Chapter 30: An invite to Dinner

The moment Kira had gotten off the phone, Luke sped back to Hazzard at breakneck speeds; after Jebb had insisted to be kept in the loop, of course. Once Luke had gotten back into Hazzard in record time, it was about all Kira and Jesse could do to keep both of the fellas from going after Daisy. After all, as Jesse had told them, what's done is done. Their worry had started to creep into anger when another night passed without any word from Daisy. Then to guilt as they both (especially Bo) felt that they had pushed Daisy into marrying L.D. out of spite.

The next day at church, the Dukes received more than a few curious looks as it did not go unnoticed by the congregation that they were short one family member. As it turned out, knowing what Daisy had done did not make her absence any easier than not knowing anything. The day passed with still no word from Daisy and the family began to wonder if she and L.D. had indeed taken off just as L.D. had claimed that they would.

With such a dark cloud hanging over the farm, each of the Dukes sank into a quiet reverie while waiting for Daisy to contact the family. With Daisy gone, it was like the life had been drained from the family. Kira watched as the men each mourned Daisy's absence in their own way. It just wasn't natural for there not to be laughter on this plot of land on Old Mill Pond Road.

Kira was sitting at her desk finishing up some paperwork before getting ready to go home. Nearly done, she looked up to the sound of a timid knock on the door. Kira raised her head to see Daisy standing in the doorway. The two just stared at one another for a couple of seconds.

"Can I come in?"

Kira motioned to the vacant chair on the other side of her desk. She hadn't expected Daisy to show up at the office instead of the farm. She waited for Daisy to say something but apparently, she hadn't planned everything out this far yet. Maybe she hadn't expected Kira be at work after all. Or that she would be too upset to talk to her.

"So, it appears that congratulations are in order."

Daisy smiled a nervous smile. "How'd you guess?"

"You mean other than the fact that the last time I'd seen you, you were racin' out of the courthouse Friday night with L.D.? The fact that no one has heard from you since then?" Kira shook her head. Not sure why, it just seemed the thing to do. "We all went looking for you Saturday when you didn't come home. Bo even bailed out of the Drag 'N Fly so he could help. I tracked ya down to that little chapel in Chickamahoney County. So, I guess you're Daisy Dixon now."

"I never in a million years would have thought I'd get married without my family there; without Uncle Jesse givin' me away."

"Then why did you?"

"It just seemed like the thing to do at the time. Tell me the truth. The men folk ain't gonna be too mad, are they?"

"Let's just say I doubt that anyone's gonna exactly welcome Leroy into the family with open arms right now. Not with him pressing felony assault charges on Bo."

"Oh, honey, L.D. didn't mean that. He was just mad. He's over there at the courthouse right now droppin' all the charges."

"I hope so. Though I still don't exactly see anyone being thrilled about all this just yet..." Kira looked across to her cousin. Everyone deserved to be happy, especially Daisy. "Is this really what you want?"

"I've never wanted anything more in my whole life. I know it may take the others a while to come around, but when they see that they were all wrong about L.D. it will be alright."

Kira had so many things running through her head. Like how she knew that Bo and Luke have been known to be turned by a pretty face, but they weren't usually wrong about other men. Like how even she had doubts about Daisy's new husband that had nothing to do with Bo and Luke.

"I hope so. Well, tell me about the ceremony."

For the next hour, Daisy and Kira chatted about Daisy's wedding and her new life as a married woman. Sometime along the way, Kira silently let Bo know she was running late so the men wouldn't worry about her. She debated letting him know why she was running late but he didn't ask so she didn't share. Kira guessed that everyone had finally gotten used to Kira's late hours.

Before Daisy decided to head on out, Kira even talked to Daisy about what she had learned from Holy Joe about Cooter and how the two of them had been going around in circles about Joe pushing Cooter into a political career.

"COOTER! In politics? I think the reverend has lost his marbles. Cooter couldn't ever run in politics. He's too honest."

"I don't know. If he ran, I know a lot of people that are so sick and tired of the same ole same ole. They might would take a chance on someone with some good old country horse sense instead of people who keep getting elected that don't even have the sense that God gave a jackass. In fact, if someone like Cooter would run against Ben's son, Shawn, in the coming race next year, I'd be willing to help back em. I know of others that would too."

"That could make the race a bit interestin' couldn't it?" Daisy and Kira laughed at the prospect and kept giggling like schoolgirls until for the second time in a little over an hour Kira heard a knock at her door.

"I kind of thought you'd be done by now. You ready?" There L.D. stood, obviously impatient for his new bride to leave with him back to wherever they were staying. Just as Daisy's family had never really wasted no love on L.D., L.D. wasted no love on her family.

"I guess we kind of lost track of time."

Kira caught the look that was being sent her way by L.D. Well, if he didn't want to spend any time with her, she knew exactly what to do. It was time to welcome the new family member into the family, whether he wanted to be or not.

"Hey, you two, why don't ya'll plan to come out for supper one night this week? I know Uncle Jesse is plannin' rattlesnake chili tomorrow night."

"Oh, that'd be great. Then we could all-"

"I don't think so. We already have plans," L.D. cut Daisy off.

Kira eyed her cousin's husband. She doubted that there were any other plans, but she figured she would let that one go.

"Well, then how about Friday night. That will give ya'll enough time to change any other plans. And I won't take no for an answer." Kira locked eyes with the man as she engaged in a small war of wills. "Jesse can make his crawdad bisque."

Knowing that he couldn't turn down two invitations to dinner in a row, L.D. consented. He really needed to call his contacts to see about another job so he could get out of this hick town.

"You did what?" Bo and Luke shouted at the same time.

"I invited our cousin to dinner Friday night. And you fellas are going to be on your best behavior. 'Cause all this has been hard enough on Jesse as it is. He don't need any of us ready to declare war over the dinner table. Ya'll can make it through one meal with L.D. Just pretend you're playin' a part out at the community theater if ya have to. But don't make Jesse choose sides while they're out here."

Kira stared down both the men in front of her. When they both turned away, Kira couldn't help the small bit of pride she felt. Most people wouldn't win in a battle of wills against one of the Duke men; she'd mastered how to win against two. Plus, she'd already won a battle earlier with L.D. today as well. Just wait until they learned that she was heading into Atlanta in two days. She knew that there'd be another battle to come once they learned that, too. Especially since she had to go alone, and she couldn't put off this trip any longer.

"Ya'll can't get Boss to give ya'll permission to go to Atlanta. I happen to know that J.D. went out of town this week. So, you two are just goin' ta have to cool your heels here in Hazzard."

"I'd sure like to know what's so all fire important that Kira has to go all the way to Atlanta for."

Bo went back to chopping the firewood as his uncle headed toward the barn to collect the eggs. Luke had run to town to look for Boss right after Kira had left out. She had waited to tell everyone about her plans to drive to Fulton County until breakfast. Said something about needing to see the D.A in Atlanta but had avoided any questions about the reason behind that visit. Simply said that she should only be gone one, at the most two, nights and would be back in plenty of time to be at the farm when L.D. and Daisy came for supper Friday night.

Looking up, Bo saw the General Lee pulling into the yard and Luke climbing out. "Any luck, Luke?"

"Nah, Boss left out yesterday morning. Rosco said that he didn't expect him back for about a week. Looks like we're stuck."

"Dang it, Luke. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that Kira planned this with Boss."

"Except we both know that Kira's never said two words to Boss that she didn't have to. I'd doubt that if Boss was on fire that she'd pour water on him."

"I guess you're right. It's just bad timing though."

"Kind of makes ya wonder, don't it? What else could go wrong this week?"

Bo and Luke were letting off steam as they raced along the red clay back roads of Hazzard County. They just weren't used to the farm being so quiet. Daisy had finally called out to the farm and talked to Uncle Jesse that morning. Both of the guys looked forward to Friday with a mix of anticipation and dread. They missed their cousin terribly but could do without seeing their newest in-law. They would, however, do their best to be civil while the two came for a visit.

As usual, it wasn't long before the familiar sound of the police siren and sight of red and blue lights were found behind the orange stock car.

"Great, it's Enos," Bo said as he looked behind them.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Lose em."

"Yes sir, hang on." With that, Bo sped up and took the curves like only a former moonshiner could.

"Come on fellas, pull over. If I don't give out some tickets, Cousin Boss will be mad at me."

Both men looked at one another. "Cletus?"

Curiosity getting the best of them; they pulled over, hopped up on the windowsills and watched as it really was Boss Hogg's second cousin (once removed) that got out of the patrol car instead of Enos.

"Cletus? What are you doin'? You ain't been a deputy in a couple of years. Where's Enos?"

"You mean you boys ain't heard? Enos quit. Packed up and left. Claimed that there wasn't anything left in Hazzard for em."

"Daisy," Bo let out a deep breath.

"When did all this happen?"

"Monday. Cousin Boss called me right up, brought me into replace him. Now are you fellas goin' ta let me-" Before Cletus could finish the sentence, the men were back inside the car and took off. "-write ya'll a ticket." Staring after the stock car, "Yep, some things never change."

Kira arrived out at Tom and Michelle's house just after lunch. They were out of town, but they had left word with their housekeeper to be expecting her. After her first return visit to Atlanta, Kira had fallen into the habit of staying with Ben's old business partners when she went to town for one reason or another. She settled in quickly and called to arrange plans with both Sam and Brent while she was in town.

She knew that this would most likely be her last chance to hang out with either of them for a while. Kira knew that once she returned to Hazzard, she probably could count on not having a moment's privacy for a while. At least the fellas will be in their element; in full protection mode. And for once, Kira will be glad to have an overprotective family. She'll need them once she testifies before the Grand Jury tomorrow. So, it looked like she might as well go out and enjoy her last day of freedom for a while. Maybe she'll take Sam shopping for the day.

When Kira finished in front of the Grand Jury, she waited outside of the courtroom. There was another who had been called to testify that she wanted to talk to. She felt that if she didn't, she wouldn't be able to look herself in the mirror come tomorrow. Thanks to the risks that Kira had uncovered, all testimony before the Grand Jury was being videotaped. Just in case Townsend held to his pattern.

Truth be told, it would be smarter to head to the airport right now and take off to parts unknown and hide out under an assumed name until the trial date was set. But Kira's never been one to run. As Jesse would put it, Dukes don't run.

So, she knew that she'd face the risks. Shoot, she'd come this far. She might as well go the rest of the way. But she couldn't ask anyone else to face the same risk, at least without giving a warning. Upon hearing the door open, Kira looked up and saw a familiar pudgy, balding man dressed in white walk out of the courtroom.

"Hogg, I wanted to talk to you."

"What about? That brother and no good cousin of yours ain't around, are they?"

He would make this difficult, wouldn't he?

"No, Hogg. I wanted to talk to you about getting protection set up."

"Now you know that Rosco and Cletus will only be able to do so much-"

"Not for me! You nincompoop! For you! I figured that I could talk to the D.A. for you. See what they could do."

"For me? You want to help me? What's the catch?"

"There is no catch, Hogg. I know what we both will be up against just as soon as word gets out that charges have been filed against Townsend. Just because I may not like you, it doesn't mean I want to see you dead. Besides, Jesse wouldn't stand for it at all if he knew that I didn't try to keep you safe. Lord knows why, but the rest of the family seems to be quite fond of you."

J.D. looked at the young woman in front of him for a moment before saying anything else. "That won't be necessary. I've already been given a death sentence anyway. At least if Townsend does it, it will be faster than the cancer. So, you just don't go worryin' about me."

Kira wasn't taken back. Cancer: a word that she was only too well acquainted with.

"Hogg, I…" No, she knew that no platitudes help. "Is there anything that they can try? I mean-"

"No, I waited too late." Hogg reached into his pocket to pull out one of his favorite brands of cigars. "Guess that there's no reason now to give these things up." No, Kira reckoned that there wasn't. The damage was done. "Now I don't want you tellin' no one about this, you hear. I plan to hold on to my dignity."

"Don't worry, Hogg... Boss. I won't say anything. This secret ain't mine to tell."

Boss smiled a bit. That was the first time that Kira hadn't just referred to him as Hogg. Strange, it felt as if he and the newest Duke seemed to be coming to a new stage in their relationship. She was now just like all the others. Not quite a friend, but not an enemy anymore either. Boss guessed that having a common foe, Townsend, binds them in a way that neither would have imagined.

"Kira, I never said this to you before, but I'm sorry. I never meant for anyone to get hurt. I don't stand for violence. When I heard what happened to you..."

"I know, Boss. If there is one thing I've learned while in Hazzard, it's that you have a weak stomach. Unless it involves food," Kira smirked. This wasn't really a conversation that she was ready to have with Hogg. "I guess I need to get goin'. You just be careful. Now might be a good time to take Lulu on that cruise that you've been promisin' her. Have a little fun, you know?"

J.D. seemed to think about the suggestion before nodding his head. "I might do that. Give me a chance to tell her everything."

With that, Kira watched Hazzard's commissioner walk away with all the appearance of the world's weight on his shoulders.

Kira looked at the clock. Damn farm hours. She finally didn't have to be up at this ungodly hour but clearly her body had already gotten used to being up so early. Whether she wanted to be or not. Getting on up, Kira got dressed and began to wander around the huge house that had also served as the office building for the practice that Ben had built up from nothing. The same house that he'd left his partners in his will after he'd died.

Kira knew that she'd end up in the music room. It was attached to Michelle's prized garden; Kira's favorite place in the whole house. She'd always felt that walking through the French doors out into the garden must be what it was like to walk through the very gates of Heaven itself. Looking out of the glass panes, Kira saw the first hint of the sunrise beginning. Taking in a huge sigh, Kira thought to herself that there was ONE more thing that she needed to do before she went back to Hazzard. Going to get Gloria, the housekeeper, she knew that she would need a little help.

Leaving out of the courthouse, Kira took one final look around. She knew that the next time that she'll return to Atlanta it will be for the trial. And she doubted that she'd be given much elbow room when she came. Well, at least the papers that she filled out this morning were all filed. Now everything will be taken care of. No matter what. Walking across the street, Kira got into her truck.

'Hey Bo, I'm getting ready to leave Atlanta. See you at dinner.'

'I'd better. There ain't NO WAY I'm sitting through a dinner that YOU arranged if you don't show.'

'I'll be there. See ya later,' Kira paused, 'Bo-Bear!'

She knew that he hated it when she called him that. Giggling to herself, Kira turned her key to crank her truck up.