With the Wind | A Short Novel (9 page)

“Yes, everything’s great.  We’re almost finished.”

“Almost finished?”

“Yes, all of the pictures for the brochure are taWilson.  I brought them in to show you.”

Misty set her notebook computer on the table and stood it up on a stand. 

“I made a slide show.  Just flip through the pages using your finger.”

Anthony reviewed all the pictures.  Then he said, “Daniel did a great job.”

“Didn’t he?  The angles, the lighting, the choice of backgrounds, all perfect.”

“What do we owe him for his work?”

“He was pleased to do it for the cost of the equipment.  I think we saved five grand or more by using him and we got a top quality product.”

“Then you and he don’t need to go off together anymore?”

“No.  Well, tomorrow we want to shoot the north field later in the afternoon.  The light is perfect then; the shadows will provide just the right contrast for our cover shot.”

“After that you’re done?”

“Yes.  Good thing too.  I need to focus on the wedding from now on.”

“I agree.”

“Where is Wilson?”

“He had to run into San Francisco on some business for his father.  He said to tell you he will see you for dinner tomorrow.”

“I’m glad that you’re pleased, Daddy.”

“I’m very pleased.”

“Would you tell Daniel?  It would build his confidence to know that you think highly of him.”

“I’ll be sure to let Mr. Novikov know exactly how I feel about him.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Is it right?  The light, I mean?” Misty wanted to know.

              “Perfect.”  Daniel snapped the last of the brochure pictures.  “We have captured the moment.”

             
“My father loves your work.”

             
“I am glad.  Now I take more of you, my favorite subject.”

             
Misty had on jeans and a form fitting top, low cut.  She knew they would be taking lots of pictures of her today and she wanted them to be extra special.

             
Daniel snapped away.  Misty framed against the vines, then a tree, then the jeep.

             
“Close up now.”

             
Daniel leaned in inches from her face.  He changed the angle slightly – first straight on, then up, then down, then slightly askew.

             
Misty started to cry.

             
Daniel stopped taking pictures and set the camera down.

             
“What’s wrong?”

             
“We won’t be together tomorrow.  Without the project…”

             
“You will miss me?”

             
“I miss you every second that I’m not with you.”

             
Misty could not believe that she said that.  I just came out.

             
“I must tell you something, Misty.”

             
Misty nodded, her glistening eyes penetrating into Daniel’s soul.

             
“I am not a good person.”

             
“I disagree. You are a very good person.”

             
“A good person would not do this.”

             
Daniel reached over and lovingly touched Misty’s face.  He pushed her hair away and tucked it behind her ear. 

Then he kissed her, softly at first, then more deeply.

              Misty responded with a moan and she wrapped her arms around Daniel.

             
Their embrace seemed endless, a perfect moment when time stood still.

             
“I love you very much.  I wish to marry you.  You are the most…”

             
She let her herself go now, unleashing all of the pent up passion that had been building in her since the moment she met Daniel in the barn.  She took his hand in hers and placed it on her breast.  He lifted her off the ground and set her down in the back of the Jeep.

             
They kissed for minutes, exploring each other, losing themselves in the sheer joy of expressing their affection for each other for the first time.

             
“You not answer my question,” Daniel said, holding her face in both hands.

             
“Use the language correctly, sir.”

             
Daniel smiled.  “You have not answered my question, Miss Buffett.”

             
“Yes, I will marry you.  I love you more than life itself.”

             
“I have no ring to give you, no money.  Only my heart and my devotion.”

             
“The only thing that matters is that we will be together.”

             
“Are you sure?”

             
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

             
It started to rain, a gentle sprinkling common to the Columbia Gorge in the early winter.  They made no attempt to seek shelter.  As the drops fell, so did their clothes.

             
Misty took off Daniel’s shirt. 

She kissed his muscular, hairless chest. 

How many times had she imagined herself doing this, wondering how Daniel would feel, how he would taste. 

Now it was finally happening.

              Daniel slipped off her blouse and loosened her belt.

             
The rain began to fall a bit harder, now it was more than mist.

             
They ignored the weather.

             
Daniel laid Misty down in the back of the Jeep. 

             
He was taking off her jeans when they heard a vehicle slam on its brakes and come to a stop ten feet behind them.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

             
No one said a word.

             
Misty put her blouse back on and buttoned up her pants.  Daniel slipped on his shirt.

             
Wilson kept clenching and unclenching his fists.

             
Daniel noticed that and moved between Anthony, Wilson and Misty.

             
Anthony finally spoke.  “Alright, Misty.  Show’s over.  It’s time to go home.”

             
“No.”

             
“What do you mean, no?  Get over here this instant!”

             
“No.  I’m not going home with you.”

             
Wilson moved toward Misty.  Daniel stepped in front of him.

             
“Do not touch her.  I warn you only once.”

             
“Wait Daniel.  Give this to him.  It does not belong to me anymore.”

             
Misty handed Daniel her engagement ring.  Daniel gave it to Wilson.

             
Wilson glared at Daniel, thought better of his intentions and backed off.

             
“Misty, honey.  Don’t throw your life away.  Not like this, not with this bum.”

             
“Be careful who you’re calling a bum, Daddy. I love Daniel.”

             
“You bastard!”  Wilson’s face was bright red.

             
“I love your daughter, Mr. Buffett.  She does not love Wilson.  She never did.  In time you will …”

             
“I’ll what?  Thank you?  Enough.  Get off my property right now.”

             
“I will leave as you ask.”

             
“I’m leaving with him,” Misty declared.

             
“The hell you are!”

             
“Be sure of one thing, Dad.  I’m not marrying Wilson.  I don’t love him.”

             
“This is how you repay me?  After a lifetime of devotion?”

             
“I love you father, but you do not have the right to tell me who to marry.”

             
“I did not tell you to…”

             
“Yes, you did.  Why lie about it?”

             
“I don’t recall ever…”

             
“If you love Wilson so much, why don’t you marry him?”

             
“I’ve had just about enough of this fool…”  Wilson reached out and tried to grab Misty.

             
That was a mistake.

             
In a sure and swift motion, Daniel hit Wilson with straight left and followed up with a punch to the gut.

             
Wilson hit the ground, writhing in pain.

             
“Do not touch Misty,” Daniel said, in a remarkably calm manner. “I will not allow that.”

             
“That’s assault.  Now I’m calling the police.”

             
“If you do that Dad, you’ll never see me again,” Misty warned.

             
Anthony put the phone down.  Wilson got up.  Daniel watched him very closely.

             
Wilson picked up Daniel’s camera that was lying on the hood of the Jeep.

             
He smashed the camera against a tree stump.  It broke into pieces.

             
“Feel better?” Misty asked.

             
“You are a liar and a cheat.  This behavior is inexcusable.”

             
“Wilson, I have been lying to you.  But you’ve been lying to me too.  You don’t love me.  I can tell.”

             
“I love you very much, you have broWilson my…”

             
“I must apologize as well,” Daniel said.  “To you, Mr. Buffett.  I love Misty very much, but I go about it wrong way.”

             
“Mr. Novikov, get off my property.  I will call the sheriff if you do not leave right now.”

             
“That is your right.  I will leave.”

             
“We are leaving.”

             
“Misty, how can you do this to me?” Anthony begged more than asked.

             
“All I am doing is choosing the man I love.  Why can’t you just accept my choice and be happy for me?”

             
“Baby, please.  We can talk…”

             
“Don’t ever call me ‘baby’ again, Wilson.”

             
Daniel and Misty climbed in the Jeep and sped away, leaving behind them two men whose scheme was now shattered.