Chapter 7
“Katie, can you go with Ryan and Josh and start taking care of the animals? I need some time alone with James, ok?”
“Ok! Bye James!” Katie runs over to where James is standing in the kitchen doorway and hugs him around the waist. Before he can even register what's happening Katies is pulling on her boots and running out the door.
“She’s a really sweet girl.” He says with a solemn look.
“She really is. The sweetest you’ll ever meet.” I look out the window and watch as Josh and Katie run around the driveway chasing each other with smiles on their faces. “Sometimes I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not.”
“I would like to think it’s a good thing. It’s hard to come by good people in this world.” A moment of silence settles between the two of us, the tension a little thick. I make my way over to the bar table and sit down. A minute later Bucky makes his way over and sits opposite me.
“So what did you need to talk to me about?”
“I wanted to talk to you about things you’ll need while you’re here. You’re obviously going to need clothes and personal items so I was wondering if you wanted to come into town with me.”
“People might recognize me.”
“This is a small town called James. People here don’t know what’s going on in big cities like D.C and New York. You can wear a jacket, some gloves and a hat if it makes you feel better. The public doesn’t know what your face looks like anyways. They’ve only seen pictures of you with your mask on.”
James leaned back in his seat and hesitates for a moment. I can see that he’s contemplating whether or not he should go with me but I really hope he does. I think getting him out and about can really help him.
“But we’re going to have to ride the horses because Austin still has my truck and won't be back till tomorrow.” I have no idea if he’s ridden a horse before but we don’t really have the time to teach him right now.
“Alright. I’ll go into town with you. But is it ok to leave Josh and Katie alone?” James glances at the window searching for the two of them.
“Yea. As much as I hate to admit there’s been plenty of times where I had to leave them home alone. They’ll hear anyone drive down the driveway way before the others see them. They know what to do if something happens.”
“When do you want to head out?” I set my coffee cup into the sink and rinse off my hands.
“We can go now.” James stands next to me by the sink and for some reason I feel the urge to lean into him. When I turn around I’m stuck between him and the sink, his right arm reaching around me to place his coffee cup in the sink.
Behind those ocean blue eyes are so many emotions I feel myself getting dizzy. All that pain and confusion he’s trying to hide. I wish I knew how to help him but my mind comes up blank. I don’t want him carrying so much wait on his shoulders but in reality, we’re strangers.
“Uhm….Let me grab my side bag and we’ll go out and saddle the horses.''I know I should move but something keeps me planted in front of him.
I get lost in his eyes, swallowing me whole. My hand reaches up without even thinking and I cradle the left side of his face. I run my thumb over his stumble, his eyes fluttering closed. I feel him lean into my touch slightly.
Suddenly I realize how deprived this man is. He’s been stuck in isolation since he was what? 28? It breaks my heart just thinking about what went on down there. What they might have done to him, everything he missed out on. Has he looked for his family? Are they even alive anymore?
“We should get going.” I whisper.
“Yea.” His tone comes out breathy and low. Reluctantly I pull my hand away and move away from him and the sink. I walk up to my room to grab my side bag, my body humming and feelings alive.
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“We can stop by the clothing boutique first. Then we can head over to the store and buy the essentials. The clothes at the boutique are a lot better than the clothes from the store. They’re cheaper and better quality.” We rode down the road, the town just a few blocks away. Buckys has been pretty silent the whole time taking in his surroundings.
“Do you have any preference for clothes?”
“Not really. I doubt people still dress the way I did growing up. That and I never had a choice on what I could wear when under Hydra.”
“Well when we get there we can see what you like. Of course you’re gonna need to wear long sleeves when in town and when people come over but when at home you can wear whatever you want.” After a couple more minutes we get into town and ride over to the boutique. We tie the horse to the post out front and walk into the medium sized western boutique.
“Y/N/N!! Sweetie, I haven’t seen you in ages!” Mary Ann comes running from around the counter to hug me.
“Hi Mary Ann. Things have been a little busy down at the farm. Haven’t really had the time to come shopping.” I smile at her.
“And who’s this handsome man? You Y/N/N’s man? She needs somebody down there to help her with the farm and kids.”
“Uhm….It’s not-” I wave my arms trying to get Mary Ann’s attention but she’s already circling James.
“You two look good together. I’m happy to have someone there for Y/N/N. She deserves the world and some happiness for once. Make sure to keep her happy. She’s too precious for this world.”
“I’ll do my best ma’am.” James says with a small smile on his face, his tone low and warm.
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Word Count: 1039