Luke's Match
A Dukes of Hazzard fan fiction
Disclaimer: I own no characters of Dukes of Hazzard. Only the story is mine.
Chapter two
Boss Hogg's plans
The man walked into Boss Hogg's back room inside the Boar's Nest. This man, like Boss Hogg, was a political figure, in Savannah. His name was Nathan Sanderson, and he was a force not to be reckoned with.
Boss was counting his money, which always made him feel good on a rainy Monday. Behind him, Sherriff Roscoe Coltrane was telling him about the buzz in Hazzard about a certain Duke family member about to tie the knot with a certain member of his own family.
"Who is this certain member, Roscoe?"
"Why Boss, didn't you hear. Angel McCormick. You know the new boarder in your house."
"My Lulu's niece engaged to a Duke? Wonder why she didn't inform me of this?"
"She probably didn't want you spoiling it."
The look on Boss Hogg's face was enough to tell Roscoe to shut up.
"Roscoe one more word out of you.."
"and I'm going to end up a the new night rent a cop at the drive in on Radfield road."
"You're going to end up the new night rent a cop at the drive in on Radfield road. Besides, I'm too old to be fooling around with those Dukes. Jesse is gone. The challenge isn't there anymore."
"I can help you with that, Mr. Hogg."
Both Boss and Roscoe turned around in time to see a sharp dressed man standing in the doorway.
"Your waitress said I might find you here. I'd like to make a business proposition that you couldn't possibly refuse."
"Hmm," Boss thought, "What kind of business proposition?"
They both looked up at Roscoe.
Boss said, "Roscoe, shouldn't you be at the police station?"
"Sure, little fat buddy."
"Don't call me that and don't slam that.."
Roscoe slammed the door as Boss got the word, "Door" out. Turning to look at the city slicked stranger, he asked "What can I do for you, Mr.."
"Nathan Sanderson."
"The City councilman from Savannah?"
"The one and the same."
"May I ask what you're doing in my county?"
"I've come looking for a bride for my son. He's very wayward, nose in the books, head in the clouds. He tried to tell me that a Politian can be honest?"
Boss gave a dramatic gasp. "No!"
"Yes. I'm willing to pay any price for a bride for Don."
Boss was about object when heard the word 'price'. "How much?"
"Ten grand even."
The amount was enough to make Boss go speechless. "And who gets this money?"
"The one who finds that certain person."
"I'll keep my hear to the ground."
"I was hoping to leave with this woman. Remember, she has to be unmarried. It wouldn't look good for a woman to have two husbands."
"The only woman I know in Hazzard that isn't married is my late wife's niece, Angel McCormick. Scratch that. She's engaged."
Sanderson smiled. "A lot can happen from bended knee to the church alter, Mr. Hogg. Tell you what. You hold onto this ten grand," he pulled out a large wad of money from his jacket pocket, "Maybe an idea of how to get this Angel to the alter beside my son, Don, will come to you."
Boss took the money. The old feeling was back. The feeling he got when there was money to be made. Ten grand. That was a lot of money. All he had to do was convince Angel to marry this Sanderson kid. He smiled as he puffed on his cigar. The Duke boys were still on probation. Daisy still worked for him. He still held the deed to Jesse's old farm. Yes this could work. Angel believed in helping the less fortunate. Boss Hogg believed in helping himself to a fortune.
That night, Angel was having a time telling her Uncle Roscoe that he needed to slow down. He'd been having knee pains.
"Uncle Roscoe, you ever thought about retirement and letting Enos take over as Sherriff?"
"Retirement? I'm too young for retirement!"
"You're not as young as you used to be. This pain you're having in your knees is more than likely arthritis. Look, why don't you make an appointment at the clinic so I can properly examine you."
Boss Hogg decided to approach Angel about the deal he'd made with Councilman Sanderson.
"Angel, you need a change of scenery. How about a place like Savannah?"
"Uncle J.D., I can't just up and leave. I'm Hazzard's doctor."
"I just thought.."
"Uncle J.D., what are you up to?"
"I was approached by a man from Savannah who offered me ten grand."
"For what?""I think that the appropriate question is for who."
"Okay, for who?"
"You. He wants you to marry his son."
"But, Uncle J.D., I'm engaged to Luke Duke. I can't marry this guy's son."
"That's where you're wrong, Angel. Either you marry this man or I arrest Bo and Luke, Fire Daisy, and foreclose on the Duke family farm."
"Uncle J.D.! You can't do that!"
"I own this county! I can do anything I want. You're part of my family and I say that you ain't marrying Luke Duke!"
"So you're selling me to a complete stranger? I'm a human being! You can't sell me."
"Think of it an arranged marriage!"
Angel was in tears. She ran out the front door. She never saw Enos standing in the shadows of the police station door, who was angered by the conversation. He was surprised to hear the conversation that was transpiring between Boss Hogg and Sherriff Coltrane.
"Boss, I don't think this is wise."
"I don't pay you to think, Roscoe."
"I've gone along with you on every little idea that pops into your head. I can't go along on this one."
"And you will with this one too, jack- ass!"
Roscoe stood up. He was clearly angry. "Let's get something strait, J.D. Hogg!"
Boss's head shot up. Roscoe had never used his first name or spoken to him like this.
"I will not go with you on this stupid idea. This isn't running shine or even setting up a speed trap. This is a woman's happiness we're talking about. This is my niece. My baby sister's daughter. I will not stand back and watch as you railroad her. You maybe my oldest sister's widower, but you are mean, selfish, cruel, and it hurts to even think that Lulu ever loved you to begin with." Roscoe was shaking with anger. He took his badge and gun and laid them on the desk. His voice was cracking with emotion. "Boss, it's time you find yourself a new Sherriff. I'm taking Angel's advice and retiring."
"Well, Enos will.."
At that point, Enos stepped out of the shadows and walked into the office. He placed his badge and gun along side Roscoe's.
" No I won't. Find a new deputy, Boss. I love law enforcement, but I love Daisy and her family more than life itself. No one threatens my wife or her family. I refuse to be your new Sherriff."
With that Enos, walked out of the office and went to find Angel.
He found her, crying in her office at the clinic.
"Angel?"
"Are you here to arrest me, Enos?"
"I'm here to drive you to the farm. As emotional as you are right now, you have no right to be on the road."
Angel managed a small smile. "Thanks, Enos. I expected Uncle Roscoe to be here to arrest me."
Enos smiled. "Your Uncle Roscoe retired. Affective immediately."
"What do I do, Enos?"
"I can't tell you what to do. But I think Luke has a right to know."
Enos never knew it, but Angel had weighed her options. She'd already made up her mind.
That night, as the thunder crashed, the lightning lit up the Southern Georgia sky, and the rain was being soaked up by the red Georgia clay, Angel was tearfully telling everyone what had happened at the police station. Then Enos filled in the blanks.
Luke looked up at Bo. "Cousin, this isn't right. Boss will have Roscoe out here to get Angel."
Enos spoke up. "Roscoe won't be giving ya'll any trouble. He retired."
Angel sighed. "It won't make a difference. I've already made up my mind. Luke, could you take me home?"
Luke smiled sadly. He knew what was coming. At the front of the Hogg boarding house, Angel explained to Luke her decision.
"I can't let you and Bo go to jail. What would happen to Jill and the kids? I can't let Daisy lose her job. And I certainly can't let you lose Jesse's farm. That place means too much to your family."
"I can't let you do that, Angel. If you marry this guy, you'll be unhappy for the rest of your life. One of the things that I love about you is the light in your eyes."
"Luke, I love you." She unclasped the gold chain around her neck. She pulled off the engagement ring that had belonged to Jesse's wife. She threaded the chain thru the ring and hung it around Luke's neck, next to the dog tags that signified his service in the Marines. Angel had thanked him a week ago, on Veteran's day for putting his life on the line for her freedom.
"Why? Angel. Land is just land. Daisy can find another job. And Boss can't possibly make an arrest without a Sherriff or deputy."
"Luke. I can't let you lose all you love because I'm being selfish. Being in love means knowing when to let go." She pulled his head down and kissed him deeply.
Luke pulled his dog tags off and placed them around Angel's neck. He hugged her fiercely. His voice cracked as he tried not to cry. "Angel McCormick, you are the most unselfish person I know."
Angel walked into the boarding house, weeping. She had left the most amazing man God ever placed on this planet, so Boss Hogg could have her married off to a complete stranger.
Luke looked up at the night sky. Tears streaming down his face as the thought of Angel being sold by Boss Hogg for a measly ten grand, to a complete stranger. His soul felt like this storm bearing down on Hazzard, Turbulent, violent, and falling apart into little pieces. He climbed into Jesse's old pick-up truck and drove back to the farm.
Boss Hogg was overjoyed at Angel's decision. He called up Councilman Sanderson and told him. Sanderson was overjoyed that he suggested a wedding in Hazzard.
Everything was set. Angel McCormick was set to marry Don Sanderson.
Back at the farm, Luke was furious. "She set aside her freedom for a job and a farm."
Daisy smiled sadly, "Luke, Angel is a special kind of lady. She loves you so much."
"But she chose this over me."
"Luke, I'd imagine that you would have done the same for her."
"Damn right I would."
"That's true love. Remember what Uncle Jesse said? True love means knowing when to let go."
"I sure wish he was here. I could use his advice. I feel like slapping the taste out of J.D. Hogg's mouth."
Luke never knew it, But Angel was entertaining those same thoughts.