Taming the Carefree Billionaire - Marie Higgins Page 0,60

to look for now. “Dad!” Thomas’ heart beat faster as he ran through the fields, calling his father’s name repeatedly. Heat from the fire grew hotter, but he still couldn’t see his father or the red shirt.

Through the smoke, he noticed several people with buckets of water and hoses, trying to put out the fire. Off in the distance came the wail of the fire trucks heading toward the winery.

“Thomas.” Morgan grabbed a hold of his arm.

He gasped, and clutched her. “Morgan? What are you doing this close to the fire? Go back.”

“Tasha said your dad went to the shed.” She pointed in the direction.

Thomas nodded and gently pushed her in the direction of safety. “Please, go back. I don’t want you hurt.”

She coughed and waved a hand in front of her face. “I will, but please... come back. Don’t you get hurt, either.”

“I’ll try my hardest.” He kissed her forehead quickly before running toward the shed.

The hose wouldn’t go any further, so he dropped it. When he reached the door, the knob was hot. He swore, knowing he had to enter no matter what. Using his foot, he kicked open the door. Smoke hung thick through the room. He covered his mouth and nose, coughing into his sleeve.

He quickly scanned the area, but once again, the smoke made it almost impossible to see. The heat from inside was nearly unbearable.

Closing his eyes, he said a silent prayer. Lord, please help me find my father. He doesn’t deserve to die. If you must, take me, instead.

As he opened his teary eyes, a red color caught his attention. Lying on the floor was an unmoving body. Dad!

Thomas rushed to his father, falling on his knees beside him. Darion lay still as death. He pressed his fingers to his father’s neck. There was a pulse, but it was weak. Panicked, Thomas used all of his strength to lift his father into his arms. That was the easy part, but standing up made him struggle several times.

Finally, he situated his father enough to carry him out of the shed and toward safety. Several men wearing firemen suits rushed toward him. Thomas’ lungs were tight, and he struggled to breathe. His legs collapsed and he fell to the ground just as the firemen reached him. Two of them carried his father away, and one of them helped Thomas back toward the parking lot.

Morgan and Tasha rushed to his side. Kitty followed closely, clutching magazines to her chest. The woman’s wide eyes were full of fright. An oxygen mask was shoved in his face by one of the firemen. Holding it to his mouth, Thomas prayed it would help him breathe, but he couldn’t stop watching the paramedics assisting his father. One of the medics touched behind his father’s head and his hand was covered in blood. Why was his father’s head bleeding? Thomas glanced at his own arms, especially the one that had been holding his father’s head. Bloody!

Tears pricked his eyes. Had someone tried to kill his father? But why?

“Is he all right, sir?” Percy stood behind Morgan, shifting his stance from one foot to the other, wringing his hands.

“I... don’t know.” Thomas’ voice tightened.

Morgan narrowed her gaze and shook her head. “What don’t you know, Thomas?”

“Mr. Powers?” Percy continued. “Your father loved you very much. He was very proud of the man you were becoming these past few days.”

Thomas’ eyes filled with tears as he looked at the odd man. “Did he really? I had always been a disappointment to him. I can’t believe... I should have...” His voice broke and the tears streamed down his face.

“Thomas, your father is going to be all right.” Morgan wrapped her arms around Thomas, comforting him.

As he leaned against Morgan’s softness, his mind went over everything that had happened – both in the past, and in the not-so-immediate past. What if his father died today? Would he be able to take over the winery? And... how did Percy know all of this? Was he truly an angel sent to help Thomas get back on the straight and narrow path? Or was his guardian angel Morgan?

As he watched the paramedics work on his father, an ache filled Thomas’ chest. Oxygen was placed over his father’s face and they lifted him onto a stretcher.

One of the paramedics stepped toward Thomas. “We’re taking him to Queen of the Valley Medical Center.”

“I’ll be there.” Thomas stood and looked at Tasha as he removed his oxygen. “Call Antonio.” His mind