Author's note: So happy with all the attention and love this is getting. I am very grateful! A little more back story here. Let me know what you think.

Happy reading!

Chapter Three

"So how was it?" Peeta asked as he slid a pan out of the oven.

Callie said, "It was awesome! I learned all about the parts of the bow. There are so many different kinds. Parts and bows. We're using a very basic one to learn, but the kids that have been going longer and taking lessons through the year get more complex ones. Did you know Katniss and Gale coach archery the rest of the year? They even have some Olympic hopefuls."

Peeta chuckled and spooned some chicken casserole onto her plate. "So you think you'll like it?" He handed her a bowl of roasted potatoes to add to her plate as he filled his own.

"I think so. Finn says Katniss is really awesome." She paused. "She's a single parent like you."

"Oh, yeah? Her kid go to the camp?"

"Her son is only six, so he can't officially participate, but he's there. He's really adorable." She took a bite and chewed thoughtfully for a moment and then said, "Did you think Katniss was pretty?"

He nearly choked on his mouthful of food. He took a sip of water. Callie had been doing that a lot lately. "I guess she was pretty." His voice was raspy. He sipped more water.

Callie pushed her food around on her plate. "Is it because you still love Mom? Why you never had a girlfriend or got married after I was born?"

Peeta took a moment to think about her observation. "I've gone on a few dates over the years, Cal. I'm not a complete loser. I did care a lot about your mom. But I inherited the bakery when you were still just a baby and between you and that, I haven't had a whole lot of time."

"So I'm a burden?"

He put his hand on top of hers. "Definitely not. Not at all." He sat back. "When I mention to women that I have a daughter, they get scared and they don't want to go on more dates with me."

"So it's my fault?"

"I didn't say that."

"So what is it?" She demanded. "Why are you single?"

He shook his head. "I don't know, sweetie. Women who don't have kids don't want an instant family."

"What about Katniss? She already has a son. So she won't be scared away. You should ask her to dinner or something."

He chuckled. "I barely met Katniss."

"But she's a woman that already has a kid. She'd be perfect!"

He shook his head. "I'm done talking about why I'm single. Tell me more about your day."

Peeta listened while Callie told him every moment of her day from the moment he left until she was back in the door. She took second helpings and continued talking.

They worked together to put the dishes away while Peeta told his daughter about his day. They had been busy. Summer was a big season for weddings, so there was at least one wedding cake a day to be decorated along with all the breads, rolls, cookies, pies, cakes, and various other pastries people came in the shop for daily.

"No wonder you're single, Daddy." Callie said.

Peeta chuckled. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"You're a workaholic. You should cut down on that a bit so you can actually get a girl."

He gave her shoulder a playful shove. "I'll date if the right woman comes along. But that isn't today. Do you have a show you want to watch?"

She shook her head. "Everything's on break for the summer. I think I'll go to my room and read for a while." She hugged him and then wandered off.

He walked into the small room in the back that housed the washer and dryer and his painting supplies. He put a load in the washer and then moved to his easel. He took away the cloth that covered it and stared at the face of his late wife Alexandrea. Her hair was red and her face had a sort of foxy look to it. He had been working on it for a long time for Callie. He knew it was time to move on, but he couldn't make himself. There had been no one like her.

"I don't look much like her." Callie said from the doorway.

He turned and smiled. "You look a little like her." He pointed to her nose. "Same nose. But you got a lot of me in the looks department. The personality is hers, though. Resourceful and a little perky. Positive thinker. But very thoughtful and observant." He tapped her nose again. "This was going to be your birthday present."

"My birthday was two months ago." She pointed out.

"Yeah, well, I wanted it to be perfect. So now it's your whenever-I'm-done present."

"I didn't inherit any of your artistic ability." Callie said, a little bummed.

Peeta shrugged. "You got plenty of everything else." He kissed her forehead. "Want to watch me paint for a while?"

"Yes, please."

He handed over a box of supplies. "Too cramped in here. Let's move to the living room." He picked up the easel and followed her out the door.

She sat his box of paints and brushes on the coffee table and plopped down on the couch.

He got to work painting. He concentrated on the mouth this time. Alexandrea's smile was always a little like Mona Lisa's, except when he made her laugh. He had loved to make her laugh. The trill of it was one of the things their daughter had inherited. He didn't fully realize just how much he missed her sometimes.

He finished and turned to ask Callie what she thought, but she was fast asleep, curled into a ball. He smiled and shook his head. He walked to her room and got her blanket off her bed and put it over her. He kissed her temple and whispered, "Goodnight, Cal."

"'Night, Dad." She mumbled and turned over.

Peeta got into bed much later than normal. Sometimes his painting took all his attention and he lost track of the evening. Three came early in the morning, but it was worth it to lose a little sleep doing something for his daughter and for himself.

He stared up at the ceiling and contemplated the conversation with his daughter. The truth was Finnick had mentioned Katniss to him a few different times, but he always turned his friend down. Peeta didn't like set-ups and he didn't want to even attempt getting involved with a woman. Some days he still missed his wife so much it hurt and others he hated not having someone to share his parenting frustrations with. And he just wanted Callie to have someone to look up to. Mostly, he wanted that to be him.

He finally closed his eyes and sleep found him quickly. He slept like a log until his alarm went off, which was a miracle because he often dreamed about Alexandrea and Callie and losing them both. As hard as losing his wife had been before, losing her again in his dreams every night was even more painful. Especially when Callie was taken away, too.

Peeta quickly showered and dressed and made his way to the bakery. He was in the middle of mixing a batch of dough for cheese buns—his best seller—when his first employees started arriving. He started calling out tasks as he poured the dough out onto the counter to knead it for a few minutes and add the last of the flour. He could use the mixer for this purpose, but he much preferred to get his hands dirty, so to speak.

Callie came in and helped for a while. She usually did most mornings before school. On holidays and breaks he often kicked her out to go back to sleep.

"You ready for the day?" Peeta asked.

She nodded. "I think we get to try shooting the arrows today."

"Great. Just be careful."

"I know, Dad. That's something Katniss kept saying over and over yesterday. She said if we weren't careful, we wouldn't get to shoot again until we write an essay about why safety is important."

"That's good to know." He pulled a batch of cheese buns out of the oven and put another in.

"There's a big showcase at the end of the summer to show off all we've learned. Do you think you'll be able to make it?"

"I know I'll be able to. I can entrust some of this business to these guys for a while. I think, anyway." He smiled. He looked up at the clock. "I need to check on the front. You need to clean the flour off your shirt. Finnick will be here soon to get you."

"Yes, Dad." She made her way to the bathroom as he moved on to the front with the tray of cheese buns. He slid them into the case and helped a few customers with their morning orders.

Callie came in from the back as Finnick and Finn came through the front door. She greeted Finn with their elaborate handshake and then waved at Finnick.

Peeta walked around the counter. "Hey, you two."

Finnick clapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, man. Could we get some assorted goodies for the counselors?"

"Sure. Just took some cheese buns out of the oven." He walked around the back of the counter. "And I have a few croissants left from the morning rush." He filled a box and sat it on top of the counter. "Add it to your tab?" He asked with a sideways grin.

Finnick chuckled and passed a card across the counter. "Paid in full."

"Daddy, can Finn and I have a couple cream-filled?" Callie asked.

Peeta nodded as he worked on Finnick's transaction.

She got behind the counter and washed her hands before helping herself to a couple of the donuts. She walked back around and handed one to Finn.

Finnick asked, "Did you put that on my bill?"

"That one's on the house." Peeta said with a smile. "Hey, Cal, remember to apply your sunblock regularly.

"Yes, Dad." She met him at the end of the counter.

He hugged her and kissed her forehead. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She stepped away. "I'll tell you all about today. Can we have grilled steaks for supper?"

"We'll see." He waved them off and then leaned against the counter and waited for the next customer.