Read Online Apollo's Gift (The Greek Gods Series) by Sandy Rowland - Free Book Online
Authors: Sandy Rowland
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you know how to market yourselves.” She threw up her manicured hands. “Unbelievable.”
The entire conversation was unbelievable. “I’m not a product for sale.”
Her mom’s red lips tightened. “It isn’t a question of whether we’re for sale or not. It’s haggling over the price.”
The shock of her mother’s words shot through Cassie like Greek fire. Did her mom believe what she’d said? In what way had Dr. Nancy Priam sold herself and to whom? Cassie took in her mom’s shaking hand as it again pushed the black dress at her, the harsh lines around her mouth and desperation darkening her blue gaze. Her mom could be the poster child for misery. For the first time in Cassie’s memory she felt sorry for her.
* * *
Sawdust and peanut shells were strewn about the floor of the Cattle Rustler’s Bar and Eatery. Cassie followed John through the conglomerate of truckers, family parties and servers, burdened by trays stacked high, to their table in the corner. She slid into the brown vinyl-covered booth. A beer bottle dangled above the table with a bulb screwed into the cut bottom, creating a crude lamp that glowed indifferent light.
John grinned at her and pulled a peanut from the tin bucket on the table, cracking the shell in his large bronze hand. “Great place. Best steaks and ribs.” He popped the nuts into his mouth and chewed. “Hope you’re hungry.”
The server, a thin young man decked in a black t-shirt with the words “Cattle Rustlers do it better” in beefy script over his chest, handed them menus. Cassie squinted at the offerings under the dim beer bottle and was glad she’d ignored her mom and worn jeans.
“We’ll have two beers and the Stampede Platter,” said John.
“And what dressings for your salads?” The server focused on her with quick green eyes.
“Ranch on the side,” she said, irritated that John had side stepped her in ordering. “And no beer, just water.” The server nodded and left.
“You don’t drink?” John crinkled his brow. “I knew you were brilliant. Are you a prodigy, one of those kids that finished college by sixteen? I’ve never been good at guessing a woman’s age. You are legal—right?”
Cassie considered giving him a hard time and let him think he was out with jailbait. Served him right. He deserved to sweat it out for a while “That depends on what you mean by legal.”
His gaze focused into a leveling stare. “You’re full of crap.”
“Am I?”
“Yeah.” He drummed his fingers on the glossy wood table. “I’m an information geek. You’re over 21 and no boyfriend. I checked you out before I took you to lunch.”
“Okay. Now I’m uncomfortable.” And his reference to “boyfriend” caused her to wonder if Apollo would barge in. Not that he was her boyfriend, but he didn’t seem to listen to her on that point. She casually glanced around the room for blue eyes emitting fire.
“Why? Everyone does it. I’m just honest about it.” That lopsided grin spread over his mouth. “Like you didn’t look me up before tonight?”
“Maybe a little.” He did have a point. “How much digging did you do?”
“Enough to know that you’re a quiet girl, a serious student, and someone I’d like to know better.”
All true. But she was still annoyed by his need for control. “Do you always order for your dates without asking them? And what is the Stampede ?”
John tossed peanut shells onto the floor. “Just habit on the order. The Stampede is a platter stacked high with ribs, grilled steak and chicken. I’m a carnivore.”
Habit? Did he bring a lot of girls here? Good thing she wasn’t a vegetarian, she’d starve with this guy. Cassie dropped her paper napkin in her lap feeling irritation roll in her gut. “Do you frequent this place?”
John shrugged. “It’s close to my apartment and I like the décor. Very low key.”
Low key didn’t begin to describe the design. Cassie glanced at the stuffed two-headed calf
The entire conversation was unbelievable. “I’m not a product for sale.”
Her mom’s red lips tightened. “It isn’t a question of whether we’re for sale or not. It’s haggling over the price.”
The shock of her mother’s words shot through Cassie like Greek fire. Did her mom believe what she’d said? In what way had Dr. Nancy Priam sold herself and to whom? Cassie took in her mom’s shaking hand as it again pushed the black dress at her, the harsh lines around her mouth and desperation darkening her blue gaze. Her mom could be the poster child for misery. For the first time in Cassie’s memory she felt sorry for her.
* * *
Sawdust and peanut shells were strewn about the floor of the Cattle Rustler’s Bar and Eatery. Cassie followed John through the conglomerate of truckers, family parties and servers, burdened by trays stacked high, to their table in the corner. She slid into the brown vinyl-covered booth. A beer bottle dangled above the table with a bulb screwed into the cut bottom, creating a crude lamp that glowed indifferent light.
John grinned at her and pulled a peanut from the tin bucket on the table, cracking the shell in his large bronze hand. “Great place. Best steaks and ribs.” He popped the nuts into his mouth and chewed. “Hope you’re hungry.”
The server, a thin young man decked in a black t-shirt with the words “Cattle Rustlers do it better” in beefy script over his chest, handed them menus. Cassie squinted at the offerings under the dim beer bottle and was glad she’d ignored her mom and worn jeans.
“We’ll have two beers and the Stampede Platter,” said John.
“And what dressings for your salads?” The server focused on her with quick green eyes.
“Ranch on the side,” she said, irritated that John had side stepped her in ordering. “And no beer, just water.” The server nodded and left.
“You don’t drink?” John crinkled his brow. “I knew you were brilliant. Are you a prodigy, one of those kids that finished college by sixteen? I’ve never been good at guessing a woman’s age. You are legal—right?”
Cassie considered giving him a hard time and let him think he was out with jailbait. Served him right. He deserved to sweat it out for a while “That depends on what you mean by legal.”
His gaze focused into a leveling stare. “You’re full of crap.”
“Am I?”
“Yeah.” He drummed his fingers on the glossy wood table. “I’m an information geek. You’re over 21 and no boyfriend. I checked you out before I took you to lunch.”
“Okay. Now I’m uncomfortable.” And his reference to “boyfriend” caused her to wonder if Apollo would barge in. Not that he was her boyfriend, but he didn’t seem to listen to her on that point. She casually glanced around the room for blue eyes emitting fire.
“Why? Everyone does it. I’m just honest about it.” That lopsided grin spread over his mouth. “Like you didn’t look me up before tonight?”
“Maybe a little.” He did have a point. “How much digging did you do?”
“Enough to know that you’re a quiet girl, a serious student, and someone I’d like to know better.”
All true. But she was still annoyed by his need for control. “Do you always order for your dates without asking them? And what is the Stampede ?”
John tossed peanut shells onto the floor. “Just habit on the order. The Stampede is a platter stacked high with ribs, grilled steak and chicken. I’m a carnivore.”
Habit? Did he bring a lot of girls here? Good thing she wasn’t a vegetarian, she’d starve with this guy. Cassie dropped her paper napkin in her lap feeling irritation roll in her gut. “Do you frequent this place?”
John shrugged. “It’s close to my apartment and I like the décor. Very low key.”
Low key didn’t begin to describe the design. Cassie glanced at the stuffed two-headed calf
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