Chapter 7: In Good Hands

Soon, the evening wore on into nightfall and Kira and Bo went out to get her suitcase out of the truck. 'Are you sure you're going to be alright bunking in with Daisy? I mean, I saw how you were in there. You didn't seem all too comfortable.'

'I'll be fine, Bo. Quit worrying so much. I'm a big girl; I can handle sharing a bed with Daisy.'

Bo looked at her trying to convince himself that she was right. But he didn't stop worrying.

'Well, there really ain't going to be much choice, I guess. Especially considering there will be more Dukes than you can shake a stick at coming in tomorrow.'

Thinking about that made him even more worried about Kira.

'Stop it, Bo. It'll be fine. How about helping me unload the bike while we're out here? And no, I don't want to take the keyboard in right yet.'

The two set to unload the truck while Jesse watched from inside. As he stood at the window, Luke came up behind him and brought a cup of coffee to him while sipping on his own. "They're at it again. You think they even realize that they do that themselves?"

Jesse turned toward Luke as he spoke. "You noticed too, huh?"

"Yep. I remember when Bo would do it when he was younger. Used to annoy the dickens out of me. I wonder what they were talking about earlier. Bo seemed to have gotten the hang of teasing his sister already. It just seems a bit weird to watch em go at it."

"I'd like to tell you that you get used to it, but you won't. I never did. You do learn to ignore it though." Jesse paused and looked at Luke watching his cousins. "Luke, he'll still need you. You know that right? Just because he has Kira back doesn't-"

"I know, Uncle Jesse. You had this same talk with Bo when Judd came back didn't you?" Luke cut his uncle short. Not wanting to admit that he had begun to worry that Bo wouldn't want him around anymore.

Had Bo felt like this when Judd first came to the farm? Probably. They still weren't exactly close. Luke headed on up to the room that he'd shared with Bo for nearly his whole life. Cots had already been set up to give Coy and Vance beds in there as well. There wouldn't be much space left for walking by the time all of the Dukes arrived.

Shortly afterwards, Bo headed up to bed, too. But he was still worrying. After he had gotten up for the third time nearly heading out to check on Kira but then stopping at the door, Luke had had enough.

"Bo, would you lie down and stay down. Watching you is makin' me seasick."

"I can't help it. What if Kira has a flashback or something? She ain't used to being in close quarters with people she really doesn't know. I know she said she's fine but-"

"What do you mean about her having flashbacks? What would she have flashbacks about?" Luke knew a thing or two about flashbacks. But what could have possibly of happened to Kira that would cause her to be in danger of having a flashback just staying in with Daisy?

Vance sat up now too. Clearly, there was a lot they still needed to know about Kira. "Why don't you tell us a little more about Kira? Especially since whatever you know has you more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers."

Bo sat and began to tell some of the stories he knew of Kira's childhood; of the neglect and abuse and of how she had begun to run away before she was even ten years old. Of how for the next seven years, she had spent more nights out on the streets of various cities in Georgia than she had in a house.

By the time Bo had finished, Luke was feeling mighty guilty for the jealous pangs he had felt earlier. It looked like that, like Luke, Kira had hidden battle scars. But unlike Kira, he had been allowed to grow up before heading off to do battle in his war within the jungles of 'Nam. Kira had fought a war from childhood in a number of homes, group homes, and even the streets.

Knowing more about his new cousin, he understood a bit more why Bo worried about Kira so much. He also felt proud of her for the lengths she had taken to change her life. Heck, it was amazing that she'd done all she had. He never knew Duke Pride to have accomplished so much.

Bo explained also that Kira was uncomfortable with a lot of touch. That she had pulled away from him a few times though she tried not to. She was patient with it most of the time, but she might pull away from them, too. Bo didn't want anyone to be offended if she did.

Luke made a mental note to talk to Daisy and Jesse. Finally, the guys all fell asleep, though Bo took a little longer. He got up twice more, but this time Luke didn't stop him. He seemed to remember Bo worried a few years ago about him having flashbacks too. Of course, he didn't know just what they would entail, Bo always seemed to know just when Luke had revisited the war within his dreams.

Maybe he could help Kira with hers. The VA had helped him with some techniques to ward off some of the flashbacks that plagued him. That was the last thought that crossed Luke's mind as he drifted off.

'Go to sleep, Bo.'

Kira heard the floorboards creak from the guys' room several times before the creaks came all the way to Daisy's door. Daisy had fallen asleep nearly as soon as she had lain down. That left Kira wide awake, clinging to the edge of the bed, listening to the sounds of the house. Kira heard the creaks drift back across the hall then everything once again went quiet.

Laying there, staring out the window, Kira tried to sleep. After remaining there for what seemed like hours, she drifted off into a restless sleep. The sleep was short lived though as Kira bolted up in bed grabbing her arm. Sitting up panting in bed, Kira tried to slow her breathing as she looked down at her arm, the feel of the break still vivid in her mind.

Looking over at Daisy, she saw she was still asleep. Kira got up as quietly as possible and changed into her jeans and a sweater and grabbed her messenger bag she kept her work in. If she wasn't going to sleep, she might as well get some work done instead.

Carefully, Kira made her way to the kitchen and sorted through her papers. She had a case going to trial Monday. It was the kind of case that she hated. Her client was completely innocent, but the evidence had pointed in their direction anyway. She still had a friend digging for her trying to find one piece of evidence that would place reasonable doubt into the minds of the jury.

Grabbing her pad, she started to go over her notes and started working on her opening argument. So wrapped up in her work, Kira never noticed when Jesse walked in hours later.

"Mornin', you're up early."

Jesse got the pans out to get breakfast started since Daisy would be busy preparing food for the incoming Dukes all day only to go to work at The Boars' Nest later. Jesse and told her not to bother with breakfast today. He'd handle it. Kira looked at her watch and saw it was about a quarter after five. Surprised, she started to put her papers away.

"I guess I am. I better move all this stuff away."

"What 'cha workin' on?" He had yet to really get a chance to talk to his niece. In fact, she seemed to have been avoiding being alone with anyone. So here they were; alone for the first time in the kitchen and she looked like she was ready to bolt.

"Just getting things lined up for a case going to trial Monday; figuring out my opening argument."

Luke walked in and leaned up against the door frame. Looking at her, Luke guessed she hadn't slept an hour all night. Looks like Bo was right to worry about her last night.

"Mornin'. By the way Bo talked last night, I thought the only way we'd get you up this early is with a crucifix and some Holy water." Luke grinned as he remembered Bo describing how little of a morning person his sister was. "You sleep alright?"

Kira looked up with a grin on her face, "Fortunately, Daisy had a Bible on the nightstand. Where is that brother of mine anyway?" Kira ignored the question about how she had slept.

"Where else? Still in bed. I'm thinking of gettin' a stick of dynamite to put under his pillow if'n he don't get up."

Kira finished putting her papers away as she laughed. "Want to have some fun? Go watch him jump. He has this coming. Trust me."

Luke gave her a dubious look, glanced at Uncle Jesse who just shrugged his shoulders. Then Luke went back to the bedroom. Just as he walked back into the room, Kira called out to Bo.

'Bo!'

That caused Bo to jump off the bed in a jolt and landed on the floor.

'Rise and shine, Darlin'!'

Luke laughed aloud once he realized what Kira must have done.

'Time for them chores you missed so much.'

Bo got up and saw Luke watching him.

"Mornin'." Bo got dressed and pushed past a still smirking Luke to go to the bathroom.

Kira headed to Daisy's room to put her bag up and passed Bo as he came out of the bathroom.

'Was that really necessary?' Bo scowled at her.

'Would you have preferred the dynamite that Luke was considering instead?' Kira laughed as Bo shook his head at her.

He'd missed a lot of sleep last night worrying over her. He guessed this was his thanks. Looking at her, he could tell that this picture of his sister so early in the morning didn't match up with how he'd seen her so far. That meant she hadn't just woken up.

'Why ain't you gone to bed yet?'

Kira rolled her eyes, 'I did go to bed; I just couldn't sleep, is all.'

Kira left Bo in the hall, hoping he'd drop it. The bad thing about having a psychic link though is that it makes it harder to just walk out on a conversation. So, with a door between them, Bo kept talking.

'Kira, I was worried about this-'

'Bo, Luke's waiting on you. Go on. I done told ya, I'm fine.'

Bo stared at the door separating him and Kira before heading on out to the barn.

Luke noticed that Bo was more quiet than usual. He wouldn't talk about it but Luke knew that it had to be because Kira hadn't slept last night. He knew that something had to give so he put his mind to the task of coming up with a solution. By the time that the chores were done, Luke thought he had one. So, when they went in to wash up for breakfast, Luke headed up stairs and went to the door at the end of the hall upstairs, a door that was rarely used, all to see if he was right.

Meanwhile, Daisy had gotten up and set the table while Kira sat in the main room trying to read out of a novel she had brought with her. Trying being the operative word. So far, she has read the same paragraph six times; going on the seventh. Looking up as the boys walked in, Kira noticed Bo wouldn't look at her. Kira wasn't used to anyone worrying about her; especially not enough to get mad to boot.

"Mornin', Sugar."

"Hey, Coy." Glancing behind him she saw Vance as well. "Hey, Vance."

"Sugar, I hear we have you ta thank for that show this morning. I bet Bo wishes he'd woken up when Luke told him to, now."

"Yep, he still looks out of sorts. Just watchin' him jumpin' off that bed like that this mornin'. I about died laughing." Vance proved his point by chuckling at the memory. "Well, let's get on in to breakfast."

The three went in to join Daisy and Uncle Jesse in the kitchen and sat down as Bo came in and took his own place between Kira and Luke's empty chair.

"Bo, where's Luke? We're all waiting for him so we can start breakfast." Jesse started dishing out some scrambled eggs into the plates on the table as he spoke.

"How should I know? He came in and got cleaned up ahead of me."

Luke came in as Bo spoke. "Sorry, I just had to take care of something." Luke took his seat ignoring Bo's questioning look. Jesse said grace and took his seat at the head of the table, and everyone began to eat while discussing the relatives due to arrive throughout the day. "That reminds me; we told Lulu that we'd get those chairs from the ladies league by nine. Shouldn't take more than two or three trips to get them."

"Why don't ya'll take my truck, too? That way ya'll can save time. Get em all at once."

"You goin' to trust Bo with your truck?" Luke tried to look around Bo to see Kira but all he could see was a mop of blond hair.

"It's got four tires and a wheel ain't it? It'll be in good hands." Kira laughed along with Luke as they both recalled his light joke the night before.

Bo even grinned as he shoved some eggs in his mouth. At least he hadn't lost all of his sense of humor. Kira hoped that he'd lighten up a bit. She knew her own limits. And if it came down to it, she'll sleep in the truck. She promised Bo she'd stay until Sunday, and she wasn't going to let a little thing like a lack of sleep make her break that promise.

By the end of breakfast, the whole Duke clan was laughing and joking about previous Thanksgivings. Kira was content listening to the stories as she continued to watch the others interact. She admitted to herself, she had begun to study them the same way she would have for a test back in school. Because she knew that when all was said and done, becoming part of this family was one test she didn't want to fail.

After breakfast was cleaned up, Luke suggested that Bo and Coy head on out and he and Vance would be right behind them. That earned him some odd looks from the three cousins since he and Bo are almost always together. Leaving the three confused, Luke headed back inside. Left with nothing else to do, Bo and Coy headed over to Kira's dark green pick-up.

Spying the keyboard still in its black case, Bo grabs it to take over to the porch. Kira must have forgotten about it when she offered her truck. She didn't want to take it inside, but she shouldn't say anything about him putting it there to make room for the chairs.

"What's that?" Coy asked as Bo walks around to climb into the truck.

"Kira's keyboard. I reckon she forgot it was still in the truck. Well, let's get goin'."

Inside, Luke found Kira once again trying to read out of her book. Not getting very far, either, by the looks of it. She was still on the same page she was when he finished his chores.

"Kira, ya ain't going to get too far in that book when your brain's done fallen asleep." He held out his hand, "Come on, trust me."

Kira looked at Luke for a moment before taking his hand allowing him to pull her up off the couch. Not quite sure what he was up to, Kira followed Luke upstairs, assuming that he was just going to tell her to go back to get some sleep in Daisy's room. When they passed her door and ended up at the end of the hall, Kira's curiosity was peaked.

"I figured you'd might like to have a place to hide later on. Once the invasion begins." Luke opened the door that led to a steep set of stairs that Kira guessed went up to the attic. He stepped aside to allow Kira through the door and then followed her up. Once in the attic, Luke led the way over to the window. "It ain't exactly the Ritz, but it should do." Kira saw where Luke had pulled up an old mattress over to the window and had brought her things on up. "This way Bo won't worry for ya so much."

"But why?"

"Bo told me some of what's happened. Seems only right to try to figure out a way to help ya feel more at home, Cuz." Kira couldn't help but smile at Luke's gesture. "That's what this family does. So, you'd better get some sleep. No one will come up here. The adults never do, and the kids are too scared so no one will bother you. I'll have Bo wake you for lunch."

Kira had to admit she was exhausted and here Luke had done his best to give her a place to call her own in the chaos that would engulf the farm in a matter of hours. Without thinking, Kira reached out to give Luke a hug. It last only lasted a second and ended before Luke could return it. Remembering what Bo said about Kira not being big on affection, Luke was more than a little surprised, but pleased with the thanks that he'd just received.

"Sweet dreams." With that Luke headed back down to head to town with Vance to meet Bo and Coy.