Author: Sam

Story: Lulu’s Son: 2 of ?

Series: n/a

Characters Introduced: Bo Duke, Luke Duke

Author’s Note: It has been some time since I updated due to severe health problems, a full time job, university, and my father’s recent death. I will try to update these teaser’s further as I find time. Please at least enjoy a hint of what is to come...

Feedback: Yes, please? Especially constructive. samwise_baggins@yahoo.co.uk

Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/samwise_baggins/index.html

Boss’s mind whirled over the problem at hand: how to convince Luke Duke to pretend to be his son for two weeks without revealing too much information… or paying too much money for the job. He toyed with several ideas and discarded them just as quickly. Finally, forcing an oily smile to stretch over his generous face, Boss Hogg spread his arms wide. “Well, you see, when we was young, Lulu and I were plannin’ on a big family. And we done tol’ Lulu’s cousin that we started that family.” Boss sighed, as if he was relating the biggest regret of his life, while the Duke boys glanced at each other then Lulu before resting their eyes back on Boss.

The tone of Boss’ story took on an almost pious air as he got into his telling. “When Cousin May-Belle heard the news she was just so happy for us that my precious Lulu, Lord love her, couldn’t help but tell her we’d done had a son… even though we never got that precious bundle of joy. My Lulu was that broke up she couldn’t tell our dear cousin that there was no baby. So...”

Bo interrupted rudely, shaking his head, “So you’ve let your cousin think you were parents all these years and know she’s probably coming to visit and you need to show her your son.”

“And I’ve been chosen to be that son?” Luke’s tone was just short of disgusted, but he let out a regretful sigh at the tears that started welling in Lulu’s eyes. “Why can’t you just tell her that you were too upset to tell her about...” he stopped, though. The way Boss talked, it sounded like Lulu had lost the baby, and Luke just couldn’t bear to hurt her again by bringing it up. After all, she looked that upset just from Boss’s telling of the problem. He hated seeing a woman, any woman, cry, and Miss Lulu was an especially nice woman. Seeing her cry would rip his heart apart.

Misunderstanding the sudden cut-off of Luke’s question, Boss hurried on, “Well, see, Lulu and me couldn’t bear to, uh...”

Luke shook his head, inadvertently stopping the stuttering explanation which might have wound up accidentally revealing Boss’s plot. Instead, he looked directly at Lulu. “Okay. I’ll play at being your son for your cousin’s visit, Miss Lulu. But I think the sooner you tell her what happened, the better it’ll be for both of you.”

With a sniffle and a watery smile, Lulu threw her arms around Luke and gave him a hearty hug, nearly throwing him off balance. “Oh, I just know’d you’d understand, Luke. You always were a good boy. I promise not to ask you to do this again. And J.D.’ll pay you real well for it, too.”

“Oh, no, Miss Lulu.” Luke raised both hands in protest. “I won’t take no money. I wouldn’t sleep right knowing I took money from you for this kind of thing.” Not to mention Uncle Jessie’d whoop the tar outta me for being paid to lie. Safer just to pretend to be related without getting money, dirty or otherwise, involved. Luke eased Lulu’s arms from around him. “How long before your cousin shows up, Miss Lulu.”

“Our cousin, Luke. And call me Mama.”

As the Duke boys headed into the farm house, Luke grabbed his cousin’s shirt, stopping him in the doorway. In a harsh whisper, he instructed, “Don’t go tellin’ Uncle Jesse what’s going on. I’ll explain later. Just keep it quiet, Bo.”

Bo’s grin widened, his eyes dancing, as he nodded. “Got it, Luke Hogg.”

Luke groaned, shoving Bo through the door ahead of him. He knew he should’ve gone over a few more things with Miss Lulu and Boss before he’d agreed, but once a Duke’s word was given, it was his bond. He’d agreed to this crazy scheme, and he’d see it through. And he sure as shootin’ wouldn’t fall for such a stupid stunt again.