Thanks for sticking around. The end is in sight again, if the characters don't lead me off on another path. Real life has thrown up a more than a few road blocks up in the path of creative writing. One is being scheduled to work over our regular 40 hours, this week we are scheduled to work 60, if no one calls in!

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Chapter 58

As he was expected to do John Duke had taken care of his Sunday morning chores, cleaned up, dressed and taken his wife and daughters to church. He'd impatiently sat through what seemed like an extra long, yet far too short a sermon. Pauline had elbowed him more than once for fidgeting, but John knew that once church was over they would playing host to Karen's, ... well he wasn't sure exactly how to label the guy who had taken his oldest innocence. Then after they got through that, John would likely be heading to Hazzard so that he'd be ready for court in the morning. He hadn't called Jesse yet to tell him to expect him because he wasn't sure how this dinner with Danny would turn out. Of course, Pauline hadn't really ever gave him an answer to his question about going with him to Hazzard, either.

When church was finally over John made his way over to Earl. Without telling him what exactly was going on, John said, "Earl, I need to head over to Hazzard. I plan to take care of things this evening them head over there. I'm not sure when I'll be back so I'll need you to take care of at least the basic stuff until I get back. I'd also appreciate you checking on Pauline and the girls while I'm gone, that is, if they don't go with me."

Earl seen that John was totally serious. "Sure, John, you can count on me. Is everything alright? I hope no one is sick or hurt."

John knew he should explain, but merely replied, "Everyone there is fine, I just have some business to take care of over there." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't far from one. John added, "Earl, I could be gone a few days."

Earl replied confidently, "I'll take care of things." Earl had felt that it should have been him, not John, taking care of things all along.

John put his hand on Earl's shoulder, "Thanks, Earl. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Pauline seen John talking to her brother when she had a hundred things to do to finish dinner before they could eat. When John finally got closer she asked, "John David what are you doing wasting time when I have things to attend at home?"

"I was making sure things go smoothly while I'm in Hazzard." John replied as he opened the car door for Pauline to put Emily in the car seat. John then stepped toward Karen who was holding Emma and talking with Danny. "I'll take Emma. You can ride over with Danny." John paused but added, "We'll be right behind you."

Karen rolled her eyes heavenward at her father's reminder as she headed off with Danny to the car he had borrowed from his father. "How did you get the car while you are grounded?"

Danny replied simply, "He knows you father, ... and knows if he isn't watching me, your father will be."

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At the Duke Farm in Placid County, Danny was just opening the car door for Karen as John and Pauline pulled in beside them. He told Pauline as he was putting the car in park, "You run ahead and do all those things you needed to do."

"But, John David, the girls will surely need changed and then out of their church dresses." Pauline reminded.

John smiled, "I'll take care of that, run on along Dear."

Pauline frowned but did as John David said. It was the first time in months that she had gotten out of the car carrying only her purse.

When John got out of the car he called to Karen, "Your mother has somethings to do before dinner. Ya'll wouldn't mind taking the girls inside would you?"

Karen bit her tongue before replying, "No, not at all." She promply rolled her eyes again, careful that only Danny could see her do it. Then, she went to take Emma from her father. "Danny this is Emma. She is the one I had at church. Just support her head."

"Ummmm, I'm not real sure about this." Danny said, hesitant to take the infant.

John nearly barked, "Son, you better get real sure real da- quick."

Karen had already seen what her father was up to. It was nothing that she and Jeb hadn't been doing since the twins came home from the hospital, but Danny on the other hand had no clue what her father was trying to accomplish. She hoped he figured it out really quick or she could get him alone to explain real soon.

"Ummm, Ok?" Danny replied as he took the infant and held it like it were hand blown glass.

"Good, as Karen said, this here is Emma. Karen will get Emily." John started steering the young man toward the house, "You can just keep Emma entertained while Karen gets Emily changed and comfortable, then you can meet Emily while she changes Emma. You see, everyone pitches in around here. Her mother has things to do so that we can eat a good meal soon." John seen the young man very much wanting to ask him what he was going to be doing while they took care of the infants and Pauline finished dinner. He gave him just enough time to see the young man decide against asking him what his part in all this was before he added, "As for myself, I'm going to fix a couple fresh bottles for my girls, change out of these fancy clothes and then set the table."

Some how to Danny that seemed that Karen's father got the easy things out of the lot but he seen Karen shoot him a look that told him to hush.

Pauline soon had dinner finished, John had the table ready, and thanks to Karen and Danny, Emily and Emma were changed, fed and down for a nap. The four adults took their seats at the dining room table. Pauline insisted that John say grace today. The four then went about the business of filling their plates. Even if the room held a tension all it's own, each enjoyed the quiet meal.

"Karen will you help me in the kitchen with the coffee and pie?" Pauline said as she seen everyone finishing up.

Karen replied, "Sure, Mom."

While the women were in the kitchen, John took the opportunity to talk to Danny, "So, Danny have you received your court date yet?"

Danny swallowed the bite of food in his mouth before replying with a sigh, "Yes, Sir. Friday afternoon."

John nodded, "I figured they would be about the same time. Karen got hers the other day for Friday also. Come on and we'll get the evening chores done while they get the pie."

Danny frowned and stood to follow Karen's father, as he saw no way to get out of helping with the evening chores.

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Jesse hung the phone up and turned to the teens behind him, "Daisy you need to make up your room for Pauline and John. Boys get things ready for Daisy and Karen to take over your room, you all will be bunking in the barn."

Daisy was beaming, "The twins can stay with me and Karen!"

Jesse replied, "That will be up to John and Pauline."

Jeb said sarcastically, under his breath, "Karen will be thrilled."

Daisy shot Jeb a look wondering why Karen wouldn't be thrilled to have the twins in their room.

Jeb on the other hand had roomed beside the twins since they had been in this world. Karen had also roomed on the other side of the twins room. They were both convienced that there was no better means of birth control for teens than to have infants one room away.

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The Hazzard County Dukes spent the next couple hours preparing for company. Dinner was ready to put on the table as John and Pauline arrived with the twins and Karen.

Jeb had to admit only to himself that he had missed all his sisters, but he'd not be caught dead admitting that to anyone else.

After everyone was settled and the luggage put up, everyone settled down to a Sunday supper fit for a king. The Hazzard Dukes had opted for a light meal at lunch while John, Pauline and Karen had ate a larger meal while hosting Karen's guest. Jesse had went all out for the final meal of the day. After everyone had ate their fill, Jesse, Pauline and John retired to the porch while the teens headed for the barn as the twins napped in the living room.

The group of younger Dukes has barely gotten to the barn before Jeb had to ask, "So what is this about you and Danny?"

"None of your business." Karen replied in true sisterly fashion.

"Oh, but I intend to make it my business the first good chance I get." Jeb informed her.

Karen's face flashed red in anger, "You wouldn't?"

"Wouldn't I?" Jeb stated.

Karen looked from Jeb to Bo, then Luke and finally Daisy. Each of her cousin's expressions told her that not only would Jeb, but that they would each be glad to join him. That meant that they all likely knew more about what had happened with Danny than she wanted any of them to know. 'Good ol' Placid County!' she thought. "Look I don't know what you heard but, ..."

"Then suppose you tell me what happened so I can stop thinking the worst about somebody I thought knew better than to cross me." Jeb said.

"Cross you? What concern is it of yours what I do?" Karen shot back, then added, "In case you forget I'm YOUR older sister, you aren't my keeper!"

Luke for once was glad that he was the oldest. At least Daisy could never use that particular arguement against him when he was trying to look out for her welfare.

Daisy on the other hand was now divided: First she agreed with the boys about looking out for her cousin, but secondly she knew how it was when Luke and Bo tried to get too much in her business.

"I never claimed to be your keeper but from what I hear, you just might need one!" Jeb shot back.

Karen shot back in a voice louder than necessary, "So, just WHAT did you hear?"

Luke was glad that they were well away from the house before this conversation had started.

"That not only did Danny get you arrested but got you drunk and took advantage of you." Jeb said matter of factly.

Between the stress of her upcoming court date, her father's own court date tomorrow, her mother's pregnancy, being grounded and now Jeb, Karen was fed up. She drew back and slapped Jeb, then turned and bolted from the barn.

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