Chapter 6

Lottie's POV

"Ready to go Dad?" I call.

"Just a second Lottie!" Dad calls back.

A moment later, I hear the door close, and Dad walks back to me.

"Who was that?" I smile as he gives me the money to lock up.

"You know Delly?" dad calls.

I shake my head as I walk back to him.

He smiles as he takes off his apron.

"She was friend of your mother and mine also." he says.

"Oh." I say, taking off my apron.

Dad smiles and grabs my hand, "Ready?"

I smile, "Ready."

Dad opens the door for me and I balk against the wind.

It's the middle of summer with a terrible storm brewing.

Dad wraps an arm around my shoulder and we walk against the wind back towards home.

"Lottie?" Dad yells above the wind.

"YEAH DAD?!" I yell back. Tears are forming in my eyes from the bite of the wind.

"Did you lock up?" he yells.

I nod and he hugs me closer to him.

When we get back, I open the door and sigh from the warmth.

Dad bolts in after me and locks the door.

"Peeta! Lottie! You're back!" Mom sighs.

I nod, trying to stop my teeth from chattering.

Nick walks in with a warm smile on his face, Dad's Kiss The Cook apron on.

I narrow my eyes at him.

Something's up.

"I'm gonna go into the kitchen with Nick." I call to Mom and Dad.

"Nick!" Dad calls. We both turn around. Dad has his arm around Mom's waist, and Mom eyes are shining with pride. Dad's are too.

"Did you really clean up the entire house all by yourself?"

Nick nods, his face turning red.

I smile at him and shove him into the kitchen.

When we're out of earshot and sight from Mom and Dad, I turn to Nick and hiss, "Medicine!"

Nick's face turns serious and he nods. A second later he comes back with an inhaler in one hand and a cloth in the other.

I nod thanks and inhale the medicine. A second later, I start shaking from bone rattling coughs.

Mom and Dad rush into the kitchen, worry on their faces.

I straighten up and try to smile at them, but my eyes are clouded with tears.

Dad rushes over and catches me as I fall.

"Lottie?" Dad whispers, What's the matter?"

I clear my throat, a smile touching my lips, and whisper, "Nick wanted m to try his new recipe, and it tasted horrible."

Dad laughs, but the worry never leaves his eyes.