Taming the Carefree Billionaire - Marie Higgins Page 0,59

Superman jumpsuit – tights and cape included – with a silver helmet on his head. His eyes were wide as he watched the road in front of them.

“I’ve listened to you for days talking about me taking the right road.” Thomas maneuvered past another vehicle. “But right now, Percy, this is the right road to be on. So, shut up or get out.”

“But, sir, you really need to be back at the winery.” Percy pointed in the opposite direction. “Miss Foster can wait.”

“No. She’s the most important thing in my life right now. I’m not going to let her get away.”

Up ahead, he saw Morgan’s motorcycle, so he stomped harder on the gas. Percy began muttering the Lord’s Prayer, each line getting louder and louder as he continued to clutch his seatbelt. It seemed, however, that Morgan was going just as fast as Thomas was, and he couldn’t catch up to her.

The stoplight ahead turned red, so he slowed the Ferrari. As he waited, he tapped his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. He’d always hated this light. It took too long, and of course, right now, it was even longer.

“Mr. Powers, I insist that we return to the winery.” Percy’s voice was stronger this time.

“I will as soon as I talk to Morgan.” He glanced at the little man. “But you aren’t going to be there. I mean it, Percy. I want you gone.”

“Time is critical,” Percy said as if he hadn’t heard a word Thomas said. “You cannot be distracted by Miss Foster.”

“What is so important that I cannot be distracted?” Thomas asked before looking back at the still red light.

“I cannot say,” Percy said with a groan. “In fact, I have probably said too much already.”

“Percy,” Thomas sighed heavily, “you always say too much.”

Percy folded his hands in his lap. “I just hope we aren’t too late.”

“Late for what?”

Thomas noticed that Percy looked behind them toward the winery, so he peeked over his shoulder, too. Immediately, he saw the black billowing smoke coming from one of the fields. Shock paralyzed him briefly as his mind scrambled to remember what he should do first. Swearing under his breath, he pushed a button on the steering wheel to turn on his phone.

“Call 911!” he shouted as he yanked on the steering wheel, turning the car around, and not caring who was in his way.

Tires screeched on the payment – whether his or from the other cars swerving who didn’t want to hit him. Morgan’s motorcycle zipped past him, heading toward the fire, too. He stomped on the gas pedal and followed her.

“911, what is your emergency?” the woman’s calm voice came over his Bluetooth speakers.

“My vineyard is on fire. This is Thomas Powers. I need fire trucks now!” He quickly rattled off the address.

As the woman on the phone tried to keep him calm, he drove closer to the fire. Seeing how much had been burned already made his heart plummet. This wasn’t good at all. Although, it had just started, the fire was already raging.

Reaching the winery, he slammed on his brakes and jumped out of the car. Morgan had already parked and tossed her helmet aside. She ran to him, grasping his hands.

“What can I do to help?” she said. Tears filled her eyes, but this time her expression was laced with panic, not anger.

“I already called 911.” He looked toward the fire before moving his gaze around the area. When it landed on a hose, he darted toward the object. Morgan didn’t need to ask what he was doing because she read his mind well and hurried to the building to turn on the water.

Thomas sprayed the grape vines that were close by, hoping to save what he could. These particular vines were those for the specialty wines. They couldn’t all go up in flames. Within seconds, more people rushed toward the burning field and the sprinklers were immediately turned on.

“Thomas!” Tasha called out to him as she ran ahead of the crowd. “Darion, is out here!”

“What?” Thomas glanced around the fields. “Where?”

Without waiting for her reply, he dashed into the fields, using the hose to spray everywhere he ran as he searched for his father. He tried to remember what Dad was wearing today. Good grief, he’d been in a meeting with the old man, so why couldn’t he remember? Suddenly, his mind opened. His dad wore a red shirt today!

Smoke filled the area quickly, making it harder to see, but he knew what color