Wildfire (Steve Rogers AU)

9

Hadley was busy serving a customer when Brock entered the store later that day. She glanced over at him and smiled as he nodded his acknowledgement to her. Once she'd finished serving another lady, he walked over.

"Afternoon Miss Hadley..."

"Afternoon Mr Rumlow. What will it be?" She now asked.

He smiled. "Nothing. But I'd like to take you out if you'd let me?" Now taking off his hat. "A walk across the prairie, maybe even a ride?"

She looked at him a little surprised. "Oh...that would be nice, yes". She smiled, "I would need to ask Mary to look after Flynn but I'm sure she wouldn't mind".

"How does tomorrow afternoon sound?"

Hadley thought for a moment and then agreed. "Tomorrow is perfect".

"I'll see you then. He popped his hat on and bid her a good afternoon.

Mary came in from the back, catching Brock leave. "What did he want?"

"He wants to take me out..." Hadley said with a small smile. "Would you be ok to watch Flynn for a couple of hours tomorrow afternoon?"

"That's fine but you be careful".

"Why?"

"Because men like Brock only want one thing, and it ain't just a pretty wife. The man has money, but he uses that to his advantage..." She put her hand on Hadley's shoulder. "Just...think before you jump".

Hadley sighed. "And I am. I know that and I'm wary of who I get myself involved with - but do you think it's too soon after William?"

"Would folks back in Manhattan tell you it is?"

"I'd probably be shunned".

Mary snorted, "Just as well you're out here where no one would really give a damn then". She saw her niece's face. "This town? We gossip yeah, but if you're happy? It's all that matters." Now she pointed to her attire. "And when are you going to lose the black?".

"I have to mourn, show I still care..."

"You'll feel a less like an outsider if you were to just wear your normal dresses though. I know they may not be to your taste but Natasha tried as hard as possible to make them look a bit more expensive".

Hadley shook her head. "It's not about that..."

"I think some of it is. You do realise there's more to life an money right? Look where it got William".

"Then let me make my own decisions based off of that - okay?" Hadley snapped and then sighed. "I need to go and check on Flynn". Bustling out of the shop floor and up the stairs.

**

The next afternoon Brock came by and Hadley kissed her son goodbye, seeing Mary giving her a knowing look of 'if he tries anything then you hit him where it hurts'.

"It's a warm one today" Brock said as he helped her onto the horse.

"You're not getting on?" Hadley questioned as she saw him take the reins and lead the horse along.

"Figured I'd be a gentleman and not make you walk" He looked up and smiled at her. "Your Aunt Mary didn't seem too pleased to see me".

Hadley rolled her eyes. "She's like that with any man I talk to".

"That include Steve Rogers?"

The question threw her a little but she nodded. "Certainly does. She's just looking out for me. After my husband, I think she just wants to see me with a man I can trust".

Brock nodded. "And I don't blame her. Rogers? I've heard him say he's nothing like his father but he's just as bad. Leading poor Miss Carter on..."

"Miss Carter?"

"Yeah, the mayor's daughter. He owns the mines, anyway - Miss Margaret is doing all she can to coax him into putting that ring on her finger, and he'd be silly not to - but instead he gets her hopes up, only to then dash them. I'm pretty sure he just enjoys the attention, gets a kick out of disappointing women. And Peggy Carter? Well...she's just another who can string along until he gets bored, then he'll strike up friendship with another and get her hopes up too..."

"Well then it's just as well we're civil to one another".

"I'm glad, because I wouldn't wanna see you hurt Miss Hadley".

Brock took her to his ranch just out of town. He specialised in cattle and given that he had money, the place was bigger than at of the Howling Commando Ranch. "Welcome to Red Skull Ranch - you know anything about cattle?" He now asked.

She smirked. "Not a clue Mr Rumlow".

He helped her down and showed her around.

She spent a pleasant couple of hours with Brock, learning about what they did at the ranch before they made back for town.

"I had a very nice afternoon, thank you Mr Rumlow" She smiled as he helped her dismount, then taking her hand and placing a kiss upon it.

"May I take you out again tomorrow?"

Hadley felt the heat in her cheeks rise as she nodded. "Yes..."

"I'll be seeing you then, only if it's alright with your aunt of course" He now looked passed her, seeing Mary with Flynn waiting for them. "Miss Mary".

"Afternoon Mr Rumlow". She said curtly.

He turned back to Hadley. "Just send word to the ranch if you can't make it, but I'll be here same time tomorrow waiting for you".

She looked back and smiled lightly as she went to join Mary, taking Flynn from her, Brock mounting the horse and trotting away. "He wants to see me again".

Mary nodded. "Of course he does..." and without another word she went inside.

Steve and Bucky had emerged from Dugan's seeing Rumlow with Hadley as they went to mount their horses. "Oh that ain't good" Bucky noted and cocked his head in their direction. "She's making a mistake with that son of a bitch".

Steve said nothing for a moment, watching them before getting on his horse. He would have to speak to Hadley and warn her about just what kind of a man that Brock Rumlow was.