Christmas In Holly Oak {Bucky Barnes}

02

It had been a few weeks since Bucky had run into Annabelle. Where could she be? She questioned his arm; Which Bucky wasn't surprised about. It's a robotic arm, who wouldn't question that? While sitting outside at the local cafe, Bucky was lost in thought when someone bumped his shoulder; looking up he met the soft gray eyes of Luke

"Penny for your thoughts?" Bucky laughed softly as Luke sat across from him "What's eating at you kid?"

Bucky had to mentally laugh since technically, he had a few good years on Luke "Have you seen Annabelle lately? I haven't see her since I walked her to your hardware store" Luke smiled smugly as he eyed Bucky "Does someone have a little crush?"

Was it a crush? It had been so long since Bucky even felt anything for anymore "No, I do not have a crush on Belle. I just haven't seen her in a week or so and I am just curious" Luke continued to smile as he looked at Bucky "Well, If you must know. Anna has been over at Maya's helping her out"

Bucky furrowed his eyebrows "Is there something wrong with the bakery?"

"Maya's on the verge of losing it. After the blip, bills began to pile up and so on and so on"

"Why didn't she say anything?"

Luke chuckled as he stood up "You know Maya, she doesn't like to ask for help. Just a wonder how Anna convinced Maya to let her help"

Bucky nodded his head as he and Luke chatted for a little bit more before Luke waved his good byes leaving Bucky in his own thoughts once again. Without another thought, Bucky rose from his place as he then made his way towards Lucy's Bakery.

Annabelle smiled as she took another picture of the cake display right in front of her "There, that should be it for today"

Maya sighed in relief "I don't even know how to thank you for any of this Anna"

Annabelle smiled as she waved a hand at her "Oh there's no need! My boss is so looking forward to this story it's not even funny. She is from a small town herself and totally gets it"

"And you promise it will work?"

Annabelle shot Maya a reassuring smile "I promise. Everything grandma Lucy put into this place will shine once again"

Maya smiled and nodded her head "I sure hope so. All that my grandma has been through, I would love for her to see this place thriving again"

"Well with your baking and my blog and pictures, I can promise that'll happen. Plus with updating your website, you can start taking online orders too!"

Maya smiled with excitement "you are seriously a life saver for doing all of this. I have to get back to my grandma, do you mind closing up for me? You've earned the trust"

Annabelle smiled as she caught the store keys that Maya had tossed her "I got it. Get on home"

Maya smiled once again as she gave Annabelle a hug before rushing out of the store. Anna chuckled softly to herself as she turned back to her cameras "Now to put all of this away" Annabelle then grabbed her phone and quickly scrolled through her Apple Music playlist until she found her favorite Christmas playlist, most of which of songs that came out in the 1930's to 1940's

Annabelle was so lost in putting away her cameras, that the sound of the front door opening caused her to jump and let out a small shriek "Come back tomorrow, Bakery is clo- oh, Hey Bucky!"

Bucky smiled as he walked farther into the store "Hey Belle"

"Bucky, I've told you. It's Annabelle or Anna"

"But I like the name Belle"

Annabelle shook her head with a smile before raising an eyebrow at him "What... What are you doing here anyways?"

Bucky bit his lip "Would you believe me if I said I was just in the neighborhood?" Annabelle giggled softly and shook her head no making Bucky continued "Alright Alright, I was starting to think you were avoiding me. I haven't seen you since I put the shelf up for you"

"Bucky Barnes, I barley know you"

Bucky then sat down at the nearest table and gestured to the seat in front of him, with a hopeful smile on his face "Maybe we can fix that?"

"I would like that" Annabelle said as she sat down across from Bucky making him smile even more "So, what do you wanna first?"

Annabelle bit her lip as she pointed to Bucky's vibranium arm "Can we start there?"

Bucky let out a soft sigh as he slowly nodded his head "Have you ever heard of the Winter Soldier?"