Chapter 5: The Morning After

Seein' how late everyone was up on Friday night, and how exhausted the Duke cousins were, it was hardly surprising that no one - not even Uncle Jesse - woke up until late Saturday morning. Daisy came into the kitchen - already dressed, seein' how Enos had spent the night - to find Jesse heating more water for coffee on the stove. She gave him a sleepy greeting and a kiss on the cheek, and went outside to collect eggs from the chickens for breakfast. She came back soon, basket in hand, to find Luke and Enos both awake, sitting quietly at the table with steaming mugs of coffee in front of them. After exchanging 'Good mornings', Daisy set about making breakfast - a hearty one, to double for lunch too. While she was cooking, Enos received a call from Mabel, the operator, on his radio, telling him the FBI team had arrived and was waiting for him to escort them to the lake. With a long look at the bacon frying on the stovetop, the deputy excused himself, promising to call or come by later with news.

Fifteen minutes later, Daisy was serving out breakfast to Luke and Uncle Jesse when Bo padded sleepily into the kitchen, running a hand through his tousled blond hair to straighten it out.

"Do I smell breakfast?" he asked, pulling out a chair across from Luke.

"How you feelin', cuz?" Luke asked, pleased to see him on his feet. His younger cousin had slept soundly, though Luke had woken several times to check on him.

Bo smiled. "Fine, an' hungry. Did I see Enos just leavin'?"

"He spent the night in your room, just in case those men came lookin' for Daisy and you boys in the middle of the night," Jesse explained, folding his hands to pray thanks. Luke and Daisy did the same - Bo just bowed his head, unable to properly fold his hands with his right arm in the sling.

After a moment's silence, all four looked up, and Bo dug straight into the meal. It was awkward at first for him to eat left-handed, but he managed well enough to polish off twice the eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit as either of his cousins. Uncle Jesse, who usually chided him for wolfing down his meals, watched with a smile knowing the boy would need the energy and nutrition.

"This is great, Daisy, thank you!" Bo thanked his cousin, licking cold milk off his lips. Luke pushed the last three strips of bacon towards him, which he accepted, delighted.

Jesse sat back with a full stomach, setting down his coffee mug. "Well, it was a quiet night, but I don't expect it'll be quiet for long. We need to make sure those men get behind bars, and quick, before they can come after any of you three." Luke, Bo, and Daisy all looked to him attentively, awaiting his orders. Wild as they could be, the Dukes were nothing if not obedient to their Uncle Jesse. "Luke, I want you to call Cooter up and have him take you and Daisy down to the lake for Dixie. Enos will be there with those federal agents, so you should be plenty safe. Take your bow just in case." Luke nodded understanding. "Don't worry about your chores, I'll stay here and take care of things until you get back."

"An' what about me, Uncle Jesse?" Bo asked eagerly. "I can take the General into town and…" He faltered at Jesse's stern gaze.

"You, Beauregard Duke, are going to go back in that living room and sit on that couch and you're not going to move without me or Luke or Daisy there with you."

"Aww…" Bo's face fell, but he didn't dare protest too loudly.

"Oh, Bo, before I forget," Luke stood suddenly and stepped into the living room. He returned with the pair of orange medicine bottles and handed them to Bo. "Doc Appleby said two of the antibiotics every four hours, an' two of the painkillers if you need it."

Bo wrinkled his nose at the narcotics, but opened up the second bottle and swallowed a dose with the last of his milk. Luke and Jesse looked on, satisfied. Daisy was the first to stand.

"Well, Luke, you better go on and call Cooter. I'll clean up these dishes while we wait for him."

A few minutes later, Luke reached the tow-truck driver, mechanic, and all-around vehicle expert on the CB. He relayed his request, promising explanations when his friend arrived. Jesse ushered Bo back to the couch, arranging the pillows and blankets at hand so the young man could sit up comfortably. Luke brought out some clean clothes from Bo's drawers and, with Daisy turning her back, helped his cousin change into fresh boxers, jeans, and a button-down shirt that they carefully eased onto his injured arm. Though privately annoyed by what he considered unnecessary pampering, Bo could see the love and concern in his family's faces, actions, and words, so he gave in and let them take care of him.

In no time, Cooter's truck pulled up in front of the farmhouse, followed, to everyone's surprise, by another familiar vehicle - Jesse's white pickup, driven by Jim Samuels himself. The young family friend gamboled up onto the porch and courteously held open the door for Farmer Samuels, who thanked him with a nod. Luke was just finishing buttoning his cousin's shirt for him.

"Bo! What'd you do to yourself, buddy, finally get caught snitching peaches by ol' Seth Dunning? That looked like blood in the General!" Cooter exclaimed with a grin as he strode into the living room, clapping Luke on the shoulder by way of greeting. Samuels followed him in with a somber expression.

"Bit worse than that, I'm afraid," Bo shook his head, avoiding his Uncle Jesse's suspicious look that made him sure a phone call would be placed to Seth Dunning later inquiring about recent trespassers on the farmer's orchards. "How are you, Mister Samuels? Uncle Jesse said Ann and Helen got home alright?"

"Yes, they did, thanks to you boys," Samuels confirmed, "I came to return Jesse's truck, but I can't say that I wouldn't like to hear the full story of just what happened last night. All I got from my girls was a jumble of frightened nonsense."

Bo nodded understanding, and turned to his cousin. "You tell 'em, Luke, I can't hardly remember half of what Daisy told us."

For a second time, Luke told the story of the trip to the lake, Daisy's arrival, the sounds, the boat, the murders, the men, the rescue, and their return to the Duke farm.

Cooter whistled, impressed. "Man, I thought you two'd gotten into some trouble before, but if that don't beat all…You better be careful," he warned, turning serious, "Those boys are sure to come callin', and not for cookies an' tea. I wonder who it was they killed? I haven't heard of anyone missing in Hazzard, an' I been out and about all morning."

Samuels frowned with concern. "Sounds like you boys, an' Miss Daisy, were lucky to escape with your skins intact - well, mostly," he nodded towards Bo. "Are you gonna be alright to handle this?" he asked, looking not at the younger Dukes, but right at Jesse.

Jesse looked about at his family for a moment before replying. "We'll be alright, I think, once we know more about what's going on, and what to expect."

"Daisy and I were just about to go with Cooter down to the lake, to get Daisy's jeep. Enos is out there now with some FBI divers to look for the bodies. We were hoping to get some kind of update from them, and then find out in town if any strangers have been asking for us," Luke explained.

Samuels nodded. "That's a good idea. I think I'll let the neighbors know what's going on, and I'm gonna keep the girls and Joshua in until I hear more."

"We can give you a ride back to the farm," Luke offered.

"Thank you, Luke. I'm much obliged for how you kept my girls safe…"

Bo let out a mental sigh of relief - he'd take gratitude over an angry daddy any day.

"…But the next time either of you keeps them out late like that, I'll be the one doing the shooting," Samuels finished, with stern looks at each young man.

"Yessir."

"Yessir," Bo echoed.

Jesse stood up from his chair. "Well, if you boys are all set, I've got some work to get to outside. Time an' tide wait for no man, and neither does a milk cow. Luke, you, Cooter, and Daisy drive Mr. Samuels home safe and get on out to the lake. Don't be gone any longer than you have to. Bo, I'll be out back if you need me - just holler. Jim," he tipped his red cap to the farmer, excusing himself, "Give us a call if you or the missus need anything."

"Thank you, Jesse, we will. Bo, take care of yourself. I'll send Ann by with some cobbler once this is all done," Samuels promised, and followed Daisy through the kitchen to the front door.

It was Luke who noticed the longing expression on Bo's face as Uncle Jesse headed out the back door toward the barn and Cooter disappeared out the front door. He picked up his latest car magazine, half-read, off the coffee table and handed it to his younger cousin. "Sorry, Bo. Next time," he apologized.

Bo gave him a forced smile. "Be careful, Luke."

Luke nodded and smiled back, and left.