Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Eighty-Five

Katniss POV-

"What now?" Peeta asks me, laying down next to me.

The hot summer sun shines down on us and makes me squint my eyes.

I place my hand on his stomach and he wraps both of his hands around mine, making me warmer.

I smile to myself.

"We need to go swimming soon. Summer isn't going to last forever." I say.

"Want to do that now?" He asks.

I shrug, "No, I didn't bring a swim suit and neither did you."

He chuckles, "We don't have to wear swim suits."

I scoff, "No, not here. Maybe if we went to the lake or somewhere more private. Where no one could see us."

"We aren't going to the lake just yet. You had me worried sick." Peeta says, shaking his head.

I roll my eyes, "But you'd be there to protect me..." I say.

"I will think about it." He mumbles, a smile surely crossing his face.

I smile to myself, knowing I'll get my way.

"What if we go ride the horses?" Peeta asks after a while.

I look up, "Sure." I say, excitedly and we get up.

He packs up our picnic lunch and we get back on the four wheeler.

I hold onto Peeta tightly as we go, back down to the ranch.

When we get there, his grandma is out there leading Money around.

He parks at their garage and we go over.

"Hey, could we take him?" Peeta asks after a second of approaching them.

His grandma smiles, "Of course. Just watch for snakes out here. Don't wanna get bucked off." She says, handing the harness to Peeta.

"We will be careful." He assures her, leading Money to the barn and I follow next to him.

I help him get saddled up and Peeta mounts himself on the large cream colored horse, helping me onto the back. I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my chin on Peeta's shoulder. We pass the other two horses and start traveling up and around the gravel road.

"This is really fun." I tell Peeta softly.

He chuckles, "Yeah, I really enjoy it." Peeta says, guiding us around the place.

I see wild flowers and tall grass.

The horse stops a few times to eat some of the thick vegetation but quickly gets back on track.

Peeta and I softly talk to one another, just enjoying each other's company.

I will give it to Mags, she's helped our marriage out a lot in such a short time.

Well, maybe not our marriage but each other.

She's helped Peeta and I cope with things better and know what to say or do when an argument is coming on.

We haven't brought up the baby thing and Peeta doesn't get to ask for another two weeks.

Bristol and Carter will be visiting soon too and Peeta and I are making a trip to see Finnick and Annie as well.

Last night, Johanna and I hung out while Peeta hung out at our house alone.

I had a really good time too.