Wildfire (Steve Rogers AU)

11

Hadley hadn't seen or spoke to Steve since their argument, and that had been a week or so ago. She had instead been keeping herself busy with the store and meeting with Brock on some days.

Today she had left Flynn with Sarah and had been busy with the store, new stock arriving so as they could put it out for the ladies of the town to come in and admire. It was more new dining sets along with materials for dresses so they were bound to get a lot of custom. The latest catalogue for the department store back in the city had come into stock too so no doubt there would be orders made, especially one from Miss Carter.

The epitome of fashion, or so that was what she thought of herself as.

Making her way to the ranch, Hadley could see Steve in the corral as she drew nearer, and then saw that her son was sat in front of him atop of a horse, giggling madly as they trotted slowly around.

She picked up the pace a little more, seeing Sarah watching from the porch. "Ah, Hadley! Flynn's just having a little ride, he's wanted to get at them horses all day".

Hadley looked back seeing Steve now slowly dismount while keeping Flynn steady. He lifted him from the horse and held the boy's hand as her son began to walk along, still a little wobbly from where he'd only just learnt the skill.

Her son needed a father, just like she needed a wealthy husband. It would be nice for Brock to spend some time with Flynn too. He seemed the type who would look after them.

"I hope he's not been too much of a nuisance for you or Steve?"

"Nonsense! He's a lovely boy!" Sarah waved this off as Steve exited the corral and brought Flynn to them. "Few more lessons and he'll be a riding pro". She grinned to her son.

"Certainly a horse person, must get that from his mother". Steve looked to Hadley. "You're looking well Miss Hadley".

"Thank you, you look terrible". She smirked and watched as Flynn began to play with a horse toy on the blanket that Sarah had laid out some toys on. "We should be be going, but thank you for watching him today".

Sarah smiles. "Any time, you get that store sorted?"

Hadley nodded, "just about, still some to unpack tomorrow". She picked up Flynn and went to take the toy from him, however her son began to scream. "You can play with it next time you're here". She tapped his nose gently as he became even more upset.

Steve passed him the toy back. "Keep it, it's gotta be played with again, ain't that right ma?" He looked to his mother who agreed.

"It was Steve's favourite when he was a boy".

"Oh, then we couldn't possibly..." Hadley went to give the horse back but he didn't take it.

"Like I said, gotta be played with again, and I'm a little old for toys". He insisted, then hearing Bucky call for him. "I've gotta get back to work, I'll see you later". He nodded to Hadley and ruffled Flynn's hair. "You tame that horse, Master Flynn".

The baby waved as Steve now headed across to the barn to see Bucky.

Sarah smiled. "Times like this I wonder whether the boy will ever settle down. The way he is with kids? He's wasting his life focusing too much on the wrong thing". Then she realised she was keeping the young woman from leaving. "Oh look at me, blabbering on - you need to get your boy home and to bed, or you could stay for supper if you'd like? Plenty to go around". 

"That's so kind if you, but another time perhaps? Mary will worry otherwise. 

"Not a problem, it was a pleasure having him. You need me then just bring him here. I'm barely leave this place anyway". 

There was a hint of sadness to her tone as she admitted this. "Would you want to?" 

Sarah shook her head. "I live and breathe the ranch almost as much as Steve does - they'll be burying me way out there when I finally leave this earth" She pointed to the grasslands that surrounded the ranch. "Joe wanted us to put him out there, but at the time I didn't listen. Didn't want him being lonely...kinda wish I'd done it now. At least he'd be nearer..." 

"Where is he?" 

"Church yard just outside of town. Can't miss it. The only time I ever leave is to go see him". 

"Does Steve?" 

Sarah shook her head. "He ain't got time...anyway you'd best get yourself on home". 

"Thank you again for looking after him" Hadley smiled and Flynn gave a little wave to Sarah as he played with the toy that Steve had given him. "I'll be sure he takes care of the horse". 

"He's called Cap" Sarah smiled. "That was what Steve named him when he was old enough to talk". 

"Cap" Hadley repeated with a small smile. "Well then, we shall take good care of him. I promise". 

"I know you will, and so does Steve - he wouldn't have given it to you otherwise". 

Mary watched Flynn play that evening while Hadley readied him for bed. "Cute toy, Sarah give him that?" 

"No...Steve did actually. It was his when he was little - he was giving Flynn a ride on one of the horses when I went to get him". 

"Well...we may just have our first cowboy in the family". Mary smirked and picked up Flynn. Giving him a kiss. "Goodnight little one, you taking your horsey to bed?" 

Hadley smiled. "I don't think I'll be able to get it off him, so it looks like it'll be attached to him for the night". Lying Flynn down in his cot she kissed him goodnight. "You've had an exciting day, maybe next week you can go back and play again? Would you like that?" She whispered. Of course her so had no clue what she meant so Hadley took that as a yes. 

"C'mon, let's have a drink and make for bed shall we?" Mary suggested as she lurked in the doorway.

Flynn was drifting off cuddling the horse already and Hadley left him, happy that she knew for the first time just how content her son was here.