Crescent Acres (Steve Rogers AU)

2

Steve

Lugging the last of the fresh hay bales onto the trailer, I wipe my hands on my jeans whilst Sam puts the last one into place. The bales providing seating for those going on the hay ride up to Vormir Point tonight.

It's my favourite part of the day. Sunset.

There's a lot about the point that I love, but mostly it holds memories of my dad and I going up there with guests when I was younger - a part of being taught the family business.

I just didn't figure that I'd be taking it over as early as I did.

Six years, and yet I still feel I could've done something to stop it - even though everyone else has told me otherwise, including my own mother. I'm still healing in my own way, physically and mentally. Not a day goes by where I don't think that perhaps things would've been easier if it had been me.

"You coming up with us tonight?" I ask as my friend jumps down from the trailer and seems pleased with himself.

"Can't man, gotta go pick up a guest's car that broke down on the way here".

"Yikes, how far?" I ask. Sam now gives me a look and I instantly know it's the same stretch of road that dad and I were in at the time of the accident. They've installed guard rails now to prevent anything like it from happening again. I still drive the route, but try to avoid it if I can. A bit hard when it's the main one in and out of town. "Ah..."

Sam smiled weakly. "Yeah...I don't think I'll be too long, I can probably get there and back before you leave".

I wave it off. "It's fine. Anyway I'm gonna finish up here and then go see if Sharon needs any extra hands for the bar tonight".

"You ever gonna put a ring on that girl's finger?" Sam now jokes. The subject of an apparent engagement always being one of a speculation, especially now it's been seven years we've been together.

"I'm working on it". I shrug as I take a few steps backwards and then turn to make for the saloon.

Sam now calls back to me as I leave. "Well don't keep her waiting, otherwise some other guy may come sweep her off her feet".

"Can't heeeeear yooooou" I call back lazily and roll my eyes.

I've known couples be together longer than Sharon and I have, and some never did get married. Besides I have enough to deal with, with the running of the ranch to have time to plan a wedding.
It's not that I don't wanna get married, but I'm just comfortable with where we're at in life. Sharon and I went through school together but didn't actually start dating until she'd come back from college. It was on an off for a few years until it became 'on' permanently. If anything, I wasn't sure that I was her type, especially being the skinny guy who didn't stand a chance when it came to being picked for any kind of sporting team. I'm not much of a sports fan anyway so it never mattered, and only when I started fully working on the ranch and working out did I finally bulk up. To say dad was impressed is an understatement - I think he didn't feel like I'd ever be able to achieve something of that level, but I did.

Making my way across the to the Saddle saloon I can see a couple of families already seated and waiting for their orders to be brought to their tables. I take the time to speak with them, probably something else I enjoy. Knowing these people come from all over just to want the experience and to try new things, it always gives me some satisfaction to know they leave always saying they'll be back - and most of them do return.

I owe it to dad to keep this place going.

"Hey". Sharon leans across the bar and gives me a kiss when she sees me. "Didn't think I'd see you until tonight?"