I hope you guys are enjoying this story. Enjoy
The Lumber Tycoon's Daughter Chapter 3
When Katniss gets off the phone with Peeta, she goes into the bathroom and splashes some cold water on her face, which feels great against her skin. Katniss takes a wash cloth and dabs at her face washing the traces the tears she shed earlier. When she's done she fills a glass with water and drinks it. The cool water feels nice on her hot throat feels soothing.
Katniss heads outside and takes a seat under her favorite tree out front. It's an old willow, her mom and dad planted when they were first married. It's one of the places Katniss can find peace besides being in the woods and within her dad's arms.
"I miss you mom more and more everyday" Katniss whispers as she takes a seat against under the willow leaning her head against the trunk,closing her eyes.
The sound of Peeta's truck pulling into the drive way. Katniss turns towards the sound and stands up. "Katniss! Katniss!" Prim calls as she comes to over to Katniss with Peeta right on her heel's.
"Hey little-duck" Katniss says as she's tackled into a hug by this twelve year old. They break apart when Peeta clears his throat and opens his arms
"Hey how are you doing, Katniss" as she runs into them tears that she has tried to hide from the world come pouring down her face.
"It's dad he had a minor heart attack, luckily Haymitch was able to get him to the hospital in time "she says as she cries. "Oh Katniss don't cry"Peeta whispers. "how is he doing Katniss?" Prim asks as she wraps her arms around katniss's waist."he's in bed sleeping Prim" Katniss says smiling. sensing the stress of every going on around her as Peeta pulls Katniss into him hugging her. "come on guys lets go for a walk" Peeta suggests as he offers a hand to his best-friend and little-sister which they take at once. "just let me tell Haymitch where I'm going, come with me?" she asks as she looks at her two good friends. "what ever you want Katniss we are right behind you" Peeta says as they walk to the house.
They find Haymitch sitting on the couch holding a glass of clear liquid just the sight of that is enough to send Katniss over the edge.
"What the hell Haymitch?" Katniss says as she grabs the glass from him.
"Katniss wait listen" he says but Katniss cuts him off.
"No Haymitch you listen to me, you promised you stopped drinking? And then I come in here and find you nursing a glass of-she take the glass and sniffs it "white liquor. I've already lost one parent and now dad's had a heart-attack. I can't lose you to drinking too" Katniss says as she feels Peeta put his arms around her as tears fall down her face. Haymitch looks at the look in her eye. Desperation is what he see's in her eyes. Prim and Peeta are all wearing the same look on their faces.
"You're right Katniss, I shouldn't have been drinking, I made a promise to you and max and in a moment of weakness I broke it and I'm sorry." Haymitch says he gets up comes over and gives Katniss a hug. "Won't happen again sweetheart"he whispers as he hugs her. "I'd like to believe that at least for a while" Katniss whispers back.
"Anyway what's going on who are these people?" Haymitch asks looking at Prim and Peeta. "Uncle Haymitch you remember the Mellarks, you know the family who owned the bakery in rock springs Wyoming where our family lived, they were friends there before dad and I moved to Redding. Haymitch nods his head in remembrance.
"Well they moved here to open the bakery in town. These are their kids Primrose lily Mellark and Peeta-Josh Mellark" Katniss says introducing their guests to Haymitch. "Prim,Peeta this my Uncle Haymitch" she concludes.
"Oh yes those Mellark's, how are you two doing?"Haymitch asks looking at them.
"Fine sir" they say in unison.
"Haymitch we are going to go on a walk out in the woods. I have my cell,call me if anything changes with dad" Katniss says. "Alright have fun Katniss and friends" Haymitch says smiling. "Nice meeting you Haymitch" Peeta says as he holds out his hand to him. "Likewise boy, you take care of those girls there they deserve the best"he says. "Absolutely" Peeta says as he runs to catch up to his two favorite girls who are waiting for him outside.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that" Katniss says as she shuts the door.
"Hey it's ok, he's just being protective, because he cares about you just like Prim and I care about you." Peeta says as he entwines his hand in hers.
"Come on let's have some fun."Katniss says grabbing her bow and arrow out the back of Peeta's truck.
"What do you have in mind Katniss?" Prim asks as she looks at the weapon in Katniss's hand. "We are going to have a shooting contest."she says as she leads them to the woods.
"But Prim or I have never shot a bow before." Peeta says
"Oh really?, Well I'll help Prim and you can do it on your own" Katniss says smirk while Peeta laughs. They walk a little ways before coming to a make-shift shooting range.
"This is cool" Prim says looking in awe at the range.
"How long has this been here Katniss?" Peeta asks.
"This has been here the year after we moved here. Dad made it for me to practice with. "Katniss says as she remembers.
"Cool so this a special place for you" Peeta says placing his arms around her.
"Thanks for sharing it with us, Katniss" Prim says smiling.
"well shall we?" Katniss says as she head to the range.
"After you Katniss" Peeta says. "Alright Prim you can go first" Katniss says as she hold out her hand to Prim which she gladly takes. Katniss pick up a bow that is already strung up and has a arrow in it. alright Prim what you do is take the bow in your hand yeah just like that. Good job now pull the arrow back to your cheek" Katniss says as she watches Prim pull the arrow back but this is Prim's first time working a bow and arrow. "Here Prim let me help you" Katniss says kneeling down behind Prim and helps her take aim Prim pulls the arrow back to her cheek, "alright now release" Katniss whispers and Prim does.
The arrow is released and finds a new home in the bulls-eye at the other end of the range. Prim has her eyes closed, Peeta has a shocked look mixing with proud. Katniss has a smile on her face.
"Prim look" she tells the girl as she whispers in her ear. When Prim see's that her arrow is in the bulls-eye she turns to Katniss a look of shock on her face. "Did I do that?" she whispers
"Yes Prim you did and on your first time" Katniss says smiling at the girl. "Thank you Katniss" Prim says wrapping her arms around Katniss's waist. "Oh Prim don't thank me I didn't do anything." Katniss says stroking Prim's golden hair "I know but you help me do it" Prim says.
"Alright Peeta your turn" Katniss says handing the bow to him.
"Alright Katniss" Peeta says as he takes aim and shoots. Peeta's arrow is a little ways off the bulls-eyes but not quite.
"Good job Peeta you show promise" Katniss says as Peeta gives her a smile.
"Alright now you kat" Prim says as she stoops and pickup the bow and hands it to Katniss. "Ah if you absolutely insist" Katniss says "We do we want to see you shoot" Prim and Peeta say at the same time.
"Alright" Katniss says coming over and standing in front of the range. Katniss takes her place puts an arrow in the bow takes a deep breath, pulls the arrow back to her cheek releases the breath and lets the arrow fly. The arrow finds a new home right smack dab in the bulls-eyes right above Prim's. Katniss turns to Peeta and Prim who are wearing identical looks of admiration on their faces.
"Well what did you guys think?"she asks.
"Oh my goodness Katniss you are good enough to be a master" Prim says still looking at the shot with awe on her face.
"I knew you were good when I watched you back in Wyoming but I didn't know you were that good." Peeta says coming and hugging her.
"Thanks guys" Katniss says "Now come on let's go get our arrows" she adds as they all take off towards the other side of the range. They spend the rest of the after noon, playing, shooting, enjoying each others company and enjoying the sunshine.
Peeta suggest they go over to a meadow and watch the clouds roll by.
"That sounds perfect, let's go" Katniss says picking up the bow and quiver of arrows because she will but them in Peeta's truck. It's a two minute drive to the meadow. They reach the meadow and Peeta turns the truck off and they all get out.
"Come on this way you are going to love this Katniss" Peeta says taking her and Prim's hand and walking to the meadow. "Just over this hill" he says alright Katniss I need you to close your eyes"he adds and Katniss does "Here we are, alright one two three open your eyes Katniss" Peeta says. Katniss opens her eyes and lets out a gasp at what she see's. The view before her is a beautiful green meadow there are dandelions sprinkled here and there in the sea of green.
"Oh my goodness Peeta this is beautiful, I didn't know this was here" Katniss says while she entwines her hand with his.
"I'm glad you like it Katniss. This is where I come to think and have alone time.
"Thanks for sharing it with me Peeta" Katniss says she sits down on the warm grass, Peeta and Prim follow suit. Peeta wraps his arm around Katniss and she leans into him, laying her head on his arm. Prim comes over to katniss's other side and sits down beside her laying her head on Katniss's arm.
"I just wanted to say that with all the trouble going on in my life I am happy that I get to spend this time with you Peeta and you Prim and I just wanted to say thank you" Katniss says looking at her best friend and self-appointed little-sister.
"Your welcome Katniss, we love spending time with you" Peeta says as he reaches up and pushes a stray hair behind her ear. Katniss Prim and Peeta lay back on the the ground and looks up at the sky.
"That one looks like a loaf of bread" Katniss says point to a cloud formation.
"That one looks like a Mockingjay" Peeta says and Katniss looks up and over where Peeta is point and he is right.
"I've always enjoyed hearing mockingjay's sing" Katniss says closing her eyes letting the sun warm her face.
"That one looks like a arrow" Prim says she curls into Katniss letting the sunny day lulls her into to sleep.
Soon they are all asleep. Peeta has his arms around Katniss holding her tightly. Katniss is asleep resting her head on Peeta's chest. Prim has her skinny arms around katniss's body with katniss's left arm curled around her. They are woken up by Katniss's cellphone going off.
"Hello?" Katniss says sleepily
"Katniss, thank goodness, where are you?"Haymitch says as he sighs a sigh of relief.
"Haymitch, I'm with Peeta and Prim, what's up?" Katniss asks sitting up as Peeta wakes up looking at her with concern. "Haymitch" she whispers to him entwining her hand in his as he nods.
"Nothings wrong sweetheart, it's just your dad was asking for you." he says.
"Oh ok well I'm on my way home, do you think he's well enough to meet Peeta and Prim?" Katniss asks as she gets up and motions to her friends to do the same.
"I don't see the harm sweetheart" Haymitch says "Go ahead and invite them to dinner" he adds. "Alright Haymitch we'll be there in about fifteen minutes." Katniss says.
"Oh and Katniss" Haymitch adds his voice gruff.
"Yes Haymitch?" Katniss says
"Trinket came by earlier" her uncle says
"And what did she want besides the obvious" Katniss says.
"Well from what I got from listening at the door they had a heated conversation" Haymitch says. Katniss finds that her breathing becoming hitched.
"Katniss"Haymitch says sternly
"Out with it Haymitch" Katniss says
"Your dad"he says pausining
"Yes?"
"He..."
"Haymitch OUT WITH IT"
"He broke up with her sweetheart, it's just you and him again" Haymitch's says. When Katniss hears this a smile breaks out across her face. "really? You're not just messing with me?" Katniss asks. "Katniss would I ever lie to you" he asks. Katniss thinks about this then says.
"No of course not" Katniss says still smiling "we will see you in a bit, thanks for calling Haymitch"Katniss says
"See you soon Kat" Haymitch says "bye"
"Bye" Katniss says as she hangs up. She looks up to see Peeta and Prim staring at her. "Everything ok Kat?" Peeta asks as they walk towards the truck.
"Yeah everything is great" Katniss says still smiling. "Why don't you and Prim stay for dinner over at the manor?" Katniss asks taking both of their hands in her's.
"That would be great Katniss" Peeta says getting out his phone so he can call his dad to clear it with him.
"Hey dad" Peeta says
"Yeah everything is fine, Is it ok if Prim and I have dinner at Katniss's?"
"Alright great thanks dad"
"Bye" Peeta says as he ends the call. "Dad's all for it" he says as he retakes Katniss's hand. They walk to Peeta's car and get in.
"So what else did Haymitch say besides inviting us to dinner" Prim asks.
"PrimROSE LILY MELLARK, I hardly think that's any of our business" Peeta scolds making Prim shrink in the car seat. "Sorry Katniss" she whispers tears down her face. Katniss looks at Prim then over at Peeta before placing a hand on Prim's knee. "Hey it's ok, don't cry"Katniss says. Peeta stops the car along the side of the road and motions to Prim to come over to him. "I'm sorry sis, I shouldn't have yelled like that" Peeta says he pulls her into him. "it's ok Peeta, I shouldn't have have asks. Prim says softly.
There's a pause as Katniss clears her throat"well does anyone want to know why I was ecstatic during the call"Katniss asks trying to break the silence.
"i do I do" Peeta and Prim say in unison. "well its nothing really but dad has broken up with the women he was seeing" Katniss says the smile as the smile flutters around her face. "and Haymitch said that it's back to being just dad and me just the two of us" Katniss says beaming as Peeta turns in to Everdeen Manor."That's wonderful Katniss"Prim says smiling. "i really am sorry for asking like that" she adds as Peeta parks and turns off the car. "Don't worry about it little-duck, it's okay. " Katniss says as she opens the car door for the girl whose always been like a sister to her. As they are walking to the house Prim comes over and slips her small,petite hand in Katniss's and Peeta hand goes around her waist. It was at that moment Katniss really truly felt happy.
"Thanks again you guys for a great day" Katniss says smiling.
"No no thank you Katniss" Peeta says as Prim nods. As they entered the manor Katniss couldn't help smile. She had her dad back, she had her best-friend and his little-sister with him. Effie Trinket is no longer in hers or her dads life.
"Hey kids welcome back " a voice says making them spin. It's Haymitch "alright whose hungry?" Prim's stomach rumbles in answer,They all laugh even Haymitch who leads them through the dining room door. "Come on dinners waiting"he says as they follow him. When they reach the dining room there sitting at the table is Max Everdeen the lumber tycoon.
Reviews are most welcomed