This is how the massive event in Nashville, TN 2006 came to be. Well, OK in my world anyway. But of course like fine wine and good shine it didn't happen over night so set back, read, enjoy and review. Suggestions are more than welcome!
NOTE: Kelly Dalton comes to you compliments of Sparkle731. This is her character and I use her with permission. Though 'my' Kelly is inspired by Ms. Sparkle731 there will of course be some difference in her and Luke's past, present and future. For more about Kelly and Luke check out Sparkle731 on I think you'll like them both! I hope I'm close on these songs but if I list a song that was sung in a year before it came out I apologize.
Thanks for the reviews. Let's see if this is enough 'trouble' for Bo! Of course it's Hazzard and you never know who might show up!
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Chapter 4
Dixie looked at him only mildly surprised that she hadn't figured out that Kelly was Luke's old girlfriend. She replied, "Luke I understand. Go talk to her. Just remember you are taking me home tonight."
"I couldn't forget. Thanks." Luke leaned in and kissed Dixie very passionately as the song ended. He walked toward the back room of the Boar's Nest.
Dixie returned to the table where Bo, Cooter, Alma, and Daisy were currently setting.
Bo being Bo had to stick his foot right in his mouth. "Where did Luke get off to?"
Dixie knew where and why Luke had gone, but felt just a bit uncomfortable sharing it with half of Hazzard County. "He said he'd be back in a bit." She said dodging the question.
Bo immediately knew that he opened a can of worms and decided to change the topic of discussion before they escaped the can, "So how many cars are entered in the race for tomorrow?"
Dixie stopped a waitress walking by and ordered a beer before replying to Bo's question, "There was an even dozen when I turned the paper into Cooter but they can enter right up until time for the race."
Bo took a long drink of beer as he recognized the man who had just walked into the bar, Buzz. Buzz had owned the 'Double Zero' the only car to ever beat the General Lee in an over land race. Bo got up from the table, "Excuse me y'all."
Daisy was the only other person at the table to recognize Buzz after she saw where Bo had went. "Ut- Oh, Cooter that's Buzz and Luke isn't around to keep Bo from doing something he'll regret."
"I'm on it Miss Daisy." He said as he got up form the table and walked over to where Bo and Buzz were.
Daisy quickly explained to Dixie and Alma that Buzz and the 'Double Zero' had been the only one to ever beat the General Lee in an overland race. There had been bad blood between Buzz and Bo even before he had beat the General and it didn't look as if things had improved.
Miss Alma asked, "What can we do?"
Daisy replied, "Sugar, Bo can handle Buzz. I just hope Cooter can get a leash on Bo before that happens."
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In the back room of the Boar's Nest Luke waited until Kelly came off stage with David. He knew if she were leaving like her song had indicated that she'd likely leave through the back.
Kelly opened the door to the back room and was surprised to see Luke waiting for her. "Luke?"
"Yeah," He said began, "I, ah, got your message."
"Message?" she asked.
Luke explained, "The song. I know who it was directed at."
"Oh, yeah, I guess it kind of was directed your way. Sorry." Kelly said a little embarrassed.
Luke took a deep breath and let it out, "There's no need to be sorry. Maybe I should be though."
Kelly looked surprised, "You. Sorry for what?"
Luke said, "Well, when you walked in you really surprised me to say the least. After the way you left I thought I'd be the last person you'd come to see." He held up his hand for her to let him finish, "I guess I kinda let you feel like we could start over or at least talk about the past, then I got up to go get us a beer and, well, ... Ok, ... so I'm a dog. ... I always have been, but at least I could have let you know what was up and where you stood."
Kelly began, "Oh, I think you've made that crystal clear. ... But, the reason I came back wasn't to start anything with you," she lied, "but to explain why I left like I did all those years ago. Luke I won't lie and say I haven't wondered or thought about what could have been and yeah I guess that I sometimes hoped that maybe you thought of me from time to time too. But, the reason I left without a trace was that my father had beat me once to many times. When I came home that night he knew we had 'been together', he threatened to kill you and he beat me something terrible. I fought my way out of the house hoping that if I left he might leave you alone. It was a couple of years later that I finally got some back issues of the Hazzard Times. Only then did I see where he had killed my mother, then himself and that everyone thought I was dead also."
Luke reached out and took Kelly in his arms, "Honey you will never know how many places I've searched hoping not to find your body, yet, wanting you to rest in peace should the worse have happened."
"I'm sorry to have put you and the others through all that but I was so scared he'd kill you or me that I had to leave and not let anyone know where I was." Kelly explained. "After I found out he had killed my mother and then himself, by that time I was doing some writing for a few people and couldn't leave. I took this time to come back here while I decide if I want the recording contract that I've been offered. I really like writing but I don't know if I'd like being on the road and all that."
Luke stated frankly, "I always told you that you could make it big if that's what you wanted."
"I know, but I'm not so sure it's what I want. I like being home every night. I can have that and still make a living writing for others who like that kind of life." she explained.
Luke nodded, "Yeah, I see your point there. Kell, it's been really good to see you again and I wish things could have been different back then. You know at the time I would have fought with everything in me to have been with you and it took a long time to get over you..."
Kelly struggled to get the words out that she knew she had to say, "But you did get over me?"
"Yes, Kell, I did. I am so glad that you are OK and are making a good life for youself, but the lady that helped me get over you walked in here last night. Now don't get me wrong. There have been others, many others and I'm not proud of that, tonight. Cooter Davenport's sister, Dixie, may just be the one person to be able to settle me down, some." Luke said with a bit of a grin.
"Some?" Kelly asked.
Luke replied, "Some. Now you don't think Jesse Duke didn't know his nephews do ya? He always said the chances of us getting married and raising a family rated right up there with hogs producing beef."
"I see your point." Kelly said as she smiled weakly, then asked, "Luke? Hold me? Just once more?"
Reaching out to take her into his strong arms, Luke replied, "My pleasure, Kell. My pleasure." He stood holding her for several minutes as he felt the warm tears on his blue plaid shirt. "Don't leave Hazzard on my account. Everyone is so glad to see you and know you are Ok."
Breaking the bond between them Kelly stepped back, "I'll think about it, but I just don't know if I can see you with someone else."
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Bo Duke had walked up to Buzz, "Say, Buzz, what brings you here?"
Buzz replied, "I heard you were entering that tin can of yours and I thought I'd bring the 'Double Zero' out and show these nice folks what a real car can do."
Bo replied with just a bit of added volume, 'The General Lee' is up to the challenge, you can believe that!"
Cooter had reached Bo's side, "Bo. Come on now you two can settle this on the track. Everyone is here to have a good time."
Bo grinned an evil grin, "You're right Cooter. See you and the 'Double Zero' on the track tomorrow Buzz. I'll be sure to tell the 'General Lee' you'll be there."
"You do just that, Duke." Buzz said as he headed to the bar for a beer.
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Bo had taken his seat when Luke arrived back at the table. Seeing that his cousin was a bit annoyed, he asked, as he reached for Dixie's beer, "What did I miss?"
Bo replied, "Nothing but Buzz shooting off his mouth."
Luke shook his head, "Guy gets lucky once and thinks he can take the General any time?"
Bo repleid, "Yeah."
"I suppose he hasn't told anyone that we'd been ran hard for several hours by Sheriff Little before he managed to beat us on account of a blown radiator hose." Luke stated loud enough for most of the bars customers to hear.
Bo said, "Of course not. Nor did he tell them it took years to beat the General Lee."
Dixie wrapped her arm around Luke's, "Well, the General's got all knew hoses thanks to a brother of mine and I just don't see a repeat of Buzz's victory, so why don't we all just have a good time? You two can teach them all some manners tomorrow on the track."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Luke agreed as he motioned for the waitress to bring them all another beer.
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Let me know what you think soI'll know if you are interested! Please review. Thanks.
