Taming the Carefree Billionaire - Marie Higgins Page 0,18
for the Tribute?” Her tone lifted with excitement.
Morgan rolled her eyes. Joslyn folded her arms, trying to look professional... or at least appear to be in charge. “Yes, we are.”
The receptionist smiled widely, showing off her pearly white teeth. “My name is Kitty. I’ll be more than happy to help.”
“Oh, purrrfect,” Morgan said sarcastically. “We have an appointment with Mr. Powers. You can help us by letting him know we’re here.”
Joslyn scowled at Morgan and bumped her with an elbow.
“Darion or Thomas?” Kitty asked.
“Darion,” Joslyn responded.
Kitty pushed a button on her main phone set and relayed a message to someone on the other end. She then smiled again and nodded. “Mr. Powers’ secretary will be here in a moment. You can wait in the lobby.”
Morgan didn’t feel like sitting on the brown leather sofas, so she wandered to the pictures hanging on the walls that displayed the growth of the facility. Many pictures were of Darion and Thomas, both were much younger. She could see that he had shown Thomas the ropes at an early age. A few more pictures showed Darion receiving awards for having the best wine. There was even a picture of Darion standing with an older man. There was a resemblance in their eyes.
“That’s Jethro Powers, Darion’s father.”
The woman standing behind Morgan startled her and she jumped. She turned and looked at the forty-year-old woman with her black hair pulled back in a tight bun. She wore a matching gray skirt and suit jacket, with a pink blouse underneath.
Morgan smiled. “Yes, I gathered that since they look alike. The grandfather owns the Scottsdale winery, right?”
“Well, technically, he owns them all since he’s CEO, but his grandson, Aaron Powers and his wife now run the winery in Scottsdale.” The woman reached out her right hand. “I’m Tasha Carpenter, Darion’s secretary.”
Joslyn jumped up and hurried over to them.
“I’m Morgan Foster, and this is Joslyn Hardy. We’re with—”
“We are with,” Joslyn quickly interrupted, “the Tribute.”
Tasha nodded. “That’s what I was told. So now, if you’ll come with me, I’ll take you to the conference room upstairs.”
Joslyn pushed past Morgan, making sure to follow Darion’s secretary before Morgan could. After working with the diva journalist for four years, Morgan was tired of the way Joslyn thought she was more important.
“It is such an honor to finally meet Mr. Powers,” Joslyn gushed as they walked up the stairs.
Tasha smiled nicely. “I’m sorry that Thomas didn’t call you. He has been quite busy with...” she paused, “marketing strategies.”
Morgan tightened her lips, trying not to laugh. Is that what the company called his weekend parties and losing twenty-thousand dollars on gambling? She’d seen many companies doing this for some of their wayward employees. Morgan wondered if those companies really thought the public bought into their cover-up.
Tasha opened up a door to the conference room and let them go inside to the big round table. Thankfully, the room was empty, which assured Morgan that they would have Darion’s undivided attention.
“I will get Darion. He only has,” Tasha glanced at her watch, “about fifteen minutes until his next meeting.”
“We’ll talk fast,” Joslyn promised. “We really appreciate his time.”
Once Tasha walked out, Joslyn spun around to Morgan. “Try and get a few pictures while I’m talking to Darion. Maybe we can arrange for a tour later.”
Morgan nodded and pulled out her camera from the leather bag. Thankfully, the shop had replaced the lens quickly enough. There was no way she’d be able to fork out another eight-hundred dollars for a new camera.
The door opened and a very handsome man with silver hair entered the room with Tasha. Immediately, Morgan noticed the similarities between father and son. She prayed Darion’s attitude was one-hundred percent better.
“Ladies,” Darion began, “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. It’s been a very busy morning.”
Joslyn quickly repeated the introductions for her and Morgan. Darion extended his hand and shook their hands.
“I do wish we had more time, but let me answer a few of your questions now.” He motioned toward the chairs. “Please, sit.”
He waited for the ladies to sit before he took his spot at the head of the table. Morgan was impressed with his old-fashioned manners. As Joslyn began asking simple questions and recording the conversation, Morgan snapped a few pictures.
Even though she concentrated on getting great shots, she didn’t think Joslyn was asking the right questions. It was difficult not to say something to her coworker, but that wouldn’t be professional. It would depend on her mood later in the