The sun was breaking through the clouds at Jesse and Sam’s
vineyard in Argentina.
The gang had just arrived to take the last of the wine barrels
and anything else they could take before the government took over the winery in a few hours.
“Sam, just tell us what you want us to do and we will get working.”
“James, if you and Jesse will pull out the oak barrels and the cases of bottled wine from the warehouse, we should be fine.”
“How long will that take us?” Grandpa Jesse asked.
“A few hours, if we are lucky. Load them on those rolling carts
and get them in the vans. Then the vans can get the wine to the cargo plane. Any other questions?”
“No, Sam. We are on it for now.”
As James and Jesse worked at that plan.
Sam and Grandpa set out to set fire to the ranch house and the main house on the property. Sam was determined not to let the government have anything of value. He thought about torching the grape vines, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that. Especially after all of his hard work in the vineyard for years.
Meanwhile, Aunt Beatrice got busy with her shears and started
to take cuttings from the vines. Caroline followed her lead
and helped to mark each one and the type of vine
it was taken from.
Ginger watched in amazement, now everyone had a task and
it was going along quickly.
“Are you just going to watch or what?” James asked Ginger.
“What do you want me to do, make peanut butter sandwiches for everyone?”
“You can help us in the warehouse. There’s a lot of cases
of wine to save.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Congressman. I wonder what the U.S. Government
would said about you “stealing this wine.?”
“Miss Way, as far as that is concerned, we were never here and we didn’t steal the wine. This winery and everything in it belongs to Sam and Jesse. Now, if you are not going to help us, go back to the plane and make sure those pilots are not taking off without us. We only have a few hours to finish this operation.”
“You certainly like to give orders, don’t you?”
James just smiled at her and threw her a pair of gloves.
“Okay, I’m going along.”
After an hour and a half, most of the cases of wine were transported to the vans and then on to the plane sitting on the makeshift landing field, close to the winery.
Caroline and Aunt Beatrice had snipped enough cuttings
from the grape vines and headed back to the vans to wait for James and the gang.
Sam and Grandpa Jesse had started the fire at the ranch house and then went towards the warehouse.
No, it was not a pretty sight to see, especially for Caroline who spent over a year in this place after Jimmie-John was born. Those memories came flooding back to her and how kind and generous Sam was to her and her new born son. And now, Sam had nothing, nothing at all. He was flat broke. It was such a shame to lose everything. His life was over at the Agency when he faked his death. Caroline wondered what would happen to him now.
“Caroline, are you okay?” James asked.
“Yes, just a little sad. I hate to see this place go in flames.”
“We all do, but at least we are saving the vineyard. I agree with Sam, we can’t destroy something that has been growing in this region for over a century. It won’t be right. I see you and Aunt Beatrice were busy. What are you doing with the cuttings?”
“Aunt Beatrice said we are bringing these clippings back to Texas. Hopefully, they will take root and we can start our own winery in Texas.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. Boy, she sure is on top of this operation. She’s the biggest surprise.”
“Hey, are you talking about me again, James?”
“I’m just saying, that you are the smartest one in this bunch.”
“Now, that’s more like it. Do you think it’s 5 O’clock yet?”
“No, not yet, Auntie. Come on, we need to get in the vans and get out of here.”
Sam surveyed the vineyard and made one more check of the warehouse. The others waited by the vans for Sam.
James saw a text message on his phone from Sam.
Text Message:
HELP
Sam
James yelled at Jesse for help and they both went running towards the warehouse to find Sam. As James looked over his shoulder, he saw Ginger in hot pursuit and keeping up with them. He thought, what the heck, but didn’t say anything
and he and Jesse kept running. Caroline and the others stood by the vans and waited.
The fire in the warehouse was going full blaze and it was difficult to breath and see much of anything at this point.
Sam yelled and James and Jesse followed his cries for help and they found him with a large oak barrel on top of his leg.
“Sam, what happened. Are you hurt?”
“Yes, I think my leg is broken.”
“We need to get this barrel off you leg. Hold on.”
Just then Ginger appeared with a long stick of some sort and throw it to James.
“Nice catch, Congressman.”
“What are you wonder woman Ginger?”
“I like that name. I might have to keep it.”
“Stop talking and help us get this barrel off Sam.
“We didn’t have plans to die in Argentina today, Ginger.”
“Now, aren’t you glad The Agency sent me and I came along?”
“We should have known that you didn’t come along on this trip on your own free will.”
After pulling and pushing the barrel came loose and Jesse lifted Sam up with James’ help.
“Can you walk?”
“That’s a stupid question, my leg is broken and you want to know if I can walk.”
“Calm down, Sam. Yes, it was an idiotic question but the building is burning and we need to get the hell out of here,” James replied.
Then out of nowhere, Ginger appeared driving a golf cart,
“Get in before we all die in this place. I have a life to live, gentlemen.”
The men just laughed at Ginger and her comment and got on board the golf cart as she drove it to the van area.
“What happened, James?”
“Poor Sam got caught up in a wine barrel, broke his leg
and Ginger rescued us. So, nothing much, all in a day’s work.”
Everyone laughed but James instructed them to get in the vans and make their way to the cargo plane.
“Are you in a lot of pain?” Ginger asked.
“Yes, I am but I’ll tough it out.”
“You don’t have to tough it out, Sam. Once we get aboard the plane I have my medicine kit.”
“So, what are you saying to me, you have an aspirin or two for me?”
“Better than that, I have the really good stuff. I can shoot you up with a strong pain killer, you won’t feel a thing then until we get back in U.S. air space.”
“What are you, a doctor?”
“No, I’m a register nurse.”
“You aren’t kidding are you?”
“Nope. I’m one of The Agency’s best nurses.”
Once they got back to the cargo plane, Jesse and James helped
Sam get aboard and settled before Miss Way started her treatment on Sam.
“Now, this might sting a bit but you won’t feel anything after that. Ready?”
“I guess I don’t have a choice. Go ahead nurse Ginger.”
The look on Sam’s face told the story of how bad the shot was
for him.
“Well, your bedside manner could be better, nurse.”
“Ahhh, you wanted bedside manner, how about this?”
Ginger bent down and kissed Sam on his lips and smiled.
“Happy, now?”
“I’m in heaven with an angel, thank you. Maybe, we can talk about that life you want to live.”
“I think the shot is working just fine. Now let me see what else I can do to get us out of here faster.”
“Don’t leave me now, nurse, we are just getting started.”
“I see our patient is in good form, Miss Way.”
“Why, yes, he is and cute too.”
James pulled Ginger Way from Sam and said to her,
“We have a problem. The pilot and co-pilot managed to escape
to safety somewhere. I’ll need your help flying this aircraft out of here.”
“My, my, you are the lucky one. I might be able to help you out, Congressman. I would hate to see the headlines in The Washington Post,
U.S. Congressman arrest in foreign country for looting and rioting.
You get my drift?”
“Yes, loud and clear, Miss Way. Now are you going to help us get out of here quickly?”
“Come on, Congressman, let’s fly this one. I do need your co-piloting skills, after all.”
“I’m sure you do.”
(to be continued)
Ginger was trying to make her report to The Agency but was interrupted
sagasandstoriesat821lane 