This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any actual resemblance to persons or historical persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The Dukes of Hazzard characters, settings, locales, etc. are owned by other entities who have not endorsed this fic nor have they given express permission for the character's use. Author makes not claims to these characters and is not making any profit from their use.

All original characters are the property of the author(s).

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© Copyright : 2006. Delilah Kelley

I’m heavily indebted to Lisa Philbrick for the use of the MaryAnne Coltrane character and

to Cuz Bonita for starting the idea of settling the Dukes of Hazzard universe

slightly back in time… LOL. Thank you ladies !!!

THE LUCKY STAR

In a nation breaking apart, a family remained united.[1]

March 1861

Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane was patrolling in the county. The spring air would have been almost perfect had not it been for these rumors of war hanging around. He sighed deeply. Mixed feelings of love for this land and of sorrow for the tribulations to come oppressed his heart in his chest. But he knew that things could not go on forever that way. He knew that the present state of affairs could not continue. The Northern Union was putting more and more pressure on the Confederate States. No, things could not go on like this and he knew that the day was coming closer and closer when everything would break up.

His horse had led him towards the Evans farm. A path he knew very well. For few months already, Rosco was dating Joe Evans’ daughter, Katrina. He had noticed her at church, few days after her sixteenth birthday. He had found her real pretty, a real young lady now. He had fallen in love with her right on the spot. He had approached her since then and much to his surprise, the girl had accepted him as her suitor, though he was much older than her. He was in his early forties now and still unmarried. Time for me to get a wife, he had thought then. Unfortunately for him, he was the County Sheriff only, his estate was made up of only a house with some bits of land around - not even a farm. And though he was one of the most powerful men in the County, he could not pretend to marry a planter’s daughter. He had no slaves on his own, not even one or two, like many farmers did. He was living with his mother and his younger cousin, MaryAnne, who was his Deputy too.

By the time he had noticed Katrina, Rosco was desperate to find a wife. He thought too that even old Joe Evans would not consider him as a possible husband for his daughter. But Rosco was too harsh on himself and he quickly discovered that the farmer would accept him gladly. After all, to be kin with the County Sheriff would not be a bad move... Joe Evans was a shrewd farmer and he had heartily agreed to this courtship. He did not object to the age difference between Rosco and Katrina. In these times, girls used to marry around sixteen or seventeen, sometimes at fifteen, no matter what the age of the man could be. Evans was aware too that his own daughter could not marry a planter’s son either. His family was not even invited to the barbecues planters used to organize in their sumptuous houses.

Nonetheless, Katrina Evans was considered around Hazzard County as a good girl, with many a quality, talented and helpful, nice and good looking. Her father had a good farm, yielding a good income and he owned two slaves. With his wife, he was typical of these Southerners with average income they drew from land and farming. He was not considered a poor White though he did not belong to the upper class of planters. He was not planting cotton nor rice either, he only raised some cattle and grew other farm products such as corn, wheat and vegetables. He produced also some delicious goat cheese famous all over the County. His dairy products were widely sold around Hazzard and even up to Atlanta. At last, he used to make some moonshine too, lining his pockets that way should the need for cash arose - or just for the pleasure of making and selling one of the finest moonshine made in the County.

Old Joe Evans had also another concern. Boss Hogg, the Hazzard County Commissioner, was very much tempted to get his hands on his land no matter what. If the farmer’s daughter married the Sheriff, Hogg could not get the Evans land and farm as the County Commissioner was kin to Rosco too. His wife Lulu was no other than the Sheriff’s elder sister. By marrying Rosco, Katrina would become kin to Hogg too and the County Commissioner could not then deprive his in-laws of their sole source of income.

Evans was a pragmatic man. He encouraged his daughter to see the Sheriff as much as possible - though fair and square. Rosco did not mind, unaware of the maneuver, even more unaware of it that Katrina was happy to date him too. The girl was not aware of her father’s plans either and she felt honored to have drawn the County Sheriff’s attention.

Rosco’s heart lightened a bit thinking of Katrina. He had planned for few weeks already to claim her to the old Joe. But now with these rumors of war becoming more and more powerful around, he felt some kind of urgency. He had to make up his mind now. He sighed deeply, taking in the view of the rolling red hills of Georgia. Suddenly, a burst of pride for his country tightened his heart in his chest. A small grin appeared on his lips. The sweet scents of Spring were all around, the birds were chirping, a light breeze was moving the leaves on the trees. In the distance, Rosco could hear the chants of the slaves working in a nearby plantation. The cotton was on its way and in few weeks, the red hills would be covered by small white puffs. Yeah, life here in Hazzard County, Georgia, was indeed a blessing.

Rosco made a snap decision. He spurred his horse towards the Evans farmstead, leaving a small red dust cloud behind him. Yeah, he should not lose too much time before war might break out, before life here might change forever. He wanted to live this dream along with Katrina, no matter what the future had in stock for the Confederacy - and for them both.

Rosco arrived in front of the Evans farm. He dismounted his horse when he saw Mrs. Evans sweeping the front porch. He grinned at her and tipped his black cowboy hat out of politeness to greet her. If his plans worked fine, the lady would soon become his mother-in-law.

“Hello Sheriff !” the woman said. “You’re looking for Katrina, I guess ?”

Rosco realized how much he had become part of the family - in a sense. His grin went broader.

“Err... well... in fact, I’d like to see your husband, Mrs. Evans.”

The woman looked at him with a little smile. Has he made up his mind at last ? she could help thinking. “He’s in the barn. You may meet him there.”

“Alright, thanks, Mrs. Evans,” Rosco replied. Perfect, we’re gonna be on our own for what I’ve got to ask. He went to the barn and while his steps led him there, he remembered when he had kissed Katrina for the first time. It had happened in the barn. She was working there when he had surprised her. The surprise had been so complete for her that she had felt afraid then - and had conveniently fallen between his arms...

Rosco entered the barn, the sweet memory still vivid in his mind. “Mr. Evans ?” he hailed.

“Yeah, here !” a male voice replied to him.

The Sheriff went to the end of the barn where Joe Evans was removing some hay. Both men greeted each other.

“Guess you came to see Katrina,” the farmer said casually.

“No... well, yes... in fact... I wanted to see you, Mr. Evans.”

The farmer looked at Rosco with his grey eyes. “Serious business ?”

“Yeah,” Rosco replied. “I want to marry Katrina.”

Joe Evans could not help grinning. He was expecting that proposal to come one day or so. “Was wondering how long it’ll take fer ya to propose her,” he said with a joking voice.

“That means you... you agree to give her to me then ?”

“Yes, I agree to give you my daughter, Sheriff.”

Rosco refrained from yelling out of joy. He only fidgeted with his black cowboy hat, now blushing like a young boy. Old Evans noticed it and led him outside, a firm hand on his shoulder. “Let’s announce it to Katrina.”

Both men had stepped out of the barn when Katrina went out the house. “Rosco !” she shouted his name before throwing herself at him. The Sheriff had just enough time to catch her between his arms. “Eh, sweetheart !”

“Daughter, yer timing’s good so far, my pet. Our Sheriff’s here with some good news fer ya,” he said cryptically, but with a grin nonetheless.

Katrina’s green gaze locked onto her suitor’s crystal blue gaze. She read everything in these blue gems of his.

“Will you become my wife, Katrina ?” Rosco asked softly.

Katrina was not expecting that one and she remained mute for few seconds. But her eyes were speaking for herself. Rosco tightened his embrace around her waist. “Oh Rosco !” she could only utter.

“So, what do you decide, sweetheart ? Do you still want an ol’ thing like me ?”

Katrina smiled at him. “Don’t speak like that ! You ain’t old to me !” She paused and slowly, forgetful of everything and everyone around, she put a delicate kiss on his lips. “Is that enough of a consent, Rosco ?”

“That should do,” Rosco replied with a charming grin on his lips. He seized her petite frame between his arms and made her whirl up to the moment when her petticoats and underpinnings could be seen - which always made her laugh heartily.

“Well, I suppose this is a concluded business,” old Joe Evans said.

Rosco and Katrina did not hear him. They were exchanging a kiss that left Evans wonder about his daughter and the Sheriff... Maybe I should have kept an eye on them two... Well, guess now ‘tis no more important as he’s gonna marry her...

Mrs. Evans invited everybody inside the house for some lemonade. Joe Evans had also invited Rosco for the lunch and the Sheriff had agreed when he was told that Katrina had made some pastries. He was really fond of her cooking too.

The meal was joyful and the Evans discussed the matter of the coming wedding with Rosco. They decided that the marriage should take place quickly, in two or three weeks’ time. The Sheriff agreed to that arrangement.

“By the way, where’s Phil ?” Rosco asked.

“He’s drilling with the Hazzard Regiment,” replied Joe Evans proudly. “He should be back later in the afternoon.”

Rosco made a face. He had forgotten he had to be there too ! He did not show it and was ready to reply he was already on duty, should the Evanses raise the question about his own drilling. Rosco was part of the Hazzard Regiment - he even was a lieutenant there. A talented planter had been elected captain and although he was no planter himself, Rosco had been chosen anyway as an officer, for his qualities. But he did not want to go to war. He would go because he loved his country but he did not believe in war to sort out nation problems. Nonetheless, he carefully hid his opinion. Only Katrina was aware of his views. They exchanged a quick glance together. Obviously, the Hazzard Sheriff did not share his future brother-in-law’s exaltation for military things...

Katrina had quickly become Rosco’s confident. He had noticed her for her beauty but he soon discovered that she was a mature girl - despite her being sixteen only. She could keep a secret and she shared many of his views. Like many women, she was feeling distressed by the mention of war. But like many Southern women, she would support the Cause of the Confederacy the best way she could - even if in Rosco’s opinion, this cause was a lost cause right from the start.

April 1861

Today was the big day for both Rosco and Katrina. They were getting married. Folks from all over Hazzard County had come to the small church for the wedding between their Sheriff and a sixteen-years-old bride.

Katrina was beautiful in her mother’s wedding gown. Mrs. Evans had rearranged a bit the dress to make it more to the times’ fashion. The girl was even more beautiful and Rosco’s heart had missed one or two beats when he saw her entering the church, at her father’s arms. Old Evans placed her besides the Sheriff, in front of the preacher. Rosco was himself dressed up very elegantly, his shiny silver star pinned on his jacket, symbol of his position and authority.

They both exchanged their vows in front of everyone. Even the rich planters had come. After all, Rosco was the County Sheriff and he deserved everyone came to his wedding as a tribute to his service to the population around.

Then when everything was over, Rosco brought his wife to his own home. Katrina kissed goodbye to her parents, her elder brother Phil, a boy aged twenty. She had also been welcomed by Rosco’s own family, Mrs. Coltrane first who was getting desperate, even afraid she may die one day without seeing her own son married. Now one of her dearest wishes was fulfilled thanks to Katrina and she was happy to welcome the girl at the Coltrane homestead.

MaryAnne, Rosco’s cousin, was also happy to see Rosco married. She loved her cousin more than everything else and seeing him being so happy, made her happy too. She kissed her new in-law on the cheek and welcomed her like a sister. She was one year only older than Katrina, and having some female company of her age at home would prove funny, though both girls were completely different in temperament. While MaryAnne spent her days outside in the saddle, carrying out her duties as a Deputy Sheriff, Katrina was rather belonging to a house, cooking, sewing, gardening and farming, taking care of everyone around her. But this sharp contrast between the girls did not prevent them from becoming friends. Moreover, Katrina had an inborn admiration for MaryAnne. She found her so much brave and resourceful. She tended to look up at MaryAnne like she would do with an elder sister full of wisdom, courage and experience.

The only one not to be really happy with that wedding was of course Boss Hogg. Now his brother-in-law had married that Evans girl, he could kiss goodbye to his schemes regarding the Evans land and farm. He had tried to persuade Rosco that she was too young for him and all that kind of arguments. But Rosco was said to be stubborn in the County and true to his type, he did not change his mind regarding marrying Katrina. Moreover, Lulu was on her brother’s side, and she clinched the argument once and for all when she declared that she would have at least one honest nephew one day.

Rosco and Katrina spent their first night together in his bedroom. With the rumors of war coming closer and closer, they had both deemed not prudent to leave for a honeymoon. Maybe in the future... when all that crisis was over. Besides, Rosco did not want to leave his County unattended. He deemed that MaryAnne was still too young to assume the duties of a Sheriff - though she was taking care of all the writing part of the job. Rosco was a man of action and staying in an office was not much his taste. So he had gladly delegated that administrative part to his younger cousin.

Katrina did not care. Where Rosco was, she was happy. They were both so much in love with each other, that was so plain to see for everyone. Rosco had been gentle and careful with her on their first night together and the following morning, Katrina had waken up as a woman, coiling snuggly against the man that had become her husband. She smiled out of contentment when thinking of the night... and the love they had made. She had enjoyed it a lot - to Rosco’s great pleasure. He was so much a sweetie - much more than his position or his sometimes gruff behavior would have allowed to think.

But this happiness was short lived. Few days later, the war broke out between the States, and like many men in the County, Rosco had to leave his home and his wife, much to his regret.

Rosco had to join the Hazzard Regiment where he was to serve as a lieutenant. All the men of the County, in age to bear arms, were voluntarily enlisted. The regiment officers were instructed to be ready to leave anytime. For few days, they did not know where they would be sent but the Regiment captain assured them they would know before being sent away. Rosco had some men under his orders, among them the Duke boys, the three Davenports, Phil Evans - his now brother-in-law - and some other folks in the county. The Sheriff was not very keen on going to war but he had sworn in himself he would do everything in his power to protect his men and bring them back all alive. The other officers had agreed that the war would not last long and that they would all be back there for the last bales of cotton to be picked up.

Rosco was not that sure but he kept it for himself. He was nonetheless ready. Katrina had sewn him a grey uniform, while Mrs. Coltrane had embroidered the patch of the Hazzard Regiment on it. Few days after mobilization orders were given, the Hazzard Regiment knew where they were supposed to go. They had been dispatched to join General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Virginia. Everyone in the County agreed to the fact that the man was a soldier of great value and a smart strategy.

Rosco left his home after painful farewells. Things had not been easy and on the night before, he had retreated to his bedroom with Katrina earlier, so that they could enjoy once more a night together. Rosco did not care if he were to be tired on the following morning : he did not want to leave his wife without giving her all the love he had in himself.

But on the day after, Rosco and Katrina woke up together early and they had their breakfast in the kitchen. Katrina wanted to share with him all the daily little things up to the very last moment, the moment they would have to part. They were soon joined by Mrs. Coltrane and MaryAnne. The young cousin had cried a good deal of the night over her elder cousin. Her eyes were red and Katrina noticed it at once. But she remained silent. She did not want to spoil that moment with Rosco and she was sure to cry herself if she made the remark to MaryAnne. They only exchanged a gaze that told it all.

MaryAnne soon left the breakfast table to get her horse and Rosco’s mount ready. She was dressed up as usual, in her Deputy Sheriff’s outfit. Lulu arrived to bid goodbye to her ‘baby brother’ and giving him her last recommendations like when he was still a young boy. It coaxed a smile out of Rosco anyway. Boss was with her too and he hugged Rosco against him, telling him he’d better come back quickly.

The Sheriff kissed his mother but his last moment was for Katrina and MaryAnne. He first went to the stables where his horse and MaryAnne’s were kept.

“MaryAnne...” he started unsure.

She had an unexpected gesture. She threw herself against her cousin. She had a bad feeling about that war. They had never talked about it together but she would have agreed totally with her cousin should they have shared their views on the matter. She was not sure at all about the Confederacy’s ability to win the war.

“Rosco... promise me to be careful, okay ?” MaryAnne said through her tears.

He held her tight against him. “I will, sweetheart, I will. Don’tcha worry.” He wanted to sound reassuring but it did not work obviously. “MaryAnne... please... be courageous... I know yer a brave girl. Just promise me one thing.”

MaryAnne watched her cousin and sniffled another time. “Everything you want, Rosco.”

“Awright. Promise me you’ll look after Katrina first thing. For me. Please.”

MaryAnne was quite surprised. She expected him to ask her to look after the County folks, or even after his mother and his sister. Their similar blue eyes locked onto each other for long seconds. “I will, Rosco.”

“Good. I won’t ask you about the County. You’re already doing so fine in this regard. I know you’ll honor that badge. I trust you and your abilities.”

MaryAnne smiled. Rosco had always encouraged her even when she had asked him to work with him as his Deputy. He had been surprised first then but he had to reckon very quickly that she was a valuable asset in his Sheriff’s Department. He knew how to make her smile when needed. Like now for example.

Rosco left the stables to kiss his wife goodbye. Katrina was waiting for him under the front porch. She was alone, entirely his for few minutes more.

“Katrina... love, please be careful, alright ?”

She raised her tearful green gaze to him. She put her head on his shoulder.

“Oh Rosco... you should be careful !” she started to sob.

“Katrina, please, I know you can be courageous a girl. Show me yer brave,” Rosco said while taking her chin between his fingers. He put a light kiss on her lips. “Katrina, as a token of my love fer ya... please just take this.”

Rosco took her hand in his and opened her fist. Katrina soon felt a cold, hard object against her skin. When she saw what it was, she gasped. His shiny Sheriff’s silver star.

“Oh Rosco ! You can’t...”

“Hush, sweetheart. A token of my love fer ya. Besides, it’ll protect ya.”

“But what will protect ya, my beloved Sheriff ?” Katrina asked worriedly.

Rosco smiled. “Coltrane luck, as usual. Besides, I can’t have it on me. I’m no more a Sheriff. I’m a lieutenant in the Confederate States Army now. That’s all.”

“But you should have given it to MaryAnne ! She deserves it better than anybody else around !”

“Naw, my sweet Georgia peach. MaryAnne’s got one of her own. Just keep it with ya, yer the best person I know around that I could entrust it with.”

Katrina lowered her gaze to the shiny silver star. She sniffled once more and wiped away her tears. Rosco took her chin for another kiss. The kiss became soon very passionate, very amorous. His arms engulfed her and Katrina held her husband tight against her, his Sheriff’s star still in her hand. In the distance, they heard Dixie being played. Gently, Rosco broke the kiss.

“Gotta go, my peach. Katrina, please, do me a last favor : take care of MaryAnne. She’s sometimes so much... brave... so little afraid. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

Katrina smiled. If there was one person in the County that would make the Devil himself run for cover, it would surely be MaryAnne ! She was so much intrepid, so fearless. “I will, Rosco, I will.” Of course, she had no idea that Rosco had asked the same to MaryAnne about looking after her...

MaryAnne was approaching with Rosco’s horse. Rosco parted from his wife’s embrace painfully and his eyes still in her eyes, he mounted. Katrina rushed to him. “I love you, Rosco.”

“I love you, Katrina.” Rosco leant to her for a last kiss. Then he gently spurred his horse and left the Coltrane property. MaryAnne and Katrina came closer to each other to watch him go. they were both crying and their hands touched each other in a comforting gesture.

Summer 1861

Few weeks later, Katrina discovered that she was pregnant. She was both happy and anxious. Would her child know its father ? Would Rosco come back home one day ? The South felt elated with the first Confederate victories - though lists of killed and wounded and missed-in-action soldiers were important. It had become a ritual : when such lists were published, MaryAnne and Katrina left everything they were currently doing and they both proceeded to the Hazzard Sheriff’s station where the lists were displayed. Their relief was intense when they could not find ‘Coltrane, Rosco P.’ written on. Then Katrina came back home quickly to advise Mrs. Coltrane that she still had a son, while MaryAnne was rushing to Lulu’s place for the same news. Lulu was too anxious herself to go and read the list on her own.

Things were also becoming tough for Hazzard County Sheriff’s Department - or what was left thereof. Rosco was gone, and so were Deputies Enos Strate - who had married Daisy Duke in a haste prior to mobilization - and Cletus Hogg. MaryAnne was the only one to remain and she was well aware that had she been a man, she would have left the place too. Hazzard County was without a lawman, except for herself. She was overworked and understaffed.

Katrina could see it. She remembered the promise she had made to Rosco, to take care of MaryAnne. So one day, she proposed the young woman to help her. But MaryAnne knew what she needed most : a group of men - not children or elderly people - to help her patrol the County. She had no use at all of a pregnant woman she deemed too much impressible. But few days later, she came back to Katrina. She may not have use of a young pregnant woman in the saddle, but this same young pregnant woman could help her surely with all the administrative duties of a Sheriff’s Department.

Katrina agreed heartily and one evening, both women left their house to go to the Sheriff’s station. There, MaryAnne explained to Katrina everything pertaining to writs and summons and any paperwork in use in a County.

“Just sit there,” she told her while showing her Rosco’s chair behind his desk. Katrina was impressed but when she sat, she felt something new in her mind. The feeling that she was indeed able to do it and that Rosco would be proud of her. MaryAnne explained her the main legalities and she was very happy to see that Katrina understood things quickly. She did not need to be explained things twice. And she had a lovely handwriting, not too much feminine but rather mature and firm.

It had become an habit : three or four evenings per week, depending on the workload, Katrina went to the County courthouse to take care of the Sheriff’s paperwork. She was riding in the family buggy, her state not allowing her to ride a horse, escorted by MaryAnne on her way to a last patrol downtown. She used to spend two or three hours there, sorting out papers, filling in writs and summons, registering several deeds, auctions and the like. She would work up to MaryAnne’s return from the last night patrol and both women would come back to the Coltrane homestead together, MaryAnne riding besides the buggy.

It went on like this for several weeks. Up to the time when Boss Hogg himself surprised Katrina in Rosco’s office, busy with writs to be served on the day after - a duty MaryAnne carried out herself.

“Katrina Coltrane !” he almost shouted, surprised to see her there.

Katrina raised her head, startled by the shout. “Oh my ! Mr. Hogg, you almost scared the beejezus outta me !”

“What are ya doing here ?”

Katrina would have poked fun at him for his question but she refrained from doing so, realizing that only she and MaryAnne were aware of their ‘little arrangement’, as both ladies used to call it together. She suddenly felt unsure as what to say.

“Well... I help MaryAnne only. She’s alone and she could not make it all on her own.”

Boss Hogg knew that war had depleted his Sheriff’s Department. He came closer to her to read what she was doing. Katrina let him do.

“But... you’re... doing Sheriff’s work !”

“Well, Mr. Hogg, I ain’t here writing love letters to Rosco, ya know,” she said almost jokingly. “Though I’d like to do so if only I knew where to send them love letters,” she ended with a regretful tone.

“That’s not what I had in mind !” Boss fumed. “You’re doing Sheriff’s business while ya ain’t sworn in for that ! That’s what I had in mind !”

Katrina had not seen things from that perspective. She had only considered her promise to Rosco to take care of MaryAnne - and alleviate the young Deputy’s burden was part of it. Such technicalities like being sworn in had not even crossed her mind. She thought for a second or two that MaryAnne was surely aware of that detail but she had not bothered her with that. After all, Boss was not supposed to show up at the courthouse on evenings.

“Listen, Mr. Hogg,” Katrina said while standing up slowly. “I wasn’t sworn in, that’s for sure. But there’s a promise I made which I intent to keep anyway...”

“Which is ?” Boss asked, still angry for having been left out of the loop.

“I’ve sworn to Rosco I’d take care of MaryAnne. I deem relieving her of some of her duties by sharing the tasks, is indeed part of the promise I made.”

Her tone was cooler now. She was looking at the County Commissioner frankly in the eyes. They remained silent for long seconds. Katrina brought her shawl around her body. Her pregnancy was known only of her own mother, Mrs. Coltrane, Lulu and MaryAnne, who had all sworn to keep silent on that issue. She did not want Boss Hogg to discover her condition. Working in the evenings was convenient in that regard: nobody was there to see her waist getting thicker and thicker as months were passing by. She had lifted up her crinoline loops a bit too so that her belly could not be seen.

Boss Hogg broke the silence. “That’s okay. I suspected you were doing all this for that purpose.” He glanced at the writ she was writing when he had surprised her in the Sheriff’s office. “At least, your handwriting’s far better than Rosco’s. Folks will understand what it’s all about at last.”

Katrina wanted to smile at Boss’ funny remark. She had perceived she and MaryAnne had just won the set. “Oh Mr. Hogg! Rosco can write fine when it counts !” she said jokingly.

He laughed with her. “Well, in the letters he sends to y’all, I guess so...” Silence fell again between them. “Awright. You may go on with that arrangement of yours with MaryAnne. You Coltranes drive me nuts. When Rosco’s not here, I still have his female relatives on my back. Lulu, MaryAnne and now, you ! Just make sure that County folks won’t know anything about this ! G’night !” He left the office while chomping on his cigar and closed the door behind him.

Katrina let off a deep sigh. She even chuckled a bit. She let herself fall in the Sheriff’s chair, her hand on one of her sides. She had had a bad idea of standing up when Boss Hogg had come in the office, as the baby was making some riff-raff in her womb then. But she had managed to remain in control of herself. She had been hardly sick at the early stages of her pregnancy. But she realized that this evening, the baby’s movements could have betrayed her. She let few minutes elapse, time for her to appease the little one inside herself, before coming back to her duties. She glanced at the clock on the wall. MaryAnne should be back in about half an hour. She had enough time to finish the writ. She also decided to tell MaryAnne that Boss had discovered their ‘little arrangement’.

Boss Hogg was what he was. But he remained silent on the matter. And so Katrina continued to fill in the administrative part of Sheriff’s duties. And for months, Hazzard folks did not have the least clue that in fact, their Sheriff’s Department was run by two young women.

January 1862

Months had gone by and Christmas had a special flavor this time. Rosco was not there, nor was Phil. Katrina had asked Mrs. Coltrane if she could invite her parents for Christmas. Her mother-in-law agreed heartily. She loved Katrina so much, even more since she had learnt that the young woman was carrying Rosco’s child. She had even scolded her daughter-in-law for her going out at night to help MaryAnne for the Sheriff’s Department. MaryAnne had deemed safe to explain her aunt what these evenings spent outside were all about.

“I understand, Katrina. But it won’t do you any good. Think of the baby. Besides, ‘tis not suitable for a lady to go out like yer doing while pregnant.”

Katrina exchanged a quick, amused glance with MaryAnne. The young Deputy replied in her stead. “Katrina, don’t worry. My aunt’s only trying to do with ya what she could not do with me !”

Mrs. Coltrane smiled - not so differently from Rosco. “MaryAnne’s right indeed, Katrina. I really wonder how she’s gonna get a husband for herself if she spends all her time in the saddle !”

The three women laughed heartily. “Law enforcement runs high in our family, Katrina. Look at Rosco, at MaryAnne, and now yourself... Maybe the little one’s gonna be the next Hazzard Sheriff after all.”

“I think we can leave him some time to grow old before, eh ?” Katrina said in a giggle. “In the meantime, I could carry out these Sheriff’s business here at home. What do you think of that, MaryAnne ?”

The young Coltrane woman thought for a while. “Well... why not indeed... I may bring ya all the paperwork that needs to be done so that you may do it here. No need fer ya to ride to the County courthouse at night. You may even have the whole day to carry it out.”

By the end of November, the ‘little arrangement’ was thus set up differently. MaryAnne used to bring the paperwork that needed to be done and Katrina was doing it in her bedroom. She was alone too there and could work in peace.

Her bedroom was the place she loved to be when she wanted to be alone. She could see the big double bed she had shared with Rosco for too little time and she blushed all alone at the hot memories she had had there... She also thought that their baby would be born in that bed too. And when she was feeling too much lonely, she just took out the Sheriff’s silver star she carried tucked inside her dress, between her breasts, she was holding it in her hand, over her heart, while reading the letters she had received from her husband.

These were letters filled with passion and love. Rosco wrote letters for each member of his family. One page for his mother, one for his wife, one for his sister and one for his younger cousin. When the mail brought in a letter from him, all four Coltrane women sat in the living-room to read the letters to each other. But Katrina did not read the whole page Rosco was writing to her. Some passages were filled in with things too much personal, like his longing for her, for example. She could not decently read them out loud in front of other family members.

Other details prevented Katrina from reading the whole letter to her in-laws. Rosco was also expressing his disgust for war and the butchery it had become. For the time being, he had remained unscathed. But Katrina did not want to alarm her kin uselessly. Moreover, she did not want to raise a discussion about the Cause of the Confederacy. She understood Rosco’s statements, she agreed with him, but she did not want to read what might sound like a betrayal. In fact, the only person she deemed able to know about Rosco’s views on the war, was indeed MaryAnne. Katrina had always considered MaryAnne as brave, pragmatic and resourceful a woman. Maybe one day, she would read her the whole letters... save for the passages full of sensuality that Rosco was writing to her, where he expressed his desire, his longing and his love for her.

Katrina spent whole December and January confined at the Coltrane estate. Her mother came at least once or twice a week there. Around mid-January, Mrs. Evans stayed there to assist her daughter for the birth of her firstborn. Mrs. Coltrane would give her a hand too. Mrs. Evans had left her home but she had entrusted the house and the care thereof to her female slave, Dulcie. Dulcie and her husband Toby were helping the Evans for the farm. They had been there for ages and when Phil and Katrina were born, Dulcie had even taken care of the children when Mrs. Evans was busy in the fields.

On the eve of the St-Agnes, Katrina broke her water and four or five hours later, a little boy was born. Mrs. Evans was surprised that her own daughter had given birth so quickly, above all for a firstborn.

“Think of that, Martha,” Mrs. Coltrane said. “She conceived very quickly, in about two weeks’ time. Katrina’s made to give children. Rosco’s gotta be careful when he’s back ! Otherwise the house’s gonna be full of little Coltranes pretty quickly !” she said jokingly to her in-law.

Mrs. Evans laughed. “My Dulcie would have said that ‘tis a shame the way Katrina gave birth. So quick and so little painfully, when so many women do so in pain ! And now look, she’s eating a lot ! I’d agree with her !”

Both ladies giggled. Katrina had had a good meal only two hours after giving birth. Now she was breastfeeding her baby boy, who promised to enjoy as good an appetite as his father did.

“He looks like my Rosco when he was a baby,” Mrs. Coltrane commented. “Pretty much greedy, I can tell ya, Martha.”

“Well, ‘twasn’t bad for your son, Abby, the way he looks now,” Mrs. Evans had replied and both ladies had laughed heartily once more.

The little boy was so much looking like Rosco at the same age, that Mrs. Coltrane suggested Katrina the boy should called after his father. More than two months had elapsed without no news from her husband and Katrina felt sad. She was afraid something might have happened to him. Therefore she agreed to that idea. The custom was also to add the name of a famous general. Katrina chose ‘Lee’ as Rosco was serving in his army. So the boy was soon known around as Rosco Lee.

1862 - 1863

As good news never travel alone, two weeks after Rosco Lee’s birth, the Coltrane household received a letter from the Sheriff. Rosco was giving good news about his health to his mother and his sister, while he kept the most alarming ones for MaryAnne and Katrina. Mrs. Coltrane’s bedroom was on the ground floor while MaryAnne’s was upstairs, opposite Rosco’s and Katrina’s room. So at night, it was convenient for both young women to go each other’s room to have a little chat. Rosco was indeed their favorite topic by far.

It happened that one night, Katrina heard MaryAnne sob in her own room. The young Deputy was discreet usually and to tell the truth, that was the first time since Rosco’s departure for war, that Katrina heard her cousin-in-law cry. She knocked at her door. MaryAnne allowed her to come in, she was feeling too bad to hide her tears. In fact, she was crying over the page Rosco had written to her. Katrina tried to sooth her distress a bit and they both ended up crying. But crying together had another effect on their minds than crying each one on their own. It happened so that Katrina and MaryAnne shared their letters and their views about the man they both loved - though differently. MaryAnne felt an almost filial love for her elder cousin, a kinship shared in both blood and badge, while Katrina’s love for Rosco was that of a wife, belonging to him wholly in body and mind, a love she had to reckon was at the same time deeply both romantic and sensual in nature.

Katrina had also showed MaryAnne the ‘lucky charm’ Rosco had given her : his own Sheriff’s star. MaryAnne had joked then, thinking of the Sheriff’s administrative work Katrina had carried out since then. “You could wear it, with everything yer doing for the Sheriff’s Department ! At least, Rosco would be proud of ya !”

“He would be proud of ya too,” Katrina insisted. “I’m sure he is already.”

“Well, I’m proud of ya, Katrina. Yer doing fine in this business. You’d have made a pretty slick lawman.”

Both women had laughed then. Katrina had wondered if after all Rosco would have been so happy to see his wife handling his Sheriff’s business like she did. After all, he had accepted his younger cousin as his Deputy... “Well, between the two of us, there’d be nothing left for him to do !” MaryAnne joked heartily.

Things were not that easy for two years. Letters from Rosco became less and less regular and shorter and shorter. He had explained this was due to the lack of paper and the shortcomings of the mail system within the Confederate Army. But all Southerners had become aware of that: the blockade set up on the Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico prevented the Confederacy to export its cotton and other agricultural products and to import goods it could not manufacture by itself. Soon some products were missing and among them, paper. Soon, there was only one page for everyone and addressed to the Coltrane family. A page which contained very few information: MaryAnne and Katrina suspected there might have been some censorship around, lest mail fall between Yankee hands. The fact was confirmed by Boss Hogg later on: soldiers were instructed not to write any details in this regard. So Rosco explained only he was in good health though his uniform was almost in rags and his boot soles were getting thinner and thinner each passing day.

MaryAnne and Katrina suspected also Rosco was not eating like he should be - like any man normally fit should be. His situation echoed the situation of the rest of the population in the South. Fortunately, Hazzard was a rural County and most people were more or less growing food, be it on plantations, farms or vegetable gardens. People were not starving yet but they were now well aware of the precarity of their livelihood. The bigger planters could not sell their cotton anymore. They were no more the most well-off now in the County, as they relied heavily on cotton as their sole source of income. But folks like the Evanses or the Dukes managed to live on their farms production and generate income, as they still could sell their products up to Atlanta. Small and medium farmers in the County had even managed to set up a cooperative system which enabled them to send their products there, where they were much needed. When the Confederate Army was not requiring the products for their own use.

But in December 1863, a short note arrived to the County courthouse, attention to the County Commissioner. That way, Rosco was sure it would arrive on time. He was telling in this short missive he had been granted a permission and he would spend Christmas in Hazzard.

Lulu fainted when her husband Boss told her the good news. Mrs. Coltrane cried a bit, while Katrina and MaryAnne fell in each other’s arms and started a waltz together out of joy. Rosco Lee - almost two-years-old at the time - was explained he was to see his daddy. The little boy accepted the explanation his mother gave him without further questioning.

Christmas 1863

When Rosco arrived, folks would have hardly recognized him. Fortunately for him, he was spotted on the road to Hazzard, between the railroad station out of town and Hazzard itself. Toby, the Evans’ male slave, recognized him and invited him to get on the family buggy.

“Massa She’iff ! Massa She’iff !”

Rosco was so surprised to be called by his former position that he hardly turned his head. He went on, persuaded the Black man was calling someone else out. It even came to his mind who the Hazzard County Sheriff could be now.

“Massa She’iff ‘osco ! Massa She’iff ‘osco !”

This time, there was no mistake. The man in the buggy was indeed calling him. He recognized the Evans’ servant.

“Eh ! Toby !” Rosco gestured to the man.

“Massa She‘iff ! Please hop in!”

Rosco did not need to be told twice. He was exhausted and he was relieved only thinking that he would not have to walk the last miles that separated him from his home.

“I was on my way back to da fa’m. Do you mind if I go de’e fi’st ? Massa Joe’s gonna kill me if he don’t see me back !”

Rosco was too much happy not to walk anymore. He did not mind walking but one of his boot sole had a big hole and it made walking particularly uncomfortable. “Go back to ol’ Evans’ place first, I just don’t give a damn ! I’m so happy to ride instead of walking !”

The Black man grinned at the Sheriff of Hazzard. “Su’e thing, massa She‘iff, with dat big hole in ye’ boot, I can unde’stand !” Both men laughed together. Toby filled in Rosco with the County news and of course, with the most important he had deemed: Rosco was daddy to a marvelous little boy.

Rosco clutched Toby’s arm in surprise. “Say that again ?!”

“T’ue, massa She‘iff, ma’am Kat’ina, she had a lovely boy afte’ you left fo’ da wa’. He’s called ‘osco Lee and he looks ve’y much like you.”

Rosco quickly computed in his mind. He had conceived the child during the two weeks he had been with Katrina. He remembered they had made love almost everyday but he was still surprised a girl as young as sixteen could bear children.

“ ‘Tis bo’n in Janua’y last yea’,” Toby explained. “ ‘Tis a lovely lil’ boy, ye’ ‘osco Lee. Ma’am Ma’tha, she said massa Joe one day the lil’ boy, he was like you, because ma’am Colt’ane she said so.”

Rosco could not help grinning. He had no slave of his own but like many Whites around, he was always puzzled that Black people seemed to know everything going on in the County. “So Toby, make it quick so that I can come back home to see my little boy !”

Toby giggled. He was married with Dulcie and he knew what it was to be a father, though their three children had all died in infancy. “Ye’ll see, massa She‘iff, having child’en, ‘tis a nice thing. And ye’ boy, ‘tis da most lovely thing a’ound. Ma’am Kat’ina, she made a nice lil’ boy fe’ su’e.”

Rosco grinned even more. He was looking forward to being at home but Toby’s comments made him long even more. “I want so much to be home, Toby.”

“I can unde’stand dat, massa She’iff. But dey a’e all on dei’ way to da chu’ch. ‘Tis Sunday today.”

Rosco had to admit he had no more notion of time. His time now was of the war, living on a day-to-day basis, living as if that day was the last one to be lived. His perception of time was different and he felt suddenly out of place.

“Don’t wo’y, massa She’iff. I’m gonna leave ya at da chu’ch.”

“Good idea, Toby,” Rosco said while stuffing a yawn.

Toby sped up the mule’s pace and the buggy arrived downtown half an hour later. He left Rosco at the church entrance plaza and quickly made his way back to the Evans’ farm. Usually, he did not miss church but the thing was Joe Evans had sent him out on an urgent errand.

Rosco made his way to the church. He opened the heavy door and went to sit on the last bench, at the rear of the church. That way, he could finish his nap, so much he was exhausted by his return trip.

But that plan of his was not meant to be. First, the door banged loudly behind him - unexpectedly - which made few heads turn to him. Second, his ragged grey uniform, his thinner built, his unshaved face, made him look more like a beggar than a distinguished officer of the Confederate States Army. The preacher was about to start his speech when he noticed also the man.

“Come closer to us, you’re welcome in God’s house.”

Rosco would have wished to hide but he could not but comply with the reverend’s kindly offered invitation. Apparently, nobody had recognized him yet, though he had recognized some people. More folks were turning their heads to him now and Rosco felt embarrassed. Have I changed so much ? he wondered.

Suddenly, there was some agitation to his right. Someone wanted to go out of the crowd obviously.

“Rosco ! Rosco !”

The Sheriff would have recognized this voice among a thousand. His wife’s voice !

“Katrina !”

Both spouses met in the central alley and in front of everyone, they fell in each other’s arms. Soon whispers arose, followed by yells of joy when folks indeed recognized the Sheriff. Everyone gathered around the strange couple made up of a Confederate officer in grey rags and a lovely young woman dressed up in her Sunday best.

A powerful memory came back to Rosco as he was invited by people to sit on the front bench. He remembered when he had married Katrina in that same church, two years and a half ago. And now, he was there again with her, for their first reunion - in two years and a half.

The preacher managed to start the service and he heartily welcomed Rosco. Everybody was elated. Lulu even managed to avoid fainting and Mrs. Coltrane cried a bit when she saw in which condition war had put her son in. MaryAnne was hiding her tears the best way she could. Little Rosco Lee was still holding her hand, most interested by the commotion. He gathered that something important had happened but he could not understand yet what it was all about. He remained silent, reassured by his mother’s smile on her face and MaryAnne’s firm hand in his. Only Katrina was happy to see her husband, alive and in one piece.

“Rosco, you should go home now, you look exhausted !”

“I don’t want you to miss church, sweetheart...”

Katrina smiled mischievously. “I couldn’t care less... Let’s go home !” she said in a barely audible whisper. She went to Mrs. Coltrane and explained to her that she would go back home at once to take care of her husband. The old lady approved and her gaze was ready to silence anybody who would have had the dare to go against her daughter-in-law’s decision. She was happy that her son had such a good wife, able to take care of him. Katrina also told MaryAnne if she could keep her toddler with her, which the young Coltrane accepted gleefully. Then Katrina apologized to the preacher and the Hazzard folks around. With an authoritative gesture, she took Rosco by the arm and led him outside to the family buggy. Rosco was amused by his young wife’s decidedness and the way she had handled the whole matter. Moreover, he was too much exhausted to oppose her will.

They both got on the buggy and made their way home, Katrina leading the buggy herself. Rosco was watching her and found her more mature somehow. Probably it has to do with being a mum, he thought. He questioned her about the little boy he had not seen among people at church. Katrina wanted to coil against him but he prevented her from doing so.

“I don’t think you’ll like to get lice on you, my Georgia peach !” he said with a joking tone.

Katrina looked at him in mock horror. “Don’t worry, my beloved Sheriff ! I do intend to have a special treatment fer ya once we’re home.” She giggled. “Rosco, think of that. Everybody’s at church now. We’re gonna be all alone together, so that I can take care of ya the way I think you should be cared for.”

This time, Rosco looked at her in mock horror. “That is, my dear wife ?”

“First a good scrub. You need it badly,” she explained while wrinkling her nose as if he was smelling bad - and for sure he was ! “In the meantime, your garments are gonna be washed. After, you’re gonna shave so that your own son won’t be afraid of ya !” she ended with a hearty laugh.

Rosco peered at her with his crystal blue gaze. “Oh Katrina ! The Confederate Army might not surrender that easily in front of the Yankees. But fer sure you know how to make a Confederate officer surrender to you !”

They chatted all the way back to the Coltrane homestead. They had thousands of things to talk about and when they arrived home, they had not finished - far from it.

Katrina did as she had planned. Rosco was happy to surrender to her and let her have her way with him. He knew it was for his own good, and how it felt good to be taken care of like a child, after all these months spent worrying over the men under his orders ! He also told Katrina that he had been promoted Captain during the year.

“Oh Sheriff ! That means I’ll have to add few stitches to your new uniform I was sewing.”

“Yeah, now that’s Captain Sheriff,” Rosco added with humor. They both giggled like schoolchildren.

“I’m proud of you, Rosco,” Katrina said more seriously.

He gave her his nicest grin, his regular, white teeth offering a sharp contrast with his suntanned and somewhat dirty, beard-eaten face.

Rosco had a hot bath, Katrina helping him to scrub. Once he was done, he shaved himself while Katrina was making his ragged grey uniform boiling in a big basin over the fire. She came back upstairs to their bedroom and had a shock when she saw him.

Rosco was there, almost naked, in front of her. He had thinned more than his garments would have left to think. His left forearm bore the remains of a deep wound - which he had conscientiously not spoken about in his letters. He still looked very fit for a man in his early forties but his body bore the mark of recent hardships. Katrina would have almost cried but her face lit up with a smile when her eyes met his face. He was back to his usual self and her heart missed one or two beats when she saw that his blue eyes had not lost their charm. She threw herself at him and Rosco welcomed her between his arms. He made her whirl like he used to do before they got married, when he was seeing her at her parents’ farm. The sweet memory made her cry a bit and a tear rolled on her cheek. Rosco noticed it at once.

“Oh Katrina...” he said softly while wiping gently the tear.

“Oh Rosco, I’m so happy to see you back alive and well... you can’t imagine... One Davenport’s dead, the other’s missing, only one of them looks alive... Luke Duke’s back with one leg less... Bo Duke’s missing too... Daisy’s got no news from her husband Enos... Rosco, I’m so lucky to have you back alive!” she ended with a sob, overwhelmed by emotion.

Rosco held her tight against him in a comforting gesture. He could relate to that. As an officer of the Hazzard Regiment, he knew about the war casualties. He knew that war was no picnic, that it was rather a barbaric way to sort out problems. Especially that war. The face of war had changed, weapons were more and more deadly and he was deeply disgusted by the ongoing warfare.

“Sweetheart, promise me you won’t cry during my stay here. I want to have a joyful wife, with a smile I could take away with me when I’m gonna leave to go back to my regiment,” he gently scolded her. Rosco realized that she had been quite courageous since his departure, and now, the tension was releasing itself slowly.

She looked up at him and smiled despite her tears. “I will, Rosco, I will,” she managed to say. “I promise you that.”

“That’s my girl,” he said. “Good. Now how about a little kiss, you and me ?”

Katrina beamed and she offered her lips for him to take. They both kissed passionately. Rosco dragged his wife to their bed on which they both fell together. He wanted her so much, he wanted to love her. But he was clearly exhausted and once he was laying on the bed, his wife between his arms, he quickly surrendered and ended up falling deeply asleep.

Katrina had felt his urgency for sex. But when she realized he was sound asleep few minutes after falling on the bed, she watched him and chuckled. “Oh my beloved Sheriff ! You look so much tired !” she said softly while running her fingers in his dark hair. Then she caressed his cheek with the back of her fingers, a sweet smile still on her lips. She rose from the bed, took him by his legs and installed him more comfortably on the bed. She put the bedcover on him, so that he would not be cold in his sleep. She left the room not before putting a gentle kiss on his lips.

“Sweet dreams, Rosco,” she whispered to his ears, while caressing his face a last time.

When Rosco woke up, it was for the evening meal. He had slept all day long and Katrina had firmly forbidden anyone to bother him, though his kin was most keen on talking to him. She had closed the bedroom door behind herself, keeping watch over her husband as she was busy with several writs to do for the Sheriff’s Department. Nobody - not even MaryAnne - dared challenge her nor disturb her.

But when Rosco appeared downstairs just before the meal, dressed up in civilian clothes, everyone present rushed to him. He grabbed both mother and cousin in his arms and reassured them that he was fine. He had only been tired and had recovered with a fine day’s sleep. Then his eyes met the gaze of a little boy, standing shyly besides Katrina. The boy’s eyes mirrored his own, in a crystal blue. Katrina gathered time was ripe for a formal introduction and she took the boy by his hand to lead him to his father.

“Rosco Lee, this is your daddy. Don’t you be afraid, my love,” she said softly.

Rosco was tall and he was aware he could look impressive for a little two-years-old boy. He knelt down in front of him and gave him his nicest grin.

“Hello Rosco Lee.” Rosco loved children, he had always wanted to have some but now he felt suddenly shy in front of his own son. Katrina perceived this and she knelt down besides father and son, her skirt spreading all around and covering a large part of the carpet.

“Rosco Lee, don’t you be afraid, this is your daddy, Mama’s husband.” The little boy had never seen his mother with a man and he was a bit puzzled. “Come and give us a kiss, sweetheart,” she said with an encouraging tone in her voice.

“I ain’t afraid,” the boy said. Then he rushed into his parents’ arms and Rosco held tight his little family in his arms for long seconds. For the first time in ages, a tear rolled on his cheek. A tear of joy. He had a family and he was the happiest man around.

Rosco exchanged a gaze with MaryAnne which winked at him, a smile on her lips. She was so much happy that Rosco had realized one of his most important dream : to have a family of his own. But how long is this gonna last, with that war ? she wondered.

Mrs. Coltrane sighed deeply. She had so much prayed for her son to find a wife and have children of his... Now at the sight of the little family reunion, she felt most relieved and thanked the Lord that had fulfilled her prayers in this regard.

New Year 1864

Rosco’s leave was over. He had to go back to his regiment, to war, to death. Katrina was desperate to see him go away - maybe forever. They had spent their last night together like two lovers, making love, giggling, talking, making love again... The whole week had been like a dream for the Coltranes. Rosco had deepened his relationship with his son and the little boy was very proud to have a father both a Sheriff and a Confederate officer. When Katrina was not hanging at her husband, MaryAnne would hang at her elder cousin and Rosco did not spend a single minute alone, so much his relatives and his friends were around him.

But he had to leave on this forlorn morning of January. He had bid goodbye to his sister, his mother, to MaryAnne and to Katrina. Once more, Katrina had sewn him a brand new uniform with grey fabric Boss Hogg had managed to find only God knows where. The Coltranes did not bother how he had found the fabric - though the ladies suspected it was through some more or less illegal business of his. The only concern was that Rosco would not be cold wherever he could be during war. Mrs. Coltrane sewn the patch of the Hazzard Regiment she had taken on the old ragged uniform Rosco was wearing when he had come back. Katrina added few more stitches for the captain rank he had reached. Rosco did look much more like a Confederate officer when he left rather than when he had arrived.

MaryAnne had checked his equipment. Her heart was heavy and she still had a very bad feeling about that war. This time, Rosco had been lucky, he had come back for one week’s permission alive and relatively unscathed. But how long will it last ? She crushed her anxiety inside herself mercilessly and compelled herself to have positive thoughts. She wanted to give her cousin the image of a courageous woman - while she felt she had nothing left thereof.

Katrina was no better than her cousin-in-law. She had cried silently but very much like MaryAnne, she had tried to keep her smiling poker face on. She had had the same reasoning as MaryAnne : she wanted to give Rosco the image of a brave girl. She did not want to distress her little boy either. She knew she would have to explain Rosco Lee about his father’s departure. Father and son had gotten along very well and the kid inside Rosco had resurfaced all the most easily with his little boy, when they had been playing on the living-room carpet at night, interrupting the sweet atmosphere distilled by the ladies sewing or reading, with their giggling together.

But these times of happiness were already gone - too fast. Katrina and Rosco went out of the house to bid goodbye once more. MaryAnne was ready with the family buggy to drop her cousin at the Hazzard railway station where he would take the train for Atlanta where his regiment was. She was waiting in the driving seat, in her Deputy Sheriff attire. Rosco had a proud look for her. He knew all too well that his cousin would try to drown her sorrow in work.

But for the time being, Rosco was still in the house. Katrina was checking his uniform a last time, an opportunity for her to touch her husband once more. Rosco took his son in his arms and caressed his cheek. “Rosco Lee, yer the man of the house now. Promise me you’ll take care of all these women, yer grandma, Auntie MaryAnne and yer mama, of course.”

The little boy only buried his head on his father’s shoulder. Rosco realized that the little Coltrane was not fit for the job yet and he had soothing words for him. He ruffled the boy’s dark hair. But when he wanted to put the child down to the ground, Rosco Lee resisted and remained hooked to his father’s neck. He did not want to leave the man that had become his best friend lately. He was even pleading his daddy to take him with him to war.

Katrina felt things were getting out of hand and she told her husband to give her the boy. Rosco Lee left his father’s arms for the safe haven of his mother’s grip. Katrina went to the kitchen, where Mrs. Coltrane was sitting. Rosco heard his wife ask his mother to take care of the boy for few minutes. He heard a child whining too - his own son - and his heart felt oppressed in his chest. Will he see his son again one day?

Katrina came back few long seconds later, alone this time. Rosco read in her eyes her distress for her little boy, her own angst for him, her desperation over separation. She rushed into her husband’s open arms. Rosco held her tight against him. He felt himself pretty anxious but he had sworn in himself not to show it. He took her chin in his hand for a kiss that became quickly amorous and passionate. Then Rosco broke the kiss and parted from his wife’s body a bit hastily. He wanted to put an end to the painful moment of separation - quickly. He readjusted his hat on his head and walked out. But before opening the door, he glanced at his wife.

“I love you, Katrina,” he said gently, a soft grin on his lips.

The young woman had understood intuitively his behavior - avoid each other more pain thanks to a quick departure. She managed to smile at him through her tears. “I love you too, my beloved Sheriff !”

Rosco smiled at her frankly this time, revealing the regular, white teeth that gave so much charm to his grin. Then he walked out and in minutes he was away. Katrina had not had the courage to follow him outside. She only posted herself nearby the window and just watched him go like that, tears now rolling down on her cheeks.

Few weeks later, Katrina realized she was once more pregnant. But this time, she felt anxious. She did not resent the fact she was to have another child. She only thought sadly this one might not know his father. Moreover, she was feeling more and more concerned as to what the future had in stock for her and her kin. The Confederacy’s economic situation had worsened over the weeks. Daily necessities of life were more and more difficult to find. Some folks were now in dire straits either because they could not draw enough income from their own activities, like the planters, either because they were depending on other people to buy their products. The Evanses and the Dukes were more or less in that situation. Fortunately for them, they had farms on their own where they could grow enough food to feed their families on. To top it all off, the Confederate Army needed food and they took it whenever and wherever they could find it.

The Coltranes were not farmers by trade and the situation threatened to get worse. Few weeks after her son’s birth, Katrina had come up with the idea of doing what her own parents were doing on their own lands. She had grown up in a farm. She knew what could be done. She had talked Mrs. Coltrane and MaryAnne into it and the three women had agreed on it. It proved to be a sound idea as food supplies were more and more difficult to get. At least, the family would not starve. Katrina could have also relied on her own parents but transportation became hazardous even throughout the County and she did not want to endanger anybody’s life. Trips were limited to the strict minimum. Only MaryAnne was allowed to travel around the County - she had a Sheriff’s star to protect her, though Katrina and Mrs. Coltrane agreed this was a rather thin protection especially for a lady.

And now with that child to come... how are we gonna make it ? Katrina thought. Of course, she was happy to have this child. Rosco’s child ! She remembered the nights they had spent together during his leave. She softly smiled at herself, thinking of it. They had both made love every night. And now, that was the outcome. She was happy but at the same time, she was afraid for the future. Prospects were grim. The Coltrane household had only Rosco’s and MaryAnne’s income as Sheriffs, to live on. Now Rosco had left his position, income had dwindled. Captain Coltrane was paid irregularly. Boss - under good Lulu’s pressure - was still giving a small allowance to the Coltrane women as Rosco had not resigned officially from his position as County Sheriff, and because Katrina was helping the Sheriff’s Department by doing writs and summons. But he could not give her full wages as a lawman, as Rosco was not there to carry out his duties as such and she had not been sworn in, not even as a Deputy. And the County was getting poorer and poorer, Boss had to admit.

Katrina felt suddenly ashamed. They were living virtually all on MaryAnne’s wages as Deputy. And now there would be an extra mouth to feed. She decided to keep it secret for the next three months. She may lose it after all. No need to alarm the whole household. But Katrina knew the little one would hang on. Coltranes were a tough lot. Besides, it was Rosco’s child and there was no way for Katrina to wish to lose it and even less to get rid of it. She knew also that she had had a lot of milk for her first child. This would allow her to feed the baby for few months - provided she still had milk then. She also hoped she would not be very much sick either, so that she could hide her pregnancy as long as possible. But she knew her mother-in-law would be difficult to cheat as Mrs. Coltrane had born several children in the past. The old lady knew what pregnancies were all about.

Katrina was thus happy to have set up the vegetable garden and she was very proud of the products she could grow on a nice plot of land she had noticed, not very far from the house, half way between the homestead and the forest bordering the Coltrane property. With Spring coming, she worked harder and harder to grow vegetables and feed her kin her own way. It allowed her to let go off her guilt for having another child. Mrs. Coltrane was giving her some help, especially in the kitchen. While Katrina was sowing, gardening and picking up the vegetables, Mrs. Coltrane was washing and cooking them and making preserves thereof, while keeping an eye on a turbulent Rosco Lee when the little boy was not with his mother.

Katrina’s day was not over with the vegetable garden being tended to. She was also still helping MaryAnne a lot with Sheriff’s business, as before. It had become really a routine, though activity on this part had also slowed down too. The Confederacy was getting disorganized and it was really difficult to enforce law. MaryAnne came back at night clearly exhausted. In fact, all three women were exhausted. Katrina had to take care of her child too and she took him with her as much as possible so that he would not bother anybody around. He was only two-years-old and was not much of a help. But her son’s presence was something good for Katrina as Rosco Lee was a constant reminder of his father. The young woman was sometimes smiling at the sight of her son : he was so much like Rosco in his gestures, his looks, his grin - though he had not known his father that much. He even giggled like his father and he was a constant source of joy for everyone in a world falling apart.

But after almost three months of pregnancy, Katrina fainted one day in the vegetable garden she was working in. Fortunately for her, Rosco Lee was there and he quickly ran to the house where he was sure he could find his grandma. Mrs. Coltrane understood something wrong had happened and she went with her grandson to the place where Katrina had collapsed. She managed to take care of the young woman who confessed her then the reason why behind her fainting.

“And for how long have you been pregnant ?” Mrs. Coltrane asked, though she knew the answer beforehand.

“I’ll be three months along in about ten days...” Katrina had a sheepish look on her face. She sighed and a tear rolled on her cheek.

“Katrina, you’re not going to cry. I know you’re braver than that !” Mrs. Coltrane said in a joking tone.

“That’s not the reason, Mrs. Coltrane. It’s only... we don’t have much for ourselves already, MaryAnne’s doing everything she can to feed us all and now... I impose another mouth to feed !” She sobbed frankly this time.

Mrs. Coltrane gathered what lied at the core of her daughter-in-law’s distress. “Now, you’re not gonna have this kind of thought, Katrina Coltrane. Not yer fault if your husband - my son - has made ya pregnant. This is our lot, my pet, to us wives. You can’t go against nature no more than you can’t go against yer husband.”

Katrina had to admit that the elder Coltrane was speaking out of experience. She sighed again. “All the same... how are we gonna do ? There’s already Rosco Lee, now this one... I feel so much like a burden to y’all...”

Mrs. Coltrane made Katrina sit and she sat on the ground with her. “Now, little girl, listen to me. First, you’re not a burden. On the contrary. Yer doing everything possible to help MaryAnne and I can tell ya, she really appreciates it, all that Sheriff’s business yer doing for her. Second, I’ve rarely seen someone as hardworking as ya, Katrina. You feed us with that vegetable garden yer growing,” she said while showing the plot of land around them. “Think of that, but it’s not with what MaryAnne’s paid that we could eat decently. Not with these Confederate bills she’s given.”

“But... I feel so much... ashamed !”

“For having a husband ? For carrying his child ?” Mrs. Coltrane replied. “I for one am very happy to have a daughter-in-law such as ya, Katrina and a marvelous grandson like Rosco Lee. And now another child to come... that’s a bit of joy in this world of madness, think of that.”

Mrs. Coltrane’s words were soothing Katrina’s consciousness. “But what MaryAnne’s gonna say ? She might be angry after me for bringing another mouth to feed into this world.”

“Katrina Coltrane, look at me,” the elder Coltrane replied firmly. “MaryAnne’s gonna say nothing because she’s more intelligent than that. You don’t give her enough credit ! She’s not married but she knows what it can happen to a woman with a husband... above all with a husband like Rosco, so much in love with his wife. She’s no more a little girl, ya know. She won’t say anything. She’s too much concerned about our safety to us all in the County to brood over a child to come in her household. Now, let’s come back home. You need rest, won’t do you any good to work like a slave here. Rosco will have our hides, mine and MaryAnne’s, if he knows you had a miscarriage.”

Katrina was too much exhausted to resist Mrs. Coltrane’s firm grip on her arm. But she thought she would hush up the whole matter to him, should a miscarriage happen. She let her lead her back to the house where she spent the rest of the afternoon in her bedroom. First a nap, then a bit of sewing and no writs to finish for the Sheriff’s Department, not so that much urgent. Mrs. Coltrane had promised her to take care of Rosco Lee, so that she could be on her own up to the evening.

News were definitively bad as the year elapsed. There had been months since Rosco’s departure and no letter from him had reached Hazzard. The Coltrane women were more and more anxious about him. Lulu was crying every time mention of her ‘baby brother’ was made. Mrs. Coltrane had retreated in silence, as if she was already mourning her son. MaryAnne was becoming more and more like her elder cousin but not for the better : always gruff, often impatient, sometimes bully with folks that dared infringe the law in the County. Katrina tried to keep up faith and appearances, first for her son, but inside herself, things were crumbling and she considered more and more she may end the year as a widow. Rosco Lee was more than ever asking for his father and sometimes, Katrina could feel her eyes were watering up.

Their material conditions had deteriorated considerably. The Confederate Army had depleted them with most of their food, to the point that Katrina and Mrs. Coltrane had decided to hide everything of value in the well behind the house. The silver crockery, the fine linen, jewels and the like, all found their way there, carefully wrapped and stored there. Katrina had also designed a place where they could hide food supplies from the Army’s greed, though she understood soldiers had to eat in order to fight a war - a war she deemed no more winnable at this stage.

Katrina’s precautions were justified. She had not minded giving food to the Confederate Army as long as they had something left for themselves. But this was less and less the case. Fortunately, Confederate soldiers were not raiding houses and they only took what was visible - and still very politely, almost apologetically. For some time, the food stored in the house basement remained untouched.

Katrina spent a lot of time trying to mend their garments. She had also trouble in getting fabric to make clothes for her growing son. The little boy was going around most of the time like one of these poor Whites... Katrina was ashamed of that situation as she had never imagined her son would be going around like that one day.

Her girth was growing too and soon she had to stay at home. Mrs. Coltrane was helping her as much as possible and both women went at day break to pick up vegetables before the heat became too strong. Fortunately, Katrina was young and in good health. She could endure many things but it became more and more difficult for her as her pregnancy approached its end.

July 1864 was witness of big battles in Northern Georgia. Rumors lasted all Summer about Atlanta on the verge of falling. MaryAnne had discussed the matter with Katrina and she was afraid that should Atlanta fall, all Georgia would be open to the Union Army. The Yankees would seek food for themselves too and they would not be as understanding nor polite in their requests as the Confederate Army was. After all, Georgians were the enemy... That meant they would search the whole house and find the food in the basement. Then Katrina came up with an idea: What about burying the preserves in the ground? All three Coltrane women rallied to this idea and they hid their preserves in the ground, scattering them around the house and planting flower-beds above - doing so at night.

Atlanta fell early September 1864 and soon Yankee troops were all spreading all over Georgia. By mid-September, MaryAnne received notice from neighboring Counties that the Union Army was on its way to Hazzard. She decided to warn her citizens. She took something to eat with her and left the Coltrane homestead early in the morning on her horse.

On that day, Katrina’s water broke and by the time she was well into labor, Yankee soldiers surrounded the house. They were numerous and they were searching for food and valuables to loot. They only found an old woman holding a little boy in her frail hand. A Union officer came to her and had asked her if she was living alone in the house. Mrs. Coltrane was about to reply when a piercing shout came from upstairs, soon dying out in a painful moan.

“Who’s living here with you ?”

“My daughter. She’s sick,” Mrs. Coltrane replied with dignity. “But don’t you dare go upstairs !” She did not want them soldiers see her daughter-in-law in childbirth. No lady worthy of that distinction deemed the matter to be discussed with a man, and even less with a stranger. No question for these Yankees to witness that !

The officer gestured one of his men to go upstairs to check. Mrs. Coltrane knew she could not do anything against that. These Yankees had no good manners nor decency at all ! She only held tight her grandson’s hand in hers, praying silently that nothing happened to an already exhausted Katrina.

The Yankee soldier came back quickly. “There’s only a woman upstairs and apparently... she’s with child... giving birth...”

The officer peered at Mrs. Coltrane. The old woman sustained his gaze with as much as dignity as possible. She felt ashamed that a man - a stranger, an enemy of sorts moreover - had seen her daughter-in-law in that condition. When Rosco knows about that... she started to think before realizing the vanity of her thought. And MaryAnne’s nowhere to be found... Oh my God ! Help us through that !

The Yankee officer broke the silence. “Your daughter’s giving birth...” he said while stroking his beard. “Mmmm...” His eyes showed he was brewing a plan regarding the house as his eyes were now looking around him.

Another shout from the bedroom upstairs. This time, Katrina was calling her mother. Mrs. Coltrane did not know what she could do. She only knew she had to go upstairs to assist her daughter-in-law. Maybe there was something wrong this time. She did not remembered Katrina shouting like that for Rosco Lee.

The officer looked at her again and somehow, he must have felt her uneasiness. Mrs. Coltrane decided to go upstairs as if everything was normal in the house. “Where do you go ?” the officer asked.

“Assist my daughter. She needs me ! Haven’t ya heard her calling and shouting ?!”

He looked at her again and summoned one of his men. “Go and fetch the doctor ! Tell him there’s a woman here with child ! Quick !” he snapped at him. “You may go, madam,” he told her gently. Mrs. Coltrane did not insist and she went upstairs, Rosco Lee in her wake.

She opened her son’s bedroom and saw Katrina in the bed, her green eyes exhausted with pain, embedded in a pale face. She told Rosco Lee to go to MaryAnne’s bedroom and stay there until further notice. The little boy obeyed, too much afraid of the blue soldiers. Besides, when his grandma had this look in her eyes, he knew he’d better obey. Then she rushed to her daughter-in-law.

“Oh Katrina ! What’s happening this time ?”

Katrina clamped her mother-in-law’s hand and had a poor smile for her. “I don’t know... ‘Tis terrible... I think... ‘tis gonna be much more painful this time than for Rosco Lee...” She screamed another time. Her other hand was clasping the bed head. “Do you think... it may not... come... normally ?” she asked her mother-in-law with anxiety in her eyes.

Mrs. Coltrane removed the bedcover and put her hands on the young woman’s belly. It did not seem to be the case. But it may be the case. But she suspected that Katrina was simply too much exhausted, due to the heavy works she had carried out during her pregnancy, and that must have made childbirth even more difficult and painful.

“Katrina... don’t worry... just know one thing... the Yankees downstairs... they’re gonna send a doctor fer ya...”

Katrina clamped her mother-in-law’s forearm. Her gaze was intense. “They’re here ?!”

“Yeah. They’re in our house. I hope they won’t...” Mrs. Coltrane bit her tongue: she did not want to alarm her daughter-in-law uselessly. “I hope they won’t find our food supplies.” She was about to say ‘I hope they won’t burn our house.’ She had heard stories reported by Boss Hogg and confirmed by MaryAnne. In some Counties, the Yankees had burnt houses to the ground.

“Where’s Rosco Lee ?”

“He’s safe in MaryAnne’s bedroom. Don’t worry. I don’t want him to see you like that. That’s not a sight for a little boy.”

Katrina approved with a nod. She felt better with her mother-in-law at her side. Mrs. Coltrane found a towel she wetted and stroked Katrina’s forehead with it. She remained with her, encouraging her, up to the moment when the Yankee doctor arrived.

He was welcomed with a shout from Katrina in the pangs of pains. Mrs. Coltrane had a defying glare for him, as if she wanted to tell him ‘Don’t kill her or else!’. He ignored it and just introduced himself. “Captain Latimer, military physician.” He went to Katrina’s side and put his hands on her belly, assessing the situation. Now, Mrs. Coltrane was watching him with a worried look. She wondered too if this doctor was not a physician in civil life.

“So, Doctor, what’s happening ?”

“Is it her firstborn ?”

“No, her second baby. She had an easy birth the first time. I don’t understand.”

The Yankee doctor put a gentle hand on Katrina’s forehead. The young woman was suffering so much now that she just did not care that the man wore a blue uniform. “Everything’s gonna be alright, madam.” He took her hands in his to examine them. The hands of a working woman. “You worked a lot lately, didn’t you ?”

Katrina nodded yes. She realized that this may be in relation with her present pain.

“Just don’t worry. I’m here. Everything’s gonna be alright. You’re just tired.” That was not the only reason. The woman he had in front of him was looking frail, a frailty most likely due to a poor feeding. The Union Army had met many undernourished folks, who had barely enough to eat.

“The... baby ?” Katrina whispered.

“The baby’s okay. It’s in a good position. It’ll just take a bit of time to be born. You’re not very strong for the moment, but you’ll go through it, don’t worry.”

His tone was most reassuring and Katrina relaxed a bit. Her features were less tense and she surrendered to the physician’s expertise. Mrs. Coltrane asked him what he may need and that she was ready to assist him. He smiled at the old lady and gave her instructions with a soft tone. He also looked at her petite frame and he told her she should not hesitate to ask one of the soldiers downstairs to help her bring things upstairs if she could not do so. Mrs. Coltrane disappeared and Katrina remained alone with the doctor.

“Doctor... help me... get me something... please...” Katrina showed him an object she gestured him on the nightstand. The physician looked over there and saw it. He was surprised by the object the young woman was showing him.

“This ?”

“Yeah.”

He took it. It was a shiny silver star engraved ‘County Sheriff’ on it. He put it in his patient’s hand. He had gathered that it may help his patient, like some lucky charm of sorts. “Is there a Sheriff in your family?”

Katrina nodded. “My husband... He’s our County Sheriff...”

“And where is he now ?”

“Don’t know... Haven’t heard of him for months... nine months...” A tear rolled on her cheek and the doctor thought that the childbirth was made difficult because of the anxiety over her husband she was feeling for so long. He wiped her tear with the wet towel. Exhaustion, poor feeding and conditions of living, angst, had made childbirth a process even more difficult that it should have normally been. The Yankee doctor gathered that the Sheriff was now enrolled in the Confederate Army too. He was probably dead by now. The woman was probably a widow now and her child would never know its dad. He did not like this war. That was the reason why he had jumped on the occasion to help a woman give birth, after all these wounded and dying soldiers he had tended to these last two months. Giving life was a change he welcomed most gleefully. And after all, there was no other emergency around - for the time being.

At dusk, the Coltrane homestead sounded with the voice of a new life. A baby girl was born to Katrina and Rosco. Katrina remembered a female first name Rosco was particularly fond of: Victoria. So she decided to call her daughter as such.

Now the young woman was sleeping in peace after breastfeeding her baby. Fortunately, Katrina had milk and this relieved her of the guilt she had felt since she had learnt she was pregnant. The doctor was very firm with her too : she had to rest for two weeks at least. Mrs. Coltrane was also told thereof and she approved the orders with some kind of relief. She promised the Yankee doctor she would see to it his instructions would be carried out to the letter. She went to fetch Rosco Lee for him to see his mother and his little sister. The little boy was tired and his grandma let him sleep with his mother in Rosco’s big double bed.

But the baby’s birth had an unexpected consequence too. The physician had made a report to the Yankee officer that had summoned him and who was now sitting in the lounge downstairs. He pleaded that the young mother could not be moved. The officer agreed to that. He had first planned to burn this house but he changed his mind when he heard the physician’s report. One house more or less, what importance to him, after all ? Besides, there were only this young woman with her newborn baby, an old lady and a little boy. The physician had also said nothing about the position of the house’s owner: a County Sheriff.

Katrina, her mother-in-law and MaryAnne would never know it. Thanks to the newborn baby, the Coltrane house would be still up on the day after...

Atlanta’s fall in early September had launched Sherman’s march through Georgia, the infamous ‘march to the sea’ which would lead him and his troops up to Savannah. Hazzard County was in the Union Army’s way and not to be spared. Few days before, MaryAnne had intercepted several news from different people, news informing her that once more, the Yankees were about to invade the country, even more ferociously than they had done so two months before. Despite no system of official news was set up, accounts were circulating about Sherman’s army and their exactions. Terrible accounts. These folks are bad news! BAD NEWS! the young Deputy could not help thinking. She had to do something - and quick. She was the only person responsible now in the County for her citizens’ safety.

MaryAnne was patrolling in the County when she saw them Yankees. First she was seized with terror. Then she realized that she was most likely the only Hazzard citizen to witness the entrance of the Union Army in the County. She made a snap decision. She spurred her horse and left in a gallop towards the nearest plantations and farms to warn the folks there that the Yankees were coming. She went to the Davenport farm, the Partridge plantation, the Duke farm, the Avery plantation, the Strate farm, the Evans farm and also made her way to her own home. During her quick patrol, she had drawn the Yankees’ attention and several bullets were fired in her direction - none of them to reach her though.

Once at home, MaryAnne instructed her kin to hide everything of value - that included food. Mrs. Coltrane decided to lead the buggy horse and the goat to the swamps nearby. Katrina told her cousin-in-law that all the silverware and other values were already hidden in the well. The preserves were still buried where they had been two months ago. MaryAnne grinned at her and left the house.

“Where ya going, MaryAnne ?!” Katrina exclaimed, worry could be heard in her voice.

“Gotta go warn other folks !”

“Be careful !” Katrina shouted. But MaryAnne was already gone. This girl’s gonna get herself killed ! Katrina sighed. Rosco’ll never forgive me that, letting her go like this...

Mrs. Coltrane left quickly for the swamps. She was also carrying jewels on her as well the property titles in her petticoats. She used to joke about it, explaining that paper was an efficient way to keep warm. Katrina promised to follow her there soon with the baby and her son. Rosco Lee was too much afraid to even think of going with his grandma.

Katrina checked the house and the dependencies in case something valuable had been forgotten. The well was closed and even if the Yankees wanted something, they would have to find a way to bring everything back to the surface as MaryAnne and Katrina had struggled almost a whole Sunday to make the hauling mechanism ineffective. The item was missing now - in fact carefully hidden somewhere in the barn.

Katrina quickly came back upstairs to pick up her baby. She had few dollar bills and coins she was hiding in her baby’s diaper when she heard noise outside. My God ! The Yankees are already here ! She made it quicker and hid her wedding ring and other jewels she was wearing, a necklace and her earrings - a wedding gift from Rosco - inside the diaper. She took her baby with her and went downstairs in a composure as dignified as possible. A lady’s dignity was sometimes a convenient way to hide fear.

Katrina reached the last step downstairs when the Yankees entered the house. They all met in the lobby. She felt her son gripping her large skirt, searching for her legs. She realized suddenly that she was alone now in the house, alone with a baby in her arms and a frightened little boy at her side. Katrina felt terror overwhelming her slowly but surely this time.

A officer with harsh grey eyes entered the house. His eyes fell on the woman and the two children. He came closer to them. Katrina was frightened but she remained steady on her feet, motionless. If I move backward, I’m lost ! She did not want them Yankees to see she was afraid.

“Are you alone here ?”

“I am,” Katrina replied with an icy tone that amazed her.

The officer was watching her intently. Apparently, he had a soft spot for lovely ladies... Katrina felt it and she emphasized her ladylike, dignified composure.

“These are yours ?” he asked while pointing his fingers at the children.

“Yeah. My children.” Her tone was still very icy. Katrina realized that her children’s presence may protect her after all.

The officer barked orders around, dispatching his men all over the house. She could hear furniture being moved, mattresses being turned upside down, things being thrown away and crashed to the ground. She tried to remain unflappable at the damage being carried out. She held tight her baby against her breast and her hand searched her boy’s head, both to feel him and reassure him.

The Yankee soldiers came back. “There’s nothing here, Captain !” they reported.

“Nothing ?”

“Nothing, Captain. No food to eat, no value, no money, no jewels, nothing. Most likely the fury we saw running on a horse musta raised the alarm !”

Katrina thought that was MaryAnne and hoped nothing had happened to her. Rosco would never forgive her for such a thing. The thought of her cousin-in-law gave her a bit more courage. The look in the Captain’s eyes showed Katrina that he was here to plunder. She suddenly felt afraid for the whole house. They may burn it down to the ground out of despite. Her gaze crossed the man’s grey eyes. His gaze on her became cruel.

“Take her children from her !” he barked at two of his men.

“NOOOOO !” the unfortunate woman screamed. “Leave my children alone !” A third soldier came behind her to seize her by the arms as she was opposing some kind of resistance. A look of terror appeared in her green eyes. Katrina was afraid - for her children first. The baby started to cry while Rosco Lee opposed a fierce resistance, yelling like mad, hitting the man who was carrying him with his little fists and feet.

The commotion lasted for one or two minutes. Then the Captain came to her. “Is that all you have then ?”

Silence fell on them all. The man holding Victoria seemed to be gentle and obviously used to hold babies. It crossed Katrina’s mind in a flash that the soldier was a father. She glanced at Rosco Lee and saw that the little boy was not manhandled though held back firmly. I have to be brave otherwise they’re gonna be even more frightened than they already are! she quickly thought. The sight of her children gave her courage and she retrieved her coolness.

“Your armies paid us a visit already, two months ago,” she coldly replied. “They took everything then.”

“Oh, I see,” the Captain said with a smirk. “But not everything yet,” he ended with a cruel smile. He suddenly grabbed her shirt and tore it open, enough to discover her petticoats and her white, soft skin. Katrina was now too much in control of herself to scream. She was lucid like she had rarely been ever before. She was well aware what her fate could be at the hands of these men. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. If it can keep my children alive and the house intact, so be it !

She opened her eyes when she felt the Captain’s fingers on her skin. She could not refrain from moving backwards then. The man had his fingers in her corset, almost between her breasts.

“How interesting !” he snarled when retrieving an object Katrina had preciously kept under her garments. “Since when does a woman bear... a Sheriff’s star ?!” His tone was mocking.

Katrina remained silent. A Sheriff’s star was made of silver and could be worth stealing. But that was an object she did not want to leave to them Yankees. But she did not know how to explain her having this star. She bit her lips and lowered her gaze to the object between the Union captain’s fingers.

“Answer me !”

Katrina felt she was on the verge of crying. I won’t surrender. They can burn the house, I’ll stay in the house, they’ll have to burn it with me ! As she was still silent, the officer slapped her face.

“Hold her tight,” the captain said “I’m gonna teach her a lesson !” His eyes were cruelly gleaming. Katrina was terrorized but she managed to show nothing of her terror.

“You have children, where’s your husband ?” the captain asked suddenly.

“I don’t know...”

“Serving in the rebel army, I suppose ? I’m gonna show what Northerners are made of !”

The soldiers around had understood the words and they leered at her. Katrina felt her blood icing in her veins. She was now well aware of what her fate was going to be shortly. She had a thought for her children, especially Rosco Lee. The little boy was old enough now to remember things and she did not want him to be a witness of that.

The captain was very close to her and Katrina could feel his breath on her neck when he put his hands on her waist. The other soldiers leered and she gathered they would like to get their share of her after their officer did.

Suddenly, there was some noise outside. Katrina did not record the fact up to the moment she heard another voice.

“Captain Dunham !” a deep male voice called from under the porch. Katrina gathered this was the name of the man about to rape her. The officer released her and she raised her gaze to see who had just interrupted her ordeal.

A middle-aged man with piercing brown eyes and a graying beard entered. He was obviously of a superior rank, at least above the captain. “Captain Dunham, what’s happening here ?!” he asked harshly.

“We found a rebel here with rebel children too. Moreover, she was bearing this,” he told his superior officer while showing the Sheriff’s star to him.

The high-rank officer took the shiny object in his hand and checked it for few seconds. It was indeed a Sheriff’s star and though he did not smile, his eyes were gleaming with an unexpected interest. Katrina could have sworn it.

“Where did you get it, madam ?” he asked her with a civil tone.

Katrina would have remained silent in front of the captain’s brutality. But she was more willing to answer now. She could not have told the reason why she was feeling more confident with that man. Anyway, now she was willing to answer.

“I didn’t steal it. It belongs to our family.”

“Your family ? Is there a Sheriff in your family then ?”

Katrina lowered her eyes and nodded. “My husband... But don’t ask me where he is ! I don’t know... Haven’t heard of him for almost one year...” She felt her heart oppressed in her chest and her eyes welled up. She realized she may have to consider Rosco lost forever. The silver star was everything left to her from her beloved husband - beside the two children.

“Your husband’s a Sheriff...” the officer said thoughtfully. He looked around him as if to assess the house in a glance. “And these are the Sheriff’s children, I suppose ?”

Katrina nodded. Her eyes were still set on Rosco’s star in the officer’s hand.

“Colonel, what should we do for the house ?” Dunham asked. His eyes were glinting with the prospect of another house burning. He would take care of the woman later...

The Union colonel did not answer. He only looked at the two men holding Katrina’s children. Then he approached the young woman. Katrina compelled herself to sustain his gaze. Contrary to the captain, the colonel did not look cruel. He still had the star in his hand.

“Is your husband the County Sheriff or a Deputy ?” he asked with a soft tone.

“He’s our County Sheriff. He...” Katrina felt a big lump in her throat. “Oh Colonel, that’s probably all that’s left of him for my children ! I wanted to give it to my little boy...”

Tears were now frankly rolling down her cheeks. Katrina had just admitted in herself that Rosco might be dead by now.

“Look at me, young lady,” the man said while taking her chin in his fingers. But his gesture was gentle. “I’m a Sheriff too, in my county in Michigan.” When he was sure he had Katrina’s attention, he took her hand in his and put the silver star in it. “From one Sheriff to another. Your little boy can be proud of his father.” He closed Katrina’s fist on the star, gently, and kept her hand in his for a while. His hands were warm, his grip reassuring.

Without a glance at the men around, he gave them orders. “Give her back her children !” The soldier holding Rosco Lee released him and the little boy rushed to his mother. Katrina felt his tight grip on her skirt, searching for her legs. The Yankee colonel released her hand. She knelt down to her boy to reassure him with a hug. “Rosco... take this... your daddy’s Sheriff’s star... ‘Tis precious, love, be careful.” The little boy looked at his mother and saw her crying while she was pinning the silver star on his garnment. For a second or two, Katrina could see her own husband in her little boy’s features - he was indeed the spitting image of his father.

She stood up to take her daughter. The other soldier carrying Victoria put the baby back in her arms gingerly, with a grin. Katrina read in his eyes that he missed his own children somehow and few seconds she hoped this Yankee soldier would make it home anyway, so that he could see his children again. She whispered a ‘thanks’ to him as he had been careful and the baby had not cried while in his arms.

Then the Colonel turned his face to the captain. “I didn’t forget your question as to the house, Dunham.” He paused during seconds that were an eternity for Katrina. He set his stately gaze on her once more. Then he watched the boy. Maybe this is the future County Sheriff - in a few years, he thought. “This is a Sheriff’s house, Dunham. There won’t be nothing done here, no looting, no burning, nothing, do you hear ? We have to move on.”

The colonel ordered the men to evacuate the house. Dunham set his cruel grey eyes on Katrina a last time, as if to say ‘I’ll come back one day - for you only, no matter what’, which left a sour impression in the young woman’s mind. His lustful gaze would pursue her during her nightmares. Then he left. The colonel was alone with Katrina and he smiled at her genuinely. “The war should be over in a few months. I hope your husband’s back one day. For you, for your children and for the County.” He went out and few minutes later, silence fell all around.

They were gone. Katrina was alone again in the house, her baby in her arms, her little boy by her side, the house still intact and herself unscathed. For few long seconds, she had the odd feeling that she was to live the same event again and again, that the Yankee troops were about to enter the house, as they had few minutes before. Then she came back to reality. The reality was that, thanks to the Yankee colonel and Michigander Sheriff, she had escaped a horrendous fate, and the house was still up. What did he say ? This is a Sheriff’s house...

Katrina realized at this precise second that she and her children were safe and the house intact thanks to a little silver star now pinned on her boy’s shirt. She looked at it and suddenly, she remembered what Rosco had told her when he had entrusted it with her.

A token of my love fer ya. Besides, it’ll protect ya.

Katrina did not know whether Rosco had foreseen the future or not then. But he had been right on one point : the shiny silver Sheriff’s star had indeed protected her, her family and their house.

MaryAnne came back few minutes later. She found Katrina sitting on the steps, under the front porch, breastfeeding her baby, and Rosco Lee sitting beside her quietly.

She had been a witness of what had been going on. She was back home but when she had noticed the Union troops were there already. She did not know what to do then. She did not want to let them burn the house without an honest fight. But at the same time, she was well aware that they had seen her riding cross country to raise the alarm. They would consider her as a rebel spy and kill her on the spot. Wisdom had ordered her to back off and she had hidden in a clump of trees nearby the house, crucified as she could be by the prospect of seeing her kin being assaulted and her home burning to the ground - in total powerlessness.

But MaryAnne was not at the end of her surprises. She had thought that there was no Coltrane left in the house, that everybody had sought a better refuge elsewhere. Much to her amazement, she had first seen the Yankee troops leaving the property without burning it, and then Katrina and her children going out of the building. For a second or two, she had hoped nothing had happened to her cousin-in-law but apparently, no, though her shirt was torn apart. MaryAnne had decided to go and see her when she had seen her breastfeeding the baby.

Rosco Lee noticed the young Deputy first and he ran to her, letting no time to Katrina to warn him. MaryAnne knelt and welcomed her little cousin with arms open. The boy rushed into them and held her tight as if he needed to be reassured. And he did indeed ! Katrina was watching them and a smile appeared on her exhausted face. She hailed MaryAnne from the distance and waved at her. The Deputy scooped up the boy and noticed then only that Rosco Lee had his father’s Sheriff star pinned on his shirt. She grinned widely and congratulated him.

The two women were soon reunited and they hugged each other out of relief. Then MaryAnne asked Katrina what had happened that her shirt was torn apart and the house still intact. She was afraid of the sacrifice her cousin might have done... Katrina told her everything. Captain Dunham’s cruelty and want for her. The Colonel, a former Sheriff in Michigan, who had saved her from rape and had spared her house, on account she was the County Sheriff’s wife. “He told me... ‘From one Sheriff to another’ and he gave me back Rosco’s star. I had told him that...” Her voice became frail, lost in emotion. “... that... that was everything I had left of Rosco... that I kept his Sheriff’s star for my little boy...” She burst out in tears and MaryAnne hugged her against her in a tender gesture. She understood what her cousin-in-law meant. Almost one year with no news from Rosco. Not even a small note. MaryAnne feared her cousin may be right too. She was dead worried and had drowned her anxiety in work. She understood the reason why Rosco Lee was now wearing the Sheriff’s star. She had a sad thought for the boy. Will he see again his father ? Will I see ya again, Rosco ?

Both women remained as such for long minutes, Katrina weeping on MaryAnne’s shoulder, her tension slowly releasing, her baby girl still suckling her breast. Rosco Lee was clinging to his elder cousin.

“You been real brave, Katrina,” MaryAnne said softly. She meant it. “You saved the house. I’m proud of ya. Gimme the baby.” She took Victoria in her arms once the baby was done with suckling, while Katrina digged her petticoat from under her skirt and dried her eyes with the hem. Suddenly, MaryAnne felt something in the baby’s diaper. She undid it and found Katrina’s earrings, wedding ring, some coins and bills. She had a genuine laughter - the first in ages.

“Oh Katrina ! Only you can resort to this kind of ideas to hide valuables !” she managed to say eventually.

Katrina sniffled and looked at her cousin in amazement. MaryAnne smiled at her. She wanted to tell her she would tell Rosco everything but she refrained from mentioning Rosco’s name lest this may trigger off another outburst of tears. Katrina read all the admiration possible MaryAnne had for her. She blushed.

“MaryAnne... I don’t know if everything’s over... The colonel, he said the war should be over soon. But there’s another thing. The captain that was here, he wanted to assault me and I think... one day, he’s gonna come back, one way or the other.”

The words simmered down MaryAnne’s previous joy.

“You sure ?”

“Not really, but the way he was looking at me. He was real disappointed that his commanding officer ordered him not to burn the house. He could not have his way with me either.”

MaryAnne sighed deeply. “I don’t know when this whole mess’s gonna finish. I hope it’s gonna be soon, I’m fed up. I’d like to have a normal life, ya know. Many folks here are exhausted. Exhausted and hungry. By the way, where’s Aunt Abby ?”

“Oh good grief !” Katrina exclaimed, unaware she had used one of Rosco’s catchphrases. “I think she must be hiding in the swamps. She was waiting for us there, she must be worried sick over us now !”

“Let’s go then. No, wait, got a better idea. You go and I’ll stay with Rosco Lee and Vicky. You need a good walk. I’ve got my gun with me, should I need to defend the house.”

“You sure ?”

“Go, Katrina. It’ll do you good to walk. Go.”

Katrina obeyed her cousin. MaryAnne was right : a bit of walking would do her good. She knew where Mrs. Coltrane was hiding too and she hoped she had not had the fits when she had not seen her coming.

She was not long before finding her mother-in-law sitting on a fallen tree trunk, the horse and the goat nearby, grazing. But she was not alone. Other folks were with her, whom Katrina recognized at first : her parents and their two slaves, Toby and Dulcie. They had a cow with a calf, and a donkey. The two Blacks held few chickens and two big geese in boxes. Mrs. Evans was carrying few things with her and she was crying. The sight was like a stab in her heart for Katrina. She ran to her father who took her in his arms.

“Papa, what’s happening ?”

She heard her mother and Dulcie sniffle. She understood that something terrible had happened but at least her folks were alive.

“They burnt the farm, my pet. MaryAnne warned us and we managed to salvage few things before... We tried to discuss with them but they didn’t care. They just didn’t care. They looted our place and after that... they set the house on fire ! We stayed there, but there was nothing we could do. We had sent Toby and Dulcie to hide in the swamps with some cattle. We both stayed at the farm but these Yankees... they’re merciless !”

Katrina thought of the mercy she had benefited herself and understood she had been real lucky. Then her father noticed her shirt torn apart. He peered at her for an explanation. Their eyes met in a mute question.

“No, I’m okay, papa. The Coltrane house’s still intact. Mrs. Coltrane, your house’s still up. They found nothing but it was real short. Fortunately, one of their officers had been a Sheriff in his home county in Michigan. He spared the house on account this was a Sheriff’s house.”

“Oh thank you, Lord !” Mrs. Coltrane whispered. “Listen, Martha, Joe, you can’t stay here. You come with us, as well as Toby and Dulcie. We must stick together.”

“That’s very generous of ya, Abby,” Mrs. Evans replied with a sigh.

“What about MaryAnne ? And your children ?” Mrs. Coltrane asked.

“Rosco Lee and Vicky are with MaryAnne now. She’s okay, she’s waiting for us to come back. She managed to warn many folks around in the County, but she needs to hide for a while, I guess. She had been spotted by the Yankee troops and she’s afraid they might come back to get her. She thinks they may consider her as a spy.”

“But she was only doing her duty as a Deputy Sheriff !” Joe Evans exclaimed. “There’s nothing as such as treason or spying or whatsoever. She was defending her county and her citizens !”

“I know, papa, but the rifles are now in the hands of people who don’t share your point of view specifically,” Katrina concluded with lucidity.

Evans looked at his daughter and agreed with her. She was right and he reckoned that she had become a real adult woman, looking more mature. Katrina took her mother by the waist to console her. Then they all left the swamps for the Coltrane house.

There, they found MaryAnne cradling the baby, sitting under the front porch. Rosco Lee was beside her, his head resting on his elder cousin’s lap. She grinned at the group when she saw everyone was alive and well. She had begun to worry over her kin.

Katrina took the baby in her arms, releasing MaryAnne who took Rosco Lee in her arms gently. Toby and Mr. Evans took all the cattle with them to hide them in the stables : horse, goat, donkey, the cow and its calf. Dulcie and Mrs. Evans released the chicken and the geese in the pen behind the house. Then everyone proceeded inside. The night was falling and the air was becoming chilly at this time of the year. Things had to be rearranged for the night. Mrs. Coltrane allocated one guest room to the Evanses and another one to Toby and Dulcie. She felt a bit more reassured to know there were two men in the house now. They would both go to the Evans farm on the day after to assess the damage. Rosco Lee insisted to sleep with MaryAnne, and he firmly refused to remove his shirt with his father’s silver star pinned on it. Katrina was too much exhausted to go against her son. She had already noticed the boy promised to be as stubborn as his father.

Life was slowly coming back to Hazzard County. Sherman’s march to the sea was like a hurricane and even more than that for many Georgians. Folks whose farms and plantations had been burnt to the ground were helped to find a solution for accommodation. The Evanses had found shelter at the Coltrane house. On the day after, Joe Evans and Toby went to the farm to assess what could be done. The house had been burnt to the ground. But the other buildings were still intact : the barn, the stables, Toby’s cabin. The Black man was very happy to see that he had not lost his home but he refrained from yelling out of joy in front of his master.

“You may take ou’ house, massa Joe,” he suggested.

Joe Evans looked at him with a puzzled look. He sighed. He had a talk with his daughter last night. She had told him what had happened to her and the way the Coltrane house had been spared. She had also reported to him what the Yankee colonel had told her. The war would be over soon and all the slaves would be really freed then - though slavery had been abolished one year ago, effective January 1st, 1863. Toby and his wife would need their house - and Evans knew he would need Toby and Dulcie to start up the farm all over again. He did not want them to leave. He made a quick decision.

“No, Toby. You keep your house. You’ll need it anyway. We’ll see with Mrs. Coltrane if we can stay in her home, time for us to rebuild our place.”

“But massa Joe, how will ya find da money to build da house ?” Toby asked.

“I don’t know yet, Toby. I don’t know. But I’ll work out a solution. I don’t want to think about it now. First thing is trying to start up farming and see if we could have a crop for next year.”

Summer 1865

The Coltrane house was full of people now. Toby and Dulcie had come back to their house on the Evans land, where they were looking after the crops. Joe and Martha Evans’ decision to leave the cabin to Toby and Dulcie had proved to be a good one as both former slaves remained on their lands, though they were free now. They had nowhere else to go either. The Evanses were still living with their daughter. They were going to their farm everyday to work there and try to rebuild a life along with a home for themselves.

Katrina was now the real head of the house. Mrs. Coltrane had left her most of the responsibilities regarding the house and its organization and management of life inside. The old lady was tired and she only helped her for the cooking and looking after the children. Victoria and Rosco Lee were growing in good health, though the baby girl would not be as strong as her father. She was more looking like Katrina herself. Both children were constantly surrounded by family love, their grandparents, their mother, their cousin. Only their father was missing and Rosco Lee was sometimes asking for his father in a most insistent way that broke his mother’s heart.

Katrina was strong, she always kept a smiling poker face on - to her kin’s admiration. But inside her heart, she was desperate. Nobody at home dared mention Rosco’s demise. Nobody suggested to die clothes in black, in sign of mourning. Katrina knew that one day or so, she would have to do so but she postponed the moment. Next Spring... Next Summer... At Christmas... She could not admit that Rosco had died. She cried in her bed at night, but something deep inside her heart told her he was still alive somewhere.

Katrina was not the only one to feel as such. MaryAnne felt the same too. The young Deputy had resumed her duties quickly, coordinating the solidarity around. She tried to remain busy as much as possible to forget that her elder cousin was probably dead. His death would mean another Sheriff would have to be elected. MaryAnne knew she could not be elected as such - though Hazzard folks appreciated her skills and dedication to the County. Another Sheriff may not choose her as his Deputy and she would have to give up a job she liked very much. Only Rosco could admit a woman among his Sheriff’s Department staff.

In the meantime, MaryAnne was still working a lot and Katrina resumed helping her with the administrative part of the Sheriff’s Department, though there was little to do so far. Both women tried to help their folks to avoid the Carpetbaggers’ schemes who tried to get their hands on the County citizens’ lands and properties.

Katrina had also decided to start up vegetable growing on a larger scale to make up for the family’s needs, including her parents. She knew too that was a way to generate income and she needed cash to buy the basic necessities of life she could not produce herself. She was aware that she may have to make money on her own, for the whole family, if Rosco was never to come back. And above all, she knew one day or so, taxes would fall on them all, thanks to the information she could gather at the Sheriff’s Department. The Carpetbaggers had also an eye on the Coltrane property, as the house was still intact. The land promised to be good as it had not been used for years.

Combined together, MaryAnne’s wages as a Deputy Sheriff, and Katrina’s income with the farm, allowed the Coltrane family to live. But both Coltrane women had to struggle hard to prevent things from going haywire.

More and more Confederate soldiers and officers were coming back home with the end of the war. They were heading south, on their way back. Most of them were in rags and hungry. Though the Coltranes had not a lot to eat, they could not close their eyes on these soldiers’ destitution and they gave them some food. One day, MaryAnne complained as they almost had no food left for themselves. Katrina was about to cry because of her remarks, her eyes lowered to the ground. She knew better than anybody else how difficult it was to earn a living and grow the food needed to sustain the whole family.

“Oh, MaryAnne, don’t scold me, please...” she started to protest softly. “I know you’re right but... every time I see one of these men, I think... well, maybe in the North, another woman’s feeding Rosco on his way back here...”

MaryAnne could relate to her cousin’s concern. She understood the motives behind Katrina’s actions towards these poor soldiers. But their livelihood was so precarious. She was under strong pressure herself as Boss Hogg had made her understand he would have to organize elections for the position as Sheriff pretty soon. That meant she would lose her job and her income in the short term as Boss had not given her any hint as to her future. She had not dared talk to Katrina yet about that dreaded perspective.

Weeks went by and now Katrina was used to see Confederate soldiers and officers walking up to her house. She was not feeling in immediate danger anymore though Captain Dunham’s warning was still ringing in her ears, though she could see his cruel eyes in her nightmares. On a September Sunday, few days after Victoria’s first birthday, she was talking with her mother-in-law under the front porch. Mrs. Coltrane was sitting on the bench, stitching some garments for Rosco Lee. The little boy was sitting besides her, as she needed him to be around to try on the garments she was mending. Victoria was playing on the ground. MaryAnne was dozing off in a chair nearby. She looked so much exhausted that Katrina did not have the courage to ask her to look after the little girl while she was herself busy at the kitchen. She granted herself a bit of a break. She was about to sit when a remark from Mrs. Coltrane drew her attention.

“Oh, good Lord, Katrina, there’s another one coming.”

Katrina could hear exasperation in her mother-in-law’s voice. She glanced at the man walking up the drive to the house and sighed. MaryAnne’s scold was still in her ears and she reckoned both ladies were right. What am I going to give that one ? Maybe he’s gonna ask for some fresh water to drink only...

Mrs. Coltrane was back to her sewing work, her grandson standing patiently in front of her. MaryAnne was still asleep. Katrina glanced again at the man. A tear escaped her eye as it used to do every time she thought about Rosco. Maybe Rosco was hungry, thirsty, cold, even wounded, somewhere in a hostile country. She was about to enter the house when suddenly, something strange crossed her mind. Rosco’s image imposed itself more insistently than usual.

Katrina turned her gaze towards the man in rags going up the alley to the house. She could not believe it. The way he was walking, his stature, the way he was wearing his hat on his head... Rosco ? Without a warning, Katrina grasped her skirts and she ran wildly down the alley towards the man, forgetful of anything else around. Rosco !

When she was about fifteen yards from him, her gaze met his and there was no more doubts in her mind. These crystal blue eyes... the bluest eyes she had ever seen. A grin lit up the man’s face, revealing regular, white teeth.

“ROSCO !” Katrina yelled, her eyes welling up. “ROSCO !”

The man opened his arms wide and soon the young woman was engulfed between them. He made her whirl and they almost fell into the grass, so much they were lost in emotion and dizzy with joy. Then everything stopped around them, they were all alone. Katrina could not believe it. Rosco had made it home. Alive and in one piece. She stroked gently his cheek as if to make sure he was not a ghost. No, he was a man of blood and flesh. Dirty and much thinner than in her memories, but alive and well. Katrina was now crying frankly and Rosco was caressing her hair, his eyes closed. He could not believe it either that he had made it home at last. He glanced at the house and it was still up while he had seen so many houses destroyed to the ground.

Mrs. Coltrane had seen her daughter-in-law’s move down the alley, towards the man. She had watched the whole scene and she had gathered at once who the man was. My son ! My son’s alive ! she had thought then. But she had remained motionless, still stricken by the realization thereof. She also deemed she had not the right to interfere as this moment belonged only to Rosco and Katrina. But she could not prevent her grandson from running to his parents.

MaryAnne heard the commotion in her sleep and she arose from her slumber. She saw the couple made up of Katrina and a tall man she was not long to recognize either. She grinned out of joy and for the first times in months, she felt elated. Her cousin was back and he was alive ! She noticed the baby girl playing on the ground and took her in her arms, following her aunt.

Soon the whole family was reunited. Everyone wanted to have their share of Rosco. He wished he had arms big enough to hug everyone, his wife, his son, his mother, his cousin. He was all the more surprised to see MaryAnne with a baby in her arms and for few seconds, he wondered if his younger cousin had married in the meantime.

“Rosco, you left me a souvenir, last time you came back home,” Katrina whispered into his ear. “Meet Victoria, our daughter.”

He looked puzzled and his face made everybody around laugh heartily. He pulled out his arms to take the baby in his arms. He exchanged an accomplice look with his wife and he chuckled at the memories in question. Now he was holding the outcome in his arms, an adorable daughter called Victoria. “Oh, Katrina, you remembered my preferred female first name!” he said in emotion. Not only he was home, his house was still there, his kin still alive but he had had a daughter! Truly, the Georgian sky looked suddenly bluer and the countryside around brighter. “I love you, Katrina,” he whispered to her on their way to the house. “Thanks for that... souvenir. The loveliest souvenir a man can leave to the woman he loves.”

Katrina smiled and MaryAnne chuckled too when she heard her cousin’s last statement. Both ladies had commented on the ‘souvenir’ during the long months of Rosco’s absence, while Katrina was pregnant. The baby girl had been their sole source of joy while thinking about the man they both loved so much. Now angst had left place to relief and the whole family rejoiced to be united again. This time they hoped it would be for good.

“Promise me, Rosco, you won’t leave us anymore,” Katrina asked her husband once they were alone in their bedroom.

Rosco took his wife between his arms for a tender hug. “I will, sweetheart, I will.”

I’m heavily indebted to Lisa Philbrick for the use of the MaryAnne Coltrane character and

to Cuz Bonita for starting the idea of settling the Dukes of Hazzard universe

slightly back in time… LOL. Thank you ladies !!!

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[1] I picked this up from the film Shenandoah, definitely one of my favorites about the Civil War.