Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning #2)(5)

Lina could feel the beginnings of a serious tension headache.

Forcing herself to relax, Lina squinted past the glare of the highly polished picture window. She could see the newly painted frescoes that decorated the wal s - part of the expensive renovation that had just been completed. But the price had been worth it. Lina had commissioned Kimberlei Doner, a well -known local artist and il ustrator, to fil the wal s of Pani Del Goddess with authentic scenes from ancient Florence. The paintings, coupled with the vintage light fixtures and cafe*

tables, created an atmosphere that made her patrons feel like they had stepped off the streets of Tulsa and had been temporarily transported to magical, earthy Italy.

"Let's go in and see what we can do about you," she told the cat, who was stil purring contentedly in her arms. "First

I'l take care of you, then I'l figure out what to do about the money," she said, wishing desperately that money was as easy to come by as cats.

The wind chime over the door tinkled happily as Lina entered Pani Del Goddess. She stood there for a moment, basking in the familiar scene. Anton was fiddling with the cappuccino machine and humming the chorus of the song "Al That Jazz" from Chicago. Dolores was explaining the difference between panettones and colombe to a middle-aged couple Lina didn't recognize. They were the only people in the shop that she didn't recognize.

Anton glanced up as several customers cal ed hel os to her. His full lips began a grin when he saw Lina, but then they pursed into a resigned pout when he noticed the cat in her arms.

"Oh, look, it's our fearless leader - the Cat Savior." Anton fluttered his fingers in Lina's direction.

"Don't start with me, Anton, or I'l take back the DVD of Chicago that I got you for your birthday," Lina said with mock severity.

Anton's pout turned into a gasp, and he clasped his hands over his heart as if she had just stabbed him. "You're wounding me!"

Dolores giggled as she rang up the couple's order. "He's been tapping to 'Al That Jazz' al day. It's worse than his Moulin Rouge phase."

"Musicals are not a phase with me; they're my passion," Anton said.

"Then you should understand me perfectly. Helping animals is my passion," Lina said. Anton rol ed his eyes and sighed dramatical y. "I think it's more than slightly disturbing that I have the number to the Street Cats Rescue Line memorized."

"Just make the cal ," Lina told him, but Anton was already dialing the number. She winked her thanks to him.

"Wel , Lina! I was hoping to see you today."

Lina smiled and walked over to the table closest to the picture window. But instead of speaking to the dark-haired woman who had waved her over, first she greeted the miniature schnauzer who sat ramrod stiff on a scarlet-colored cushion at his mistress's feet.

"Dash, you are certainly looking handsome today." The cat stirred in her arms, but Lina soothed it with an absent-minded caress.

"He should. He just came from the groomers."

Lina grinned at the well -mannered little dog. "A day of beauty, huh? Honey, it's what we al need." She turned her attention to Dash's mistress. "How is the olive bread today, Tess?"

"Excel ent. Simply excel ent as usual." Tess's distinctive Tahlequah drawl was lazy and melodic.

"And this San Angelo Pinot Grigio that Anton recommended is absolutely perfect with it."

"I'm glad you think so. We aim to please."

"Which is why I wanted to talk with you. The Poets and Writers Association has chosen their Oklahoma Author of the Year, and we'l be having several functions to honor her next week. I want to make sure we have a selection of your excel ent breads for the dinner." Lina's mind raced ahead. Tess Mil er was director of Oklahoma's Poets and Writers Association, as well as the host of a very popular regional talk show - and one of Pani Del Goddess's most loyal customers. For years she and Dash had been stopping in the bakery during their daily walks, Lina had even had a doggie cushion made for the little schnauzer, which she kept in a special cubby underneath the cash register. There would certainly be no one better with which to begin her expansion. Even if she wasn't sure exactly what that expansion was yet.

"Uh, Tess," Lina cleared her throat. "Of course I would be happy to provide any breads you might need, but I would also like to talk with you about our new expanded menu. Perhaps we could cater the whole meal for you."

"Wel , that would be just splendid! I'm sure anything you come up with wil be perfect. Why don't I cal you Monday? You can give me my menu choices and I'l fil you in on the details?" Lina felt herself nodding and smiling as she turned away from the table. She kept the tight smile plastered on her face while she made her way to the counter, speaking to each of her patrons as she passed them. It was only when she reached the counter and ran into the blank expressions of shock that had taken up residence on Anton's and Dolores's faces that she faltered.

"Did I hear you say the word cater!" Anton whispered.

"And whole meal?" Dolores squeaked.

Lina jerked her head toward the back of the bakery before stepping through the cream-colored swinging doors that divided the kitchen, the storeroom and her office from the rest of the bakery. Her two employees scurried after her. Lina spoke quickly as she pushed the startled orange cat into the carrier she retrieved from the coat closet.