Ava hit the steering wheel of her old truck with her fist.

"No, no... come on!"

The engine sputtered its final breath and died.

"Damn it."

She coasted to the side of the dirt road, then tried to start it again.

"Come on."

The sound was horrible. She leaned her head back and sighed. It was seven miles to her house. Better than the fifteen miles to the closest neighbor in the direction she came from.

She checked her phone, hoping to call for a tow truck.

"Of course." No service. "I guess I'm walking."

She climbed out of the truck and shoved her wallet back into her pocket. She rarely carried a purse anymore. Especially not on simple supply runs or other trips into town. It just wasn't worth the hassle.

The day was warm, the sun shining bright above her without a cloud in the sky. Sweat appeared on her brow after the first mile, and she wished she'd brought a bottle of water with her.

She checked her phone again. Still no service. So she trekked on.

After another mile she came to the old Harper house. No one had lived there for ten years. She'd looked at it herself when she moved out here four years ago, but it was a bit out of her price range.

"That road is a long stretch of nothing to be walking."

Ava jolted at the sudden, unfamiliar voice.

"Sorry," he said. "Didn't mean to scare you." He took a few steps closer. "Name's Sam Wilson. Moved in a few weeks ago."

"I didn't realize the place had sold." She met him at the edge of the property and extended her hand. "Ava Linden."

Another man came out of the house. Long brunette hair and a thick beard.

"Where you headed?" Sam asked her.

"Home. My truck broke down a couple miles back, and the cell service is spotty out here."

"Bucky can help you there. He's good with cars."

"Are you volunteering me for something, Wilson?"

Sam grinned. "Bucky, this is our neighbor, Ava…."

"Linden," she reminded him.

"Linden. This is Bucky Barnes."

"Barnes?" Her eyes darted over his face and to his metal arm as recognition hit home. "You're—"

"Not anymore," he said.

She furrowed her brow. "How did you know—"

"I get it a lot. For good reason. It's a long story, but… not anymore."

She stared at him until Sam broke the silence.

"Her truck broke down," Sam said. "I was thinking we could be neighborly—"

"So you volunteered me to help."

"Basically."

Bucky glanced over Ava, then cocked his head toward the house.

"Come on. I'll drive you back to the truck and take a look."

"Thanks."

They got into a small, black SUV, and Bucky drove them back to where her truck broke down.

"I really appreciate this," she said. "It's hot out today, and I still had a ways to walk."

"No problem." He kept his eyes on the road.

"So, how do you like it out here?"

He shrugged. "It's ok. Quiet."

She nodded, but didn't ask anymore questions. His short answers made her believe he would rather not talk.

Back at her truck, Bucky popped the hood and examined everything. She stood next to the truck, watching quietly until he stood straight.

"Give it a try," he said.

Ava hopped in and turned the key. It sputtered.

"Ok, hang on," Bucky yelled.

The truck shook as he leaned back over. A minute later he called for her to try again. For a moment it sounded like it was going to start, but it didn't.

Bucky closed the hood and wiped his hands on an old rag.

"I think I know what the problem is, but I need to replace a part. I'll get you tied up to my trailer hitch and pull you home."

"I can wait for a tow truck if you don't mind calling them when you get home."

"It's almost dark. I'm not leaving you here."

Ava smiled. "Thanks."

Bucky nodded and went to work getting her truck secured to his SUV, then she got in her truck to steer and mind the breaks.

Back at home, Bucky unhitched her truck.

"I'll have to go into town tomorrow for the part, and I'll come back and change it out. Shouldn't take too long."

"Thanks again. I'd still be dealing with this if you hadn't helped."

Bucky just shook his head.

"Would you like some coffee or something? Water? It's hot today."

"Heat doesn't really bother me," he said with a grin. "Thanks, but I'll pass. I need to get back."

"Ok. Sure."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow. Stop by whenever you're ready. I'll leave the key in the truck."

Bucky nodded, and then was gone.

—

Sam was still outside practicing with the shield when Bucky got home, but he walked over to the SUV as Bucky got out.

"She all fixed up?"

"Not yet. It needs a part. I'll get it fixed tomorrow."

Sam smiled. "So?"

"So?"

"She's cute."

Bucky glared at Sam and walked up the front porch steps.

"Is she?"

"Come on, man. I've seen you check out a girl or two."

Bucky stopped at the door.

"Did you see when she recognized me?"

"Yeah, you rudely cut her off."

"Because I know the question. 'You're the guy who blew up the Accords conference?' So, I gave her the short version of that answer."

"People have actually asked you that?"

"With their eyes. It's all fear."

"She didn't look afraid to me. She even got in a car alone with you."

Bucky shrugged. "Maybe she's just nice and wants to spare my feelings."

"Or maybe that wasn't her question."

"Or maybe she just wanted her damned truck fixed, Wilson. Either way, what's the point?"

He slammed the screen door and disappeared into the house.

Sam shook his head, and followed.