I leave to let Annie get Finn ready and I make the trek to the Seam to see Thom. Luckily, I meet him on the road and he jumps down from the wagon.
"Katniss, you are chilled to the bone! What are you doing?"
"I was on my way to see you," I say, trying to keep my teeth from chattering. "I was hoping I could borrow one of your wagons while Annie is in town."
"Of course, I already told you that would be fine. But I can bring it to you, you don't need to come all the way out here." I frown.
"I grew up in the Seam, remember? It's not all the way out anywhere. It was my home." He bites his lip and I mentally kick myself for getting so grumpy on him.
"Begging your pardon, Ms Katniss. I didn't mean to offend you."
"You didn't Thom," I assure him. "I'm ok with the walk. But I don't want Annie and Finn to have to do it. How about I ride home with you so I can take one of the wagons and you don't have to walk back?" He jumps back up and pats the bench next to him. He hands me the reigns and nods.
"You best learn to drive then. Click the reigns when you want him to go. Pull gently when you want him to stop. You lean the reigns in whatever direction you want to go." I click the reigns and we lurch forward. Thom smiles.
"He can tell you're nervous."
"Who, the horse?" He nods.
"Just be gentle. Be horse and rider. Never mind that you have a wagon attached, just pretend it's you and him." I relax and my grip relaxes too. The horse picks up a faster pace and we are at the Seam in no time.
Thom helps me down and he leads his horse back to the barn. I'm surprised that he owns more than one horse. I can't believe that just a few years ago, we could barely keep ourselves alive, much less animals. But Thom pats each horse lovingly and whispers in their ears. I can tell he is very good with them. He seems gentle and kind.
"Peeta wants to buy an automobile after Christmas," I remark and Thom turns to me with a quirked brow.
"Well, that's a fine idea, I suppose. I'd never give up my animals but they're a lot to handle. An automobile is a lot less maintenance." I smile as he opens one of the doors and leads out a magnificent black horse. He looks like he has been covered in coal dust but his coat is shining and sleek. He sort of reminds me of the horses at the tribute parade in the Capitol and I take a step back. But he whinnies and tosses his head and I see his dark eyes. He's not Capitol. And if he is, it's not his fault. It's a gentle creature, that could have been forced into a questionable lifestyle.
Like the Victors I know.
"This here is Midnight. He's my newest one and he is very gentle. I think you'll get along with him just fine."
"Where should I keep him when he's not attached to the wagon?"
"Haymitch has a barn behind his house. Didn't you know that?" I frown. How could I not have noticed that? He nods as he pats Midnight's flank.
"A long time ago, he bought a horse for his girl. Everyone said it was a sight, to see a Seam girl riding a beautiful horse like that. But Haymitch would do anything for her. When she died, he sold the horse and I guess the barn just fell into ruin. I don't have to work today so I'll come over and fix it up for you.
"Oh Thom you don't have to do that," I say quickly. Haymitch has never told us a lot about his family or what happened after he won the Games. I do know his family and his girl were killed by the Capitol but I haven't asked much beyond that. I don't know how he will feel about me using his barn. I can't imagine he would be too happy about it.
Thom, however, shakes his head.
"If you're worried about Haymitch, don't be. The barn is closer to the other houses than his. And I'm confident you'll care for Midnight. I'll come by to check on him and make sure everything is alright." I nod and stroke Midnight's nose. He whinnies and nuzzles my hand.
"You are a real beauty," I tell him and he whinnies again. Thom smiles.
"He likes you. Let me get the wagon ready and you can be on your way."
After I have thanked Thom over and over, I ride back to Victor's Village and am surprised at the amount of time it takes. Peeta is right, this would be really nice when we are going into town. Which he does, every day.
I pull up in front of Victor's Village and tie Midnight to the fence. Thom gave me a bag of sugar cubes and I take one out for him. Holding it in my palm, my face falls and I stare at the treat.
"Hello Katniss." I whirl around at the voice, my heart racing and nearly thundering out of my chest.
"Finnick?"
"Want a sugar cube? They're supposed to be for the horses but who cares? They've got years to eat sugar, whereas you and I…well, if we see something sweet, we better grab it quick."
I gasp and clutch my chest. Oh Finnick.
He knew. He knew that I was in love with Peeta. Not only that, he knew that my entire life was about saving the people I loved. I never really took time for me. How could I? I had spent my life raising my sister, keeping my family alive, keeping myself alive. When I went into the Quarter Quell, it was with the intention to put Peeta's life before my own.
Finnick and his sugar cubes. He was telling me once I found something good, I had better grab it and not let go.
I fight to keep the tears out of my eyes as I feed Midnight two cubes and pat his nose. I make sure I am presentable before I go back to my house and find Annie and Finn waiting for me.
Finn squeals excitedly when he sees Midnight. He keeps yelling 'horsey' and tries to pat his nose but Midnight just snorts and moves his head away. Annie and I grin at the boy's attempts.
"Sit on Mommy's lap while Aunt Niss drives us," Annie tells him firmly, situating herself next to me. I click the reigns and Midnight lurches forward. It's a steady pace and Finn excitedly points everything out as we pass. I suppose he is at the age where everything is fascinating and new. It's so interesting, seeing things through a child's eyes. I realize it is later than I had thought and that Peeta is expecting us soon. I glance at Annie and ask her if we can do lunch first and she assures me that is fine. I can practically hear Finn's stomach growling anyway.
When we reach the Bakery, I briefly wonder where on earth I will keep Midnight and the wagon. But I see a stable not far off and I wonder how many Merchants owned horses. I tell Annie to go in without me and I pull Midnight down the road. A Merchant boy comes out and gasps when he realizes who I am.
"K-Katniss Everdeen! What an honor, ma'am." I sigh. It was bad enough in the Capitol, getting that sort of attention but it usually dwindled when I returned to 12. Now that the War is over, I had hoped we could go back to normal.
No such luck.
"I'd like to see about keeping my horse and wagon in your stable," I say in a firm voice. "How much for an hour of care?"
"Oh Miss Everdeen…no charge at all! I'd be happy to care for your horse. Rest assured, he's in good hands."
"I'm sure he is and I won't let a debt go unpaid. I'll pick him up in an hour." He nods and with trembling hands, takes the reigns from me. He leans forward and starts whispering to Midnight and the horse whinnies in reply. I walk away, shooting the boy curious looks over my shoulder. His attention is now solely on the horse and he seems to be in a deep conversation. I don't recognize the boy. He looks only a little younger than Peeta, with the same blonde hair and blue eyes. His hair is much longer, though, tied in a ponytail at the back and he has scars on his face, though different from mine. I'll have to ask Peeta if he knows him.
I jog back to the bakery and see Peeta waiting for me out front.
"Hey," he says softly. "I was wondering where you had gone. Didn't think you would just skip out on the cheesebuns and me." I smile as I accept his gentle kiss.
"I borrowed a horse and wagon from Thom while Annie is here," I explain. "I saw a stable a little ways down the hill and asked the boy to watch them for me. Do you know who I'm talking about?"
"Has to be Colton. His mother, Rhiannon, was like a horse whisperer when she was alive. Ran a high-end stable, for when important people came to town and needed somewhere to board their horses. She died when Colton was thirteen and he was left with his father, who beat him and the horses. I don't know the details because my mother never told me the full story but somehow, Colton's father wound up dead in their barn and Colton apparently didn't report it. My dad would try to invite him over for dinner some nights but he always stayed with his horses. I'd heard he built a stable, when we all returned, not far from Merchant Circle and wants to continue what his mother did. I haven't seen or spoken to him though. He was always a little…off."
"He seems nice," I say with a shrug, not letting on how this story gets to me. I lost my dad when I was 11. I somewhat lost my mother then too, though she found her way back to us in the end. But I was never alone. I had Prim.
My heart goes out to the boy and I weigh my money purse. I will definitely pay him well and hopefully he can put it toward his dream stable. Or whatever else he dreams of. Peeta's arm wraps around my waist and he leads me inside. I wash up in the kitchen, say hi to everyone, and go back to the patio with Annie and Finn. Peeta brings us a tray of sandwiches and a pitcher of lemonade before he disappears again.
"This place is so wonderful," Annie gushes. "You must be so proud of him!"
"I am," I tell her honestly. I feel a kiss on my head and Peeta sits next to me.
"I couldn't have done it without her," he says, his hand finding mine and resting it on his knee. "She was even here helping out on opening day. She ran it for me while I was in the Capitol for my leg too. Little lady can do some good business."
"Don't know why that surprises you, with all the hunting and bartering she's done," says a voice from behind us. Peeta rises to hug Johanna and shake George's hand, before he hurries off to get more chairs and food.
"How ya doing, Brainless?"
"Life's pretty great, actually," I say with a nod. She looks only somewhat surprised, though a knowing smirk hangs around her mouth. "How are you two?"
"Jo has become my assistant," George says proudly, draping his arm around her. I actually see Johanna blush! My jaw drops and she shrugs.
"I was getting tired of him leaving me at home all the time. When I went on trips with him, I felt useless. So I told him I wanted to train to become his assistant. He's been promoted to Junior Fashion Editor for Capitol Fashion. And I'm his model and his secretary. No more trees for me!" I laugh, remembering the first time I met Johanna and how she had talked about what an idiot her stylist was as she stripped naked in front of us. Johanna picks up Finn and blows raspberries against his cheek. He shrieks and swats at her with a broad grin.
"Stooooop it Aunt JoJo."
"Auntie Jojo hasn't been able to love on her little muffin in so long," Johanna says, kissing his pudgy cheek. He laughs and she sets him back down next to Annie. I start thinking Johanna would make a great mother too. But if someone as tough and unyielding as her can do it, why couldn't I?
I'm lost in my thoughts when I feel a strand of hair being pushed behind my ear and soft breath against my neck.
"Where are you right now," he breathes in my ear before he kisses my cheek.
"Right where I want to be," I tell him as I squeeze his hand under the table.
"Hello! Earth to Brainless!" I snap up and Johanna and Annie are smirking at me.
"What?"
"I said, I want to give you your Christmas present early. George and I got you something to wear to the Jingle Bell Ball."
"Oh. Thank you so much Johanna, you didn't have to do that," I stammer and she waves her hand aside.
"Money means nothing to me, dahling," she says in a stuffy accent that makes us all smile.
"Ooh, speaking of Capitol and money, have you seen Effie lately?"
"Not since Halloween," Peeta says as he lifts his glass. "Why, has something happened?"
"She left Plutarch's office!"
"What?" Peeta and I both exclaim. Johanna nods.
"I don't know all the details but Plutarch was getting ready to develop a TV show about the Victors. Mainly about you two," I feel a clenching in my heart. "And Effie refused to be a part of it. Said all the Victors deserved peace and a quiet life, and from what I hear, she defended you two pretty strongly. When Plutarch tried to calm her down, she told him she was quitting and flounced out the door. She's now starting up an Academy for stylists and prep teams!"
"Wow," Peeta whistles. "Good for Effie. I mean, I knew she was always a softie. I guess Haymitch is rubbing off on her."
"Oh from what I can tell, they are taking their relationship public too," Johanna continues to gossip. This surprises me.
"Haymitch hasn't said anything to me about it."
"Well, you two are closest thing he has to family. It's probably the one place he doesn't want to talk about his personal life. He figures things can stay the way they are, in 12."
"If Haymitch and Effie are together for real, that's wonderful," Peeta says softly. "They both deserve to find happiness as much as we do. Maybe more so."
"Why more so," Johanna asks with a scowl. Peeta shrugs, not looking up from his sandwich.
"He's been doing this a lot longer than we have. He lost all his loved ones when he was young, and then watched district kids die for years after. When I first met him I wondered how this legend could have let himself go so badly but once I learned his story, I understood. He's broken, like the rest of us. But if you find something that makes you want to start living again, makes you actually want to get up in the morning, then I'd say you're on your way to recovery." I glance up at my friends and see them all look considering. Finn cuddles up to Annie and she squeezes him to her side. George wraps his arms around Johanna and she holds his hands. I bring Peeta's hand to my mouth and my lips rake across his palm.
"I'm glad we have all found that something to keep us going," Annie says in a soft voice. I look up and she has tears in her eyes. Peeta reaches over and squeezes her hand. Johanna rests her head on Annie's shoulder. I smile at my friends. My family. The peace is shattered by Finn jumping on his seat and calling for sweets. Peeta laughs and tousles his curls.
"Only if you finish your sandwich," Annie tells him softly, blinking back tears.
"And I made some really delicious cookies, so you'd better listen to your mama," Peeta tells him with a grin. It's comical how fast Finn shoves the sandwich into his mouth.
After we have finished with lunch, Peeta apologizes and says he needs to get back to work. He kisses me quickly and tells me he will see me at home. I help him bring the dishes into the kitchen and go back to the patio.
"Katniss, Johanna and George were just talking about walking through the district and seeing everything. I know I've never really seen 12, except on the victory tour and even then we only saw the Justice Building. Do you want to join us? We can visit the orphanage afterwards if you like?"
"I think I'm going to head home actually. I'm a little tired. I can take you to the orphanage in the morning though, if you want?" Annie nods and squeezes my hand, and I hug Johanna and George goodbye.
"Auntie Niss, come with us!"
"I'll see you tomorrow, little guy," I say as I kiss his head. I wave goodbye and start back down the hill, toward the stable.
I see the boy mucking out the stalls and he nearly drops his pitchfork.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you," I say as I hold up my hands. He shakes his head and gives me a weak smile.
"No, it's ok. Let me get your horse for you." He hurries inside and leads out Midnight and attaches him to the wagon. He strokes his nose and whispers in his ear. When he turns back to me, his face is flushed.
"He's a wonderful horse."
"He is," I take the reigns from him and pat Midnight's neck. "Thank you for taking care of him, Colton." The boy freezes and his head shoots up.
"Peeta told you about me." It isn't a question and his voice sound accusatory and sad.
"Just your name," I reassure him. "And he wasn't even sure if it's you. I just mentioned that I met a boy who seemed great with horses and he said it had to be you." Colton sighs and runs a hand through his hair.
"I haven't seen Peeta Mellark since the Reaping. How is he?"
"He's good. He rebuilt his family's bakery, right up the hill. It's a wonderful success."
"So that's where that delicious smell is coming from," he says with a smile. "I figured someone had rebuilt it but didn't know he had returned. Are you two…um…"
"We're married," I say gently. "We just celebrated our year anniversary." His wide blue eyes blink rapidly.
"That's wonderful. Really, I'm happy to hear that. I didn't watch the Games much but I kept up with you two. And your story. Like every Merchant around here, I knew how he cared for you while growing up but I didn't pay much attention to what was said in the Capitol. Sorry," he adds quickly and I shake my head.
"Thank you for that. It's a lot of lies and though I'd like for people to know the truth, I don't think its anyone else's business. But thank you for not believing everything you see. We got married last November and are very happy. Like Panem, we'll always be rebuilding and healing." He nods and strokes Midnight.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you, Katniss."
"Thank you, Colton. Here. I want you to have this." I pull out four coins from the bag and he gasps and backs away.
"I can't take that."
"Yes you can," I say gently but firmly. "This horse deserves the best and you have given him such. Plus, you have been very real and kind to me. Take it."
"Miss Katniss, I appreciate it. But I can't. That is too much money. I'll take one coin from you."
"Colton, I'm from the Seam. I know how it is, accepting money and such from others. But if you have earned it, and you have, then you don't need to be afraid to take it." I hold out the coins and finally, he holds out his hand. I drop the coins into his palm and close his fingers around them.
"I'd like to ask you a favor."
"Anything, to earn these coins."
"You've already earned them," I say sternly. "But I could give you a chance to earn more, should you like."
"How?"
"You have several beautiful horses. What if I paid you to come give riding lessons at the orphanage?" He gapes at me and even I have to wonder if I have lost my mind. This idea just came to me about two seconds ago and I haven't even discussed it with Helga or anyone at the orphanage. But my last visit with Lara and some of the other kids, they expressed interest in some sort of physical activity and I think this would be perfect. Most of them have never even seen a horse.
"I have to clear it with the ladies who run the orphanage," I say, keeping the uncertainty out of my voice. "But I think it would be a great idea and the kids could have a lot of fun. I think you might enjoy it too."
"Give lessons to orphans?"
"Children who have lost their families. Who don't have a home and don't have a lot of things to do. And who are looking for friends," I add hopefully and see his eyes widen.
"I'll…I'll think about it." I nod and hold out my hand for him to shake. He does so, a little hesitantly.
"Thank you Colton. I'll see you soon. You'll have to come by the bakery sometime." He nods again.
"Thank you, Katniss." I climb up in the wagon and take the reigns from him. Giving him one last smile, I click the reigns and Midnight trots away from his new friend.
I'm taking a short little vaca so I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again-wanted to go ahead and give yall the rest of this Katniss chapter! And not leave you with a cliffhanger, lol. Plz leave some reviews and I'll see yall in a few days! ;)
XOXO