Wildfire (Steve Rogers AU)

14

"Ok, line her up...keep her steady..." Steve said, gently adjusting Hadley's arm that was extended out in front of her, pistol held in her hand. "Just a little higher..." His hands gently moved her arm up a little more. 

She had accepted his offer of learning how to shoot, purely for the purpose of wanting to keep her son safe. Plus there had been an altercation at the store in which some things had been stolen, glass smashed. She and Mary had been upstairs at the time and only ammunition had been stolen - but it still had scared her. 

"I think I'm too short".  She now sighed. 

"Ain't no such thing now focus on the target". He instructed. Hadley looked towards the glass bottle that was set atop of the fence post. "Keep that finger on the trigger". Steve instructed. "And press down when you're ready". 

Her hand jolted slightly as she pulled the trigger, but the glass shattered in front of her. 

"Son.Of. A. Bitch..." Steve muttered slowly as she now turned back in surprise. 

"I did it!" 

"Alrighty, on the to next one straight shooter" He smirked and watched her line up in front of the next bottle, raising her arm and pulling the trigger. She missed but lined up again, the bottle shattering soon after. 

Hadley looked even more surprised with herself. "I don't believe it". 

"Good eye, good arm" Steve nodded his approval. "You're a natural, Had". 

"You think?" 

"If you can hit that last bottle then sure thing" He smirked and crossed his arms, waiting patiently. 

She did, and now as she celebrated her victory he chuckled. "Taming horses, good shooting...you sure you didn't grow up here?" 

"I'm starting to think I did". She now laughed and came up to him, passing the pistol to him. "So much so that I kind of don't even remember what it was like In Manhattan anymore". 

It was true. Greystone seemed to be all that she knew. Hadley knew that she herself had changed a little since her arrival. She hadn't really thought of William in a while, juggling raising Flynn and helping out in the store. For the first time since her husband's death, she felt a sense of calm, even in a town that was not. 

There were shootings, robberies on occasion, the undertaker was working overtime lately as were Sheriff Fury and his Deputy, Coulson. 

But it now felt like home...

"Well, "Steve now took of his stetson and put it on her head. "Think you've earned this". 

She pursed her lips and looked a little shy. "It don't think it looks as good on me" 

"Suits you more, plus I have another" He smirked as they now mounted their horses and made their way back to the ranch. 

"Mama!" Flynn now toddled towards them as they rode in. 

She dismounted and picked him up, "Shall we get you home?" asking him as he snuggled against her. "I think it's almost bedtime". Giving him a small kiss she turned to Steve. "Thank you for teaching me..." 

"Anytime, you need a ride back?"

"I think I'll walk, it's a nice evening". 

He nodded. "Then you take care". 

"Byeeeeee" Flynn now waved his little arm to him 

"You keep looking after Mama cowboy".  He winked, watching as they walked down the track. 

Sarah came outside and stood next to him, also looking on as Hadley and Flynn disappeared. "Steven...you don't something soon about that girl then you're gonna lose her". 

Hadley got back to the store, taking off Steve's hat before Mary saw and popping it onto Flynn's head. "Here you go , you'll grow into it". She grinned, putting him down so he could go and find Mary before she went to lock the door, however she saw Brock dismounting his horse and opened the door. 

"Hi Brock" She smiled as he came up the steps, stopping in front of her. In his hand he had some flowers and now presented them to her. 

"For you Miss Hadley". 

"Thank you" She blushed a little. "Did you want to come in?" 

He shook his head. "Thought I'd bring you those, but I also came here to ask you something". 

Her heart stopped. 

Getting down on one knee and pulling out a ring from his pocket, he looked up at her. "Hadley? Will you marry me?"