Crescent Acres (Steve Rogers AU)

6

Steve

The bar isn't too busy when I finally arrive, having had to clean myself up and look decent. Or at least I've tried to. I note Sharon wave at me and then see Darby sitting at the bar with her - now curious as to whether they've been talking and what about. My anxiety tells me that it's obviously me because they both look at me as I join them, going behind the bar to grab a beer before taking Darby to sit somewhere where our ear drums won't be killed by Rocket when his band performs.

They're here every night usually, and are popular amongst the guests. They start playing around nine so that's when many of the guests will flood in to watch.

I ask Darby what she's been doing for the last twenty years to which she tells me it would be a long and boring story.

Yeah, same here apart from the memories that I'd like to forget. She's bound to ask about dad. I don't mind talking about it now, it's become easier but the subject can be raw for me, especially around the anniversary.

"Still allergic to nuts?" I ask, remembering her allergy when she was here. She was pissed because she'd wanted some pie but it had nuts in the recipe. My mom made her a nut free one because she felt sorry for her, and I can still recall the look on her face. She almost cried. 

"Yeah, and now to men's so it seems". She huffs a little and I can't help but laugh. Her humour is on point,

"Now that ain't true".

Her shakes her head. "After the disaster that was my marriage? I'm putting it on the intolerance list, maybe I'll just shove guys on there in general".

I make a face, "Damn, all of us?"

"You may be able to get away with it depending".

"On?"

"Whether you've turned into a compete asshole". She quips back smoothly.

I chuckle. "I can tell you now I'm not, although Bucky may say otherwise". I'd like to think I'm a fair guy, I have my moments for sure but in general? I wasn't brought up that way. I think my dad would've kicked my ass if so. Actually, forget that. Mom would be the one, and still would do it given the chance. "Guessing that your ex is someone who needs to be trampled on by the herd".

"He needs something for sure, maybe a hot poker up the ass". Darby huffs. "Anyway, enough about him. I've got a pretty good job. Interior design, I like making transformations".

"Freelance?" I ask and she nods. "May have you go take a look at the barn then. Mom keeps on going on about the damn thing and I ain't got time to even breathe let alone start plans for renovating it". I now see her face and sigh. "Why do I think she's already shown you?"

"Guilty...she did this afternoon, only because she wanted my opinion".

I groan. "Sorry, you should be here relaxing and having fun, not working", making a mental note to have a word with mom later on.

Darby doesn't seem bothered by this. "I enjoyed it. I've got a lot of ideas, but apparently it's you who's the one keeping the finger on the pause button".

Yeah, and for good reason, because I know that the moment the thing is done then everyone will be begging me to get hitched even more than they're already doing now. Mom says she wants to see me settled and to have a life aside of running the ranch, but juggling the two? It's hard considering I grew up here. This is my life. I don't see why I need a ring. Sharon and I are doing just fine at the moment.

"It's..." I try to find the right words to put things into perspective. "I spend every day living and breathing this place. I barely get time to think and when I do? It's usually about something or other to do with the ranch. It's a massive responsibility especially with everything we do here. Not only do we have guests to look after but also the herd and the other animals too".