cut way back on your alcohol intake. I will allow you only one glass of wine at dinnertime, and during the day when you’re taste-testing for the winery. And another thing that you need to remove from your lifestyle is partying all the time. I think one party a month should help out greatly, and only for the evening. Going for forty-eight hours is not good at all.”
Groaning, Thomas rubbed his forehead. “You’re killing me, Percy. Is that really your plan?”
Percy’s expression turned mischievous, and for a moment, Thomas wondered if this man was the devil instead of an angel.
SIX
The next day, Morgan was back at her desk and on her computer, arranging pictures for her next assignment. She’d spent all morning long on the layout making sure it was just perfect. Now as she stared at the computer, she wasn’t satisfied, but she couldn’t figure out why. Being a perfectionist, she wouldn’t rest until it was done correctly.
Quick footsteps on the floor near Morgan’s desk, and her coworker’s fast breaths, had her looking away from the new layout. Joslyn rushed to her, grasping her arm.
“Do I have time to change?”
Morgan arched an eyebrow. “Change? Why would you want to change?”
“I just got a phone call from Mr. Darion Powers’ secretary. She apologized for the delay in Thomas’ response, but she said that Darion had a few minutes free this afternoon to speak with us.” Joslyn brushed her hands over her floral blouse and tan Capri’s that hugged her slender legs before moving her hands up to her hair as she gently felt for those out-of-place curls.
Although Morgan’s heartbeat accelerated, she breathed easier knowing that Darion wanted the meeting, not his son. “You look fine.” She grabbed her camera and backpack. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll drive.” Joslyn picked up her purse and the voice recorder.
“Why do you always have to drive?”
“Seriously?” Joslyn rolled her eyes. “Do you know what I’d look like after riding on the back of your motorcycle?”
Morgan laughed. “I was just joking.”
They didn’t talk much on the way to the parking lot. Once inside Joslyn’s car, she punched in the address to Darion Powers’ winery on her GPS. The twenty-minute drive passed quickly. Morgan was as nervous about this interview as Joslyn was – for different reasons, of course. She prayed Thomas wouldn’t be there. She hadn’t yet thought of a way to let Joslyn know of her second job... or that she’d had a run-in with the carefree billionaire, himself.
The gate surrounding Powers’ winery was opened wide and many cars filled the parking lot. Morgan scanned the perimeter, searching for all the people who owned these cars, but nobody was outside. “Do you think there’s a big meeting of some kind?”
Joslyn shrugged. “I was thinking the same thing.” She took a ragged breath. “Oh, my heart is beating so fast. Darion Powers is such a prominent man in this area. I can’t believe we are finally getting in to see him.”
“By chance, could you be more nervous about seeing Thomas Powers?” Morgan tried to say the man’s name without sarcasm in her voice.
Joslyn giggled. “Well, I really want to meet him, but I don’t dare get too excited.”
They parked and left the car. As they headed toward the main office, Morgan kept waiting for someone to come out and greet them. Apparently, these rich people were too busy to do something like that or to have someone waiting for them.
Inside the building, a young and very blonde receptionist sat behind a moon-shaped desk, typing on her computer – at least attempting to type. Her long, fake nails kept getting in the way. The half-phone headset over her head didn’t mess up her hair much, and the woman seemed comfortable wearing it as she chatted with a caller. She didn’t see Morgan or Joslyn until they stopped at the desk. The receptionist held up her index finger and mouthed one minute.
It didn’t take long before the woman ended the call. She turned toward Joslyn and smiled brightly. “Welcome to Powers’ Winery. How may I assist you?”
“I’m Joslyn Hardy, a journalist for the Tribute, and this is my photographer, Morgan Foster. We have an appointment with Mr. Powers.”
Morgan was relieved that Joslyn’s voice wasn’t as jittery as it had been in the car a few minutes ago. In fact, Morgan decided her coworker sounded very professional talking to the receptionist. Thank goodness she remembered what tabloid she represented.
The receptionist sat up straight and patted her bouncy, blonde hair. “You work