Crescent Acres (Steve Rogers AU)

3

Darby

I wake groggily the next morning and it takes a few minutes for me to actually realise where I am before finally managing to get my head together.

And I didn't even drink last night.

8am . That's a new record for sleeping in considering my pattern is up the wall at the best of times. Then again my body clearly needed the hours that it's had, and probably the most within the last couple of months. The stress of the divorce has literally wrecked me, body and soul.

Getting up, I take a shower to fully wake myself from my sleep ridden state and then venture out down the pathways that wind between the trees and brush, signposts pointing in all different directions at various points to tell me which way I can get back to main part of the ranch, and the restaurant.

The sound of horses is enough to tell me that I'm near, and soon I can see the corral as well as a few guests making their way in the direction that I'm going. All of them hungry for the comfort food that I remember.

I take a moment to stop by the fence of the corral and stroke one of the horses that looks like it's been freshly groomed. Around the other side there's a man talking to some guests while he's got another horse and brushing it down. They hang onto his every word until he helps a child over the fence and helps him to mount the animal successfully.

"Certainly gonna make a cowboy outta you before you leave". The man grins as the parents take a couple of pictures, and then returns the child to them over the fence.

I smile to myself and continue making a fuss of the horse next to me, then seeing the man venture my way out of the corner of my eye. "Morning". He says just as friendly as he did with the family earlier.

As he gets closer I'm able to get a proper look at him. He's quite tall, and even with his shirt sleeves rolled up to the crook of his arm, I can see he's also rather muscular. Then again you probably have to be to do half the stuff here.

"Morning". I say with a smile, "just thought I'd come and admire the horses before I go grab a bite".

"No better way to spend a morning. You arrive yesterday?" He asks from under his hat, giving the horse a pat.

I nod at this. "Eventually - car broke down on the way here, so one of the locals gave me a ride". Now telling him of the misfortune that was bestowed upon me before the vacation had even started. 

Maybe I'm just a bad luck magnet? First the husband, now the stupid rental car. I dread to think what's coming my way next. 

His face now drastically changes and then he takes off his hat. "Wait...Darby?"

"No way..." I utter almost inaudibly as now I can see exactly who is standing in front of me. Well, almost. The fence is pretty much dividing us. "No way is that you".

Damn, Steve really did nail the glow up, so much so that I barely recognise him. 

"Sure is, you look great". His blue eyes skim over me, up and down before meeting mine. I remember those, so I know for sure that it's him. 

"Believe me, I am doing anything but that at the moment - seriously what the hell?" I now gesturing to him in general. "You could barely lift a hay bale when I was here!"

He laughs lightly at this, "Well I was only a kid, sometimes I still surprise myself".

"I was sorry to hear about your dad. Your mom checked me in yesterday and told me".

He puts his hat back on, "Thanks, wasn't the greatest time, and still isn't - but we're doing what we can here to keep the place going. It pretty much went to me, so I had to step up earlier than I thought I would".

"You've done great though, the place looks amazing".

There's a smile that now tugs at his lips before he looks over my shoulder and waves to someone who is now waving at him and coming over. "One of the cooler's isn't working, so we're moving some of the stock to the one in the old barn, Sam's gonna call out someone to take a look". The woman now says to him and all but ignores me until she realises I'm there. "Oh, sorry! Hiiiiii" She greets me brightly with a shake of the hand, "I'm Sharon, how are you enjoying your stay?"

"It's certainly made an impression more so than last time". I admit

"We try". She beams and then looks to Steve. "I'll catch you at lunch? You got a group going out for riding this morning?"

He nods, "Bucky's swapped for river rafting, personally I'd pay to see him fall out that thing again - I'll be back around noon".

"I'll have something ready for then". She gives him a light peck on the cheek and says goodbye to us both, walking to the saloon.

Steve now looks at me. "My girlfriend Sharon, you'll see her most nights behind the bar. She oversees the saloon".

Of course he's taken, I had no reason to think that he wouldn't be.

"How long you guys been together?" I ask casually. 

"Seven years this autumn - we were on and off for a good few years before that though". He tells me, "How about you? You're here alone?"

"Yeah". I say now feeling awkward at having to admit it. "Recently got divorced so thought I'd say 'fuck it' and not let the rest of my life go to waste".

He visibly winces. "Ouch, sorry..."

I've learnt to hide my anger and embarrassment well and just brush it off. It's all I can do now. "I'm not, he spent most of the marriage screwing his co-worker so she's welcome to his cheating ass".

"Well, you're free as a bird now. Don't waste time, life's too short - I know that much". He now seems to say with some distance, and I can see that he's thinking about something. "You'd best get on and have something to eat. Maybe we can catch up later this evening?"

"That would be nice, but only if you're not too busy. I know the ranch is probably a lot to run and stuff". I say, not wanting him to feel like he has to actually catch up with what's been going on for the last twenty years.

"I've always got time for an old friend - we can have a drink together at the bar. I haven't got anything on which is rare. Shall we say 8pm?"

I nod, wondering whether his girlfriend will feel a little put out seeing him drinking with another woman. Usually I'm not one to judge but she seems like she could be the type. She hasn't got to worry, even if Steve is the boy I've been in love with since I was twelve, I'm so done with men.

Maybe I'll just die alone, I'd probably be much happier in the long run.

"8pm is fine with me". I confirm and he smiles.

No wonder he's bagged a pretty girl like Sharon when he gives looks like that.

"I'll see you then, have a good day Darby". He tips his hat and ushers one of the horses to go with him, the animal simply obeying his command and following.

It's like he has everyone under his Cowboy Casanova spell, although I know he's anything but that. Going from what he's told me, he's a one woman guy, and with the time they've been together? It seems it's going to stay that way.

Turning away, I make for the saloon secretly wishing the day away already so as this evening can finally come around.