Author's note: Who's ready for a shopping trip? Thank you for all the love you have been giving this story. All the numbers I see go up almost daily really make my heart feel good. Happy Fourth, Americans! And happy Saturday, everyone!

Happy reading!

Chapter Eight

Katniss stopped the car outside the bakery and turned to Caleb. "Okay, baby, we're going to the sporting goods store in a minute. Please don't beg Peeta for anything. If he offers, take. Just like the last time we were here. Okay?"

"Okay, Mama." He nodded and reached down to unbuckle his seatbelt as his mother got out of the driver's side.

She walked around and helped him out. He slipped his hand into hers and pulled her inside. Callie held the door open and ushered them inside.

Caleb ran to the display case and sighed. "It's empty."

Peeta chuckled. "We put it away for the night." He opened up a cabinet and took out a box. "Want a cookie?"

"Yes, please!" Caleb reached inside and took one. "Mama said I couldn't ask."

Peeta chuckled. "Friends don't have to pay."

"That's not a good practice." Katniss said with a smile.

Peeta shrugged. "Well, one free cookie isn't going to break the bank. And I already cleared out the cash register." He held out the box to Katniss. "Want one?"

"Thanks." She took a cookie and patted Callie's back. "Ready for your very own bow?"

"Yes!" The girl exclaimed.

Peeta put the box away and pulled his keys out of his pocket. "Let's get this show on the road." He motioned for the door.

As Peeta locked up, Callie said, "I want a really pretty one."

Katniss chuckled. "Well, I think we need to look at function before we look at beauty. I have an idea of one that could work, but it's not the most beautiful. A pretty one can wait until you know for sure this is what you want to do." She asked Peeta as they got in the car, "So do you have a strict budget?"

He shrugged. "Depends on how expensive they are. I've never looked to buy a bow. And everything that goes with it."

"I'll help you keep it low. It can get expensive."

"Well, I'm a painter, so I'm no stranger to expensive hobbies. My paints have to be replenished often. Especially my oranges. I like orange. And finding the perfect paints took a while. Canvases aren't cheap either, especially the bigger ones."

"A painter?" Katniss asked. "That's awesome. Do you do commissions?"

"I have taken them before. I mostly just paint and give it away."

Callie said, "My walls are covered on Dad's art."

Peeta laughed. "She acts like it's a bad thing, but she loves it."

"Maybe I can look at your stuff?" Katniss asked. "Caleb wants to redo his room. An original piece of art that could grow with him would be a nice addition."

"Sure, we can talk. You can come back to the house after the shopping is done and I can show you a bit."

Katniss nodded and pulled into a spot in front of the store. She helped Caleb out and he ran to Peeta. He slipped his hand into Peeta's and smiled kindly. He gave Caleb a little nod and shook his hand back and forth. Katniss patted Callie's back as the girl stepped closer.

"So are you excited?" Katniss asked.

"Very. I want to be like you." Callie said with a giddy smile.

"You have to work hard at it." She said. She led them to the area with the archery equipment. She held out her arms. "Lot of stuff."

Peeta nodded. "You're telling me."

Katniss held up a finger. "But wait, I can help make sense of it." She walked to a box and picked it up. "Everything you need to get started. A bow that can easily come apart for compact storage, arrows, a quiver, and some targets. The bow can even grow with Callie. These things here," she pointed, "they are called limbs and they can be replaced with heavier ones as her strength grows."

Peeta picked up the box and looked it over. "It only has four arrows. Is that all she needs?"

"You can buy more." She walked down a few feet. She looked a moment and then picked up an arrow. "These ones should be good."

Peeta picked up some as Katniss went through and got some for her and Caleb.

"Ten arrows should be enough, right?" He asked.

"I think more than enough. She's just getting started." Katniss handed the shorter arrows to Caleb. "Be careful with those, baby."

"Yes, Mama." He pointed the tips toward the floor.

"Is that all I need?" Callie asked as she took the box from her father.

"For now." Katniss said. "When you get more into it, there's a lot of extra that can help, but you don't need it now."

They started for the front. Callie asked, "Is the bow you use at camp the one you use all the time?"

Katniss shook her head. "I have three. And the one Caleb uses was mine when I was his age. My dad got it for me to teach me. I have one that I only take out on special occasions that is custom. I'll bring it in for the end-of-summer showcase. It's really pretty. Green with this cool pattern of irises and primroses all over it."

"Why irises and primroses?" Peeta asked. He sat the arrows on the counter and motioned for Callie to put the box along with them.

"For my mom and sister, those are their names." She ruffled Caleb's hair. "And I have my dad's namesake right here."

"That's cool." Peeta said with a grin as he ran his credit card. "Callie, you're sticking with this for at least six months."

"Sure thing, Dad." She picked up the box and clutched it to her chest. "But I'm thinking forever."

Katniss chuckled. "I'll help you put it together if you want."

"Yes, please."

Katniss paid for her transaction and they all walked out together. Caleb grabbed Peeta's hand again. She opened her mouth to call him back to her, but Peeta shook his head.

Peeta asked, "So, Caleb, what do you like besides archery?"

"I like to color." The boy said.

"Oh, yeah? What do you like to color?"

"Pirates and dogs." He said confidently.

"Pirates and dogs, huh? I like pirates and dogs, too. But what about pirates that are dogs?"

Caleb's eyes grew wide. "I never thought of a pirate dog, Peeta!"

Peeta laughed and squeezed his hand. "It would be pretty awesome, huh?"

"Really awesome!" He thought for a moment and said, "But how would a pirate dog hold a sword? They don't have hands."

Peeta thought a moment and then said, "I think they could have hands. You know that sometimes things can change? It's how imaginations work."

The boy nodded. "Yeah!"

Callie looked over the box as they drove back to the Mellark home. Caleb happily chattered to her about the new bow.

Peeta smiled. "Thanks, Katniss. I think I have one happy kid back there."

Katniss shrugged, "Just part of the job."

He shook his head. "No, not true. I don't see you out shopping with anyone else."

"Not everyone else is as enthusiastic." She admitted.

Caleb asked, "Mama, can we have pizza for supper?"

"Pizza?" Katniss asked as she pulled into the bakery. "Why do you want pizza?"

Peeta pointed, "Go down this road. Our house is in the back."

Caleb said, "Mama, you said we could have pizza for supper today. So can we? And can Callie and Peeta eat with us?"

Katniss parked the car and turned to Peeta. "What do you say?"

"Sure. I can order delivery while you help Callie set up her bow."

"But I'm paying." Katniss said.

He shrugged. "Maybe you can get it next time." He got out of the car.

"You're not buying my friendship." Katniss said as she followed.

"Paying you back for showing my kid how to do something." He said with a shrug.

Caleb ran after Peeta into the house. "Can I see your paintings, Peeta?"

"Sure, Caleb." He unlocked the door and ushered them all inside. "Callie, can we look in your room first?"

"Yep!" She sat the box on the couch and led them all into her bedroom.

The paintings on the walls were a mixture of cartoon reproductions and realistic animals. There was one that had beautiful calligraphy of her name.

"You did all these?" Katniss asked as she stepped closer to a galloping horse. Its mane and tail blew in the wind and its momentum. "That's amazing."

"You should show her Mom." Callie said.

Peeta nodded and led them out of the room. In the living room he walked to the covered canvas in the corner. He pulled the cloth away and stepped back. "Alexandrea." He said softly. "I still have a few things to clean up."

Katniss stepped forward and examined the portrait. She looked over her shoulder at Callie and said, "You look a lot like her." She turned back to the painting. "This is amazing, Peeta."

"She was amazing." He said softly.

Katniss nodded. "I'll help with that bow, Callie." She turned and sat with the girl on the couch as Callie opened the box and started taking the stuff out.

"Pepperoni?" Peeta asked. "For the pizza?"

"Works for me." Katniss said.

"You know me, Dad." Callie said. She looked at the pieces she took out.

"I like lots of cheese." Caleb said as he followed Peeta to the next room.

"Me too." Peeta tapped his phone and made the order on the app for the local pizza place. He picked up a sketch pad and a pencil box and tucked them under his arm as he finished making the pizza order. He put his phone in his pocket and then sat at the coffee table. He patted the floor beside him. "Let's talk about pirate dogs, Caleb."

For the next several minutes, the pairs talked amongst themselves. Caleb leaned over the sketch Peeta worked on. He enthusiastically pointed out things he liked.

"Can he have an eye patch and a wooden leg?" Caleb asked.

"Sure he can." Peeta quickly sketched the patch over the dog's eye and then moved on to replace one of his legs with a wooden one.

There was a knock on the door.

Caleb ran to it and opened it.

Katniss tensed up as she watched her son. "Caleb, we don't open other people's doors."

"But the pizza's here." He said and pointed.

A young woman smiled and waved at them from the other side. "Hi, I have two large pepperonis with extra cheese."

"That'll be us." Peeta pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed over several bills. "Have a good evening, Piper."

"You too, Mr. Mellark." She waved at everyone and walked back to her car.

"You know the delivery girl by name?" Katniss asked as she followed him into the kitchen. "Order a lot of pizza?"

He chuckled. "Her dad is one of my bakers. I watched her grow up. I offered her a job in the bakery, but she said she'd rather try her hand at something else." He sat out plates and cups and called the kids in.

Caleb came in and asked, "Mama, did you see the pirate dog Peeta drawed for me?"

"Drew." She corrected. "And I did see. He's very talented, isn't he?" She handed him a plate.

The boy nodded and walked to the table with his plate.

"I'll paint it for you if you want?" Peeta said.

Caleb nodded enthusiastically as he chewed.

"If that's okay with you." He said to Katniss.

"Fine by me." Katniss said. She sat down beside Caleb. "Name a price."

"We can work it out later." Peeta said.

She shook her head. "You're difficult."

He shrugged. "I'm just being kind."

"'Kind' will make you go broke." She pointed out. "So after we eat, Callie, you want to set up a target and get a feel for the new bow?"

"Yes, please." Callie said happily.

"Do you think you'll like it?" Peeta asked.

"I think so."

Caleb finished his slice of pizza and asked for another one. Katniss sat it one on his plate and took another for herself. Callie and Peeta helped themselves to more. They ate in silence for a while.

Caleb finished and then looked to Peeta. "Can you finish my picture now?"

Peeta chuckled. "Can I finish eating?"

"I guess." He asked Katniss, "Mama, can I play on your phone?"

She passed it over. "Keep the volume down."

"Yes, ma'am." He made himself at home on the couch and started playing.

Callie took one last slice and sat with Caleb on the couch as she ate it to watch him play.

Peeta watched them a moment and then turned to Katniss. "So."

Katniss smiled. "So."

"How much to you charge for the solo coaching?"

"For once a week, I charge a hundred a month. For twice a week, a hundred and fifty. Sessions are about an hour, sometimes a little longer if there's something we need to keep at. We do them at the camp range."

Peeta nodded. "Sounds reasonable."

"I'd love to work with her. She's got a lot of potential."

He nodded. "She's very excited. She just kept talking about the bow shopping today. So, thank you. I appreciate it."

"It's been my pleasure." She stood and helped him clean up the plates. She led everyone outside. She set up a target and counted steps. She pointed. "Here."

Callie stepped up to where Katniss pointed.

"Hold on." She looked around and found some rocks. She placed them on the ground where the girl stood and then found some more to put by the target. "Every time you come out to practice, you put the target back there and you stand here. Peeta, whenever you mow this grass, make sure you put the rocks back as close to here as possible."

He nodded. "You got it." He clapped his daughter on the back. "Show me what you've been learning, Cal."

Callie took a shaky breath and pulled out an arrow.

Katniss leaned down and said, "Just remember, you breathe in and aim, breathe out halfway and fire, and then let out the rest of your breath before you take your bow down."

The girl nodded and nocked her arrow. She took her time and did as Katniss instructed. The arrow hit the lower corner. She grumbled and tried again. The second one was a little higher, but still so far from the center.

"You just have to keep practicing." Katniss said. "You know what?"

"What?" Callie asked.

"I don't get the center every time. And there are some days the arrows are all over the target. You will get better with practice, but you will still have bad days. And that's okay." She patted Callie on the shoulder and looked at her watch. "We need to head out."

"Yeah." Peeta nodded. He held out his hand. "Thank you for your help today."

Katniss shook his hand. "It was no problem."

He dropped his hand and rubbed his thighs. "I'll work on that picture."

"Thanks." She smoothed her hand over Caleb's hair. "Let's go home."

Caleb nodded and then threw his arms around Peeta's waist. "Thank you, Peeta."

"You're very welcome, Caleb." He said as he rubbed the boy's back.

Katniss and Caleb got in their car and pulled out. Peeta watched them a moment and then turned to Callie.

She said, "You like her."

He sighed and took her shoulders and shook gently. "She's my friend." He kissed her forehead. "I'm proud of you with this. You're doing so well."

She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you, Dad."

He held her tightly and rocked back and forth. "I wish your mom could see you. I think she'd be proud, too."

Callie looked up. "I know she would be."

Peeta let go. "You should practice a bit more and then pack it in for the night."

"Okay."

He watched her shoot a few more arrows before he went back inside to work on the portrait of his late wife.