The Winter Cowboy || Bucky x Reader

Chapter 5

"So- who are you again?" you interrogated Bucky on Wednesday morning, standing outside the cabin he had moved into only a two nights ago. All that was missing inthis situation was a dark room and a spotlight you would be able to point at his face.

"I'm a seasonal worker, who helps out as a carpenter," he answered with a sigh, clearly not happy about having to recite your little plot for the fifth time that week. You had quickly decided he couldn't be passed off as some family member, as in a small town like this- everybody knew everything about everybody.

You continued your merciless interrogation until you were satisfied the plan could be pulled off. Bucky wore a dark long sleeved shirt to hide his arm and leather dark gloves. It was a necessary precaution, but wouldn't stand out too much in combination with the leather jacket he wore.

"Ok, if we are careful we can pull this off," you concluded with a sigh.

"Yes- boss," Bucky smirked, his eyes hinting a daring blue sparkle despite the cowboy hat that was casting a shadow over his eyes. You squinted your eyes at him again and finally allowed a smile to appear on your lips.

"All right cowboy, let's go."

You jumped into the battered old Ford truck your father had left you after he had purchased a new one. Your parents had left early in order to ferry your mother's pies to the Festival in time. Your hand was on the ignition for a moment as you pondered the thought that Bucky was about to leave the safe shelter that was your home. Perhaps this was a bad idea. If you were caught Bucky would be arrested and your family would be in trouble.

"I'll be fine doll," Bucky said, sensing your reluctance to leave. An eerie silence fell over you as you still weren't convinced this was a good idea.

When he said your name, you immediately looked up, realizing this was the second time you had heard it rolling off his lips.

"I promise nothing will happen. People have been looking for me all my life and rarely anyone succeeds," he said, focussing his eyes on you. You smiled softly, turned the key and drove off.

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Ten minutes later you parked the car behind your old high school and turned off the radio, staring at the large Golden Eagles' banner of your high school's football team. On the other side of the large parking lot the classic car show was in full swing with many people admiring the various displays.

"Wait- are we not submitting this car in the car show?" Bucky asked with a lopsided smirk as he gestured to your rickety rusty truck. You cocked you eyebrow, feigning a look of insult.

"Are you insulting my car Barnes?"

He smirked. You leaned over the car and stroke the hood softly.

"He didn't mean it darling," you cooed to the rusty blue hood. Bucky laughed and stuffed his hands in his pockets as he leaned against side of the car. You retrieved some money from your bag, stuffed it in your light coloured denim jacket and locked the car.

"Dress looks good on you by the way," Bucky said as you started to lead him away from the parking lot, his hand awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck as he attempted to hide the flush that was creeping up there. You thanked him with a nervous smile. You didn't often wear dresses as they were simply impractical when you were working. The dress you wore was white with Delftware blue flowers stitched on the fabric and ended right above your knees, followed by the brown country boots so many girls would wear under their dresses here.

It felt odd to lead Bucky through the streets of your hometown and telling him about the places where you crashed your first car into a mailbox, had your first job at the local hardware store and pointing out the shortest route to Big Spring Creek where you used to swim with your classmates on Saturdays. The main street was crowded with stands, small podia and decorated with lots and lots of chokecherries. The maroon-coloured fruit was regularly being turned into syrups, jams, jellies, wines and pies, and sold in abundance today. You spent a lot of time greeting people you hadn't seen in a long while.