it's feet tendin' to." Bo smirked and walked away.
"Bo's right" Luke said to Jess "I am partly to blame"
Jess smiled "Yeah, but not for everything" and she kissed him.
"I'll talk to him when he gets back "
Jess kissed him again "I know you will. Just think what you put your Uncle Jesse through for years"
Luke pulled a face "I'm just findin' out" and they followed Bo into the barn.
Luke came into the kitchen to find Jess bustling about. He wrapped his arms tightly round her waist, but she pulled him off slightly. "What happened to you? " He asked looking puzzled.
"It was just turning my stomach, that's all so I thought I'd make a start on supper" She looked at his concerned face "Don't look at me like that. I'm fine"
He kissed her slowly "If you say so" He knew better than to try and fuss over her.
Luke picked up the coffee pot and it was empty. "No coffee?!"
"I told you it smelt funny. I threw it out"
"What about tea then?"
Jess looked at him apologetically "That smelt funny too"
Luke pulled a face, partly in exhasperation but mostly in amusement "Jess! What is with you today?"
"I'm sorry. It's probably some kind of reaction to everything that's happened"
"I've heard of some people goin' a little swirly after a big fire but I ain't ever heard of it turnin' anyone off coffee before" He teased.
Jess playfully slapped his arm at his teasing "Well, you have now"
Luke shook his head "Can I drink the milk?"
Jess smiled and kissed him "Yes, you can drink the milk"