Wildfire (Steve Rogers AU)

6

"So...I heard your husband died-ow!" Johnny began as Sarah clapped his around the back of the head. "Mom! I was only gonna tell her I was sorry!"

Hadley smiled lightly as she sat across the table, sipping the water that Sarah had given her. "It's alright Mrs Rogers, I've had worse".

Hands on her hips, Sarah turned. "You mean to say people in town have been nasty?"

"Not so much, but it's enough to know they they're laughing at me behind my back". Her eyes now cast downwards to the table top.

"Oh sweetie they're not laughing". Sarah rubbed her arm, "unfortunately out here? The women of this place love nothing more than to gossip - was it the Carter girl? Because if it was then..."

"Mom, I'm sure that Miss Hadley can defend herself". Came the baritone voice from the corner where Steve was cleaning his rifle.

Hadley didn't bother to correct him about her title. "I don't need anyone to defend me". She opted instead, "least of all any man here".

Steve didn't look at her, choosing to focus on reloading the gun. "Well that's good, far too many women in this town do - other than Miss Romanoff".

Johnny's chuckles echoed around the kitchen. "Now she really does kick your ass - but the men still flock to her to propose".

"Coz they find it appealing probably".

Hadley and Sarah looked to one another, before the younger woman rose from the chair. "Thank you for the drink, I should be getting back to my son".

"He like horses?" Johnnys face lit up, "you're always welcome to bring him up here to see them?"

"He's still young, but he's fascinated by them - I'd like that, thank you".

Sarah smiled tenderly. "How old?"

"Just turned one...a week before his father died". She went quiet. "Poor boy"

"Well, if ever you're run off your feet, you can always bring him here and leave him with me - it'd be nice to hear some little feet running around here again"

Hadley smiled weakly. "He's just learning to walk actually so I may take you up on your offer Mrs Rogers. I'm sure once he learns it'll be hard to keep a track of him at the store".

Sarah walked out into the porch with her. "Now are you sure that you don't want to stay for something to eat before you go? You're all bones!"

"It's very kind of you, but I need to get back to Flynn - perhaps another time".

"You're always welcome here - Steve! Come walk the lady home!"

"Oh I really-"

She was cut off as Steve came out, "I'll go get Copper, wait here". He said without argument. His mother would probably have something to say if he declined and even if he and Hadley hadn't got off to the best start, he wasn't about to let her walk back alone.

"Hopefully I'll see you soon - don't be a stranger". Sarah smiled and returned inside the house

Steve tied the horse to the latching post and waited for Hadley to get on. When she didn't he frowned. "You never ridden before?"

Trying to hide her embarrassment she shook her head. "I erm...I had no reason to..."

Exhaling deeply, Steve beckoned her to the horse. "Ok, out your foot there, hold there..." he positioned her. I'll give you a boost".

She looked down at his hand on her waist and then went to hoist herself onto the horse, Steve's arms lifting her further so she could get on, and then he mounted it, sitting himself behind her.

Hadley swallowed but held on as he took the reins and the horse began to trot away. "I've gotcha" Steve said, seeing that she was a little unsteady.

"I really could have walked".

"May be safe to where you lived, but round here? You need to keep your guard up".

"They wouldn't attack a woman, surely?" She tried to look back to see his face.

Steve sighed. "They would, and worse. Sometimes for money and other times for kicks. Out of towners that are passing mainly, sometimes bandits - the men in this town are more honourable than those".

"Are most of them that live here miners?"

"Mainly, they dig for tesseracts - they're the most valuable, although gold and silver is the usual along with other things". He explained, "things got more easier when the railroad was built - more opportunities for people to come and go".

Hadley was curious, "have you ever left Graystone?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I'll be living and dying here".

"Likewise", she sighed.

They turned into the town and came to a stop outside the general store, Steve dismounting and tying Copper up before helping Hadley down.

"Thank you".

He tipped his hat. "Not a problem Miss Hadley".

"Just Hadley will be fine". She smiled faintly. "Although I suppose technically it's Miss now".

Steve looked around and then turned back to her. "People thrive on gossip here. It won't carry on for long, trust me, if anyone knows about gossip then it's my mother".

She frowned. "For what?"

"It's for her to tell really, but ignore the gossips. They've got nothing better to do".

Mary now opened the door and walked out. "Hello Steven". She grinned and gave him a hug.

"Hello trouble, how's business?" Hadley noted how different his demeanour had changed now that her aunt had appeared. He seemed a little more relaxed.

Mary swatted him with the back of her hand as she chuckled. "Business as usual, how are those horses of yours? I barely see you nowadays".

Steve shook his head with a small laugh. "Work to be done, got Johnny to keep on track".

"You work yourself too hard".

"So everyone says, but if I don't then we've got no ranch and no source of income". Copper brayed and Steve stroked his nose. "I'd better be getting back" he looked to them again and tipped his hat. "Mary, Miss Hadley".

The two women watched and he rode away and back in the direction of the ranch. "Such a nice boy...did you give Sarah her bits?"

"I did, she's offered to watch Flynn some time if things get busy here".

"Lovely woman, heart of gold that one - Steven's just the same".

Hadley followed her back inside. "Really? I wouldn't have thought it?" Going from how they had met earlier, he didn't seem like the type who'd help anyone nor ask for it for that matter.

"Never judge a book by its cover young lady".