With the Wind | A Short Novel (6 page)

             
Daniel nodded at Wilson and said, “Misty is in no danger.  I will stay very close to her at all times.”

             
“Let me discuss this with your father first and perhaps …”

             
“We’ll be back in a couple of hours.  Nice to see you guys.  Don’t be strangers.  You are always welcome at the winery.”

             
With that Misty turned and followed Daniel into the barn to saddle the horses and go for a ride.

             
“You’ve got some work to do, old boy,” Porter said, chuckling. “Your 'horse' doesn’t seem all that obedient to me.”

             
Wilson wasn’t angry, he was furious. 

             
The insolence, the assumption, it was inexcusable. 

Daniel Novikov needed to disappear, sooner rather than later, before he did some real damage.

CHAPTER TEN

             
“Misty, may I ask you a question?”

             
“Of course Daniel, but let’s take the blanket out and sit under the oaks.  I need to rest before we ride back.”

             
She knew exactly what she wanted to do when they got to Martin's Pond, dismount and spend as much time as possible alone together.

             
After she poured the wine and cut some cheese, Daniel spoke again.  “I must know first, is it okay for me to ask you a personal question?”

             
“Sure, ask me anything you want.”

             
“If I offend you, you will tell me and I will apologize and stop.  Agreed?”

             
“Don’t be silly, ask your question.”

             
“Do you wish to marry Wilson?”

             
Daniel was very perceptive.

             
No doubt he had picked up on her feelings toward him, at least to some degree. 

             
She knew that she had to be careful in her answer, for both of their sakes.

             
“Wilson is a great guy.  My father loves him and really wants him to take over the winery someday.  He treats me very well.”

             
“That may be true, but you do not answer question.”

             
“I will answer your question if you answer one of mine.”

             
“I agree.”

             
“I will marry Wilson.  What I want is not as important as what I must do.  I have a duty to my family.  Do you understand what I’m saying, Daniel?”

             
“Perfectly.  You have answered my question.  What is your question?”

             
All Misty could think of was, ask him if he’s in love with you.  It took every ounce of willpower for Misty not to say this, but she restrained herself. 

             
“What do you want out of life, Daniel?  Do you want a wife and children?  Do you want to go back to Russia?”

             
“That is three questions.”

             
Misty playfully punched Daniel in the arm.  They laughed and looked at each other. 

             
Their eyes connected again, in that special way. 

             
Misty quickly turned and stared off into the distance. 

             
One more moment spent in Daniel’s eyes and she would be hopelessly lost with no more self-control.

             
“I want to be a photographer.  I love taking pictures.  Mostly of people, but landscape also.  It brings me joy and happiness and, how you say?, fulfillont?”

             
“Fulfillment.”

             
“Yes, fulfillment.  I am most at peace behind camera.”

             
“You must miss your cameras terribly.  It is a shame that you had to sell them.”

             
“Yes, a shame.  But, I must do what I must do.  Soon I save and buy new digital camera and computer.”

             
“Question number two.”

             
“I want to find my true love and take her in my arms and never let her go.”

             
“Have you ever been in love, Daniel?”

             
“No…well, I cannot answer that question, Misty.  I am sorry.”

             
“Oh, I shouldn’t have asked you that, I’m so …”

             
“It is okay,” Daniel said.  “I very much want wife and children.  Family is everything.”

             
“I’m embarrassed, Daniel.  It probably makes you uncomfortable speaking of such things with me.”

             
“No, not true.  I am very comfortable with you.  More comfortable than with anyone else.  Ever.”

             
“Daniel, I really need to tell …”

             
“May I ask you more questions?”

             
“You may.”  Daniel let her off the hook again, she was about to say something really dangerous.

             
“American women, they must have money?  I mean, a man must have much money to marry American woman?”

             
“That depends on the woman.”

             
“Not every American woman desires money more than love?”

             
“No.  I suppose Russian women and American women are much the same.  Some of us are hopeless romantics, others are quite practical.”

             
“’Hopeless romantics’ means?”

             
“Someone who believes that love is more important than anything else, more than money or duty or…”  Misty stopped. 

             
She stood and moved around, this conversation was hitting way too close to home.

             
“Perhaps we should ride back to the stables,” Daniel suggested. 

             
“Yes, Daniel.  I think you’re right.  It’s getting late.”

             
They gathered up their things and packed them on Daniel’s horse. 

             
Daniel gently helped Misty into her saddle. 

             
When he touched her Misty felt his strength, his raw power. 

             
Wilson was in good shape, but he wasn’t a strong man. 

             
She liked strong men.  She liked Daniel.

             
No, she said to herself as they turned their horses and started to ride back. 

             
I don’t just like Daniel. 

             
I have to face this and be honest, at least with myself. 

             
There was no use denying it anymore.

             
I’m in love with Daniel. 

             
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.”