sober up.” Thomas pulled out his wallet and tried to hand the man a ten-dollar bill. “I’ll even pay for it.”
Percy held up a hand, stopping him. “I am not drunk, sir. I need to help you fix your life so you can prepare to take over the winery when your father dies.”
“Where did you hear that bunch of crap? My dad isn’t dying. Besides, I already know how to run a winery since I’ve been doing it for years. Heck, I even ran two wineries for a while when we thought my cousin, Aaron, was dead. I did pretty darn good, too. I don’t need your help, Mr. Mills.”
Three more women and a man walked by Thomas, laughing behind their hands as they passed.
“What?” Thomas yelled at them. “Can’t you see I’m talking here? Don’t you know it’s rude to laugh at people behind their backs?”
The people walked a little faster away from him but laughed as they did so.
“Mr. Powers,” Percy said, “no one can see me but you. I am your guardian angel. I am here to help you.”
“I think you are the one who is crazy.” Gritting his teeth to hold back some not very nice words, Thomas grabbed Percy’s arm and dragged him toward the front of the restaurant. The poor man stumbled to try and keep up, but thankfully, Percy didn’t fall. Keeping hold of the man, Thomas led them to the large bay windows. The sun was setting just enough to show a reflection on the glass.
“See...” Thomas pointed at the window. “You are not invis—” Stopping his words, Thomas stared at his reflection. There was only him. No Percy. Thomas looked back at the man he still held by the arm, standing beside him. Percy grinned at him and shrugged.
“How... How did you do that?” Thomas gasped. “Are you a magician like my cousin? Because if you are, I can promise you that I can’t be tricked. I know them all. I’ve learned them from my cousin, Aaron.”
“I am no magician,” Percy admitted. “It is like I have told you before. I am an angel.”
Thomas released Percy’s arm as if the man was on fire. Breathing slowly, Thomas tried to regain control over the situation. Only seeing his image still shocked the crap out of him. “If you’re an angel, where are your wings?”
“I haven’t earned them yet.” Percy shrugged, holding up his hands, palms up. “That is why I’m assigned to help you. If I can succeed, I will get my wings.”
“And if you don’t?” Thomas arched an eyebrow. “If you fail, will you go to...” he motioned to the ground while fanning his face, “someplace really hot?”
“No. I just won’t get any wings.”
The sound of a motorcycle revving up brought Thomas’ attention to the parking lot. The beautiful woman who had taken his pictures was sitting on a motorcycle. He wasn’t quite sure of the model, only because he wasn’t that familiar with bikes, but he could tell she hadn’t paid very much for it.
He sucked in a quick breath. He was supposed to be following her. And yet, there was no way he could do it now. She’d definitely notice him running to his car... if he could find the dang thing!
Morgan slid the black helmet over her head and then exited the parking lot and onto the street, gaining speed by the second. Watching her weave in and out of traffic, he smiled, not really knowing why. He’d never dated a biker-chick. Dating one might be fun.
Dating? Why would he think of her in that sense? There’s no way he’d date someone who didn’t have more respect for his privacy.
“Are you listening to me, Mr. Powers?” Percy interrupted.
Thomas blew out an irritated breath. “So, what am I doing wrong that you need to be my guardian angel?” He paused before throwing up his hands in surrender. “You know what? Just forget it. I don’t want to know. Goodbye, Mr. Mills. I have work to do tonight.”
Thomas turned toward the south parking lot and immediately saw his red Ferrari. He practically ran toward the vehicle, mumbling under his breath. Angel? He laughed irritably. The odd man had to be on drugs. However, there was one thing that Percy had said that disturbed Thomas. The man had mentioned making Thomas ready to take over the business when his father died. As far as he knew, there was nothing wrong with his father. Did Percy Mills know something Thomas didn’t? If