Chance Chapter Two

The front door opened to admit Luke and Bo back into the house.

One look at Jesse's face ripped the grin right off of Luke's face.

"What's wrong, Uncle Jesse?" Luke asked the family patriarch, who at the moment looked mad enough to spit nails and sad enough to fill an entire river with his tears.

"I need ta talk with Bo, alone." Jesse said sadly.

Bo looked confused, but he broke out in his famous boyish smile and said, "Aw heck Uncle Jesse, whatever ya need ta say, ya can say it ta both of us."

"Bo, do ya remember some people named Mandie Maxell and Russel Duke?" Jesse asked.

He had to choose his words carefully to avoid upsetting the young man.

"No Uncle Jesse. Why do ya ask?" Bo asked.

Sighing, Jesse decided that he would just say the dreaded words.

"Son, Mandie and Russel are you're parents."

"What? B...but you said..." Bo stumbled over the words he was trying to say.

"I know what I said, Bo. But, th' truth remains. They are ya parents, and they're comin' here ta get'cha and bring ya home." Jesse said as he stared at the now very intresting floorboards.

"But Uncle Jesse...this is ma home. You and Luke and Daisy are th' only family I've ev'a known. I don't wanna leave." Bo said as he stepped forward, trying to hug the older man, but Jesse wanted no part of it.

"Bo, ya may still have ta go with em'." Jesse said.

"Look Uncle Jesse. I'm a grown' man, capable of makin' ma own desisions!" Bo said, raising his voice a little in desparation.

"Bo, I know that, an' you know that, but the court's won't." Jesse reasoned.

"Uncle Jesse, I ain't leavin' an nobody can make me neither!" Bo said, detirmined.

Turning, he stormed off to the bedroom that he and Luke shared, and swiftly slammed the door.

Luke, who had just stood there, listening to the exchange, glanced towards the closed bedroom door, before he looked at Jesse.

"Uncle Jesse, ya arn't gonna let'em take Bo, are ya?" Luke asked.

"I may not have a choice, Luke." Jesse whispered with tears in his eyes.

"I'll swear this much. Whoev'a tries ta take ma cousin away, they'll have'ta mess with me first!" Luke said, raising his fist a little.

Jesse admired Luke and what he said, but the older man knew that it would take a lot more than Luke's fist to make his brother Russel see reason, at least reason enough to let Bo stay at the farm.

WIth a menacing look on his face, Luke turned and walked to the bedroom door.

He felt so sorry for Bo because in a split second, the 19 year old's life was turned upside down.

Luke placed his ear on the door and listened. From inside the room he could clearly hear Bo's sobbing and the ache in his heart grew deeper.

Placing his hand on the knob, Luke twisted it and opened the door.

There, on his bed lay Bo Duke, sobbing into his pillow.

Luke swallowed the lump in his throat and slowly walked over to his cousin.

"Bo?" Luke asked softly as he placed a comforting hand on Bo's shoulder.

Bo's sobs stopped and there was nothing heard except the intake of air from both men.

Slowly, Bo turned his blonde head and cast his gaze on the sympathatic face of Luke Duke.

"You wanna talk 'bout it?" Luke asked as he took a seat beside Bo.

"What's there ta talk 'bout, cuz'? Uncle Jesse and them there people have made th' desision for me." Bo replied.

"That's not true, Bo. You still have'a say in this, an' I swear ta ya now. If anyone tries ta force ya ta leave, I'll be there ta stop em'." Luke said.

Bo smiled at his cousin and embraced him in a loving hug.

"Thanks Luke. Ya have no idea how much that means ta me." Bo replied as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

"I think I have some clue, cuz'." Luke said with a smile as he wrapped one arm around Bo's shoulders.

Bo chuckled and just sat there, letting the warmth, determination and love from his cousin wash over him.