With the Wind | A Short Novel (4 page)

             
“My pleasure to help you in any way possible.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

              “May I take a few pictures now, just for fun?”

             
“Sure Mimi, if you’ve got a minute,” Misty responded.

             
Mimi removed her digital camera from the bag and snapped some shots with trees and the waterfall in the background.

             
“One more. Kiss the bride, Daniel.”  Mimi Kelly was four feet high and three feet wide and bursting with energy.

             
Daniel understood, but he didn't know what to do.  Misty was a zanjataja zhenwina, an engaged woman.  As much as he wanted to it would not be proper to kiss her, or so he thought.  Perhaps in America such things were done.

             
“You heard the lady, kiss me,” Misty said.

             
“It is okay?”

             
“We are playing a game.  Like actors in a movie.”

             
Daniel intended to give Misty a quick peck on the lips, as if he was kissing his sister or a female relative back home.  But when they looked into each other’s eyes their souls connected again, the same way they did that day in the barn. 

             
As soon as their lips touched the world around them ceased to exist.                Misty was swept away in passion and wanted nothing more than for the moment to never end. 

             
For Daniel his dream was coming true – the most beautiful woman he had ever seen was embracing him, almost begging for his love. 

             
Awkwardness arrived the moment their lips parted.

             
“Incredible!” Mimi exclaimed. “That will make a truly marvelous photograph.”  All two hundred and fifty pounds of Mimi Kelly jiggled in delight.

             
“Ah, Mimi,” Misty said, trying to regain her bearings.  “Please be sure to give that photo only to me.  Daniel and I, well, that was very special.  We don’t want anyone else to see that picture. 
Ever
.”

             
“Understood, for your eyes only.”

             
“Thank you.”

             
Whispering Misty said, “Daniel, I need to say something to you …”

             
“Game is over, no?  I understand.  American custom.”

             
Misty was relieved that Daniel had offered her an easy way out, a convenient excuse to avoid dealing with the raging passion that was burning in her heart.

             
“Yes, the game is over.”

             
But the game was far from over.  It had just begun.

             
“This most beautiful place,” Daniel said.

             
“This
is
a beautiful place,” Misty corrected.  “We
are
at Multnomah Falls; the air
is
fresh, you
are
a handsome man.”

             
Daniel laughed.  “I may be handsome, you may not?”

             
“I may not,” Misty said, chuckling.  “Guns are not handsome.  Women are not handsome.  Men are handsome.  You are handsome.”

             
“Thank you.”

             
“For what?”

             
“Because you think I am handsome.”

             
Misty blushed. 

             
She felt completely at peace around Daniel, as if she had known him all of her life. 

             
Misty realized that she was experiencing something she thought would be impossible for her.

             
She was happy. 

             
This wonderful Russian boy without a penny to his name who owned no more than the clothes on his back made her happy.

             
“When is the wedding?” Mimi asked.

             
“In ten weeks, ten weeks from Saturday.”

             
“That’s great!  You picked the one weeWilsond I’m free for the next four months.  It must be fate.” 

             
“It must be,” Misty said, looking straight at Daniel.

             
“I brought along my portfolio.  You have a professional who would like to review my work, is that right?”

             
“Yes, Daniel.  He is a very good photographer.”

             
“Well I guess the groom can’t be expected to take pictures of himself, now can he,” Mimi said, as she tottered over and laid out her portfolio on the trunk of Misty’s Mercedes coupe.

             
Daniel carefully examined the first twenty pictures in Mimi’s portfolio.  He asked her questions about the settings, the light, angles, why she made the choices she made before taking the pictures. 

             
“May I speak with you?” Daniel asked.

             
“Excuse us for a second?” Misty asked.

             
“Certainly,” Mimi said.

             
“This is best photographer.  No doubt.”

             
“She is what?”

             
Daniel understood.  He smiled and tried again. 

             
“Miss Mimi is the best photographer we have interviewed.  She is most...no, highly skilled.  In my opinion, you should hire her for your wedding.”                “Then I will hire her.”

             
“She thinks you and I are to be married.”

             
“I know.  I’m still playing the game.  Just go along.”

             
Daniel smiled. “I go along if it makes you happy, Misty.”

             
“It makes me very happy.”  Misty couldn’t believe she just said that. 

             
Misty waved to Mimi and reached into her purse for her checkbook.  “Would a five thousand dollar deposit be sufficient?” Misty asked.

             
“More than sufficient.  The Buffett Winery.  I hear it is the most beautiful estate in the valley.  I would like to set up a day and time when I can come and visit, scout the locations and take some pictures.”

             
Misty handed Mimi a winery business card.  “Just call me and let me know when you’d like to come.”

             
“You know, I’m sure you hear this all the time, but you two are a gorgeous couple.   May God grant you many children and a lifetime of joy.” 

             
Mimi enthusiastically kissed first Daniel and then Misty on the each cheek in European style and then waddled back to her car.

             
“She is very joyful person,” Daniel said. 

             
So am I, Misty thought.  Whenever I'm with you.

CHAPTER EIGHT

             
“Tell me again what was wrong with Mimi Kelly,” Wilson asked.

             
“I thought about it and decided that Mr. Perko was the better choice,”

Misty lied.

              “Perko does have an extremely good reputation.”

             
“I’m glad that you approve dear.”

             
“It’s settled then.  Everything seems to be in order.”

             
Wilson and Misty were out to dinner with their parents at Sommers Mill, an historic site overlooking the gorge. 

             
They were standing together on the deck behind the restaurant admiring the stunning scenery.

             
“Kiss me, Wilson.  Tell me that you love me more than anything in the world.”

             
“Misty, my dear.  Of course I love you.” 

             
Wilson kissed his fiancé - a long, deep and perfectly executed kiss. 

             
Their kiss left Misty completely unmoved, like all of Wilson's kisses.

             
“It looks like they are ready to serve,” Wilson said, as he gazed back at the table where their parents were waiting for them.  “Shall we rejoin them or run away together and elope like two mad lovers?”

             
Misty forced a smile.  “We better go back dear.  Neither of us can afford to disappoint our parents.”

             
“So true.”

             
Why do I feel nothing for Wilson? Misty chided herself.  What’s wrong with me? 

             
Wilson was the complete package. 

             
He was also a complete bore.

             
From the moment of their first date, which was arranged through her father, Misty had been waiting for that “magic moment”, the moment when the cathedral bells would chime, birds would sing and she would fall madly in love with her ideal man. 

             
Time was running short.  She needed to hear bells.

             
She wanted Wilson to make her feel like Daniel made her feel, to stir her passion, to make her heart leap with joy. 

             
What if that never happened?  What would she do then?

             
“I can’t wait to see your children,” Sally Rubie said as Misty and Wilson rejoined them at the table.  “We were all commenting on how stunning you two look together.  Every eye in the restaurant was on you when you kissed.”

             
“You exaggerate, mother,” Wilson responded.

             
“No, it’s true.  You two attract attention,” Anthony agreed.

             
“Are you happy dear?” Abby Buffett asked. 

             
“Yes, mom.  I am.”

             
“Good.  Nothing is more important to your father and I than your happiness.”

             
Misty desperately wanted to believe that, but she knew it was a lie.

             
“So Anthony, tell us about the harvest,” Ben Rubie said as the first course arrived.

             
“It went very well, thank you for asking.  Your son was magnificent.  He will make a great wine maker.”

             
“You’re too kind,” Wilson said, with feigned modesty.

             
“You stepped right up and managed the harvest crews like an old pro.  I have the highest degree of confidence in your abilities.”

             
“Our son the vintner.  We could not be more pleased, Anthony,” Sally complimented.

             
“Not to mention the fact that we are all Catholics!” Ben exclaimed.  “I suppose I would have warmed to you Anthony even if you were a Protestant, but it will be answered prayer to witness Wilson take the marriage sacrament in Mass with a beautiful Catholic young woman from a fine family.”

             
“Amen,” Sally agreed.

             
“A toast then,” Anthony said, raising his wine glass.  “To Misty and Wilson.  May God bless your union with years of happiness and many children.”

             
“Here, here,” Ben concurred. 

             
“So tell me, Misty.  Anthony says that you’ve taWilson on a new project, the education of some Russian boy who cares for the horses at the winery.”