Crescent Acres (Steve Rogers AU)

16

Darby

1999

My headphones are blaring out 'Erase/Rewind' from my cassette player while I sit by the river watching as the people go fly fishing, including my parents. I didn't fancy the idea of standing in the water looking hopeless with a fishing line, so I made a deal with mom and dad that I'd watch.

Steve has been busy helping his parents around the ranch, but had said he'll try and meet me once he's finished running errands for his mom this morning.

I blow the air out of my puffed out cheeks in boredom and lean back, propping myself up on my elbows.

Eventually I note Steve sit next to me and sit back up again, taking off my headphones.

"Fishing not your thing?" He asks.

"I'd suck at it like I do riding". I shrug. "I said I'd watch".

Steve smiles. "I can teach you if you like? I'm done with stuff for the day so once everyone's finished up here you could have a go?"

I laugh. "I don't think I'll be any good".

"How'd you know if you ain't tried?"

I ponder on this for a moment and then nod. "Alright then".

**

Before I know it, I'm into the second week of my vacation and have been taking advantage of everything that's on offer here. Including the massage cabin, that I didn't know existed until Sarah told me the other day.

Now I'm at the barn with Steve and Sarah, showing them my ideas and hoping to get him fully on board, even if he has already said that he would be going through with it. "So out here I was thinking that we have the river right there, why not have the ceremonies out here and then use the barn for the reception. It's big enough to probably cater to at least 250 people. Inside you could have fairy lights and drapes hanging from the beams, a couple of long rustic tables and benches for the wedding party down the middle, and then circular tables surrounding it? Outside of the barn you would obviously need to put down a patio outside, maybe stone - so guests can wait around or come outside and sit later into the evening. If you've still got any old barrels, carts, or wagons then they could be used for the décor. Getting married on the river? It just seems the perfect setting, especially for the photographs".
I now realise I've let my mind run away with me as both Steve and Sarah and now watching me with amusement. "Sorry...I kinda get a little carried away.But that's just an idea. The barn itself could also be used for the ceremony and then convert to the dining space along with the dance floor - outside just gives couples another option for their big day".

Steve looks at the barn and then to Sarah. "Need to replace the roof, lot of work needs to be done on the inside. walls, flooring. I can paint it easily. Perhaps gray and some white just on those panels on the doors? May need to look at catering, especially around the summertime when more guests are here..."

Sarah now looks to me, "And what about the honeymoon cabin? Or the bridal one you were talking about".

"If you have an area for them not too far away then it would draw in people. You would probably need to think about access if there is none already".

"I have a few areas in mind" Steve now tells us, "access would be easy. I would say a large cabin for the bridal party, and then another intimate one for the newly-weds. Guests can stay in the lodge or we can always mention the Crescent Acre hotel in town. At least then they wouldn't have to drive far back to accommodation".