With the Wind | A Short Novel

by Judith Cropola

I’m not sure what it means or what I should do about it, but I’m love with Daniel Novikov.

  “Daniel, wait,” Misty shouted. Sweet Pea responded to her command and stopped beside Daniel’s painted stallion.

  “Are you okay?” Daniel asked.

  “No, I mean yes. I need to answer your question. This American woman is a hopeless romantic. I know you probably don’t believe me, but I really don’t care all that much about money. I do love my family. My father is counting on me, Daniel. I have a hard time disappointing my father.”

  “Does he have the right to say who you should marry?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I think he does. What do you think?

  “I think it is time for us to return home. We ride together, side by side?”

  “Side by side.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “I want him gone, Anthony. Escorted off the property immediately.”

  “Wilson, lower your voice. Let’s discuss this, in private.”

  The afternoon maid heard every word of Wilson’s angry diatribe. She scampered away as soon as Anthony noticed her presence.

  Anthony poured Wilson a scotch, neat and then fixed another for himself. “Now, tell me what horrible thing Daniel Novikov has done that requires his immediate banishment.”

  “I apologize for my tone, Anthony. I’m afraid that I allowed my anger to get the best of me for a moment.”

  Anthony sipped his scotch and nodded.

  “Misty is clearly fond of the boy, but I think her affections for him are basically harmless.”

  “I agree,” Anthony said.

  “The issue is his insolence as reflected through her. She had the gall to turn her back on me and walk away, right in front of my friends. She dismissed my concerns as if they were nothing but hot air.”

  “Daniel is to blame for Misty showing you disrespect? You’ve lost me, Wilson.”

  “She has become argumentative and stiff necked ever since the engagement party.”

  “Again, if you have issues with Misty, how is Daniel to blame for that?”

  “Do you see the way she lights up at the mention of his name? Her entire demeanor has changed since she began those bloody English lessons with him.”

  “I’ve noticed a real change in her Wilson, but the change I’ve noticed has been nothing but positive.”

  “Anthony, I do not appreciate the way Misty fawns over him.”

  “Are you jealous of Daniel, Wilson?”

  “What a…that’s preposterous. How could I possibly be jealous of someone like him?”

  “Well, from where I sit it sounds like you consider him to be a threat.”

  “I do consider him to be a threat. Daniel is a bad influence on her.”

  Anthony was listening and trying to be empathetic with his future son-in-law. Clearly he did not share Wilson’s concerns about Daniel Novikov.

  But if Wilson Rubie disliked any of his employees, for any reason, that was justification enough to take action.

  The only thing that kept him from telling Daniel to pack his things and leave was his daughter’s feelings for the boy. He did not think it wise to upset her so close to the wedding.

  He wanted to try and solve the problem without creating a bigger one.

  “I will speak with Jose about Mr. Novikov. If I see to it that Daniel and Misty no longer spend any time together, would that assuage your concerns?”

  “Yes, of course. Forgive my presumption.”

  “You have not been presumptuous in the least. I assure you that the matter will be handled to your satisfaction. Have a little faith, Wilson.”

  “It's settled then. Thank you, Anthony.”

  ********

  “Do we have an understanding, Jose?”

  “Yes, Mr. Buffett. You no want Daniel to spend time with Misty.”

  “And?”

  “Daniel is not to mention why he no spend time with her, he is just to stop doing so. If he tells her reason why he no spend time with her you will get very angry.”

  “No, I will not get angry. I will take action. Daniel will be fired, immediately. I will blame you if that happens, Jose. Is that clear?”

  “It is clear sir. Daniel is my responsibility. I have question.”

  “Okay, ask.”

  “What if Daniel gets mad and says you cannot tell me what to do and he quits?”

  “Then he quits. Problem solved either way.”

  “So you will not be angry with me if he leaves?”

  “No. But please, Jose. Do not misunderstand me. Remember Carlos. He was a good employee, but he crossed me one to many times and…”

  “You have him deported.” Jose finished Anthony’s sentence.

  “Yes. By the way, I’m giving you a raise as of now. How does two hundred dollars more a month sound to you, Jose?”

  “Sounds like I need to speak with Daniel.”

  “Exactly.”

  ********

  Jose knew where Daniel was, playing horseshoes with his daughter.

  Almost every afternoon before dinner Daniel would take a few minutes and do something with Eva.

  He was very good with her and never seemed to tire of answering her endless stream of questions.

  “Oh, Dios,” Jose muttered as he crossed himself. He did not want to confront Daniel.

  He wanted to tell Mr. Buffett to go to hell, but that was not an option. Jose and Eva were illegals and even though they had been in America for over five years, if they got caught they would be sent home. Eva’s mother was dead, as were both sets of her grandparents. Jose was all she had left and he could not put his daughter at risk.

  “Papa!” Eva shouted. “I’m getting good at this game. Watch me!”

  Eva tossed two horseshoes and the second one was nearly a ringer.

  “Daniel, may I speak with you for a moment?” Jose asked.

  “I’ll go wash up, Daniel. You’re sitting by me at dinner tonight. Remember, you promised!” Eva Rodriguez was a beautiful child who was obviously well on her way to becoming an attractive young woman.

  “We shall dine together tonight, my sweet,” Daniel said.

  Eva beamed, as she did every time Daniel paid attention to her. She ran off, her brown pony tails bouncing on her slender, tan shoulders.

  “Daniel, we must talk. First you must promise not to get mad at me.”

  “Am I to be fired?” Daniel asked.

  “No, not yet. But you will be if you do not stop spending time with Miss Misty.”

  “Why? Is she upset with me?”

  “Mr. Buffett is upset with you, but you must never, never tell him that I told you this. He may fire me if you tell him. I cannot risk my job, or worse I ...”

  “Jose, tell me everything, from the start,” Daniel said, interrupting.

  “Mr. Buffett wants you to stop talking to Misty. He no give me reason, but I figure it out easy enough. Mr. Wilson, he no like you.”

  “If I keep talking to Misty Mr. Anthony will fire me? Why did he not just speak to me directly?”

  “He no want Miss Misty to know why you stop talking to her. Daniel, he no play. This is serious matter.”

  “Yes,” Daniel agreed. “This is a serious matter.”

  “So you will do as he says and stay away from Miss Misty?”

  “I will make sure that you are not involved, Jose.”

  “So you will stay away from Miss Misty?”

  “You must trust me, my friend. I will make sure that Mr. Anthony will not be angry with you. More you cannot ask me to promise.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Meet me behind the bunkhouse in fifteen minutes.”

  “Daniel, why can’t we talk now, I wanted to tell …”

  “Please, keep walking. Fifteen minutes, I explain then.”

  Daniel moved away quickly, avoiding eye contact with Misty.

  He knew that he was being watched.

  After finishing his early morning chores, Daniel returned to the bunkhouse. He close
d his door and then climbed out of the rear window.

  He saw Misty and motioned for her to join him behind the boiler.

  “Daniel, what in the world is going on?” Misty asked.

  “Your father is what is going on. Did he tell you to stay away from me?”

  “No, he's said nothing of the sort.”

  “I suspected that Jose was right, now I am sure.”

  “Daniel, tell me what’s happening.”

  “Jose says your father will fire me unless I stay away from you. Also, I may not tell you why I no longer wish to speak with you or Jose will also be in trouble.”

  “What reason…”

  “Wilson is reason,” Daniel said, interrupting.

  “Oh.” Misty said.

  “I do not want to put Jose at risk. But I will not stop talking with you, unless you tell me that is what you wish.”

  “I most certainly do not wish that, Daniel. I have half a mind to…no, let me think.”

  Misty put her leg up on the fence rail.

  She was wearing a tight pair of slacks and a short sweater top with her belly exposed.

  Daniel tried not to stare, but it was difficult.

  Misty was not just pretty, she was stunning.

  Lately all Daniel could think about was being with her, holding her, making passionate love with her.

  He knew this was wrong.

  It was very dishonorable to pursue an engaged woman, almost as dishonorable as it was to commit adultery.

  “Daniel, I will not be told who I can speak with, not by my father, not by Wilson, not by anyone. I choose my own friends. You are my friend, Daniel.”

  “We must consider Jose and Eva.”

  “I agree. I will solve the problem. All I need is a little time.”

  “Perhaps it is best if we avoid seeing each other for a few days.”

  “Not a chance. I would miss you…” Misty caught herself and rephrased. “Where can we meet where no one will see us? What about Martin’s Pond?”

  “There is no work for Jose at that place, so he has no reason to go there.”

  “Daddy knows that I like to disappear in the Jeep once in a while. You can ride in.”

  “Misty, I would understand if we cannot have conversations for a while.”

  “Oh, put that notion out of your mind. We need to talk today. That is what I wanted to tell you a few minutes ago. I bought you something.”

  “Misty, you should not buy me things. That is …”

  “Now you are telling me what to do? I thought we just went over how much I do not like men telling me what to do.”

  Daniel smiled. He couldn’t help it.

  Misty simply made him smile.

  She filled his heart with joy and love.

  Love. Daniel had never been in love before.

  He wasn’t sure exactly what love was, but this had to be it.

  He was in love with Misty Buffett.

  He was in love with a beautiful, rich and engaged American girl who was not free to love him back.

  “I exercise the horses four days per week. I am usually gone for three hours doing this job.”

  “What time will you be taking a horse out today?”

  “Two in the afternoon.”

  “I’ll be waiting for you at Martin’s Pond.”

  ********

  “What is in the box?” Daniel asked.

  “I should make you guess,” Misty answered.

  “Guess? I am most embarrassed by your gift.”

  “You don’t even know what I bought you and you’re embarrassed?”

  “It isn't right for woman to buy man a present. A man should buy woman things.”

  “In America,” Misty said, playfully tugging at Daniel’s collar, “women buy men things all the time. We have our own money.”

  “Then I will be an American today and accept your gift.”

  “Open it, please.”

  Misty had set the box down on the ground behind her Jeep.

  It was metal and it looked like it contained equipment of some kind.

  Daniel opened the box and exclaimed, “O moj Bog! It is digital camera and computer! O moj Bog! This is very expensive gift, Misty. I could not possibly accept such a gift from you.”

  “Well, the gift does come with some strings attached.”

  “Strings? I do not...”

  “I would like you to photograph the winery and the fields. I was going to tell father about my ideas for the new brochure, but I’m going to wait on that for a bit. Pack the camera back with you and keep it under wraps until I sort things out.”

  “Keep it under wraps?”

  “The camera is our secret. I do want you to take pictures of me though, starting right now.”

  “Is camera, how you say?, charged up?”

  “Yep. Do you know how to use it?”

  Daniel held the camera in his hand.

  He had priced this exact same camera compiling his wish list.

  The camera alone, and he noticed that Misty had also purchased several attachable lenses as well, cost over three thousand dollars.

  The lap top and printer were worth five thousand more.

  “Misty,” Daniel said, “You have spent too much money on this gift. Even for someone as wealthy as yourself it is, how you say?, too much.”

  Nothing is too much for my true love, Misty thought and almost said. She had to be very careful from this point forward.

  Wilson had raised the stakes, but she was the master at getting her father to do what she wanted, Wilson was a late comer amateur.

  “I will do as I please, sir. Now, are we going to take some pictures, or what?”

  Daniel allowed himself simply to revel in the moment.

  He had his dream camera in his hands and his dream girl in front of him. He spent the next two hours with his lens full of Misty Buffett and his head spinning with possibilities for the future.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “He has a girlfriend? Is it serious?” Anthony asked.

  “I think they’re going to get married, as soon as he can bring her here.” Misty explained.

  “Are you still helping him with his English?”

  “Not so much,” Misty lied. “I think Daniel has lost interest in his lessons and in me, for that matter.”

  “What’s happened?”

  “He barely acknowledges me anymore. He sort of grunts and nods whenever I say hello.”

  “Hurt your feelings?”

  “Nah. I like him and all, but there is only so much one person can do, you know, to help.”

  “What about the brochure. I put you in charge of that, Misty. We need a new one. Now.”

  “I thought Daniel might do it. He is a great photographer. It’s cheaper to buy the equipment and keep it in house than it is to hire someone.”

  Anthony stood and moved to the bar and poured himself a brandy.

  “Do you still want Daniel to take the pictures?”

  “Might be a good idea. Whatever you want to do, Daddy.”

  “Why not? I like giving people a boost up when I can. Do you still have the time to direct the project?”

  “I guess. If you want me too, I’ll do it.” Misty tried to sound as disinterested as possible.

  “Hello love,” Wilson said, as he walked in the room. He kissed Misty on the cheek.

  “We were just discussing Mr. Novikov,” Anthony explained.

  “Oh?”

  “I guess he’s lost interest in his English lessons and he’s not being too friendly to Misty.”

  “Sorry to hear that honey. Do I need to speak with him, remind him to use good manners?” Wilson asked.

  “No. I was telling Daddy it’s no big deal. I don’t care all that much.”

  “I would like Daniel to take the pictures for our new brochure. Would that be okay with you, Wilson?”

  Wilson looked at Misty, trying to gauge her reaction to the question. Misty busied herself looking at the mail, as if she didn’
t care one way or the other.

  “Do you think that’s a good idea, Anthony?”

  “I think there are no issues we need to be concerned about.”

  “Can you manage him, Misty? Show him what we want done?” Wilson wanted to know.

  “What? Oh, sorry love. We got a sweet letter from Julie and Russ. They’ll be able to make the wedding after all.”

  “What I was asking you was do you have time to work with Daniel on this project?”

  “Yea, sure. I guess. If that’s what’s best.”

  Wilson looked at Anthony and nodded.

  “It’s settled then,” Wilson said.

  “Get him what he needs and get started, Misty. Tell me in the next few days if Daniel is going to work out, or if we have to go another route.”

  “Okay Daddy. I’ll point him in the right direction. Wilson, did the caterer call you back love? They were concerned with …”

  `

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “So now things are back the way they were?” Daniel asked.

  “No, you must still seem uninterested in me. We are working together, but we are not friends,” Misty answered.

  “That makes me sad.”

  “Why?”

  “I consider you to be my close friend.”

  “Daniel, this is just a…”

  Daniel sported his silly grin, the one he used when he was teasing Misty.

  “So you think you’re pretty clever now, do you mister?”

  “You are sensitive, Misty.”

  “Don’t forget it, either.”

  “It would not be possible to forget you.”

  Misty winced. Her shoulder hurt.

  “What is wrong?”

  “What’s wrong, use the contraction.”

  “Okay. What’s wrong?”

  “It’s my shoulder. Once in a while it kinks up and causes me misery.”

  “Turn around.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Face the other direction. I fix shoulder.”

  Misty turned on the blanket and faced the pond. Daniel moved close behind her and straddled her with his legs.

  He began to rub her neck - carefully at first, more exploring than massaging.

  Misty felt a soothing wave pass through her as soon as Daniel touched her. He found the kink buried deep in her right shoulder and he went to work on it in earnest - applying deep pressure, then lightly working, and then applying pressure again.