Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning #2)(96)

"Oh, sweetheart, you are right about that. Our Lina knows her wines," he cooed. "Anything else?"

"Anton!" Lina suddenly found her voice. "You can go back to the dough. I'l take care of both of these ladies."

Demeter raised her hand to silence her. "No. I am enjoying this" - she returned Anton's considering gaze - "young male. You two must talk. He shal attend me." Anton shot Lina a so there look.

"Can't I tempt you with something more than wine? We have an ab fab pizza today. I promise to heat it for you with my own lily white hands."

"Pizza?" The Goddess spoke the word as if it was a foreign language.

"Cheese, tomatoes, garlic, basil - it's to die for."

"Create it for me." Demeter said with an imperious waft of her hands. Anton smiled smugly. Before he turned away he said, "Sweetheart, what is your name? I don't think I've ever seen you in here before."

Lina opened her mouth, but Persephone shook her head, motioning for her to keep quiet.

"You may cal me Robin Greentree."

"Wel , Ms. Greentree, may I just say that on anyone else that outfit would look like a silk muumuu, but on you it looks like something a goddess would wear. You are perfectly majestic."

"Of course I am," Demeter said.

"I'l have your wine right out" Anton hurried back to the kitchen. As he passed Lina and Persephone he said, sotto voce, "I can't resist an old queen." Persephone covered her laugh with a polite cough. Lina scowled at him.

"Robin Greentree?" Lina whispered after Anton had disappeared back into the kitchen.

"Mother has a rather eccentric sense of humor, especial y about names. Do you know in some languages my name sounds just like 'corn'?"

"I am across the room, but I am not deaf."

"Of course, Mother," Persephone said.

"Sorry, Demeter," Lina said.

The two women shared knowing looks that turned into smiles.

Persephone studied the bakery with keen eyes. "Dolores isn't here?"

"I let her go early."

Persephone nodded. "She works hard. She deserves time off."

"It's hard to get her to take time for herself." Lina and Persephone spoke the words together. They stared at each other.

"Yes..." Persephone said.

"Yes," Lina echoed.

"Here's your Chianti and some bread with spiced olive oil." Anton placed the red wine goblet and a bread basket in front of Demeter. "Your pizza wil be out in a jiff." He swished past Lina humming

"Shal We Dance" from The King and 1 and fluttered his fingers amiably at Persephone. Persephone laughed. "I've missed Anton."

"Wel , he certainly grows on you."

"Stop wasting time!" Demeter snapped.

"Mother! Please. Drink your wine. Your pizza has to cook. Try to be a little patient." Persephone sighed and turned back to Lina. "Being the daughter of a goddess is not easy."

"I know," Lina said.

"Yes, you do." Persephone looked down at the counter and took a deep, cleansing breath. "I needed to come back."

Lina's face was a question mark. "Why?"

The Goddess met her eyes. "I am not happy. I miss my bakery - our bakery - your world," she stuttered.

Lina glanced at Demeter, expecting her to react to her daughter's words, but the Goddess continued to sip her wine silently.

"I don't understand."

"Is there nothing you miss about the Underworld?" she asked imploringly. Lina felt her spine straighten. "What do you mean?"

Persephone searched the mortal's eyes. "We cannot lie to each other."

"I'm not trying to lie to you," Lina said. "It's just that it..."

"It hurts," Persephone finished for her. "I know. I tried not to think about everything I missed, too. I thought it would be easier if I chose not to remember."

Lina nodded, struggling to keep her emotions under control.

"I wil begin." Persephone's smile was wistful. "I miss the bakery - its busy efficiency, the way it smel s and sounds, and how it is a gathering place for so many differ-ent types of mortals. And I miss little things, like how Tess Mil er has to have her glass of white wine precisely at the same time every day. I miss her little dog, even though he shocked Tess so badly when he snubbed me that she threatened to take him to the pet psychic. Animals do not react to me as they do to you." Persephone wrinkled her brow at Lina. "You know, the connection you have with animals is very odd."

"Yes, I know."

"I think what I miss most is the way everyone looked to me to solve problems. They did not see me as a younger, incompetent version of my mother. No one ran to her after I made a decision to double check that I was being wise. They respected me and trusted my judgment."

"You showed excel ent judgment, Persephone," Lina assured her. "The bakery is thriving. Everyone is happy. Merda! You even managed to get me into shape." Persephone gave her an assessing look. "Your body was a comfortable place to live, Lina. Do not underestimate your own beauty." The Goddess grinned and Lina was reminded of a cat regarding a bowl of cream. "That is another thing I miss. Mortal men are so very appreciative."