With the Wind | A Short Novel (5 page)

             
“Daniel.  Yes Sally, I have been spending some time with him.  But he isn’t a project, like a chore or something.”

             
“Is he learning to speak English?”

             
“He is improving every day.  Daniel is very smart.”

             
“It appears that Misty has some talent as an ESL instructor.  I think that we should inform Father Silva that she is available to help the Mexicans learn the mother tongue,” Wilson said.

             
“That would be an excellent vocation for you, dear,” Sally agreed.  “God knows
those
people need to learn how to speak English.  We have a responsibility to give back to the less fortunate.”

             
“Daniel isn’t a …” Misty caught herself.  She knew that she had to be careful.  “Daniel is a photographer.  Sooner or later he will pursue his dream, I’m sure.”

             
“Yes, he even helped Misty select the wedding photographer.  I assume that Daniel approved of Mr. Perko’ work?” Anthony asked.

             
Actually, Daniel thought that Mr. Perko was a talentless hack, the worst photographer they interviewed. 

             
That is exactly why Misty hired him.

             
“Yes, Dad.  Daniel feels that Mr. Perko is very gifted.”

             
“My daughter the philanthropist.  It’s good to see Misty busy with a project like Daniel.  It will help her to become a better mother.”

“A moth…”

              “Just don’t get too wrapped up in him dear,” Wilson said, interrupting his fiancé.  “Boys like Daniel are fickle.  One day you'll wake up and he’ll be gone.  I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

             
“Solid advice, young lady,” Ben added.  “Keep some distance between yourself and the young man.  Detachment is a virtue Misty when you’re dealing with people like your Russian charge.”             

             
What a bunch of pompous fools, Misty said to herself.  I’m marrying into a family of arrogant, selfish bastards.

             
“Daniel is very good with our horses and he has been very kind to me.  I do not expect him be around forever, but he is my friend.  Helping him cheers me up.”

             
“Then I encourage the relationship,” Anthony agreed.  “Help the boy as much as you can.”

             
“Yes Father.”

             
Wilson was growing more and more uncomfortable with Daniel Novikov.                Instinct, more than anything else, was telling him to be wary. 

             
He noticed something in Misty’s eyes whenever she spoke about Daniel.                They lit up, almost betraying her expressions of friendly indifference towards the Russian.

             
From now on Wilson would be watching. 

             
Watching very closely.             

             
He needed to be sure that this vagrant foreigner posed no threat to his plans.             

CHAPTER NINE

             
“We had a fabulous ride.  Didn’t we gentlemen,” Wilson said.

             
The four men concurred as they dismounted. 

             
“Daniel, let me introduce you to my friends - John, Cliff, Reggie and Porter.”                Each man nodded as he was introduced. 

             
“The five of us went to Stanford together.  Brothers in arms, Sigma Nus,” Wilson explained.

             
“You were all in military?” Daniel asked.

             
“No, no,” Wilson said, laughing.  “Sorry.  Daniel still hasn’t quite mastered English yet.  Brothers in arms - don’t interpret the phrase literally, Daniel.  Sigma Nu is a fraternity.  Stanford is a University, a school.”

             
“Ah,” Daniel said, “you went to University together. I understand.”

             
“You’re from Russia?” Reggie asked.

             
“Yes, from Moscow.”

             
“Is it true what they say about Russian women, Daniel?  That an American can go over there and have his pick of the litter?”

             
“Pick of the litter?”

             
“Reggie.  Speak plainly.  Daniel thinks you’re talking about cats,” Wilson corrected.

             
“My fault.  Beautiful Russian women want to have sex with American men?”

             
Daniel knew what they were asking. 

             
The question was indiscrete.

             
They were spoiled, rich American playboys. 

             
Daniel did not envy them, but he did wonder why they had not been taught proper manners. 

             
In other circumstances he would have asked them, politely at first, to apologize.  Had they not apologized Daniel certainly would have defended the honor of all Russian women.

             
“That is myth.  When Communists fell many people were desperate.  Women now are not desperate.”

             
“I don’t think a fine, blonde Russian lady would have to be desperate to want to be with an American man of means,” Cliff argued.

             
“Perhaps not,” Daniel said, hoping that they would change the subject.

             
“What about you, Daniel?” Porter asked.  “How old are you?”

             
“Twenty.”

             
“Is there a girl back home waiting patiently for you to return with lots of dollars in your pocket?”

             
“Ah, no girl.  I am a single man.”

             
“There has to be someone after you.  You can tell us.  What’s her name?”

             
“Well, maybe one woman.  But she is unavailable.”

             
“Now were getting somewhere,” Porter continued.  “What’s her name?”

             
“Hard to translate into English.  In Russian her name means “ancient” or “heiress”.”

             
“She’s a Russian?”

             
“In spirit.”

             
“Is she married or something?”

             
“Yes, she is married.  I am afraid that I wait too long, how you say?, to make my move.”

             
“Not good with women, Daniel?  Maybe a tad on the shy side?”  John said.

             
“Yes, shy.  Women are difficult to understand.”

             
“Daniel,” Wilson said, as he stood and stretched.  “Let me help you.  Women are not difficult to understand.  They are actually very simple creatures, much like your horses.”

             
“Women are like horses?”

             
“Yes.  A horse responds to your commands, does he not?”

             
“Ah.  A horse will do what he is trained to do.”

             
“Exactly.  Women are the same.  First you must train them properly and then they will respond to your commands.”

             
“Genius Wilson, pure genius.”  Porter laughed.  “Complete horse manure, but pure genius.”

             
“All women want to be adored and protected.  They want a prince, a knight in shining armor, to sweep them up and carry them away to the castle,” Wilson bragged.

             
“You are such a knight?” Daniel asked.

             
“I am.  Misty is a lovely girl, simply the best.  She wants the dream, to be married to someone of stature, with money and upbringing, someone she can be proud of, her prince.”

             
“If you are her prince, then she will obey you, like a horse?”

             
“That’s it.  Now you understand women.”

             
“Wilson, that was the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard, but it was very entertaining.”       

             
“I don’t see your name on the social register yet, Cliff.  Still searching for the right girl?”

             
“So Misty is a prize?  A conquest?”

             
“My fiancé is a beautiful young woman who will make an excellent wife.  She also happens to be the only daughter, the only child, of the owner of the Buffett Winery.  Marriage is a union, a lifetime commitment.  You went to Stanford, Cliff.  Surely you learned
something
while you were there.”

             
“What is life without love?” Daniel asked.  “Money is not love.”

             
“First rule, my naïve Russian friend.  Without money, you have no love.” Wilson’s friends all laughed at his remark.

             
“I’m afraid that Wilson is finally speaking the truth, Daniel.  A man without money has nothing to offer a woman,” Porter opined.

             
“He has his dreams.  He has his heart.  He has devotion.”

             
“Sounds nice, very romantic.  But if you’re looking for more than just sex, a woman of quality will demand to examine your bank balance,” Wilson said.

             
“I see,” Daniel said.  “If you give woman money then she obeys like horse.”

             
“Crudely put, but essentially right on the nose.”

             
“I’d put a cork in it Wilson, if I were you.  Your “horse” is on her way over here,” Cliff said, pointing towards the main house.

             
“Thank you my friends for the fine conversation.  I return to work now,” Daniel said, as he stood to leave.

             
“What’s your hurry?” Wilson said, as he put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.  “Don’t be rude.  I’m sure Misty would love to say hello to you.”

             
Misty was dressed in tight jeans and a riding shirt.  She was carrying a broad brimmed hat.

             
“Hi honey,” Misty said as she gave Wilson a quick peck on the cheek.  “Hello guys.  Good to see you.”

             
“Wilson has been regaling us with professions of devotion to you,” Cliff said.  “You’re all he talks about now.  I’m afraid our friend is lost to us forever.”

             
“How sweet,” Misty said.  “Have you been saying nice things about me, dear?”

             
“I’ve bored them to tears telling them how much I adore you, sweetheart.”

             
“Well, you should.  I’m your princess, after all.”

             
“If I didn’t know better I’d say that you were dressed for riding,” Wilson observed.

             
“I know this will come as a shock, but I’m going riding today with Daniel.  He made me promise that if I taught him how to speak English, I would allow him to try and teach me how to ride.”

             
“But you are deathly afraid of horses, dear.”

             
“I’m even going to ride Sweet Pea. That was our deal and I’m sticking to it.  You should be proud of me.”

             
“Sweet Pea isn't the same horse as she used to be, but that mare could still bolt at any time.”

             
“Daniel has assured me that I’m safe.  I want to try.”

             
“Maybe later, Misty. Let me think about it.”

             
Misty laughed.  “Wilson dear, I wasn’t asking for your permission for heaven’s sake.  I’ll be fine.  I’m in great hands.”