Bucky's Hope (A Bucky Barnes Love Story)

Chapter 8

Bucky's POV:

"Do you trust me?" Hope held her hand out to me and somehow I did not hesitate to take it as she helped me get on the horse.

Once I got up and seated behind her I was unsure as to where to put my hands, Hope somehow could tell I was hesitant this time, I heard her giggle as she called out to me, "You can put your hands on my hips, for now, we are going to start slow so you can get used to Winter."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes James, it's okay."

I gently placed my hands on her hips being mindful to not hold on too tight, I didn't want to hurt her, I heard her make a clicking noise as she talked to the horse.

"Come on Winter, let's go," the horse started walking as we got back on the trail.

"Where are we going?"

"The archery trail."

"What is that?"

"It's where I practice my mounted archery, that was where I was originally headed for."

"Why did you go to that field instead?"

Hope turned slightly to face me and gave a look that said, "Seriously," and then I remembered.

"Okay, I know what you mean and that was a stupid question."

We continued on the trail a little longer, after what felt like about 15 minutes or so we came to a stop.

"Why did we stop?"

"The start of the archery trail is just past this tree line, I need to be you to be ready for when Winter picks up speed so you don't fall off, you will need to hold tightly to me because when I start I will have to let go of Winter's reins."

"What do you need me to do?"

"You will probably feel uncomfortable about this but I need you to scoot as close to me as you can and instead of my hips wrap your arms around my waist."

"Wait, you want me to do that?"

"Yes, we are going to be going at a full gallop and I want to make sure that you are completely secured."

She was right and I was uncomfortable doing what she asked, call me old fashion I guess but I reluctantly scooched closer and did as she said.

Hope's POV:

When I felt his hands go around my waist his touch felt electrifying, I was at first hesitant to have him touch me. I have not allowed another man to touch me in any way for almost a year since the incident but something about James' touch was different somehow. I quickly shook the thought away from my mind and called back to James.

"Okay, now make sure to keep your legs as still as you can, don't kick Winter with your heels, I don't want her to get the wrong command and have her knock us off of her."

"Okay, I'm ready when you are," I heard him say.

"Let's go, Winter," I got her moving into a canter quickly, when we got closer to the tree line, that was where I let her go as she took off into a gallop.

I felt James pull me into his chest as he held on for dear life.

"I hope you are watching James because I don't want you to miss this," I said as I dropped my reins and grabbed my bow and arrow.

I saw the first target come into range as I readied the arrow, once I was close I released and grabbed the next one quickly.

Bucky's POV:

The moment I heard the arrow release I looked up in time to see it hit the bullseye.

"Whoa."

"If that impressed you, keep watching," she told me.

I watched her swiftly grab and release arrow after arrow, hitting all the targets and never missing a single one, I don't know for how long we were going until I felt that we were slowing down and then came to a complete stop, Hope turned slightly in her seat to face me.

"So, what did you think?"

"Incredible and badass and I think Tony is right about you giving Barton a run for his money."

"Do you mean Hawkeye?" I nodded.

"Why wasn't he with you guys?"

"He is living the retired life with his family."

"Ah, how about we start heading back."

"What about your arrows?"

"We have a specific drone that gets sent out to collect all the arrows I used so it's okay, oh, you can also loosen your hold me now, we'll be going at normal pace this time."

I blushed not realizing I still had my arms wrapped around her torso, "sorry."

Hope giggled, "your fine James, did you enjoy the ride?"

"I did, how about you, did the distraction work?"

A soft smile appeared on Hope's lips, "yes, this helped."

We kept going down the trail in a comfortable silence until I broke it.

"So, your horses' names, how did you come up with them?"

"Winter Moon was easy, she reminded me of the full moons in the winter and how brightly they shine especially when there is snow on the ground. Now for Midnight Sun's, don't make fun but I name him after the title of one of my favorite books in high school, and if you happen to look it up and tease me about it I will make you pay Barnes."

"You don't have to worry about me, after seeing you with a bow I already know not to mess around with you," I smiled when I heard her giggle.

"Glad to know you value your life."

"Yes well, my mother did raise a gentleman, and speaking of which, tomorrow, are you going to be going by yourself."

"Yes, but it's okay, I prefer it that way plus I need the guys here to look after things and get everything ready for the pony."

I had a thought running in my head since she told me about her driving to Texas and it solidified completely when she told me she was going by herself.

"Would you mind if I tag along with you?"

We suddenly stopped and she turned to face me again, "Really, you want to come with me, why?"

"I don't want you to go by yourself and I can help with the driving, plus we would get there faster with fewer stops to sleep."

We started moving again but Hope was quiet this time, we got back to the house shortly after where Hope let me get off though had still not given me an answer, as I turned to head inside her voice stopped me.

"James, if your sure I guess I could use the company."

I smiled at her, "If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have asked, what time are we leaving?"

"7 am on the dot."