a/n: Hi, I'm back. Thanks for all the reviews. Keep em coming, please, I love getting feedback. Hopefully it makes me a better, more motivated writer. Questions, constructive criticisms, swapped recipes; I'll joyfully accept whatever y'all throw my way. You'll have to forgive me, all I know about cars is they make great lawn ornaments. Anyway, moving on…
Once Bo and Luke left the courthouse they made a beeline for Cooter's garage, to see how General Lee fared. The mechanic was in good spirits as they arrived.
"You know, General Lee should be in a lot worse condition than he is, seein' the kind of stunts y'all put him through," Cooter said, glancing over at them as the three men peered under the Charger's hood and he pointed out what the problem had been. "As it was, it was just a question of tightening up what y'all boys shook loose. But the old boy should run fine now, and here comes the part y'all love so much," Cooter grinned and rubbed thumb and forefinger together meaningfully.
Luke sighed as he and Bo reluctantly accepted the bill for what they owed Cooter. "Pleasure doin' business, gentlemen," Cooter said with a laugh, pocketing the amount they were able to give him. He knew they were good for the rest.
"That just means you can afford to buy us a round at the Boars Nest," Bo replied, trying his best to persuade Cooter into spreading the wealth.
"No can do, boys, mortgage is comin' due on this old garage," the mechanic answered, and then frowned as a thought occurred to him. "Speakin' of the Boars Nest, I seen Daisy in there earlier. Guess that means she ain't told you yet about that paper, huh?"
"Oh, she told us, all right," Luke said, smiling ruefully.
"Guess Uncle Jesse took the news better than I thought." Cooter grinned again, saying "Now if it'd been me in Daisy's shoes, I'd a been tellin' old Jesse over the CB on my way outta Hazzard!"
"Cooter, I wouldn't want to see you in Daisy's shoes!"
The boys and Cooter all shared a laugh at that, then Luke said, "I'm surprised she didn't try to sign you up for that auction, Cooter."
Cooter closed the General's hood and leaned back against the car, crossing his arms across his chest. "She did, Lucas, she did. But I don't think I can do it."
"Why not?" Bo asked curiously. "Don't tell me Daisy's charms is wearin' off?"
Cooter shrugged. "Oh, it ain't got nothing to do with that cousin of yours. She could charm a rattlesnake outta striking. But I got too much work to do. Someone's got to keep this county runnin', boys, and I mean on four wheels, not hot air, if ya get my drift," he nodded meaningfully in the direction of the county courthouse.
Me personally, I think old Cooter just don't want to be caught dead in a suit.
The boys thanked Cooter and climbed in General Lee, getting ready to head back to the farm. Cooter patted the General's hood, giving advice he expected would probably go unheeded. "Hey, y'all keep it between the ditches next time, ok? Not that I mind the business, but the poor old General is gettin to be more patched together than Granny's quilts!"
The boys laughed and agreed. "Take 'er easy," he called as they left.
You know, gossip may be the one thing in Hazzard that flies faster than General Lee. So of course, news of the "Lulu Hogg First Annual Charity Bachelor Auction" spread like wildfire, with Ms. Mabel Tillingham, Hazzard County switchboard operator, doing her best to keep it fueled. Now she was lookin forward to it too, since she was plannin' to bid on one of the Duke boys. Which one she's after, I don't even think she knows just yet. Y'all reckon she knows how stiff the competition could get?
Anyhow, it shouldn't come as no shock that Miz Emma Tisdale got wind of it, and who was signed up to take part. Now, y'all know Hazzard's postmistress has got it bad for Uncle Jesse, so she's made it a point to free up her weekend. And when old Jesse showed up at the post office to drop off a package, she made certain to let him know her intentions.
"Identification, Jesse," she said when he walked in.
Even romance has to take a backseat to regulations, you know.
"All right, Emma, I got it right here, and I got number one," he answered her, handing over the ID and the number he'd just taken.
Miz Tisdale smiled coyly in his direction as she accepted both, her hand brushing his ever-so-slightly. "Oh, you'll always be number one in my book, Jesse," she practically swooned.
Jesse turned his head slightly so she couldn't see him roll his eyes. "Could I just mail this out, please?" he asked politely, trying not to let her attentions strain his manners.
"Oh, sure, I guess you're probably real busy getting' ready for that auction coming up," she sighed dreamily, taking the parcel he handed her. She leaned over the counter towards him and said, "Guess you know where I'll be on them days, huh, Jesse? And who I'll be bidding on?"
I swear, I think she just batted her eyes at him!
Jesse began to sweat at the thought. If he'd been uncomfortable with the thought of being involved in the auction before, now he was downright afraid. It was hard enough holding Emma Tisdale at bay when the only place he really saw her was the post office, and here he had a counter in between!
"Um, that's uh, real nice, Emma; I guess I'll see you there then." And with that, Jesse bolted.
Miz Tisdale watched wistfully as Jesse left. "My, that Jesse Duke! I hope I have enough money to land him at that auction!" She allowed herself a moment more to daydream about the prospect, before returning to sorting the mail.
Miz Tisdale sure is something, ain't she. Wonder if all that mail's going in the right slots, after old Jesse's visit. Sure hope them ain't my letters.
