Chapter 3
Katniss awoke the next morning to find that the IV was out of her arm. She was dressed in fresh clothes and clean. No signs of the abuse her last client had given her.
All at once, a new aroma came across her nostrils. Ah. Freshly baked bread. She slowly proceed out into the hallway and down a spiral staircase.
The bakery was beautiful. Quaint little tables up against windows staring out into the street. A counter with mirrors showing the different delicacies out on display. A door behind the counter led to what she surmised was a kitchen. And lining the rest of that back wall was small ovens – where Peeta was now fresh at work. He glanced up and smiled.
"You have a knack for watching me when I think no one is looking," he laughed, closing an oven door and wiping his hands on a tea cloth.
Katniss smiled shyly at his humor and headed for a seat at the window. Peeta ran around and pulled the chair out for her. She gave him another smile of thanks.
"Feel free to take in the scenery. I'll be opening up the shop soon," Peeta told her. He circled the counter. "Can I get you anything?"
Katniss shook her head. "You've done more than enough. Thank you."
Peeta smiled. Just then, a bell tinkled above the front door, signaling a customer. A little girl bounced right up to counter, her parents trying to keep up.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite regular!" Peeta laughed. "What can I get for you, Molly?"
Molly could not have been more than six as she shyly rocked back and forth. Smiling shyly, she asked, "Can I please have a quoi…croiss….." She couldn't pronounce it.
"A croissant?" Peeta helped her so gently that she nodded. He got one of the delicious pastries prepared, then walked right around the counter and knelt at her feet, presenting the bag with a bow. "Enjoy your treat, my lady." Molly giggled and accepted it with a thanks. Peeta turned to the parents. "Anything for you, Mr. and Mrs. Tucker….?"
Katniss, meanwhile, pretended to look at a menu, hiding her smile. Peeta is so sweet with children, she thought. He would be an excellent father….. OK, where had that come from? She shook her head to clear the cobwebs. Just then, she saw Molly right at her table, staring at her.
"Hi," Katniss said quietly. She felt a little awkward.
"You look really pretty, ma'am," Molly said shyly.
Katniss could not help a beaming smile come over her face. "Thank you, sweetheart!", ignoring the fact that Peeta had called her that the night before.
"Molly!" the girl's mother called. Molly scampered away. "Bye bye, Mr. Baker Man!" she called as the Tuckers left.
As soon as the bell's tinkle faded, Katniss caught Peeta's eye, amused. "Any other talents you want to share with me, Mr. Baker Man?" She smirked.
Peeta blinked, then gave a chuckle. "What?"
"I now have to add 'Great with kids' to your resume. Is there anything you can't do?"
Peeta threw back his head and laughed. "Oh, there's lots. Believe me."
"You're going to have to start proving it," Katniss wittily bantered back. Peeta threw a rag cloth at her.
Katniss had to admit it, but this was the safest she had felt in a long time. Even if it was just a timeout from her real life…
