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Chapter 13
A Time to Hurt - A Time to Heal

Out by the barn:

"Jill we go way back. Like I have told you before, you have scared me to death for years. Just when things look like we could try to make something work; I run, you leave, or we end up fighting over something. When Diane came to town a few years ago I fell head over heels for her, left the farm and even fought with Luke about her. It almost came down to me choosing her or my family. In the end my stubbornness almost got me killed. Fortunately, I have a very stubborn family who would not give up until I listened. It saved my neck. Then, Diane left town and I guess I grew up a little."

Jill looks up into Bo's eyes, with a bit of a tear in her eyes, "So I guess we are over?"

"Jill, you're going to be in town awhile. Lets just say I'd like to spend some time with Diane, then we can see what happens." Bo said.

Jill lowers her head.

Bo reaches out and takes her chin, "I am sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. I had no idea that I'd ever see Diane again."

Jill has a lump in her throat and can't speak at this time. She just nods and walks to her car.

Bo watches her drive down the lane. He walks back to the porch where Diane has been waiting. "What do you say we go join a party?"

Diane looks at him. "I'd say you don't look like your much in the mood for a party."

Bo smiles, "You know me way too well. I will be OK in a minute. I just didn't like hurting her."

"It seems I put you through way to much hurt every time I come to town." states Diane.

Bo replies, "Don't be silly!" He hugs her tightly. "Come on we have a wedding reception to go to."

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After lunch Luke and Dixie take off toward town in search of her father. The Duke farm is a buzz with plans for a wedding reception. The guys are trying to turn it into a bachelor party. "I wished they'd hurry and radio us. We need to get this thing organized." Fumes Jeb.

All of them had been sworn to secrecy until Mr. Davenport had been told and Luke radioed back with the go ahead to let the big news out.

Bo replies, "Well, we have the Boar's Nest, the band. What else do we need?"

Coy says, "I just can't believe Luke would actually get married and did it with out letting us give him a bachelor party. That's the best part!"

Vance looks at his youngest cousin, "Maybe Luke doesn't see it that way! I think you were to young to pay attention to him when Dixie and him used to date. You could be in a room full of people with either one of them, when the other showed up, and the room lite up!"

BJ had to be a bit nosy by asking. "He had it that bad? Was she his first?"

Vance replied, "Yes, he was that bad and as far as she was concerned Luke walked on water. No, she was definitely not his first; but I think he was hers."

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At the Davenport Farm

Luther Davenport is setting on his front porch with a cup of hot coffee thinking over his relationship with his only daughter over the last years. He and her mother had separated years ago, though never divorcing. They had and still did truly loved each other. The main reason for them splitting up was that moonshining was really big at the time. Luther worked by day on the cars of the ATF and law enforcement. By night, however, he worked on the moonrunners and blockers which laughing to himself always had just a little more power. Being the sweet person only she could be, his wife just could not accept him making a living by helping people who were breaking the law. She could see no gray area to this subject and decided to leave her husband and home. Luther loved both his children. He had agreed with his wife that their daughter needed her mother. Just as they had agreed that Cooter needed to be with his father more.

When Dixie was fifteen she pleaded to come back to Hazzard. She never liked the city and its crowds. She had preferred the woods and streams of Hazzard. Mostly though she missed her Dad and brother. Even as a small child she had handed her Dad tools and watched him work on cars. It had always amazed her when he would get a car that would not even start to run perfectly. She had been allowed to come spend the whole summer with her father when she was fifteen. Over the summer she had somehow to Luther's surprise, learned how to drive and operate his wrecker. It made him feel good that she liked the garage. This made it easier for him to keep a close eye on her. She spent the whole summer following her big brother, Cooter, on wrecker calls. Luther (or anyone else for that matter) had not paid it too much attention when she started riding with Luke Duke on wrecker calls and to go get parts. Luke had worked part time for Luther since he could drive to make extra money for car parts. Luke had acted like her big brother.

Then came her first date, Luther was not really sure how to handle this. He agreed to let her go out with a guy in her class. Luke had tried to talk her into not going out with this guy. He even tried to talk Luther into not letting her go, but in the end Luther let her go, fearing that if he told he no she would go back to her Mother. That whole summer he felt as if he was on a teeter totter, trying to balance out being a strict father but trying to be reasonable. He was still not sure what had happened on her first date, but from the bits and pieces he'd been able to find out through the years it was not good.

She had sulked for days. Luke had then asked could he take her out just to show her a good time and get her out of this mood. Luther had given his permission. Luke had agreed to take her to the Boar's Nest (where her father and brother would be) to hear the band and to have her home early. Luther thought he was just being a friend. Luther also noticed and approved of the fact that Luke had ordered pop for himself to drink. Since he and his former girlfriend had broken up, Luke had been drinking pretty hard unless it had been his turn to take wrecker calls.

As summer ended Dixie had convinced both her parents to let her go to school in Hazzard that fall. By spring, Dixie was fitting into life in Hazzard well; she had also turned sixteen and had gotten her driver's license. Then, Luther was blind sided with the information that his daughter and Luke had been seriously dating. Luther was so upset at the fact that his trust had been broken by both Dixie and Luke that he couldn't think straight. When all was said and done Dixie had left Hazzard swearing never to return.

Luther finished his coffee and headed to the kitchen for another cup. As he walked by the phone, he stopped. He picked up the phone and dialed the Duke farm. His daughter had stayed there since her return to Hazzard. Luther thought it was about time they talked out a few things. Luther's friend Jesse Duke answered the phone. "Hello, Jesse, would my daughter be around there somewhere?"
Jesse is trying to hush the crew of reception planners down behind him. "Luther. No. Dixie isn't here at the moment. Haven't you seen her today?" asked Jesse cluing the others in to who he was talking to.

"No, I haven't seen her today." Replied Luther.

Jesse says innocently, "Well, she did mention stopping by there when she left here."

"Oh, good. I think it's about time we had a talk about a lot of things." States Luther.

Jesse smiles, "I'm glad to hear you talking like that. You two have put each other through a lot."

Luther adds, "And taken out a lot of it on your family too."

Jesse remarks, "Well, that is all in the past. We all go way back. To far back to hold any hard feelings."

"Well, Jesse, I'm glad to hear you say that. I think I hear Dixie pulling in now." Says Luther.

Jesse says, "Good. I'll let you go then."

Luther replies, "Yes, that is her. I'll talk to you later.

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The General Lee pulls up to the Davenport farmhouse. Luke gets out and goes to the passenger side and helps Dixie out of the window. Luther comes back out onto the porch. Luke is taking the lead, approaching the porch. "Mr. Davenport we would like to have a talk with you." States Luke.

Luther states, "I had just been thinking the same thing."

Surprised, Luke and Dixie look from one to the other, wondering if someone had beaten them to the draw by telling him they had gotten married.

Luke asks, "You had been?"

Luther starts looking at Dixie, "Yes, I have been thinking about all the times we have missed out on, Dixie, because I so unreasonable. I have always loved you. I was just trying to keep you from getting hurt." He kind of hangs his head, "I guess I ended up hurting you more by trying to protect you. I wanted so much to see you grow up and then I pushed you away." He says as the lump in his throat stops him.

Tears are filling Dixie's eyes rapidly. She struggles to speak, "How would you feel about it if I told you I was planning on staying in Hazzard?"

Luther looks surprised but says nothing.

Luke can't help himself and concludes her question, "As my wife."

Luther says, "Luke, you know I have never had anything personal against you. It was just that Dixie was sixteen. You were much older than her and then there was your reputation. I take it you're planning a wedding? When is it going to be?"

Luke laughs, "Looking back on the situation, I can't really say I blame you. I would not want a sixteen year old daughter of mine, dating me either!" They all laugh.

It is Dixie's turn to rub a little salt in her Dad's old wounds. She says, "As for the wedding, it was this morning," as she held up hers and Luke's left hands.

Luther looks surprised and then hurt.

Dixie catches the look saying, "Daddy," she had not called him this since she was sixteen, "Yes, we were married this morning, but we are planning on redoing our vows for all our families and friends in about a month."

Tears are clear in Luther's eyes as he smiles at his daughter. "Dixie, it is good to hear you call me 'Daddy' again. Come here." He holds open his arms and hugs his daughter for the first time since she was sixteen. They hold each other several minutes. When Dixie steps back it is obvious she had been crying. Luther looks at his son-in-law.

Luke states, "I hope this won't cause anymore hard feeling between us. I told you years ago that I loved Dixie and wanted to marry her. I also told you if I even got the opportunity after she turned eighteen I would be here knocking on your door."

Luther shakes his head up and down, "Looks like you were true to your word. Like I said, I was just afraid you'd hurt Dixie. You were older and I thought you were just after on thing."

Dixie blushes, as Luke laughs, "I started out being a 'Big Brother' figure, then one day she walked into the garage and she was not a 'Kid Sister' anymore. From that moment on I knew she was something really special. I had no intention of hurting her then, and I danged well don't plan on it now. Besides, I not only wanted to marry her but marry her twice. I truly love Dixie and will do everything in my power to make her happy."

Luther replies, "That is good to hear. Just take care of her." He says as he extends his hand.

Luke accepts the handshake, "You can count on it!" exclaims Luke.

Dixie smiles, "Now, I figure if we don't call or radio the rest so they can get on with their plans for the reception; our names will be MUD!"

"I think you're right." Says Luke to Dixie. Then, to Luther, "You are going to come? They are looking for an excuse for a party at the Boar's Nest tonight."

Luther smiles, "You all go ahead. I'll be there." Luke extends his hand, Luther smiles and excepts the hand shake. Before leaving Luther hugs Dixie and says, "Be happy."

Through tear filled eyes, she replies, "I am. Very happy!"

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Back at the Duke Farm:
The CB base station comes to life. "Lost sheep one to lost sheep two…"

Bo pushes his way though the living room to get to the mic in the kitchen, "Lost sheep two, here."

"The message has been delivered. You can let the cat out of the bag." Luke laughs.

It is Jesse turn the take the mic, "How was the message received?"

Luke again laughing, "Much better than I expected. Plan on having one more there."

Jesse lets out a sigh of relief for the two newlyweds, "That's good. Real good. The more the merrier! Shepard out."

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Listening from a speed trap on the other side of the county Hazzard replacement Deputy Enos Strate hears this conversation. Even though he has no idea what it is about, he feels the need to let in Sheriff Rosco in on it. The way the Dukes were talking something HAD to be up.

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If you don't review, Luke and Dixie aren't inviting you to the reception and I have it from good authority it's gonna be a wild one ... seriously, please review!