Crescent Acres (Steve Rogers AU)

21

Darby

3 Months Later

I'm a bitch.

No seriously I am.

Driving off and going home before ghosting the guy I love been in love with since I was a kid?

It was a dick move. But I'm so ashamed of how I handled things as well as went about them that I just haven't known what to say to Steve.

He texted me, a fair few times but I never replied.

What could I say? Even if things have ended with Sharon which right now I'm not so sure of after what happened, then I still feel some awkwardness.

And now, just a few months later, I find myself summoned back by Sarah...

I had been expecting her to call to try and probably coax me into working things out with Steve. She's bound to know what went on and as a mother she would do anything for her son.

However her reason was something different altogether. The barn project.

"Darby, hi it's Sarah..." her voice sounded as I answered the phone just a week before.

It took me by surprise a little but I was still going to talk to her all the same. "Sarah? Hi, is everything ok?" The concern in my voice was there. Had something happened to Steve?

"Steve doesn't know I'm calling you, ok?" She said before getting straight to the point. At least I know that he's ok. "The barn renovation is now going ahead and I'm gonna be needing you and that designer brain of yours to come back and help. I'm too old to be doing this shit and you didn't exactly leave your plans behind when you left..."

I knew she was smiling in triumph because she knew that now I'd have to come back.

Shifting into a more comfortable position on the sofa, I said nothing for a moment. "Ah...yeah, sorry about that".

"I won't hold it against ya, but it would have been nice to have got a goodbye". Sarah carried on, giving no fucks about how blunt she was being. "Anyway enough about that. Steve's got everything set to go, but all I need is you to come help me out. I know you might have other projects coming up, but it would really be great if you could come on board. We'd provide your accommodation and food free of charge, you can even have your cabin back for the time you'd be here. Hell I'll even pay for your flights if I have to!". She paused. "Please Darby...I know things between you and Steve are a little up in the air, but I won't say a word to him if you do decide to come back. Then again I'm not gonna force you either".

"How long are things meant to be going on?" I asked, "I only really deal with the interior side, remember?"

"Our high season has just ended, which means we're now closed until next March. Construction has only just started. We wanted it done by Christmas at the latest just so we could then focus on the décor, and getting the plans for the weddings on the ranch all tied up. So I'd need your expertise sooner rather than later. We still have a lot of stuff from decades ago just collecting dust, and I don't exactly have much of an eye for detail as I used to".

She was really doing all that she could to get me on board, then again Sarah Rogers is a determined woman.

And she succeeded.

Now I find myself coming out of arrivals with my luggage and looking around, spotting Sarah immediately as she starts to wave me over. As I get to her she pulls me into a warm hug. "How you doing sweetie? Thanks for coming back".

"I'm all good, how have things been at the ranch?"

"Ok, thankfully we can have some downtime of sorts now. Get everything prepped for next year".

I nod as we walk along. "And how's Steve?"

"That boy is as he ever was. Keeps himself to himself. I barely see him as it is. After you left he ended things with Sharon - been a long time coming and certainly needed if I'm honest".

"I didn't think he'd actually do it..." I say quietly, more to myself than her, but she still replies to this anyway.

"Well he did, and personally I think he's much happier for doing so - even if he don't say it himself".

We get to the car and I put my bags into the back, then getting into the passenger side next to Sarah. "So have you found any items in storage that could be useful for the barn?" I ask.

"A couple, but we have so much that I've barely scraped the surface". She replies as we now drive out of the airport and get onto the road that will eventually take us back to Crescent Acres. "Now I've given you your cabin back, but if you'd prefer another this time around then just let me know".

"The one I had is fine. Nice and peaceful".

"Well we're gonna get more of it now that the season's ended - can't promise that the building work will make it stay that way though".

I glance out of the window. We'll soon be out of the city and then surrounded by country. My stomach is doing flips at the thought again. With excitement but also nerves.
Steve doesn't know that I'm coming, so when we do eventually see one another again then I have no idea what to say or even do.

"Did you decide to go with a honeymoon cabin? Or just a room in the lodge?" I ask.

"Steve said a cabin would be more personal, we decided on the area, so we'll be starting to construct that as well before the weather gets too bad. We always get snow so I'm hoping it'll fall once we're done. Only thing about being in the mountains. Always can guarantee on the snow to fall and bring things to a halt, but we're used to it".

I sit back a little more. "I bet it's nice to just have some time without guests around".

"Sure is. Especially during the holidays - but its always nice to see old and new faces again when we open".

"You get many regulars?"

"Oh yes. Certainly do. The ranch always brings people back to us - you included".

I smile. "Hard not to say no. There's just something about the place".

Sarah smirks knowingly. "I think I know exactly what that something is for you", and I can sense the conversation is now going to turn a little more serious. "I still haven't said anything to him. As far as he knows I'm out taking a day to myself".

"I'm not sure how he's going to act when he sees me again. I didn't exactly leave things in a good way. He sent me messages but I just didn't know how to respond".

"I told him you'd be back, and here you are. If you didn't care then you'd have said no", The smile is still present on her lips. "He's not angry at you, if that's what you've been afraid of? He never could be".

I sigh. "Are you angry?"

"Takes a lot to get me mad sweetie". She comes out with it, "I'm not mad at you. Like I always say to Steve. The heart wants what the heart wants".

And I want him. But I just don't want to screw things up and jump in too early. He's only been back single for a short time and I'm slowly getting over the divorce. If things were to happen then I'm just so scared we'll rush head first and it will all go up in smoke.

"You've got a lot on your mind, I can tell" Sarah interrupts my thoughts again. "But can I give you some advice?" I nod and she hits me with her words of wisdom. "You two have waited long enough. You've been led back to one another. Don't let past happenings get in the way of how you feel. Sometimes you just need to take the leap".

I take this in. It's almost like she'd heard my inner thoughts, but it gives me all the more confidence that perhaps things may work out.

All I need to do now is see how everything lies with Steve.