Chapter 12 – Each Trip Begins With A Fall
It snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea.
~ Dylan Thomas
When the phone on Wallace Monroe's night table rang, he quickly untangled himself from his mistress to grab the receiver. He hissed into the phone, "I asked not to be disturbed."
"It's Cunningham," said the caller. "My apologies, but we have a problem in Hazzard."
"Hold on, Steve," Monroe sighed, glancing at the sleeping woman next to him. "I'm not alone."
Monroe retrieved his robe from the floor and stood at the foot of the bed to gaze at Gidget. Her dark hair spread across a pillow in a puddle of soft curls, adding a touch of wildness to her sophisticated beauty. While he watched, she pulled a swath of burgundy fabric across her naked breasts and settled into the luxurious bedding. In moments she was fast asleep, draped in silk like a living work of art.
Monroe's lips curved in a salacious grin as he recalled their night together. She was a ferociously energetic lover, doing all he asked of her. As long as she continued to do so, he would keep her around.
Remembering his call, Monroe hurried to the adjacent office. Once seated at the desk, he picked up the phone and said, "Alright, tell me the situation."
Steven Cunningham began his report."The cop and the MacFarlands are leaving for Wyoming today. The waitress showed up along with her hillbilly cousin. Shall I delay them?"
"No, that won't be necessary," Monroe said. He retrieved a tiny vial of powder from the top drawer and gazed at the contents. "I need you to stay in Hazzard to keep things on track.
Contact our people in Wyoming and accelerate the schedule." He tapped the vial gently on the desk and said, "I'm sending Gidget along to secure the meeting with the European Dons. I'll have her on the plane this morning."
"I understand, but... Wallace, I don't trust Matt. He has a long history of bad behavior with women. Involving Gidget could trigger his addiction and put her at risk. Shouldn't we send someone along to protect her? Maybe one of the cleaners? "
"Matt will behave himself." Monroe said, confidently. "He wants to dispose of Drake MacFarland and that Duke girl as part of his payment. He wouldn't dare cross me by harming Gidget. Remember, Drake killed his brother. Losing his chance for revenge is sufficient leverage. Matt will keep himself under control."
"Wallace, we have so much riding on this. Joining with the European syndicate is everything we've worked for."
"Do you think I would risk the quid pro quo when we are this close to success? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! We will achieve our goals."
"What are your instructions?"
"Keep everyone focused. It's critical that the job is done without a glitch. Once we deliver the Families what they have requested, we will never look back!"
The line was quiet for a heavy moment. "Yes, you're absolutely right, Wally. I mean no disrespect, but what happens if Gidget can't handle things?"
"She is very capable. Think of this as a test of her loyalty and abilities. You just make sure J.D. Hogg cooperates and gets his project underway quickly. It's our backup plan. Remember, always have a backup plan."
"Yes sir. Understood."
"One last thing," Monroe added. "Get in touch with our local contractors. Make sure Strate and his people don't arrive on their schedule, but on mine. I'm going to send the MacFarland's a reminder that I can still hurt them ... whenever and wherever I choose."
Enos had just finished loading the horses when Jenny's scream filled him with fear. Something was terribly wrong. He leapt into action, running toward the house as fast as he could.
Luke and Daisy were right on his heels, reaching the porch stairs with him just as the screen door burst open.
The MacFarland brothers fell through the doorway in a tangled mess of arms and legs. Enos leapt aside, barely avoiding a collision as the two men rolled down the stairs to continue their wild brawl in the dirt.
Jenny ran out of the house and cried, "Jaxon! Stop it! You're going to hurt each other!"
Jaxon was too busy pummeling Drake to heed her warnings.
"Possum on a gumbush!" Enos said, stunned. "What happened?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Jenny said as she jogged down the stairs. "They just blew up at each other! I can't get either one of them to talk to me."
"Let me try to get between them. Maybe then you can calm them down." Enos took a determined step toward the brothers.
"Wait!" Jenny grabbed his arm. "Jaxon started it. If you stop him, the fight's over."
"Stay out of this, Lawman!" Drake warned. "This is no' yer business!"
Jaxon and Drake separated and scrambled for position, circling each other like wild animals.
"Somebody do something! They're gonna kill each other!" Daisy yelled.
"Give me a hand!" Enos said to Luke. "Daisy, you stay back with Jenny."
"I ain't helpless, Enos! I stop fights all the time at the Boar's Nest!"
"You should stay here," Jenny warned. "Jaxon is a black belt and Drake-"
"And I was a Sheriff's Deputy!" Daisy said with a huff. "I know how to handle myself!"
"Don't argue, Dais," Enos said. His tone was defensive and out of character. It effectively pinned Daisy in place from the shock of hearing it.
Sighing, Enos added, "I'm sorry. Just do what we ask of ya." He quickly walked away with Luke to separate the brothers.
Daisy was ready to explode. Having to watch Enos and Luke walk away from her was unacceptable. Daisy Duke was not one to be dismissed, especially by her own people, let alone Jenny McFarland.
She lashed out at Jenny with a voice reserved for drunks and degenerates. "Just who do you think you are?" Daisy said, crossing her arms to keep from slapping the witch. "You don't know anything about me!"
With a calmness that made Daisy's blood boil, Jenny replied, "I know more than you think." She took a step forward, crowding Daisy's space. "Tell me something, Deputy Duke. What do you think you will accomplish that Enos and Luke won't?"
"I know how to handle two idiots throwing fists! I do it for a living," she said. "Plus, I'm a trained officer of the law."
"You were a trained officer." Jenny said. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that a couple of years ago?"
"As I said, I break up fights at the Boar's Nest."
"My brothers aren't drunks fighting over a pint at the pub. If you get in the middle of this and Jaxon accidentally hurts you, Drake will break him in half." Jenny took a poignant pause, tipping her head slightly for emphasis, "And I think you know exactly why."
Daisy's stomach fell. Jenny couldn't possibly know about the things that transpired in the past with Drake. Besides, it was none of her business.
Daisy raised her chin defiantly and said, "Of course I do. Drake was born a few centuries late. He thinks every woman needs a knight in shining armor to come to her rescue."
Jenny gave a sly, know-it-all smile, one that made Daisy's skin crawl, and confidently walked away.
Meanwhile Enos and Luke were trying to get in the right position to separate the MacFarland brothers. The fight had escalated, making the simple task extremely difficult.
Luke closed in on Jaxon and Enos prepared to do his part, but at the last second the youngest brother darted past both of them in clear attack-mode.
"Jaxon, stop!" Jenny called out.
With a loud thud, Jaxon landed a flying kick in Drake's ribs. It was like striking a tree.
Undeterred, Drake grabbed the offending appendage and twisted, throwing his brother to the ground.
Like the skilled martial artist he was known to be, Jaxon rocked back on his shoulders and leapt to his feet, prepared for another attack.
Enos rushed in front of Jaxon, wincing at the anger the younger brother displayed. It was like looking at a stranger. "That's enough, Buddy Roe. The fight's over."
"I'll say when it's over!" Jaxon hissed, his eyes staring beyond Enos's shoulder at Drake.
"Please calm down," Jenny said, approaching cautiously. "It hurts my heart to see you two like this."
Luke raised a pointed finger towards Jenny, saying, "Don't get so close, darlin'."
"Back off," Jaxon snapped. "You don't get to tell my sister what to do!"
"Easy," Jenny said. "You're letting this get way out of control."
Luke raised his hands and kept his tone non-threatening. "We just want to help. Let's take a walk and cool off. I'm sure Jenny would-"
"Nothing personal, Luke, but piss off!" Jaxon darted away. Again.
"Well, that didn't work," Luke said to Enos. "Got any other ideas?"
"Only one," Enos replied, uneasily. This would be harder than he thought.
Jaxon stormed toward Drake, his face showing the depth of his anger like a booming clap of thunder. "I'm going to thoroughly kick your ass!" he shouted.
"Have ye forgotten whose arse yer trying to kick?" Drake replied, backing away. "Come now. Stop this foolishness!"
"Foolishness?" Jaxon stopped his forward momentum. "You manipulated me to get what you wanted! You lying, selfish, backstabbing, shit!"
"Numpty, I dinna ken what yer talking about!" Drake said, his arms akimbo. "Why no' stop now and explain?"
In a low angry growl, Jaxon continued, "You know what you did!" He moved in a blur of speed and struck his brother in the jaw. Drake staggered back, barely keeping his feet.
"Bloody hell, man! Have ye lost yer mind?!"
"You're one to talk!" Jaxon scoffed. He moved in and swung at Drake again. This time, the large Scot blocked him and made a quick jab of his own.
Jaxon avoided it, easily dancing out of the way. "Admit it!" He demanded. "Admit what you did!"
"Och! Get off!" Drake shouted. "How can I admit to it when I dinna ken what I've done?!"
"Liar!" Jaxon resumed his attack, advancing on Drake quickly and striking him with a brutal series of hard punches. He finished with a fist to the kidney.
Drake let out a painful hiss. The adrenaline was pumping hard, helping him shake off most of the brutal blows.
Jaxon was a talented fighter and quick on his feet, but Drake was brute force and superior in mass. He stood tall and strong, waiting for the right moment to shut Jaxon down. He wiped away the blood trickling from his lip with a forearm and addressed his errant family member.
"Ye hit like a wee lass!" Drake growled. "I willnae fight ye, Numpty, but hear me now. I'm losing my patience wi' yer prissy wee temper tantrum! Stop now!"
Jaxon's face turned red at the insult. Without warning, he took a step and spun, striking Drake with a powerful kick.
Enos's heart sank at Jenny's audible gasp.
The blow struck Drake in the head and dimmed his vision. He went reeling, hitting the ground on his hands and knees.
"Still think I hit like a girl?" Jaxon mocked.
"I'll show you how a girl hits! That was a cheap shot!" Jenny said, charging toward her twin.
"Oh no you don't!" Enos picked her up and moved her back despite her protests. "I'll stop it, hon," Enos said in attempt to reassure her. "I promise. I don't want all three of you in this fight. Please. Are ya alright now?"
Jenny's response was a sad nod.
Determined to fulfill his promise, Enos quickly stepped between the siblings. He held his arms out, as if he could keep the brothers apart with his hands. He addressed Jaxon first.
"Hold it right there!" Enos said, loudly. "This is tearing Jenny apart! Both of ya' just walk away! Now!"
"Listen to the man, Numpty," Drake wheezed. "Can ye see the pain yer causing our sister?!"
"Me?" Jaxon bit out. "You started it!"
"Watch yerself," Drake replied, dangerously. "I dinna start it, but if ye provoke me again, I will finish it!"
"No, nobody's finishing a thing! Drake, Jaxon, please," Enos continued. "Just stop and walk away. We ain't got the time for this!"
"Then get out of my way and I'll be finished in a minute!" Jaxon said.
"What? No! No more fight-"
"Have a seat, mate." Jaxon grabbed Enos and pushed him away. He stumbled, loosing his balance and falling at Luke's feet.
"Ding dang it!"
"What is wrong with you?!" Daisy shouted from her position. "How dare you put your hands on him!"
"That's is enough!" Jenny roared, her voice roaring like an angry lioness.
Luke offered Enos a hand as he said, "Daisy, just stay where you are. Jenny? What are you doing!? Get back here!"
While Luke pulled Enos to his feet, Jenny marched past them. She balled up a fist and swung at her twin.
"Don't," Jaxon said, coldly, catching said fist in his palm. "Please, Jen. Not you. Things are bad enough."
"Why? What happened that is so bad?" Jenny released her fist and took his hands in hers. "I love you, Jaxon. You're part of me. Please tell me what caused all this?"
Enos saw the grief in Jenny's eyes slowly take residence on Jaxon's face.
"I can't. I just ... I can't." Before the pain overwhelmed him, Jaxon released her hands and walked away ... in the wrong direction.
Drake was still on his knees, but put out a hand and said, firmly, "Stop, before ye get in over yer head."
"Get up," Jaxon demanded. "Admit what you did! Your actions are responsible for all of this! Get up! Let's finish it!"
"Fine! Ye mad cow!" Drake launched himself at Jaxon.
Jaxon was caught by surprise and threw an ineffective punch before his brother's large hand was around his throat. Drake struck Jaxon with a closed fist ... three times. The precisely placed blows landed in quick succession, the final one snapping Jaxon's head back.
"There! I hit ye'! Satisfied?" When Drake released him, Jaxon corkscrewed to the ground.
"Screw you," Jaxon panted, dazed.
Jenny shouted, "What have you done?!"
"Why are ye yelling at me now?" Drake shrugged his shoulders, trying to look innocent. "The stubborn arse has no' made a lick of sense all morn! If he would use that smart mouth of his to explain, none of this would have happened!"
"Apologize! Both of you!" Jenny yelled, her patience gone. "This isn't fixing anything! Drake, one of you needs to be the adult here."
Drake cursed and grudgingly moved to Jaxon. His brother was making a third attempt to stand.
"Come now, Jaxon," Drake said, offering a hand. "I dinna want it to go this far. For whatever I've done, I'm verra sorry it hurt ye so."
Jaxon hesitated, then allowed Drake to help him up.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
"Are ye alright," Drake fussed over him, brushing the dirt from his clothes, "Tell me what it is that has ye worked up so?"
"Remember the last day in Capitol City? You said I hadn't met the right woman yet."
"Aye, but ye-"
"You had other intentions! I know where you went that morning." Jaxon looked up with hurt in his eyes and kept his voice low, but menacing. "You had just come from the Duke farm. I know what you did in the barn ... with Daisy."
"What?! How did-"
Jaxon spun, sweeping a leg under Drake and knocking his feet out from under him. The eldest brother landed flat on his back and without hesitation, Jaxon jumped him. The men resumed their brawl.
"Luke, now!" Enos shouted.
"On it!" he replied.
Luke rushed in and tackled Jaxon pushing him off Drake. Enos was ready and grabbed the stunned twin. He locked his arm around Jaxon's neck as they both went to the ground. Keeping a grip on Jaxon was like hanging onto a scalded cheetah, but Enos leaned back and put the flailing man in a firm choke hold.
As expected, Drake made no move to stand. He simply sat there, mentally and physically exhausted.
Jaxon continued to thrash in an attempt to free himself. Enos placed just enough pressure against his throat to get his point across. "Stop, or you're gonna take a nap and wake up halfway to Wyoming!"
Luke moved in closer, directly in Jaxon line of sight. "Take it easy there partner. If you just settle down and agree to stop the fight, Enos will let you go."
"No!" Stubbornly, Jaxon curled his upper lip and again tried to break free.
Enos kept his grip firm. "You're just gonna make it worse! Cut it out!"
Jaxon went still. A few moments later, he nodded and Enos slowly released him so Luke could help him up. He stood and paced with anxiety riddled steps.
Jenny joined him, her features calm and relaxed. "When we were little," she said to him, "you would get mad and hold your breath until you passed out. That was a lot easier on everyone."
Jaxon turned and shot her a venomous glare.
Jenny ignored it and continued. "This isn't like you, Jaxon. I don't know what's started this, but I can feel your pain. Please, talk to me. Tell me what's happening between you."
Jaxon's sore eyes finally met hers.
"I'm tired," he said, grief stricken. "Tired of not having choices. Tired of the memories. Tired of not having a future, or a girlfriend, or a normal job. I miss Mam, and Gran, and the way it used to be. I thought I could handle things after Drake rescued us in Wyoming. But the memories..." Jaxon's eyes went blank and unfocused, like he was somewhere else.
"Oh, Jaxon," Jenny said. "It's going to be okay. We are together now."
"It's not okay." Jaxon said, shaking his head, "Since we became targets, I've acquired so many bad memories that they drown out the good ones. Think about all that happened just this year. I thought I was going to watch you die. I wanted to give up. You and Drake are all I have. I can't lose either of you, but Drake... He's been such an ass to be around lately."
"He has his reasons," she said, quietly. "We've all been there, my sweet. It feels like everything is broken and that the pain just keeps repeating itself. We are a family," Jenny said, pulling a handkerchief from his shirt pocket to dab the blood from his lip. "The three of us fight and fuss, but we work it out. We have more hope now than ever before. Let's talk more about this on the drive. Go to the porch with Enos and wait for me, okay? I need to talk to Drake."
"C'mon," Enos said. He placed a firm hand on Jaxon's shoulder. "Maybe you can tell me how all this started."
Daisy was sick with worry over Jenny's implied knowledge. There was nothing she could do but watch the most vicious fight she had ever witnessed. It made Bo and Luke's fight over the Carnival of Thrills look like child's play. When she couldn't take the brutality anymore she went to Enos's truck to retrieve the first aid kit to feel useful.
She shouldn't care if Drake and Jaxon beat the living daylights out of each other, but she did. Was it because she cared for one of them a little too much? Or was it seeing a vivid exhibition of how capable Drake would be if the need arose to protect her?
Pushing that thought away, she retrieved the kit from beneath the passengers seat. Enos had always kept one there. It made her sad that she knew little things like that about him, but was effectively pushed out of his new life.
"I'm not giving up on you sugar."
Daisy returned to the scene and relief washed over her. The fight appeared to be over.
Enos and Jenny stood with Jaxon which left Drake sitting on the ground alone. Daisy's nurturing instincts were already in overdrive and she took advantage of Jenny's pre-occupation to reach Drake's side.
Daisy's stomach rolled as she crossed the expanse of dirt. Blood was everywhere. The drops and splatters were like crimson raindrops on the ground.
"Oh, Drake," she said, softly. "Let me help you." She knelt beside him and opened the first-aid kit.
"I'm alright, lass," he said, reaching for the kit. "No need. I can take care of it myself."
"You just sit still, mister," she said, dabbing an antiseptic soaked dressing on his wounds.
"Och! Easy, girl," he hissed. "What did ye put on those things, battery acid?"
"Don't be such a baby," she replied smiling to herself. "What is wrong with Jaxon? I've never seen him like this."
"I dinna want to talk about it." Drake put his hands around bended knees and scowled.
Sharp, quick footfall interrupted Daisy's prying . She didn't need to look to know it was her nemesis on approach.
Without acknowledging Daisy's presence, Jenny stood over Drake. Anger radiated from her like a well stoked furnace.
"Since Jaxon won't tell me what this is about, you get to explain," she said. "Spill it."
"Leave it be, sister." Drake replied.
From the porch, Jaxon called out, "He's right. It doesn't matter. It's over." Jaxon swore under his breath and dropped his eyes to the ground. He waved a careless hand toward Drake and said, "Just do me a favor and keep those two away from me for a few days."
"What?" Daisy stood and stared at Jaxon in shock. "Are you talking about me? Why? What did I ever do to you?" Turning furious eyes on Jenny, she snapped out, "Any of you?!"
Jenny sighed, ignoring Daisy's comment and drilled into Drake. "Somebody better start explaining. What made Jaxon so angry with you?"
"It's alright, sis." Jaxon said. "Really, everything is fine, now."
"No," Jenny replied. "It isn't alright. Not until I know this situation won't come back to haunt us. What did you do, Drake?"
"Jenny..." Drake warned. "Not now."
"This isn't really a good time," Jaxon agreed. "We are supposed to talk later, remember?"
"What? Are you two insane!? Why would..." Jenny's brows rose high on her forehead as realization dawned. She tipped her head curiously and asked, "Drake MacFarland, does this have anything to do with Bear Creek?"
"Mo chreach, Jenny!" Drake howled. "We just put the issue to rest!"
Daisy quietly stuttered, "B-Bear Creek?"
On the porch steps, Jaxon shot to his feet, wobbled a bit, then regained his balance by grabbing the stair post. Betrayal hung heavy in his features as he shouted at Jenny, "Bear Creek? You mean this wasn't the first time!? How could you keep something like that from me!"
"Hold up, now." Enos reached out and sat Jaxon back down. "Relax before ya' fall over."
"What happened at Bear Creek wasn't your business, Jaxon." Jenny replied. "I'm sorry. I would've said something had I known."
Luke pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "Back up a little. What happened at Bear Creek that would upset Jaxon? He wasn't even there, was he?"
"It's a family matter!" Drake shouted.
Daisy took Luke's arm and tugged. "I need to talk to you. Now!"
"For the record," Jaxon said to Jenny. He glanced quickly at Daisy, hurt shown clearly in his eyes. "I am no longer interested. I should've known better. It's happened before," he said, looking sympathetically at Enos. "It seems to be a pattern."
"What?" Luke inquired. "What pattern? What happened before?"
Daisy was instantly flooded with images of Darcy, a handsome Texas Ranger, and a few other faces she would rather forget.
"I really need to talk to you, Luke. Alone!" Daisy was in a near panic and tugged harder on Luke's arm, "I mean right now! Come with me!"
"Alright, alright, hold your horses. I'm coming!" Luke allowed Daisy to drag him away from the others.
Perplexed, Enos watched the cousins walk behind the trailers. Jenny had resumed her interrogation, so he probed deeper into the subject with Jaxon.
Enos was beginning to catch on, but too many details were left floating in the air. "Jaxon," he said, "it's better for everyone if you tell us exactly what is going on."
Jaxon wrung his hands. "This is about the information I got from Travis yesterday." With a guilty look, he said, "There's a portfolio in theJag on the passenger's side floorboard. Would you get it for me?"
"Sure."
After retrieving the information from the car, Enos handed it over to Jaxon and watched curiously as he pulled out a package of photos.
"These were the catalyst," Jaxon said, passing them to Enos. "Travis did a little surveillance. When he delivered them to me, he said we were all getting too comfortable, especially Drake."
"I don't think I like him," Enos said, meaning it.
Jaxon rested his forehead in the palm of his hand. It took a second, but he finally spoke, sounding very defeated. "I really liked Daisy. It wasn't anything serious, but I liked her. I was thinking of asking her out but Drake talked me out of it. He told me she wasn't a good match for me. Then Travis showed up yesterday with those."
Enos understood rejection all too well. "I'm sorry. There's somebody out there that is right for you, Jaxon. I reckon Daisy ain't ready for a relationship with anybody right now anyway."
Jaxon harrumphed. "You sure about that?"
Enos propped a foot on the second step and frowned. He pulled the photos from the envelope and knew instantly what Jaxon meant. "Ding dang it, what was she thinking?"
"Looks pretty obvious to me," Jaxon scoffed and added, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Enos was aware of Daisy and Jaxon flirting with each other through the summer. He had a front row seat at the Boar's nest for a couple of the heat-filled bantering sessions when she thought he was just "Jack" the investor. Could there be something deeper between Daisy and Drake?
From the photos, it certainly appeared that way. Unfortunately, looks could be deceiving where Daisy was concerned.
Jaxon muttered. "I wasn't going to say anything, but I got up angry this morning. Seeing them arrive together was the last straw. I couldn't hold it in anymore. Would you give those to Jenny? I don't have the heart."
"Okay. I reckon she needs to know." Enos took a second to gather his thoughts.
Just like her twin, Jenny's siblings were all she had. Her grandmother had passed years ago, no one knew the location of her mother, and the only communication she had with her father was in the form of a quarterly check. If this created a permanent rift between the siblings, what then?
The timing was terrible.
Enos should be adjusted to life in Hazzard and the way things get worse before they get better, but he didn't have a clue how this would work out.
Daisy stood behind the trailer and kept her feet firmly planted to steady her swirling emotions.
Luke was staring at her. Had he been listening? His face was a blank slate, completely unreadable. Suddenly he broke into laughter so uncontrollable that it doubled him over.
Daisy had enough humiliation for one morning. "It ain't funny, Luke!"
"Oh, I think it is!" Luke said, still trying to control himself. "Let me see if I got this straight. You kissed Drake at Bear Creek, but you thought he was Enos. Then Jaxon shows up at the Boar's Nest this spring posing as Jack. Y'all have some chemistry, so you two flirted all summer. All that time, you were hoping Enos would come back around. Am I right so far?"
"Yes," she huffed. "But I-"
"Then Drake returns to Hazzard a few weeks ago and you make out with him in the barn, but for some crazy reason you hit him with a bucket on the way out. Now you're stuck in the middle of two brothers who are attracted to you. Oh, and let's not forget Enos and his new girlfriend. Is that about right?"
Daisy was angry and struggled to keep her voice down. "I didn't exactly get into this mess by myself! It does take two!"
"In this case, you mean three." Luke said, teasingly. "Daisy, I think you're in more romance trouble than the time Bo got the Lester triplets mixed up!"
"Oh just stop! What am I gonna do if Jenny tells Enos? She obviously knows!" Daisy slumped against the trailer. "What if this causes me to lose the last chance I have to get him back?"
"You haven't lost his friendship. Ain't nothin' gonna get in th' middle of that. Not even Jenny."
"Luke, why doesn't anybody understand? I want more than his friendship."
He shoved his thumbs in his belt loops and said, "Look, right now you're supposed to focus on staying alive. I know you're embarrassed and I'm sorry for that, but Jenny and Enos look mighty happy together. I think ya' need to move on, darlin'. If you are attracted to Drake, why don't ya' take it slow and see what happens?"
"I didn't say I was attracted to him!"
"You didn't have to. It's written all over your faces anytime you two are in the same zip code! I think if you just talk to the man you two might hit it off! What do you have to lose?"
"Enos for starters," Daisy said, firmly. "Me ... with Drake? You don't know what your talking about."
Or did he?
Daisy considered it for a fraction of a second. Being a couple? With Drake? No. No way. Luke was wrong. There was never going to be a serious relationship with Drake.
Besides, saving Enos from that half-size, man-stealing, she-devil was her ultimate goal in life.
"Luke," she said, spreading her arms wide to illustrate. "I'm not having a romance with Drake. I want Enos back."
Luke threw his hands up, frustrated. "Okay, I get that you need time to figure all this out, but that doesn't change the situation you're in with Wallace Monroe."
A cold shiver of fear slid down Daisy's spine.
Luke gently took her forearms and pulled her close. We need the MacFarland's help to keep you alive. Daisy, ya' gotta put that pride down. Even if it hurts."
"I miss him, Luke. I thought he'd always be there waiting for me," she said sadly. "I waited too long."
"Walk with me." Luke hooked an arm around her. "Let's take a short stroll to the barn and back to give Jenny time to deal with her brothers. Then we got to get on the road."
"I suppose. There ain't no avoiding it." Daisy said as she strolled along the fence. "Enos is gonna find out I kissed Drake. Things can't get much worse."
Jenny was inspecting Drake's bumps and bruises when Enos approached. There was a sense of foreboding in his expression as he looked down at the envelope he carried.
"Can we talk a minute?"
"Sure." Jenny took the hand he offered and stood to allow him to lead her away from the others.
He sighed and handed her the stack of photos. "These are what started th' fight. Travis gave them to Jaxon yesterday."
Jenny's hands shook as she took the pictures and looked through them. "Why would Travis take these? It serves no purpose."
"Jaxon was saying Travis accused Drake of being to comfortable."
"A wake up call," Jenny said. "No wonder Jaxon was so upset."
Enos put an arm around her and said, "What can I do to help?"
Jenny's eyes stung as she fought back tears. She was caught between embarrassment and anger.
"Hon? Are you okay?"
Jenny cupped his check and with a hitched breath she said, "Thank you for being here, for taking us in, and for caring about my brothers. I would be so lost without you."
"I should've seen this coming," Enos said. "I didn't realize Jaxon was holding a spark for Daisy."
"No, my love. He's not. He's just very lonely. Jaxon has been dealing with some bad things for months. Maybe it's time to get in touch with his friend from Harvard." Jenny considered a quick call, but quickly dismissed it. "No, I don't want to pull her in Monroe's line of fire."
"What do we do now?" Enos put his arms around her and kissed her forehead.
She took a moment to rest her head against his chest and listened to the strong beat of his heart. "I need a second to line out my brothers. Would you keep an eye out for Luke and Daisy?"
"Yes ma'am." Enos walked her back to the porch.
Drake had joined his brother on the stairs, but they weren't speaking.
"Drake?" Jenny inquired. "Is there anything else you would like to add to your apology?"
"Och! Now what?!" He blurted. "Do I need a bloody lawyer?!"
"Just trying to get everything out in the open. Here. Maybe these will enlighten you." Jenny threw the photos on the ground in front of Drake. "This is what Travis meant by you getting too comfortable."
Swearing a blue streak, Drake picked up the images and turned red with anger over the invasion of his privacy. Gaelic curses filled the air. After a minute of brooding, he stood and faced his siblings to defend himself. "Travis had no right! He isnae Da and we dinna answer to him!"
Jaxon slowly lifted his eyes, "So, you're blaming Travis now?"
"Aye! Well, no, but..." Drake huffed, "If the arse would work on finding the evidence necessary to put Monroe in prison instead of sneaking around in our business-"
"Stop it," Jenny ordered. "I get your point, but take it as a lesson learned. Drake, you and Daisy both could've been killed. Where were your senses? We've given Jesse Duke our word that we can take care of Daisy."
"Aye! She was in no danger," Drake said, defiantly. "Ye ken our policy. None of us are ever unarmed."
"Your weapon needs a brain to work," Jaxon said. "It's not like you tripped and your tongue fell in her mouth!"
"Och! Watch yer-"
"Your head was in the wrong game, you big idiot!"
"Stop it both of you!" Jenny shouted. "Quite frankly, you're both embarrassing me. If Daisy or Luke were to see these ... I couldn't even begin to explain."
Jenny paused to take a deep breath. "Now suck it up, stop acting like idiots, and focus on keeping ahead of Monroe."
"I'm sorry." Drake's remorse came through loud and clear. He dropped onto the step and tossed the photos aside. "I dinna pay attention and I will no' let it happen again.
"Numpty, I'm verra sorry. I made a mistake in judgement." Drake gulped and pulled his shoulders back. "We're blood, Jaxon. Proud MacFarlands. We defend the family. It's all we have and I willnae allow any girl to come between us."
Jaxon puffed a long sigh, "What exactly happened at Bear Creek?"
"It doesn't matter." Jenny was losing the battle with her patience. "It's finished. You both leave this here. It's time to go. Given the circumstances, Drake will take over as Daisy's full-time guard."
Jaxon smirked and Jenny cut him off at the knees.
"As for you!" She knelt down to poke Jaxon's chest. "None of this would've happened if you told us everything from the start! Now you're in no shape to drive today, so you're in the back seat while Enos takes the wheel. We are long overdue for that talk."
Jaxon bowed up. "Like hell! I'm not leaving my Jag here!"
"If you swear at me again you will regret it! Now, we're behind schedule so take your sorry backsides in the house and get cleaned up! You have five minutes!"
The brothers snapped into action and clamored inside the house.
Enos waited until the brothers were out of site to join Jenny. She was sniffling as she gathered the pictures off the ground. He knelt down to help her and asked, "Are ya' okay?"
"I will be." She swept a hand across her cheek. "Sorry you had to see that."
"It's alright. What did Jaxon mean earlier? He said he almost lost you. Was he talking about the shooting that happened here?" Enos's face paled a little. "How bad was it?"
"I'll tell you about it. Soon, but not now. All that matters is we are together." Jenny placed a dainty hand on his arm and looked into his eyes. "You've given me so much hope. I'm sorry about all this trouble. What if Luke finds out about this? Do you think he would refuse to let us protect Daisy? We sure haven't made a good impression today."
"Luke's smarter than that," Enos reached up and caught a tear from her cheek. "Please don't cry, hon. I promise it ain't that bad."
"If you say so," Jenny said. "Let's just get these picked up before Daisy sees them."
The words had no more than left her mouth when Daisy and Luke appeared in front of them.
Daisy snatched one of the pictures off the porch steps before Enos could grab it. She gasped loudly.
"Where did these come from and how did you get them!?"
The glossy images provided a front row seat, the next best thing to being there, as Drake kissed her with passion so raw that she still flushed at the thought. Her cheeks were red for a different reason now and she forced back the scream that threatened to burst free.
Jenny quickly stood to address the issue. "I'm sorry, Daisy. Please don't be embarrassed. Drake is a very private man and he's extremely upset with our handler. He is the one who took these."
Luke took the photo and chuckled, "Did Travis get a shot of her knocking him upside the head with the milk bucket? I would've loved to see that!"
"Luke!" Daisy gasped. "You…! Oh, I'm gonna kill Drake!" In a whirlwind of fury, she stormed back to the truck.
Luke watched her go and said, "I reckon she's gonna need to calm down a bit. Maybe I should remind her of that time Paula was steppin' out on Bo."
Enos giggled. "If memory serves, Daisy was fit to be tied. I had to pull her off Paula while you and Bo were fightin' her pa."
"Good times, huh?" Luke chuckled and slapped Enos's shoulder.
Jenny was perplexed by Luke's reaction. "You aren't mad at Drake and Jaxon?"
"Of course not! They're just guys being a couple of guys! Don't worry. I'll take care of Daisy."
Daisy climbed in the truck and slammed the door, covering her mouth to muffle the scream too close to the surface for comfort. If Drake had just stayed away, none of this would be happening. Now it would be that much harder to face Enos.
A small smile crept to Daisy's lips. She'd show Drake! Ideas were popping into her mind faster than the speed of light, soothing her pride. She had the ability to make the next three weeks miserable for Drake MacFarland. By the time they arrived in Wyoming, she would make sure he thought twice before touching any woman again!
After Luke went to start the trucks, Enos put his arms around Jenny and said, "Do ya' need anything before we go?"
"I don't think so," she said, snuggling into his embrace. "Although, Jaxon might argue about leaving his car behind. He needs to cool off before he drives and I don't want him to avoid our talk."
"Don't you worry." Enos said with a smile. "I'll take care of that right now."
Enos walked over to Jaxon's car, popped the hood, pulled the plug wires, and then returned to hide them under an empty flowerpot on the porch.
Jenny chuckled, "Well, that's one way to do it."
"Yes ma'am. Anything else I can do for ya'?"
"Yes." Jenny walked into his arms and kissed him.
"That was easy." Enos twirled her hair in his fingers.
Jenny took a deep breath and looked up to gaze into his eyes. "Tell me this is going to work. We are going to stop Monroe."
"It's all gonna be set right. I won't lose you again and I won't stop looking for Monroe until he's behind bars."
Jenny reached up to kiss him and her heart swelled with the tenderness in his touch. Behind them a diesel engine chattered to life and Enos whispered, softly, "I got plans for us, but right now we're burning daylight. I'll go check on the fellas."
"Alright." Jenny kissed him again and gazed after him as he walked into the house. How different her life had become in only a few months.
When Enos returned, Jaxon argued about his car being left behind, but Jenny held her ground and guided him to the truck. Ten minutes later, the two rigs pulled away and drove out the gate on their way to the Rafter G.
The heat of the afternoon had become unbearable and there was very little business going on at the Courthouse. Boss Hogg entered his office wiping sweat from his brow. The air in his new office was musty and heavy, unlike his old office in the front of the courthouse. He instantly missed the ceiling fan, the window that opened to overlook Hazzard Square, and the extra room.
Boss couldn't even fit a small fridge in this cramped space. Grumbling, he turned on the small oscillating fan to circulate the air before his next appointment arrived.
Sitting behind the desk, Boss stayed busy by checking his phone messages and puffing nervously on his cigar. He glanced at the clock. It was nearly three.
Time moved very slowly these days. Just one way the stress and expense of being on Monroe's hit list was taking it's toll. Boss had carefully selected the best security money could buy, but it wasn't enough to ease the fear.
His routine had been drastically altered over the summer. Boss had stayed indoors whenever possible and kept away from public places. He never went into Hazzard Square, or rode in his Cadillac with the top down. He was terrified of a hitman shooting him dead in the street.
Boss's new office was just another painful reminder that his life was at stake. Without windows for snipers to shoot through, it was as dark and dreary as the rest of his world.
It had been a lonely month. Having sent Lulu and her momma to stay with distant relatives in Alabama, his evenings consisted of a boxed meal from the Busy Bee and an early night. He was horrified that Monroe might find his family first.
Many nights he sat and wondered about Enos's new girlfriend and how she coped with the lifestyle. How had her family managed to survive like this for... What had the FBI said? Nearly eighteen months?
There was a knock at the door and Boss jumped, startled by the noise.
"Who is it?!" he yelled, angrily.
"Commissioner?" one of two security guards said, poking his head around the now open door. "Your appointment is here to see you."
"Well don't just stand there!" Boss stood and straightened his jacket. "Show him in!"
When his guest walked through the door, Boss's mouth gaped. He looked up at the tall man sheepishly. He was well over six feet. Beneath blonde hair, his blue-grey eyes were cold, like a dreary day in winter. His size was intimidating, as was the .357 he carried under his suit jacket.
Boss extended a hand, "J.D. Hogg, Jefferson Davis Hogg, County Commissioner and you must be-"
"Steven Cunningham." He said, grabbing hold of Boss's hand with a firm, jolting shake. "Let's get down to business."
"Oh, yes, yes! Of course! Business! Have a seat and make yourself comfortable!" Boss gestured to the sad looking folding chairs he was using as guest chairs and watched the man closely as he lowered to his seat.
"I apologize for the uh... office decor," Boss said sheepishly while waving a hand around the small room. "The County is refurbishing my office."
"So I see," Cunningham wrinkled his nose, clearly unimpressed. "Are you ready for our proposal?"
"Yes, yes of course! According to the message I received, you have a mutually beneficial offer. Isn't that right?" Boss kept it polite, but was oddly grateful for the expanse of wood between them.
Mr. Cunningham took an envelope from his briefcase, opened it, and placed the contents on the desk. "First, the details of our proposal."
Boss put his cigar aside and reviewed the documents. It was a road survey, a county map, and an amended proposal of a Hazzard County road construction project scheduled to begin later in the fall.
Boss immediately scanned the nearby properties. Most were small farms and land for pasture, with the exception of one. That one property had been coveted by many wealthy men over the decades.
"Well now," Boss said, encouraged. "Please do enlighten me. I see you've made adjustments to my County improvement project."
"We have," Cunningham nodded slowly. "First things first. Mr. Monroe has informed me that you have an eye on the ranch nestled in those lovely hills for a vacation destination and theme park."
"I sure did, but that Elizabeth O'Connell woman made it impossible for me to..." Cummingham held up a hand to stop him.
"We are aware of Beth O'Connell's Will placing legal barriers to prevent your ownership."
"Yeah, that's right," Boss replied with disgust.
"In addition, your touchy financial circumstances with Mr. Strate owning fifty-one percent of your personal holdings would suggest-"
"Oh I know! I know!" Boss snapped, angrily. For a dangerous second he'd forgotten who he was speaking to. "I mean, I'm workin' to correct that problem." Boss retrieved his cigar and sat back in his chair.
Cunningham continued. "Well then, if that's no problem all you need is an agreeable third party to purchase the property, of course at a discounted price."
"Who did you have in mind? Yourself?" Boss guffawed.
Cunningham interrupted him in short, curt tones. "Not. Me. Mr Monroe would purchase the land using one of his lesser known aliases, but he needs your help. He is willing to cut you in on the deal."
"Monroe? He wants my help?" Boss gasped, stunned by the offer. "I'm sure Mr. Monroe is aware that Enos isn't a willing seller."
"We will fix that," Cunningham said. "Let's review your road construction project."
Boss shuffled the papers to find the County Proposal to expand Highway 20.
"You will begin your extortion project here," Cunningham tapped the papers with his index finger. "The lack of an access road will greatly hamper the ranch's business dealings. That's not the only opinion to motivate an unwilling seller."
Boss's brows connected skeptically. "That boy is mighty attached to that land. He's like a tick on a hound. Are you sure we can force him to sell? The O'Connell woman didn't just give him land. He's got so much money he could fight a hostile takeover for years!"
"Not years," Cunningam replied, "Monroe want this done as quickly as possible. As for your part, we want you to begin immediately."
"My part?" Boss sat forward and leaned toward his visitor to conspire. "And what exactly is in it for me?"
"Commissioner Hogg, in return for your assistance in securing the Circle M Ranch, Mr. Monroe, is prepared to wipe your debt clean."
"Debt?" Boss gasped, "Oh! My debt? As in gone, vanished, vamoosed!?"
"Yes that means there will be no-" Steven performed a slicing motion across his throat. "Of course, that's conditional upon your ability to deliver."
"So ya' ain't gonna," Boss also drew his finger across his throat. He opened his mouth, shut it, then spoke anyway. What did he have to lose? "Now that's gonna take a lot of shuck'n and jive'n with the Department of Transportation. Addition fees, permits, hiring folks that will look the other way, bringing in an outside contrator to do the work. How am I gonna pay for that?"
"You'll pay for it with your generous cash advance, plus ten percent of the earnings we get from the land over the next thirty years. Not a bad deal for you given your current status with Mr. Monroe. Do we have a deal? Perhaps wiping out your debt will expedite a safe return to your refurbished office upstairs."
"I reckon that's an offer I'd be foolish to refuse." Boss replied, a little uneasily.
"Absolutely. Dead foolish."
The devil looked back at Boss thru Steven Cunningham's grey-blue eyes. Having very little choice, Boss shook on the deal.
"Get started on it Comissioner," Steven said. "If you need additional resources to force the young man to sell-"
"Oh-no-no-no. Wait just a minute here. I told Monroe in the beginning I don't cotton to violence and his men nearly killed that boy back in June! I know how to pressure him to sell, but takin' his land is different from burying him under it!"
"Of course, Commissioner. There's no need for violence. You just stay on track. No slacking. Work the man double shifts, call him in when he's off duty, find special cases to send him away from his business for weeks on end. He can't work the ranch if he's not there."
Boss give the man a sidelong look. "I like the way you think, Mr Cunningham."
"Very well. Get on top of it. We want to start work on the property before winter. Do your best to keep Strate unaware of your road construction plans for as long as possible.
"That dipstick has been clamoring about Old County Road being resurfaced for months," Boss said. "He wont think anything of it until it's too late."
"Good, I'm on my way to Capitol City to track down some missing paperwork." Steven Cunningham opened the door, paused on the way out, and turned around to say, "Out of curiosity, has the owner discovered the true value of his assets?"
"Nah..." Boss pushed his chair back to stand. "Ain't no way. That dipstick can't count to ten with both hands and feet! He don't know nothin' about what he's got and there is no record on file with the county."
Boss stood and paced the room as he considered the pros and cons…mostly the pros. The money was nice, but being out of Monroe's line of fire was an offer he couldn't pass up. However, he felt the need to redeem himself.
"Wait! I have a counteroffer." Boss blurted before he changed his mind.
"You're kidding. You want to counter Wallace Monroe? You sir, are out of your mind."
"Dat dat dat! Just hear me out! I'll agree if you take Daisy Duke and that dipstick off Monroe's…uh…list?"
"Done."
Cunningham could care less about promises. It would be simple to arrange an unfortunate accident for the cop while he was away. The girl didn't matter, she was being given to Duncan for disposal.
"Deal!" Boss slapped his desk and offered his hand. At the last minute he tipped his head and added, "No violence now. Ya' hear?"
"I hear just fine." Steven stood and shook on the deal, despite his plans to break a few rules. "Mr. Monroe will be quite pleased. Just be sure the construction is well underway while the owner is picking up his next load of horses."
"I'll get right on it. That dipstick left for Wyoming this morning. Ya' just tell Monroe that J.D. Hogg will take care of this once and for all!"
"No one else will be told of this arrangement. If anyone finds out about Monroe's involvement, or mine, the whole deal is off."
"I understand." Boss nodded with a somber expression. "Just between the two of us. Don't you worry. I assume Mr. Monroe will advise Miss Duke and the deputy of their safety?"
"As soon as the time is right," he lied with a smile. Steven moved towards the door. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you Commissioner."
"Likewise! A real pleasure!" Boss cackled wickedly when the man left his office. The door clicked shut and he sat down, savoring his good fortune.
He was off Monroe's hit list, Boss was going to be a wealthy man, and the dipstick would be right back where he started, a deputy sheriff on a monthly salary. Enos might even thank him for saving his life and taking the trouble of that ranch off his hands.
Once again, he would be the richest man in Hazzard.
